
Happy Groundhog Day and Kung Hei Fat Choy (the Cantonese version, I’m told), or Gong Xi Fa Cai (Mandarin) to those who celebrate. The new year officially started yesterday, but celebrations go on for several days. It is now the year of the tiger, which symbolizes strength and courage, among other things.

Normally, we would be going out for a large family dinner, but in these Covid times, small family gatherings are safer, especially for eighteen-month-old Ellie. How is your 2022 going so far? Has it been productive and smooth-going, or a bumpy long haul?
Before Covid, my husband I were lucky enough to spend a few days in Mexico in January 2018 and January 2019. It was a welcome break, although we had no plans to go ever year. Good decision, too, as it turned out. But I do enjoy breaks in late January. By the third week of the month, most of us feel that winter’s become a grind we could live without. My husband, hardly a world traveler, has actually been checking the daily temperature in Puerto Vallarta, which I don’t think helps his longing for warmer weather.
I had a break from my usual routine this past week, as my daughter was on a week’s holiday, so babysitting services weren’t needed. I used the time to finish tasks that had been on hold for several weeks, and to catch up on rest and reading. This week, I’m back babysitting, amazed by the way Ellie’s language and motor skills are progressing, and how she’s now crawling up on the furniture and running at, what for her, is top speed. Yikes!
I’m grateful for the great feedback I received from my beta readers on the Casey novella. Of course, changes are needed, and I’m rethinking the title, but it shouldn’t take too long to make the changes.
Meanwhile, I’ve joined the largest BookFunnel group promotion yet, with over 80 authors offering samples, excerpts, or full books of suspense and thriller mysteries. You can find the link HERE.

Congratulations on your writing progress and getting it beta read. It’s a good feeling to be back on the routine, Debra.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is, thank you, Miriam!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Debra!
LikeLike
Kung Hei Fat Choi to you and yours, Debra! The Year of the Tiger’s not my official year, but it’s my favourite animal, so I’m adopting the Year of the Tiger!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good choice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Choosing titles is hard! Good luck with it. My 2022 production is steady, but slower than I’d like. I’ll keep plugging away.
LikeLike
That’s all we can do, JP. I just learned this afternoon that my babysitting schedule is about to escalate to 5 days a week until mid-April. I’m not sure when I’ll get the novella out, but will certainly put in some effort every week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely update, Grandma–and I say that with a tinge of jealousy. Do let us know how the BookFunnel promo works. I’m a member of that group.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will, Jacqui. The newsletter promo (a much smaller group than the current one) I just completed in January resulted in 83 downloads, but not everyone who signs up for the newsletter to get the free ebook stays. Some unsubscribe right away, as they likely only want the free book. Others have purchased the rest of the series at full price, so, as usual, promotions are wildly and delightfully unpredictable 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to hear things are back to normal, whatever normal is! At this age, your granddaughter will change almost overnight, but she will always be the sweety she is. I can’t wait to hear the end result of the title for the novella.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Darlene. I can’t wait to see what the final title will be either 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person