A Busy Season

 

by Mary Jo

This isn't so much a blog as a flag waving from the bunker. The last several months have been really, really busy for me. Several reasons for that, but one was that my book for next year, Once a Spy, went in way late, largely because of the complexity of the research. (I was working around the edges of Waterloo, and the time line and event juggling were nightmarish.)

That was bad enough, but a year earlier I'd blithely agreed to do a Christmas novella for a Kensington anthology because I love writing Christmas stories. But the late novel delayed the start of the novella by two months and all of a sudden the dominoes were piling up on top of me.

I got both in at the last possible minute, the novella just before leaving on a long planned vacation. (My editor is a saint with nerves of steel.) I'll be on that vacation when you read this, and my plans involve sleeping, reading, walking, and eating. Did I mention sleeping? <G>

But in all the flurry of writing and research and copyedits, I had to do some heavy duty prioritizing. For starters, no holiday cards. I might get some out by St. Patrick's Day. Or not. <G>

Also, the Christmas tree got decorated, but un-decorating it seemed a lot less important. So it's still up, looking pretty if unseasonal. (It's artificial so no fire hazard.) Here's a picture of my favorite ornament on the tree. It will get undecorated and put away soon. Really!

Mary Jo, hoping your lives are peaceful

 

Comments

[Karlene]

You are ready a little early with your 2019 tree!

[Carol W]

Remember-timelines like taking the tree down are set by you for you. Enough other things will make you crazy. Enjoy your vacation time. The tree will wait as patiently as your readers do.

[Jeanette Dilts]

We leave some of our decorations and Christmas pictures up until it's time to put up our Valentine's flag. I like the way the light glistens off the tinsel and ornaments above the patio doors and over the mantel with the empty Christmas stockings for all our critters. The sparkle adds some cheer to the grey days of January. Mine will be stored away in time for another year as will yours. Plenty of time to think about that. Enjoy your well earned vacation and we all appreciate the time you take in your research as we are reading. Looking forward to the new book.

[Kareni]

What a lovely butterfly!

I'm always a little sad when our Christmas tree is taken down as it (courtesy of LED bulbs) makes such a chipper and colorful nightlight.

Enjoy your restful holiday, Mary Jo.

[Susiefelber]

Love the flutterfly. And if I didn't need to dispose of the tree due to needles dropping, I'd prolly be in the same festive boat. :)

[Maggie Robinson]

My tree only came down a week ago. And only because I am on vacation too—a cruise that left from Tampa. I just didn’t want to deal with it and unpacking too when I got home! I am supposed to finish the current ms by mid-February...even tho I have my laptop with me, it’s doubtful. Oops. Hope you have a well-deserved rest!

[Binnie Syril Braunstein]

Nary Jo -

That gorgeous ornament is a feast for the eyes. Who cares if the tree stays up? No falling needles, lights not turned on, and definitely something to brighten these dark winter days. It's 6:00 AM here in Baltimore, where it's as dark as midnight. We're waiting for the Arctic blast and another "snowmageddon." Enjoy your vacation.

[Linnea J Priest]

Is is bad that the Christmas tree is still up? I'm sitting next to mine as I write this.....

[Lillian Marek]

I usually managed to get the tree down at a reasonable time, but one year the wreath on the door stayed up until Easter, when I finally noticed that it was still there. My excuse is that we rarely use the front door so it was easy for the wreath to be ignored.

[Annette N]

One year when I simply was feeling sort of blah, my Christmas tree became a Valentine tree - one set of decorations disappeared and I created a new set - then it became a St Patrick's day tree - same process - then it became an Easter tree - again - same process.

When my children began to speak of rest homes, I took it down, but I did have my 4th of July stuff ready to go at the time.

[Janice]

I leave Christmas stuff out until the batteries die and then if I still like them I put new batteries in. I never saw the reason for putting stuff out of sight if I like to see it, which I do :)

[Teresa Broderick]

You enjoy your holiday. Sounds like you really need it!! Every year for a long time now I find a decoration somewhere in the house that I've forgotten to take down. Haven't found it so far this year.

[Michelle H]

We all collectively cut you a break. Do it when you feel like you just must. By that I mean if it's getting on your nerves, or you need a clean slate. Say! At least you got that tree up! Some years our tree stayed up even longer than yours, some years it never got up at all. And so many years it didn't get up until much later than I wanted and I just wanted it up a little longer. Beautiful ornament, Mary Jo. And I love your color scheme.

[Mary T]

I once left mine up for two months. No good reason. They are just so much more fun to put up than take down (smile).

[Mary Jo Putney]

ROFL!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Don't worry, it will turn up soon. *G*

[Mary Jo Putney]

So true!