Last summer I discovered an awesome Mint Julep recipe. I bought my bourbon and the ingredients to make the homemade mint syrup. I got fresh mint from a friend’s garden. I carefully made the syrup. Once it was all done and ready to add to the bourbon, I followed the instructions – muddling and squishing mint leaves in my crystal glass. Adding in the crushed ice and syrup and finally the bourbon.

Then I took that first sip – and was transported back in time to my childhood.

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This badge is courtesy of the fabulous Jan O’Hara, one of the writer friends I hang with over at AW.  Jan recently broke her ribs in a fall.  Being the totally creative person she is, she used the accident to create a fun contest for others to write an alternate history on how she managed to do it.

She’s posted the winner, along with some cool comments on the participants.

Thanks for the fun, Jan.  Glad you’re feeling better, too!

I adore Spring and Summer.  It seems that’s when I’m most creative.  Because of that, I think my personal New Year should begin sometime in Spring.  Not in Winter, when everything is cold, especially me.

March saw a lot of creative activity.  I’m still super busy, but other than my column at Corellian Run Radio, I haven’t done as much writing in April.  I did do a lot of editing and proofreading, though, which is an important part of the process.

This Saturday, both of the girls and I will participate in our local Earth Day event at the park.  It will be our 11th annual celebration.  I’ll MC, as usual and the girls will do their mascot thing.   Tréa is really good with kids and Chloe takes her lead from

The picture above is from a few years ago.  Tréa’s smile matches her partner’s, which I think is cute.  Of course, as a pet parent, I’m probably worse with the girls’ pictures than if they were human kids.

Chloe had to go to the vet for an infection and we discovered through her x-ray that the silly dog is eating little pea-sized rocks.  I’m not sure if this is from her nibbling at grass in the same area, but I suspect so.  The x-ray showed a string of tiny rocks that had the fabulous Dr. B stumped for probably all of 5 seconds.

So now, when she goes outside, I have to add “Chloe, don’t eat rocks” to my usual litany of what she isn’t supposed to do.  Others include, “Don’t go under the trees, don’t get into mud, don’t get leaves in your hair, etc.”   She’s very good at doing these things, especially after she comes home from her groomer looking all gorgeous and actually like a poodle.  It doesn’t last long, though.  She’s a little hunter, who is the terror of the bunnies and birds in her yard.  At least she doesn’t actually catch them very often.  Her idea and my idea of presents for me were not even close.

Twice in one month.  Shocking, I know.

On the writing front, I’m working on four projects now.   First up is Book 2 to follow up RELICS.  I’m not very far with this one yet, but I love Thulu and La Fi and enjoy writing about them.    Although at times it feels more like I’m channeling them.  They do have the ability to surprise me.

So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I’m writing a  short story set in the RELICS world.  It’s a prequel and is a lot of fun to write.   An excerpt can be found at this link for “The Case of the Unwanted Ghost”.

Next is THE JOURNAL, which I’m still not sure which genre this will end up in.  I’d say fantasy of some kind, but it’s set in our world and has a lot of historical elements as it traces a character over a 550 year span.  I’m actually very excited about the concept on this one.  There’s an excerpt  here:  THE JOURNAL.

And fourth is my column MY TWO CREDITS over at Corellian Run Radio.  I can’t believe I’ve now written twenty articles over there!  Oh, yeah, and three podcasts.

In other news, Spring Break is this coming week and I have papers to grade.  I’m looking forward to reading the papers, but grading Midterms is work.

I’m about ready for a road trip somewhere, though.  I don’t have any plans for one, but I’m sure ready for one.  Or a cruise.  That would be lovely.  Maybe this summer.

I survived Daylight Savings weekend and Monday.  This is a good thing.  I even got most of my clocks set to the correct time.  I have quite a few and I’m sure I missed at least one.  I do still have the one in the car left to set.

I have a new article up on Corellian Run Radio which will actually make sense to those not in the gaming or Star Wars universe.  Take advantage of that one, since it isn’t often I write for the general public, as well as my gaming friends.

My semester is going great and I really enjoy the students this time around.  There are many who can think outside the box and I’m seeing a lot of creativity and interest.  It’s students like I currently have that are why I teach.  They make it fun for me and hopefully they are having a good time, too.  They seem to be, anyway.

My trees that shed their leaves for winter are starting to bloom and are looking pretty.   So Spring is almost here.

The dogs are doing their usual great job of keeping me company and entertained.  Chloe has already made one trip in the car with the top down.  I love how she sits up with her sunglasses on her nose and just seems to enjoy the drive.

I started hiking and discovered I really like it!  I enjoy the fresh air, the company and seeing parts of the desert I hadn’t seen up close before.  I bought decent gear:  boots, socks, a fanny pack with water bottle and trekking poles.  The pole (I use only one) really helps on sand dunes, inclines and such.  Being a klutz, I appreciate that extra support.

I’m doing a lot of reading on my Kindle.  Lots of fantasy, sci fi, mysteries and thrillers.

I’m still writing THE JOURNAL and Book 2 to follow up RELICS.  I’ve been a bit delinquent in actually writing, but I’ve done a lot of the brain work on them.  I’ll be into marathon writing soon enough, I imagine.

And, of course, I’m still playing and enjoying Star Wars: The Old Republic.

My hunt for an agent continues and I should probably be more stressed about this than I am at the moment.  I do go through my phases of thinking my work isn’t good enough, but they aren’t very often.  I actually like my book, even in my most critical phases.  And life is just too darned good to waste it worrying about anything, even that elusive, important and difficult agent hunt.  I figure the right agent will see my potential eventually and sign me up. I’m dutifully and carefully sending out my queries.  In the meantime, I’m loving life and taking things day by day.

So, the New Year celebrations and resolutions have come and gone and we are firmly into 2012.  Most people have probably stopped writing 2011  when they date things by now.

I’ve been playing my new game, Star Wars:The Old Republic, writing a weekly column for Corellian Run Radio, getting the new semester started, and working out the intricacies of my new book.

The book isn’t jumping up and shouting, “THIS!  This is what happens!”  Instead, it’s whispering little snippets here and there in the back of my mind.  This is often how I write before the dam breaks and it all comes together, so I’m not alarmed by this.

Book 2 for Relics is also teasing me, but I’m trying to keep it in the background for now.  Getting an agent and publisher for RELICS before I actually get into Book 2 was my original plan, but at this rate, I may have all three books finished before that happens.  Yeah, that’s the nature of trying to be a real writer.  It’s a slow process.

The game is awesome and I love the guild I belong to.  These are some of the best people and it’s a joy to get to know them.

The dogs are well and keep me entertained.  Life is calm and serene, which I like.

And today is my birthday.   After last year’s big bash, I’m having a quiet one this year.  Both kinds are completely acceptable.

That’s it from my corner for now.

I have no idea where the last few months have gone. Yeah, I know people say that all the time, but clichés are there for a reason, you know? They reflect the truth.

This semester I had some awesome people in my classes. I enjoy teaching, but cool people in class is a very nice bonus.

Some things I’ve accomplished:

I’m in Week 4 of my column MY TWO CREDITS for Corellian Run Radio. Yes, already Week 4! (See what I mean about that time thing?)

I’m putting out query letters in my ongoing search for an agent, but so far no bites. Interested agents are encouraged to email me.

The Homemade Kahlua presents for friends and family are put up and aging nicely. The ribbons to decorate each one are ready to go, as are their individual and beaded gift tags.

I crocheted a scarf for another present and a shawl for myself. I don’t often make things for me, so that was a treat. I’m using it now, in fact and it’s quite cozy.

I bought lottery tickets and didn’t win. Another trip for tickets is planned for later this week.

Oh, and I started two new books. The first is the sequel to RELICS, picking up a few months after the end of RELICS. The second is a stand-alone fantasy called THE JOURNAL. It’s set over a five hundred year span on our world. More on that as I get farther in.

That’s it for now. I hope this holiday season brings you peace and joy. May your dreams come true.