Monday, January 09, 2017

A New Year


Do you make New Year's resolutions? I read the other day that one should call them "intentions"--the theory being that relabeling them might make them less intimidating and help us feel less of a failure when we inevitably stumble.

I usually do make them, and they're typically the same ones every year: eat healthily, exercise more, get more sleep, stop wasting time. I actually do eat healthily most days (the result of some twenty years of making the same resolution), and I exercise when my aching joints allow. The sleep and time-wasting are still a work in progress.

Another of my resolutions this year is to be better at keeping this blog. I do like to be upbeat on it because nobody needs a Debbie Downer, and last year was such a rolling series of disasters that I found it increasingly hard to strike the necessary note. Maybe this year . . .


I can tell you that having my girls home for Christmas was beyond wonderful (and Maddie and Zydeco! I've really missed those two. Look how big and fat Maddie is!). My little Peanut is now just fine. One thing I learned from our vet is that runts of the litter, when they hit 7-8, usually start having health problems. So another of my resolutions is to spoil her. She's not complaining.


I'm back at work on my next Sebastian book (tentatively entitled Why Kill the Innocent), and the end is finally, finally within sight. I've reached the point where I'm more than anxious to move on to #14 (Who Slays the Wicked--love that title). I'm also looking forward to the release of WHERE THE DEAD LIE, coming in April. It has already received a nice Publishers Weekly review, which I should be able to share soon. This is undoubtedly my darkest book, by far. I wonder why?


I will be going over to San Antonio again in few weeks to be with my daughter while her husband undergoes major surgery. Another of my resolutions this year is to try to stay calm and meditate more.

We'll see how I do.

22 comments:

Unknown said...

New Year's Intentions -- a much kinder and wiser spirit from which to embark upon new beginnings. Mine are quite simple: complain less; identify workable solutions; prioritize problems; be kinder to others AND to myself.

Zydeco is simply GORGEOUS!!!!

cs harris said...

Paz, I like the idea of being kinder to oneself--although I suspect I'd simply use it as an excuse to be lazy.

Barbara Butler McCoy said...

Wow. This post and the comments dovetail with a book I bought at the New Year, "The Book of Joy," by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It's such a paradox, really, that attending to what causes us pain and pleasure, as individuals, in the end helps others. That is WAY philosophical for a comment, I know, but it captures in a nutshell the disruption that rolled through my life all year. That's one of the reasons I so appreciate your blog, Candy. I also just absolutely love Sebastian and Hero. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Charles Gramlich said...

I no longer make resolutions. I agree with the "Intentions" thing. That's kind of how I do it. Or even, I sure would "like" to do such and such this year

cs harris said...

Barbara, Did you find it a good book? I have been considering buying it myself.

Charles, since this is your area of expertise, maybe I'll give the renaming concept more credence than I originally did!

Susan/DC said...

I understand the joy of having one's children around. My 3 are grown and out of the house, which means our time is our own, things stay where we put them, and the leftovers meant for the next day's dinner are still there at dinner time tomorrow. But when they come home I realize how I miss the joy and energy and just plain miss them. Who knew they'd turn out to be so kind, interesting, and funny? I no longer worry about what kind of people they will turn out to be, but I do worry about the larger world, even though I realize that such worry is mostly a waste of energy because there's not much I can do about it. However, it did lead to one of my resolutions/intentions: to do what I can (even if it's only a little) to become more active in organizations that promote kindness and understanding.

Barbara Butler McCoy said...

With regards to "The Book of Joy", let me put it this way: the clarity and depth of their conversation about, and love of, humanity is a balm I am savoring. It is also a joy just to get a glimpse of their extraordinary relationship.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update and pics. I try not to make myself too crazy about New Years resolutions as it usually doesn't last all that long. Keep us updated on progress of not only the books but how things are going with all your people and pets. Best, Sabena

cs harris said...

Susan, good point about missing young people's "energy." I feel like we're turning into a couple of old fogies. The young help keep us young.

Barbara, I will have to get it. I could use some balm right now.

Sabena, Thank you. I won't deny life is hard right now.

Unknown said...

tory burch outlet
louis vuitton
hermes bags
coach outlet
louis vuitton outlet
coach factory outlet
longchamp handbags
adidas nmd
coach outlet
oakley sunglasses wholesale
qqqqqing20170418

alicetaylor said...

I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article.I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article.

subway surf  | launcher | geometry dash online |

Unknown said...

I am happy to find this post very useful for me.
gclub
gclub casino online
จีคลับ

Huyen said...

Your posts are my cup of tea. I'm interested in your articles. I always read them everyday and wait for incoming ones. It's because your posts are interesting.
frozen sister rose style fashion games
astroraceio free
time to park online

Huyen said...

One thing I want to talk to you is thank you. Your posts help me open my mind. I find them very interesting. They ease me in the hard time. Thanks for sharing your articles.
adam and eve golf games for girls
pool 8 ball games to play
offroader v6 unblocked games

yanmaneee said...

supreme hoodie
nike max
timberland boots
kd shoes
hermes
supreme clothing
christian louboutin
nike air max 97
cheap jordans
yeezy shoes

loda lasan said...

You have done a great job on this article. I am pretty much pleased with your good work. You put really very helpful information. Thanks for the valuable information. Autoclicker

yanmaneee said...

supreme outlet
yeezy
jordan 4
off white hoodie
kyrie irving shoes
supreme clothing
hermes
adidas yeezy
golden goose slide
bape clothing

mclayte said...

z9g13j7t06 t3b86n0q33 p8u64u4t34 q8o79o7b80 v0m14v0f15 x9o74w7a35

Anonymous said...

ทดลองเล่นสล็อต สล็อต เดโม่ ตัวเกมวิดีโอสล็อตสำหรับทดลองเล่นให้คุณสามารถ Play slot for free ผ่านตัวเกมจริงจากผู้พัฒนาเกมจากทุกค่ายเกม ทดลองเล่นสล็อตทุกค่าย2021 ตัวเกมลิขสิทธ์แท้จากเว็บตรง 100%
ทดลองเกมสล็อต ฟรีทุกเกม จากทุกค่ายดัง อัพเดตเกมใหม่ๆก่อนใคร พร้อมให้บริการตลอด 24 ชั่วโมง ทดลองเล่นฟรี กราฟฟิคสวยงามสมจริง ที่จะพาผู้เล่นไปสัมผัสประสบการณ์การเล่นใหม่ๆ ไม่ซ้ำใคร ไม่หลุด ลื่นไหล ไม่มีสะดุด
เล่นสล็อตฟรี เราคือให้บริการด้านสล็อตออนไลน์ ที่ได้รับสิขสิทธ์ตรงจากค่ายเกมต่างประเทศ ไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์คนกลาง รวบรวมทุกค่ายเกมชั้นนำระดับโลก รวมเกมยอดฮิตจากทั่วทุกมุมโลก อัดแน่นไปด้วยคุณภาพ มาไว้ที่นี้ที่เดียว

mega89 said...

Pragmatic Play เว็บตรง สล็อตเว็บตรง ไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์ สล็อตแตกง่าย ไม่มีขั้นต่ำ 2022
สล็อต JOKER ศูนย์รวมความบันเทิง เกมสล็อตออนไลน์ที่คนนิยมเล่นมากที่สุด เล่นสล็อตโจ๊กเกอร์ พร้อมรับโปรโมชั่นสุดพิเศษได้ที่นี่

mega89 said...

IRON DOG เว็บตรง สล็อตเว็บตรง ไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์ สล็อตแตกง่าย ไม่มีขั้นต่ำ 2022
สล็อตxo ศูนย์รวมความบันเทิง เกมสล็อตออนไลน์ที่คนนิยมเล่นมากที่สุด เล่นสล็อตXO พร้อมรับโปรโมชั่นสุดพิเศษได้ที่นี่

Anonymous said...

birkin bag
golden goose outlet
yeezy outlet
kyrie shoes
supreme clothing
jordan 1 low
yeezy 700
jordan travis scott
bape sta
yeezy gap