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.