But it's late, and I have a long day ahead of me getting ready for another houseguest after a full day's work, so I can't linger tonight. For now I want to say how glad I am I gave myself the summer off from all projects. I posted nine entries in three months. For me, that was a hiatus. I didn't touch my notes on the romance time travel story. I maintained my garden but did not add to it. I traveled, played games, went to bed early. I wrote quite a bit of email, and I sometimes wished I were still writing regularly when funny incidents at work came up or something was on my mind, but mostly I enjoyed the lack of pressure. I have regained a sense of equilibrium that has been missing for a long time. I have my patience back, and my sense of humor.

The summer's not over yet, but I am ready to write again. It'll take me a while to get back up to speed with three or four entries a week. August is the reentry period. It's my favorite month, of course. So many of my friends have birthdays in August that there's a party or celebration every weekend. I'm a little surprised, but I don't mind turning 45 at all. It has no emotional weight for me. 38, now, that was a birthday filled with angst and the tragic conviction that my life was being wasted among people who didn't appreciate me (quite true, I was living in Nashville), my youth and beauty fast fleeing, my options in life narrowed to practically nothing. It was akin to a midlife crisis, except I didn't buy a Harley like some people. I hope I don't have a major angst-fest like that again for a long time. Birthdays are wonderful. People give you presents and tell you how much they like you. I have always loved birthday parties and presents, both giving and getting. I am sure there is Hobbit blood in my background.

So, spread the word: I'm back. And do sign up for Journalcon. The attendee list so far is amazing but we can't get the party started without you.

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