But close enough for me. Wendell is attending an annual Continuing Medical Education Conference at our favorite spot in the Ozark hills of Branson. Big Cedar Lodge. We’ve come here almost every December for a decade or so. He really does attend courses and usually picks up a little gem or two that benefits some of the sick folks back home. But, the schedule is light and the time to sit back and savor is plentiful.

I usually spend hours typing away on a work-in-progress while I’m here. Generally I sit right beneath the bear pictured here. Few people use this grand room, which is a waste and makes me want to transport it home where I’d serve wonderful Sunday lunches to a zillion people in it. But, I digress. I actually appreciate the neglect of the room because it gives me a perfect place to write.

This year, my two big works in progress are actually not with me. One is languishing in New York where I’m pretty sure it won’t meet the standards of the market, but I still love the poor thing and am committed to reshaping it one of these days. The other is in Austin, Texas, (or thereabouts) being examined by a literary agent I met at a recent conference. Well, at least it’s on a computer somewhere waiting its turn for examination.

I’m trying not to think of either of these projects right now. Instead, I plan to sit in front of the fire and actually read a good book this year. Then I plan to think, and pray, and cogitate, and ruminate, and figure out where to go from here in the big, wide, world of writing.

I’m sure I’ll get a plan.