Anna Carrasco Bowling's Blog, page 5

Zombie Shows, Historical Fiction, and The Road Ahead

Well, it’s February. Normally, this is the month that even voices that don’t normally talk about romance novels, talk about romance novels. This year, the world is kind of….:sucks in deep breath: which is a sign that we need romance novels now more than ever. I am definitely up for doing my part. “But, Anna,” you ask, “where do the zombies come in?” Usually through the door. Sorry, sorry, I could not resist, but I do have a real reason.

Z Nation , on Amazon Prime

Z Nation is my current watch, more than a lighter and funnier version of The Walking Dead (the absolute tippity top of zombie shows, IMO) or at least that’s my takeaway from midway through the first of five seasons, where I am now. I watched both seasons of the prequel show, Black Summer, which had a much more serious tone, and originally passed on this show because I wasn’t sure the jokes would jibe with the zombie apocalypse, but that vanished as soon as I saw multiple zombies taken out by the Liberty Bell (yes, that one) and I am now fully on board. Yes, I checked the wiki, and the dog is okay.

In the Flesh , Amazon Prime

What’s better than zombies? British zombies, or as they are called in this series, Partially Deceased Syndrome Sufferers. In short, they found a cure, and the former infected are sent back to their homes, medicated and ready to mingle…if society is ready for them, which they often are not. Our protagonist, Kieran, even finds the opposition in his own home, as his sister is part of the Human Volunteer Force, dedicated to getting rid of the, well, you know. This time we are in a small rural village in the north of England. The second season hangs on a cliffhanger (with two romances in the balance) but I used my writer powers to decided what happened if I were in charge, so the ending in my head is satisfactory.

Anna. Zombies, and how they relate to romance writing? I’m getting there. The idea for what would eventually be the first of my Ravenwood series, A Heart Most Errant, came from the cover of the dearly departed Romantic Times magazine, which advertised, in two separate articles, medieval romance and post-apocalyptic romance. My brain immediately wanted to marry the two, and what says “historical end of the world” more than a deadly disease that slapped Europe upside the head three times in twenty years? Plus, there was a flood the year after the last plague ended, so we are talking giant paradigm shifts here.

Beside the Still Water, Deveroe #2

I would check the spine of this book to see if it was marketed as historical romance or historical fiction, but I don’t have a physical copy, so I am going on my own impression and say it’s straddling the divide. I am fine with that. Early Federal period, starting in Westchester, NY, about two generations removed from the people in the first book of the duology, and Our Heroine is now in search of her hubby who went to the frontier to recover from economic ruin. I’m optimistic that she’ll find him, and that’s enough to keep me going.

Anna. There. Were. No. Zom. Bies. In. That. Book.

Okay, okay, I know. I’m getting there. If I had to pick a favorite horror creature, right now, it would be zombies. Not only do I relate to shambling in a stupor looking for sustenance (I call that morning) but the idea of an antagonist that Keeps On Coming is one I can easily comprehend. Also, watching Our Heroes put them down does have a certain measure of catharsis to it. Protagonists who have to fight their way through opposition that keeps coming and can’t be reasoned with or even communicated with (unless one is Murphy from Z Nation) that’s something I can get behind. Our protagonists do what they have to do to survive, make it to the next day, and protect the ones they love.

Right now, for Richard and Cecilia, the hero and heroine of Ravenwood #2, A Heart Most Ardent, that means marrying a total stranger. Richard’s remote country estate survived the plague fairly well, but he did lose his first wife, leaving no children. Cecilia also lost her husband to the plague, as well as her son, and now must plan a future for herself and her young daughter. How do two people go from not knowing the other exists, to marriage, and then to love? Well, that’s the story, isn’t it? All of my favorite zombie tales have total strangers coming together in unusual circumstances, to make a strong found family, so this fits right in with that.

While I’m doing this, Melva is giving Drama King a final once-over, so we can start the indie pub process with that as well. Picture an out of work British actor wallowing in his great failure, and an aggressively optimistic literary agent who is dedicated to advocating for true creative talent. Melvn and I have had great fun writing this successor to Chasing Prince Charming, and can’t wait to introduce you all to Kelly and Jack.

Which brings me to the other bit of news; there are going to be some changes to the blog. Not only will I be bringing MelvaandAnna.com over here so all my writing related content is all in one place, but I am also starting on my very first ambassadorship in social media, with abundance coach, photographer and all around awesome human being, Eryka Peskin. I’ve taken several of her programs as well as one on one calls and highly recommend her offerings, so I am excited to have a platform to spread the word. Oh, and she is not a zombie.

What’s going on in your world?

as always, Anna

So, This is February

The world is pretty much on fire, CA literally so, and here I am, blabbering about romance novels, pretty paper things, and cats. Also mental health, because :gestures to world in general: Yeah. Anyway, hi.

Right now, I am knee deep research for my Ravenwood medieval series of historical romances. I will soon have a release date for A Heart Most Errant, so cover reveal will be soon. It’s gorgeous and I love it. I am now working on the framework for the second story, A Heart Most Ardent, and concurrently the third story, A Heart Most Wicked, because they happen mostly at the same time. The characters are talking to me, and boy are they chatty. Also, Edward III had eleven kids, and was succeeded by his grandson. That doesn’t directly affect my people, but I do need to know how that happened, because I am curious.

On the contemporary front, Melva and I are plotting our way to getting Drama King ready for a 2025 release. This week, I am looking at one scene where that book’s couple begin the dance, so to speak (metaphorical dance; nobody is actually dancing.) Melva is giving the ms as a whole one more pass as a reader, which is an interesting venture, and then we can get that underway.

My Ravenwood plans had originally been three novellas and then an omnibus with bonus short story, but what if that fourth story was another novella (or full length novel) to showcase the daughter of the heroine from A Heart Most Ardent. Both leads in that book are widowed already before marrying each other, and the heroine comes complete with a mini-her. What would her life be like when she is an adult? Where would the first three couples be by that time? (Still happily together, of course, but beyond that?)

Besides researching history, plotting romance novels and hands on publishing experience, I am back to regular reading, thanks in part to finally hitting a reading journal that works for me. I am hoping to set up a similar notebook for TV and movies. Right now, I’m excited for the second season of School Spirits, and am torn between bingeing the final three episodes of In the Flesh and making them last. Both series deal with young adults and the afterlife, so hmmm.

Also, there are Sims. I love Sims. Sims as a whole is having a big 25th anniversary celebration. I am currently playing Sims 3, though I also want to get back to both Sims 2 and Sims 4, so that may be impetus to start looking for a better gaming setup. I do find it interesting that what I do for fun is basically the same thing as writing in a lot of ways, but I am okay with that.

What are you doing for fun these days?

as always, Anna

Typing With Wet Paws: So, That Was January Edition

photo by Papa

Tails up. Storm Troopers! I’m Storm, you’re awesome, and this is Typing With Wet Paws. Not a lot of blogging this month, but we (Mama Anna, me, and everyone else) are still here. Here are some of the highlights of what I will call the Silent Month:

Mama Anna is taking longer than she expected to get to the Actual Publishing part of independent publishing, but that only makes her more determined. Papa will be helping her, so look for updates soon. My new purpose in life is to break into the drawer where Papa keeps my treats. He has caught me multiple times and he and Mama Anna are pretty sure I will eventually get it. I also know where they keep the BIG bag they refill the one in the drawer from, but I know I can’t open that on my own (yet) so I still have to ask humans for help. Speaking of help, Mama Anna has found a couple of things that help her a lot in both the mental health and writing fronts. she now uses a specific notebook for a sleep tracker; how many hours, if she remembers any dreams/nightmares, that kind of stuff. writing time is every weekday, and it doesn’t have to look the same every day. the reading tracker is a big ol’ success. She may do a blog or video about that, because visuals are a big part of it. She will probably do something similar for TV/movies, as she wants to do more of that kind of stuff. She can watch stuff while rubbing my belly, so I am all for that being a more regular thing. photo by Mama Anna

As you can see, I am extremely committed to getting into these things. This does seem to mirror Mama Anna’s determination to get back on the writing/publishing horse (metaphorical horse; we are in an apartment, so there is no room for a horse.) It may take a while, but we will get there.

This is obviously the year of play cousins, because I have another one. We have a new across the hall neighbor, and it is our building’s maintenance human. He is really good at playing guitar. He also has a dog, Moe, who is a Chihuahua. We have kind of met through the door. Moe’s dad told Mama Anna that Moe likes cats. I am always down for new friends, so we will see what happens.

Another thing Mama Anna has started doing is to design stickers/images for her planners and journals. She is, of course, going to make some me stickers, because duh. Cats are the best. Making her own stickers and stuff is helping her creative brain a lot, which is a good thing. It also makes sure that she keeps monthly themes for her planners, and that the themes are things she likes.

Okay, that’s about it for January, so we go on to February next. Hope yours is going great. Headbonx!

January Blabber Post

We’re going to need a headboard. Not the most exciting way to start the new year (well maybe, but this isn’t that kind of blog) but that’s what’s most on my mind. Not exactly news, but an unavoidable fact. We do have one in storage, though it may take some Storage Tetris to access it, so we are also browsing. It’s actually fun to think of starting out the year with doing something as adult as picking out furniture.

So far today, I have had Housemate help me figure out why Real Life Romance Hero and I couldn’t get the bed properly aligned with the wall and what do you know, that’s space for the headboard. Well, okay then. I’m actually excited about this because a good headboard does a lot to tie a room together (well, a bedroom; it probably wouldn’t do much in the kitchen, et al.) That does bode well for the coming year.

This is the current desk setup. Wooden crate with planners is on the other side of the laptop. The posterboard may eventually be replaced by a corkboard (we have one in storage.) The fairy lights are staying as permanent fixtures because mental health. Storm has been not so subtly suggesting that I reverse the positions of tent and crate, because if she is on the side of the desk where my crate currently is, she can get an excellent view out the window. We are in negotiations.

According to my own plans, I am now officially in prewriting for A Heart Most Ardent, the second story in my medieval series. This is also the time to finally pull the trigger on the whole uploading and actually publishing thing, to which I am equal parts excited and terrified. The way publishing looks now is not the way publishing looked when I first started this journey. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I’ll figure it out, because that’s how these things work.

Reading, which was almost nil last year, is going gangbusters now, as I am diving deep into the big vintage historical romance novels I have always loved the very most. I have a reading journal I look forward to getting into every evening. I will be intuiting the living daylights out of a writing journal. Jump in with both feet and splash around until I end up swimming.

Social media…who knows what’s going on with that anymore? I certainly don’t. This is my blog, so I am planning to make sure I stay on track with this. Thinking and talking (and blabbering on paper and/or keyboard counts) happen at the same time for me, which works super well with being an extrovert. This means time to talk to my friends, both old and new. My anxiety is not as on board with that as the rest of me, but we have ways around that.

So. It doesn’t feel like I’m saying all that much right now. I have spent the greater part of the day, after sorting out the bed to wall ratio, changing sheets, and then probably the most fun part of the day –organizing my pens. I have a lot of pens. Like seriously, a lot of pens. There may be some de-stashing going on in the near future, but putting like with like felt seriously soothing. Maybe a pen case tour could be in the future.

Anyway, hi. I’m Anna. I write stuff. I plan. I journal. Sometimes I make art. I share my desk with a calico cat. Let’s do this year.

as always ,Anna

Typing With Wet Paws: Overstimulated and Loving It Edition

Tails up, Storm Troopers! I’m Storm, you’re awesome, and this is Typing With Wet Paws. This post is a little late because I have been busy. Christmas was great. Here is a picture of me in the middle of a huge pile of tissue paper:

While Mama Anna’s usual way of wrapping presents is to use pretty paper and tape over every single possible way to get into the package (fun fact: the first present Mama Anna gave to Papa was one of the “I am going to marry this girl” signs, because that’s how all the women in his family of origin wrapped presents.) this year she went a different route and everything went in dark red paper bags stuffed with white tissue paper. This made Christmas awesome. So many bags! So much crinkle paper! I didn’t know where to look next, what to investigate. Everything was crinkly and there were paper caves and the humans were all super happy.

Well. I soon made a decision. This year, Mama Anna brought back stockings (the presents kind, not the wearing kind) to the holiday, and I got my own. It says “C” on it, for Calico Cat. I got a teeny me-sized insulated tumbler, because Mama Anna and Aunt Linda have and love their big ones, so I got one in proportion. It’s mainly decorative because I have water bowls. (One of them, I have had since I was with my first human, Mama D –Happy Holidays, Mama D! Hope you are doing as great as I am! — and the other one was passed down from Big Sister Skye.

Oh. Speaking of which, I am going to get another play cousin. This one will be the puppy kind, and her name will be Skye, so she will be Cousin Skye and Big Sister Skye is Big Sister Skye. Or maybe she will be Dog Skye or Puppy Skye. I will decide later. Mama Anna and Aunt Mary have already started making plans for virtual play dates, which will involve them holding us up to the screen while they have their weekly video chats.

Okay, back to Christmas. I got a stuffed fish that was not very interesting, so Mama Anna and Papa put it in a bag with some catnip sprinkles and sealed it. They will leave it there for a while and then try giving it to me again. I LOVE catnip. I have also discovered that I love a treat called Temptations. Papa gave me my first one on Christmas morning, and I LOVE it. Now Papa has to give me one or two when he comes home from work. This is non-negotiable. Mama Anna reminds me that while treats are fine, the prayer does NOT go, “lead me straight to the Temptations.”

This morning, I reminded her why there is the rule about not allowing me near her open mugs without supervision. The humans got themselves a machine (it is on the counter, where I am not allowed) that makes hot water superduper fast. Mama Anna uses that to make her morning tea if she doesn’t want to wait for the tea kettle. I should note that her big pink tumbler is too big to fit in this machine, so she has to use a regular mug. Some of you can see where this is going next.

Is this not the most appropriate paper clip I could possibly put in Mama Anna’s tea when she wasn’t looking, or what? Now she’s mumbling something about mug covers. Wonder what that’s all about. Anyway, that’s what’s going on around here. 2025 is shaping up well so far. How’s it going for all you guys?

Headbonx!

Storm

’twas the Week Before Christmas

Storm’s Christmas tree is now the family tree, in the kitchen, so it is bottle brush tree for the desk. It rests on a decorative box that holds m y photo printing paper. I am feeling a lot better these days, though not one hundred percent. It’s the week before Christmas. I am not sure how that happened. No, actually, I do. I was sick for the two weeks I thought I would have, and I am salty about that. Nevertheless, I put my fairy lights up around my desk (more difficult when I don’t have a hutch, but it works.) I have another set that may go up around my reading nook.

Last night, I finished my re-read of We Are Okay, by Nina LaCour, which means I have met my Goodreads goal for 2024. It was hard going for a while there. I do wish it had been a higher number, but when I think how hard I fought to get to twenty-five books, that’s a good reframe and I am proud of myself. Fun fact, Marin, the protagonist of WAO, also found it difficult to read fiction after dealing with loss and depression. I felt seen there.

I count this as a Christmas book

Now the thing is to pick out a next paper book to read. That task still feels big. I don’t know what my 2025 goal will be, but 25 does feel like an appropriate number. A link to my year in books (so far) if anyone is interested in that, is here. I have a notebook packed with large sticky notes, to guide my future reading. More of a wine cellar inventory than a TBR though it is that as well.

Writing-wise, I am looking forward to the new year. The first quarter will see my first independent historical romance release. Do I wish this were a traditional publishing venture? Eh. It would be nice. I am also genre-savvy enough to know that this isn’t the best time for medievals in the trad pub world, though the readership for such is strong. I am also a new author yet again, as in new to indie publishing, new to medievals, and it’s been a while since my last release. As an indie author, I need to do all of the jobs normally left to the pros. It’s also exciting to try something new, and I do like having the final say in my decisions. We will see how that sorts out.

In the meantime, this is the week before Christmas. Housemate and I made the final round of online orders. I have some letters to write. Tomorrow is final day of in=person shopping. Real Life Romance Hero will be cooking for Christmas. We are doing stockings for the first time in years, which means buying a cat-scaled stocking for Storm’s use. No snow at the moment, but we have some days yet. I love the holiday notebook I set up to hold not only practical plans but diary entries on various holiday things; memories, preferences, observations, etc. I may want to do that for other holidays. We will see. In one week, we will be in the tucked-between week, my favorite week of the year, and then the new year comes, bringing all of the new planners and journals, always a huge event for the planner and journal community.

That’s about enough for today. I have laundry to put away, and family will be home in a matter of minutes. It feels good to have a blog entry written on the day I planned, rather than drawing an arrow to the day after. Hopefully there will be more of that this year.

How’s your week going?

as always, Anna

Typing With Wet Paws: Storm Saves Christmas Edition

Tails up, Storm Troopers! I’m Storm, you’re awesome, and this is Typing With Wet Paws. My tree is up, but not in the way we expected. Let me explain.

I was originally going to call this post “Shingle Bells” because the reason Mama Anna did not blog last week was because she came down with a (thankfully mild) case of shingles and was not up to blogging. She is feeling somewhat better now. It’s a process. Anyway, back to the tree. Yesterday, Mama Anna felt better enough to put up the tree. We actually have two trees for the people, one rose gold and one regular tree colored. Mama Anna went into the closet where things were, and found the box with the lights and the box with the rose gold tree and the ornaments, but surprise–there was no tree stand.

This presented a problem. Aunt Linda offered to get another small tree the next day. Mama Anna reminded her that separately sold tree stands exist. Then she had an idea. She did have a backup Christmas tree (the humans deduced that the green one was in storage) – my pink one. Aunt Linda sometimes thinks Papa doesn’t like pink, but he says she is mistaken; he does. Anyway, he loved the tree and only wanted a few ornaments plus the white lights on the tree. Which is what Mama Anna did and now they all agree that the smaller tree is more in scale with where it is.

It looks kind of like this. I found the AI.

Don’t worry about me, though, because I was happy to help, and Mama Anna had a backup-bakup Christmas tree. Now there is a small bottle brush tree on her desk, with some fake snow and gold ball ornaments on it. That’ll do. In other news, Papa bought the whole family a soft fuzzy blanket that came in a box and guess what, I got the box.

Now let’s check in on the boys over at Aunt Melva’s house and see how their preparations are going so far:

Yeah, the tree had all these dangling things hanging off, but we fixed that. Murphy Christmas and Happy Olliedays!

Looks like things are going according to plan over there. Good job, boys.

Mama Anna is feeling better. Not one hundred percent yet, but it is perfect weather for snuggling under a blanket with a feline friend and getting some extra naptime. It seems to be working so far. She should be back up in fighting trim by the end of the week. That gives her plenty of time to finish Christmas shopping and maybe even blog about her holiday notebook.

Okay, that’s about it for this week. How are things shaping up for you?

Headbonx, Storm

Typing With Wet Paws: Unsupervised Saturday Edition

Tails up, Storm Troopers! I’m Storm, you’re awesome, and this is Typing With Wet Paws. Today, I am unsupervised. Mama Anna is down with her traditional bug. Papa is having a long winter’s nap because he works super hard, and Aunt Linda is far into her knitting, so there is nobody watching as I write this blog. That means I can do anything I want.

me, unsupervised and on the loose

The trees are not up yet; that will probably be tomorrow, so I have energy to spend. It’s snowing today. Not much, but enough to still count. Mama Anna looooooves snow. Right now, she is mostly concentrating on sleeping off the bug (I highly approve of this) and I have time on my paws.

self-portrait

As you can see above, I found the AI picture thing. The splootches aren’t right, and I do not own a tuxedo, but if I could play an instrument, it would 100% be an upright bass.

my favorite video game

Mama Anna first learned of this game with Big Sister Skye, who loved it. Big Sister Skye also liked variations on this game with mice, strings, and lasers. The one with toys wasn’t around when she was, but I bet she would have liked it. I do. The fishies are a classic, though. I love when Mama Anna picks a video I would like, and then we watch it together. I still watch her kinds of videos, because those are fun, too. Maybe I can convince her to install the Sims 3 pack with pets in it (she owns it but only put a few packs on this computer) and ask her to make a Sim Storm. Then I can watch myself. That should be fun.

Since this is on Mama Anna’s site, I should probably say something about what she is doing, other than that she can be grouchy when she is sick. I think she needs some tea. She is putting together a journal tote that she can take into Aunt Linda’s room for when we girls are all hanging out in there. Mama Anna calls it parallel play, because sometimes, we are all doing our own things but doing them in the same place. Usually, Aunt Linda plays with strings (she calls it “knitting” or “crochet.”) or looks at her glowy box. I don’t know what Mama Anna wants to put in her journal tote, but I suspect a journal, some pens and some ephemera might be included. I will, of course, investigate and report back, or ask Mama Anna to do a bag tour.

Okay, that’s enough. Papa is up from his nap and doing interesting things on the computer, so I need to observe. Headbonx!

Headbonx, Storm

Cozy Winter Nights: Holiday Traditions and Comforts

Today is bright, clear, and cold. I am writing stream of consciousness today, so we may be in for a wild ride. Lately, I have been watching 1970s/80s Afterschool Specials on You Tube. I stinking loved those back in the day, and it’s fun to revisit them, as well as catch the ones I didn’t get to see. Not any holiday themed so far, but it’s doing the right thing to help the holiday spirit.

Sometime this weekend, we will be putting up our Christmas trees. There will be two this year, one in the kitchen, which will be the tree, and one in the office, on my desk, which will be Storm’s. Unbreakable ornaments only, and it is okay if she wants to knock it over. It’s one of the big reasons we are doing it this year. The other one is that I have always wanted a pink tree, and my desk is the perfect place to put it.

We technically have a third option, a tabletop rose gold tree, but Real Life Romance Hero and Housemate are voting in favor of the traditional tree-colored tree, and we have a cozy apartment. IF Housemate were to have a tree in her room, she would want a white one, with blue ornaments. Maybe a white tree with black and orange ornaments would be more Storm-accurate, but pink with pastel will do. I will share pictures when they are up and lit.

No matter when we put up the trees, I do have two strings of lights that need to go up somewhere, as I like having fairy lights around all the time. In the winter nights, being cozy under a warm, weighted blanket, in the dark but for the lights, with a hot beverage and eBook, audiobook, or paper book with book light, is something special. Feline companion is of course a must. If she can get a belly rub out of it, so much the better.

Right now, I am also planning on getting some seasonal flavors into the house, as well as scents. Our current wax melts are pumpkin pie, with a pine tree scented candle for added atmosphere. I’ve always loved the holiday season, and this year, I feel like leaning into it more than usual, so I am steering into that skid. Anyone with sugar free hot chocolate recommendations, feel free to drop them in the comment section. Cinnamon, eggnog, gingerbread, sugar cookies, anything Real Life Romance Hero cooks, for savory additions. I may try baking some of those sugar cookies, as it’s a core memory of special time with my mom when I was little.

There’s also the reading aspect of things. I am craving historical romance in the holiday spirit. Though I am not much of a nineteenth century person, I remember snapping up the Signet Regency Christmas anthologies the second they hit the shelves, back when I worked in a bookstore. I’m guessing Kindle Unlimited may be my place to do that in the here and now. Actually, a post with my favorite holiday romance recommendations might be fun. I’ll make a note of that.

What are you doing to prepare for your favorite winter holiday?

as always, Anna

Typing With Wet Paws: Post-Thanksgiving Edition

Tails up, Storm Troopers. I’m Storm, you’re awesome, and this is Typing With Wet Paws. Normally, I like to post on Caturdays, but this was a holiday week, with first Thanksgiving and then Black, White, and Orange Friday (where prices are lower so people can afford more and better treats for their Calico cats. I guess other colors, too.) Anyway, I’m here now, and Mama Anna will blog later in the week, then I will be back on Caturday.

sleepy kitty

OK. Thanksgiving first. We had a good day over here. Papa cooked. He used to do that for monies, so it’s good when he cooks. I assume. I am not allowed to eat people food. I did get gushy food, though, so win. The people liked the food, though, which was kind of the point. Papa crashed the next day. Mama crashed the day after that. I like when the humans crash, because the big bed is nice. There are a lot of pillows, and a weighted blanket with a fuzzy cover. The best best time is when Mama Anna and Papa are both in bed and then I can get between them and it is cozy.

Before I go any further, this just in from my compatriots, Murphy and Oliver, who live with Aunt Melva:

We helped Mom decorate, then tried to eat the plastic pumpkins. We are hoping you and your family, especially Storm, had a great Thanksgiving.

–Murphy and Oliver

Thanks, boys. We totally did. We also had snow that day and the day after, which made Mama Anna super happy. She loves snow.

Okay, back to me. Mama Anna is leaning hard into the holiday season, which is another phase of her superpowers. She is currently looking for a soft (I think she means stuffed) star in gold or maybe yellow, to put on the top of my tent, which is where I work when we are at her desk. She also wants to put up some fairy lights in different places, the family Christmas tree, and then there is a new development for this year.

The new development is that I get my own tree this year. I have had a different experience from most kitties when it comes to Christmas trees. I was super young when I lived with my first human, Mama D, and don’t remember what we did for winter holidays. My first Christmas with Mama Anna, we visited family, and there was a tree, but there were also a lot of moving boxes so I could not get to the tree and wasn’t allowed unsupervised in that room anyway. (sheesh, hide inside one recliner one time, and suddenly you’re a flight risk) We have trees here, but they are small ones and on a table that is set up so I can’t get to it. The humans call that “cat-proofed.”

my tree-to-be

This tree will probably be on Mama Anna’s desk, and I am allowed to investigate, even knock it over if that’s what I want to do. Maybe I will, and maybe I will completely ignore it. Because cat.

Anyway, Mama Anna is eager to get the final things together to publish A Heart Most Errant. After that, she gets to start on A Heart Most Ardent. Probably the same time, Mama Anna and Aunt Melva (with help from the boys and me) will be working on one final pass on Drama King and then start the publishing process for that.

How did your holiday go?

headbonx, Storm