When last we saw our heroine, she was doing Shameless Self-Promotion, as one does, signing bookplates, and starting to work on the next book, by which I mean, staring out the window, and making Cryptic Notes™.
That changed back toward the end of last week, when the edits for Diviner’s Bow landed in my inbox, and I spent the next While dealing with that, doing my own chilly read-through, and making a (few) more corrections.
Of course, in pre-apocalyptic times, Steve would have taken half the manuscript; I’d’ve taken the other half. We’d have talked over the editorial suggestions — and anyway, that’s not how we do things in this Brave New World, and it took me a good chunk of time to go through the ‘script and consider the suggested changes. I have only just today returned the manuscript to the editor.
In-between reading, correcting, considering, and inputting, I had the Waterville Fire Department come in and replace the 20+ year old smoke alarms in the house, which they did for free, because the Waterville Fire Department is Just. That. Cool.
I also went to the last meeting (for some number of months) of the book club, and did the 120-mile round trip to the cancer center, to chat with my oncologist. I’m fine, though they took me off of the drug I’d been taken to help reduce the risk of a recurrence because of the still-inconclusive outcomes attached to my June Health Adventure. Said drug being known to cause blood clots. That whole thing was much more upsetting than I had planned for, but, hey — it was a nice morning for a drive.
I also went to a writer meetup and met writers, which is something I haven’t done in a while. I honestly don’t know that I’ll ever feel up to traveling to science fiction conventions again — too very many people knew Steve, and Steve-and-Sharon. OTOH, one does like to talk with people who Get It, so after much waffling, I went, and had a pleasant evening. So — four stars out of five: may do again; encourage others to attend.
Somewhere in all there was also meeting a friend for coffee, grocery shopping, and hitting Home Depot up for paint (one of the smoke detectors had been painted (many times) to the wall, and brought paint with it when it finally was persuaded to let go.
Today was about cooking for the freezer, and making a loaf of cheese bread because I wanted cheese bread. Tomorrow and Sunday will be about laundry, and dealing with all the things I let pile up while I was concentrating on the edits for Diviner’s Bow.
Next week will be a bit pear-shaped due to the US Thanksgiving. On Wednesday afternoon, I’ll pick up a Feast For One from a local restaurant to reheat on the day, and expect that I’ll be doing something low-key and enjoyable, like laying out a chapbook. No, really; that’s low-key and enjoyable. Also, I need to get back to staring out the window and making notes.
As I’ve been walking up and down in the world, I’ve noticed the wreaths, and the greens, the trees, and the decorations, and — I will be sitting the holidays out this year. This includes the sending of the traditional Yule letter and cards. P’rhaps next year.
And that? Catches us up.
Everybody have a good weekend.
