Rook Thunderpaws’ Natal Day Celebrations

What went before: Lunch was drunken noodles, which I got the last time I ordered out, and it was lovely and worth a repeat. I also have won ton soup which will likely be dinner. If not, it will be breakfast. And? I have drunken noodles left over.

I wound up having to write a short bio, because the short bio in hand was for Us, not for Me, or even for Us that Was. I think I’ve got it nailed down. One more read-through for typos and I’ll send it along.

I did do some writing, by which I mean, I rewrote a couple of scenes and lost about 500 words. So — progress!

Tali has come into my lap numerous times today, and has even allowed me carry her around the house, and comb her. So — progress!

Today could possibly be Sunday, but whatever the day, the date is March 2 which means!

It’s Rook Thunderpaws’ first birthday.

Festivities are already in train. Rook had a vigorous game of tag with Tali, ending with Tali throwing the yellow ball at Rook, who was clearly supposed to bop it back to her, except Rook hadn’t read the rules of the game all the way to the end. There was a moment of awkwardness, which Firefly interrupted by chasing Rook through the kitchen.

In keeping with the festive nature of the day, breakfast was ham and Swiss cheese with mustard on whole grain bread, with ham treats shared out among the revelers.

My lunch today will be (part) of the now-defrosted crustless chicken pot pie. And yes there will be ice cream.

The plan today is to write. We’ll see how that works out.

What’s your plan for the day?

Morning Festivities, a short photo-blog:

Rufo’s Box — 1st unfolding

Wednesday. Anything Can Happen Day, but we took care of that last night.

This is a quick post before I go off to the Arts Center for a change-of-venue Deep Writing Session.

So, first! Thanks to everyone for your congratulations.

1. Yes, I will be attending BaltiCon.

2. Yes, I’ll try to schedule a Friends of Liad breakfast, lunch, tea, something. I obviously don’t have a schedule yet — except that I’ll be busy at Opening Ceremonies — so I can’t say when yet. It’s good to recall here that BaltiCon is at the end of May and we are presently at the end of February.

3. Yes, I know there are typos and errors in the press release. It’s BSFS’s press release and Fair Play says that you use the press release as it comes in.

4. Nope, I don’t know how I’m getting to Baltimore yet. The New! Improved! Plan! has me driving and hitting the Corning Glass Museum (remember that plan?) on my way home. This is probably the third or fourth plan I’ve had regarding travel since I knew I’d have to be in Baltimore.

5. No, the cats are Not Impressed. This is, after all, why so many writers have cats. They keep our egos in check.

That’s the quick news from the Confusion Factory.

How’s everybody doing this morning?

Sharon Lee Wins 2025 Robert A. Heinlein Award

For Immediate Release: February 25 2025
From Baltimore Science Fiction Society

Sharon Lee Wins 2025 Robert A. Heinlein Award

Sharon Lee, novelist, is the 2025 winner of the Robert A. Heinlein Award. The award is bestowed for outstanding published works in science fiction and technical writings that inspire the human exploration of space. This award is in recognition of Ms. Lee’s body of work of over 38 novels and short stories. A majority of her space themed work is in the Liaden Universe®, written with her late husband Steve Miller, and features merchant families trading across the galaxy. The next Liaden Universe novel, Diviner’s Row, is forthcoming from Baen Books in April 2025.

The award will be formally presented during opening ceremonies on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM for Balticon 59, the 59th Maryland Regional Science Fiction Convention. Balticon will take place at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore Maryland. Ms. Lee will participate in the Balticon program across Memorial Day Weekend.

Balticon and the Robert A. Heinlein Award are both managed and sponsored by The Baltimore Science Fiction Society, Inc. BSFS thanks The Heinlein Society and the family of Dr. Yoji Kondo for providing funding for this award.

The Robert A. Heinlein Award is a sterling silver medallion bearing the image of Robert A. Heinlein, as depicted by artist Arlin Robins. The medallion is matched with a red-white-blue lanyard. In addition, the winner receives two lapel pins for use when a large medallion is impractical, and a plaque describing the award for home or office wall display.

The Robert A. Heinlein Award selection committee consists of science fiction writers and was founded by Dr. Yoji Kondo, a long-time friend of Robert and Virginia Heinlein. Members of the original committee were approved by Virginia Heinlein.

Virginia Heinlein authorized multiple awards in memory of her husband. Other awards include the Heinlein Prize, which is fully funded by Virginia Heinlein’s estate, and a National Space Society award for volunteer projects.

More information on the Robert A. Heinlein Award, including past winners, can be found at www.bsfs.org/bsfsheinlein.htm

Sharon Lee maintains an official website at https://sharonleewriter.com/

More information on Balticon can be found at www.balticon.org

To contact the Heinlein Award liaison at BSFS, email dale@bsfs.org

Sharon Lee lives in the town of Waterville in the state of Maine, USA.