Someone asked me back in March if I was going to write about the pandemic.
I said, “No.”
And then I realized I couldn’t write about anything without it being tied to the pandemic. So I just skipped out on the blog for a few months and focused on other things.
Not the puzzle, though. (See the post from February 3rd.) We still haven’t finished. The problem is an accumulation of terrible errors. There are sections that now must be taken up and taken apart and then reworked. It’s a long story. Also a boring one. I think we’ll stick with it, though. It would be a shame to throw it all back in the box and know we failed miserably at complex jigsaw puzzles.
I did do a lot of work on unfinished writing projects, a couple of which are carrying over into January as I submit manuscripts or load re-releases to Amazon. My guiding word for 2020 was FINISH! and I’m calling that one a success. I’ve decided my word for 2021 will be HEALTH! That mostly translates to weight loss, more walking outside, and eventually getting some physical therapy for my arthritic shoulders which are giving me fits. And getting my COVID-19 vaccine, of course. I’m ready for that whenever I can get it.
Over the last eleven months, I’ve also read more books than usual. And books will be what I write about the most this year. Outside of family and friends (and pets), the things I love most in the world are books. I read most genres of fiction and nonfiction. Sometimes I’ll write about my own books as well. This year I expect to do some giveaways on Goodreads, write more on new projects, and maybe even self-publish a couple of things.
I’ll also be posting over at the Blood-Red Pencil blog once a month. I’ll put those links here as well.
Meanwhile, I want to wish you a safe and happy new year for you and your family. I have faith that 2021 will be our year of recovery.
Good to see you back! 🙂
I think FINISH is a great word, and excellent that you achieved that! I’m only setting a few specific goals and keeping everything else loose.
And how exciting is another year of books?! I did a post of all of my 5 star reads for 2020, and I’m hoping I find even more for 2021. 🙂
There’s a combination joy and sadness in the huge quantity of excellent books available — we have so many to pick from but we’ll never be able to read them all.. Happy New Reading Year, Madeline.
“Over the last eleven months, I’ve also read more books than usual.”
Which is saying a lot!!!
I think you read even more than I do, Brian. And you’re also an eclectic reader. I’m reading three books at the moment, one fantasy, one political humor, and one women’s fiction. Fun!
Hi, Pat, and HAPPY NEW YEAR! I’m taking a fresh look at my efforts, too, and reassessing. I like your idea of boiling it all down to one word. I think I’ll work on that!
Hey, Janet. Happy New Year. I found one guiding word a lot easier to deal with than resolutions. The list of projects I had under the FINISH! umbrella was long, but doable. The biggest item on my HEALTH! list for 2021 is more longer walks outside. I’ll need to sneak out without Sassy to make the walk more like real exercise. Her walks are more like dragging me along too fast for ten paces and then stopping to sniff the grass/snow/sidewalk for a couple of minutes. 😀
Sadly that recovery will go well beyond this year since we so screwed up the economy with lockdowns. But health is very important and a great goal. I’m really grateful my husband and I are in good health.
Diane, it’s a sad situation with our small businesses , that’s for sure. Here in Northern Colorado, there are many supporters who have donated to keep these entities going. Colorado seems to be trying harder than some states to ease regulations and restrictions whenever possible.
Hope your New Year is healthful and productive. Certainly seems that you succeeded with last year’s resolution.
Look forward to reading your posts.
Thanks, Liz! I wish you a great 2021 as well. I love connecting with you here, at the Blood-Red Pencil blog, and on Goodreads.. I appreciate your comments.