In true hobbit fashion, I celebrate my birthday by writing people stories, according to prompts that they give out.  The total this year was less than in previous years, and honestly, I'm grateful--it's been a good while since I've been able to write, so having a "manageable" number was helpful.  I've been through a lot in the past year, and have not been able to write as much as I'd have liked.  This has been enough to prime the pump, and I'm hoping to dedicate the rest of my time this year to pumping out more of A White Shell.  Kira has been extremely cross with me for leaving her in the middle of her twenty-eighth birthday party for about a year.

Given this hiatus, if my voice sounds a little 'off,' it's because I'm rusty, and I apologize for that.