Helloooo in there!

Yes, I have been missing in action of late and it's funny -- friends have actually noticed! Thank you!! Believe me, there's no greater compliment. And it's been nagging at me, too. Has the well run dry? Moi, out of words? Nope. I just realized I've been running the engine so hard that there hasn't been one second to sit, pause, and think. So, having flown nearly 30,000 miles in 4 weeks, touched down in 10 cities, celebrated Thanksgiving, lost a dear relative, made a few dozen lunches and dinners, done my day job, written a new book proposal, submitted a few novels, read a few more -- even thrown a dinner party or two! -- I'm back. And that is thanks to our dear ol' friend Charlie Brown, who reminded me this evening quite by accident, yes, it is the holiday season! Time to slow down, look back, reflect, and appreciate just a little bit how quirky and weird and fleeting and wonderful life is. No more, no less. 

Been to the desert.

Crossed a few mountains.

Woke up over Siberia!

Weathered a big blow in San Francisco!

But closer to home, we celebrated the first thanksgiving without my father. Something was definitely missing, but we soldiered on...

Time to slow down and reflect with a very serious academic.

Raise a glass to Blossom, who is brave and alone and going it with a smile. 

And say goodbye to Uncle Julius, who filled a room like nobody's business and left us a lifetime too early.

How about we raise our collective voices near and far, for a little peace and a little understanding in these incredibly complex times.