catherineldf | Driveby check-in (Reply)

2026 so far:

Massively sick twice with colds that lingered for weeks (still recovering from the last one)
Had to put my beloved boy kitty, Shu, to sleep last week (he had a good passing, but it was hard on me). His sister, Ma'at, and I are trying to adapt to new normal.
My friend and former editor Lee Martindale passed away and I've been trying to support her widower. Next up: drafting her obit.
My city got invaded and two people were murdered by ICE within two miles of my house (I already live 4 blocks from what is now George Floyd Square). We're still dealing with all the after effects, trauma, financial disasters, etc. It's been...a lot.
I started a new job at DreamHaven Books in Minneapolis just in time for owner Greg Ketter to get teargassed and turn into a folk hero.
I came into some money through Jana's dad's estate.
Co-taught a good class at the Loft Literary Center.
Got sick with the aforementioned cold during MarsCon.
Have gotten Joyce Chng's terrific queer pirate collection, Sailing the Golden Chersonese, into preorder status for release next month.
Did sundry fun things like an escape room expedition with the steampunk club, hung out with friends, saw plays and watched some entertaining TV.
Worked on submissions for Queen of Swords.
Campaigned hard for the Astreiant Series created by Melissa Scott and Lisa A. Barnett to be nominated for Best Series Hugo (please - Point of Hearts is the qualifying title!)
Wrote and got an article accepted for Deep Cuts in a Lovecraftian Vein. I wrote about a Margaret St. Clair story that is a fascinating historical artifact. And problematic af.
Got through Part Two and half of Part Three, so far, of my Data Analytics Certification program.
Wrote some thousands of words of new fiction, about which more soon.
I turn 63 on Monday, which is kind of wild.