We did get a chance to walk with sprouts in the nearby park. It’s a nice one, trails are well maintained, and about 4 minutes away. We find that in general all Washington parks are well maintained and this entire area is pretty much a hiker’s paradise. Will do it again today.

It’s the rainy season here, but it’s not a continual torrential downpour. If you don’t mind walking in a light rain, which we don’t, it’s still fine outdoor weather through the rainy fall, winter and early spring days. It’s a wonderful sound to wake up to, rain falling outside the window, and something about the rain outside makes me want to spend the day curled up with a good book. One I’m reading or writing, doesn’t matter. Rainy days are good book days! I wonder if this is why this area is so heavily populated by writers. Well, that and the connection between ions and creativity.

Speaking of books, most of my reading lately has been nonfiction. I’m currently re-reading Be Your Own Literary Agent, which has lots of good information. I did finish another Dean Koontz book, but it was too dark and I’ve been bothered by it ever since. I kind of got lucky with two fairly light reads by him, but I’ll go back to treading cautiously with his books. I love the writing and his characters are wonderful, but I can only take so much dark subject matter. This is why I’m not a suspense reader in general. But for sheer lyrical language, Koontz is hard to beat. And he does create characters you have to keep reading about. And his action sequences. There’s a lot to admire and learn from in his work.

So, Koontz and nonfiction, that’s what I’ve been reading lately. What about you?

Merry Christmas to everybody out there. It’s a stormy day here, rain and wind. We were planning to put the sprouts in their Snuggli packs and go walking in a park later today, but not if the storm doesn’t let up. Hopefully the weather will clear and we’ll be able to get outside. We haven’t been doing our long weekend hikes since the move and we miss them. That’s a good habit to get back into. Good for the body and the brain! Now that we’re settling into a routine we can work on that. Um, lights are flickering (the storm) so I’m shutting down.

Christmas eve is here. Time to sing carols and eat cookies and hang out with my favorite people. One of them will be using me as a chew toy (Morgan), but that’s okay.

The husband fixed the blog archives last night to the calendar system, since the monthly archive links only displayed 7 entries. This way the entire archive is viewable by clicking on whatever date you want. Hurrah!

I suppose I should be working on edits or new words or something but I’m just looking out my window at the trees and the rain and singing carols along with Harry Connick, Jr. Well, that’s no bad way to spend Christmas eve.

Updated to add: I’ve finally figured out how to add links to the blog page (thanks husband) and have started adding the blogs I regularly visit. I think I’ve forgotten a couple, but I’ll keep at it. Links, yippee!

Just got an early review on Wolf in Cheap Clothing. 5 Blue Ribbons from Romance Junkies and the reviewer has this to say:

“Charlene Teglia will delight your senses with WOLF IN CHEAP CLOTHING. It has a kick-butt heroine, very sexy Alpha male, delightfully intriguing plot, and hilarious dialogue. I haven’t had this much fun with a werewolf story since I read MaryJanice Davidson’s Wyndham werewolf series. Simply delightful! I’ll definitely be adding this one to my keeper shelf.” - Chrissy Dionne, Romance Junkies

OMG. Compared to MJD. And not in a bad way. Thank you, Santa, nothing can top this.

Been thinking about Christmas gifts. Not the kind under the tree or in stockings, but the kind that start with a light in the east. Today I’m alive, that’s a gift. I have two beautiful children who are healthy and happy and that’s a gift. I have a husband who loves me and thinks I’m the greatest writer on the planet. That’s a huge gift. I am one year into the novelist career I’ve always wanted, an amazing gift.

My little toddler runs over to bend down and kiss her baby sister when she sees her, and I know that at less than three years old she already knows how to give the gifts that matter.

Part of me really misses being a yuppie. I admit it. But I also remember that during that yuppie time of my life, I didn’t have all the gifts that matter most to me now. Some of the most important gifts aren’t found wrapped in bright paper. They start with a light in the east.

Wishing you and yours a season of light, filled with enduring gifts.

Man-hating Cat Foils Romantic Plans, Provides Hurricane Relief
Sebastian, the man-hating feline star of Catalyst, has a special job to do this December. Along with thwarting romance and creating chaos, he’s helping those hit by Hurricane Katrina enjoy a little holiday cheer.

Although the surly cat wasn’t available for comment, the author Charlene Teglia assures us that all royalties for Catalyst, her December Cerridwen Press romantic comedy release, go to Katrina relief and not to support Sebastian’s penchant for gourmet kitty treats.

Yule Be Mine, but not for long!
Yule Be Mine is going out of print, but still available on Fictionwise.com and Lulu.com through the end of 2005.

Proof of Global Warming: Reports of Heat Wave in December!
Ellora’s Cave author NJ Walters claims she didn’t cause global warming with her latest story which reportedly sent temperatures soaring to unseasonal highs with Heat Wave.

Maybe not, but it’s entirely possible one person who claims the elevator scene cured her claustrophobia may prove valid.

Spicy Advice
By Spicy Spiel

Dear Spicy,
I can’t seem to find a man worth dating. I’m about to give up on the whole thing and go shopping instead. Any advice?
Dateless in Detroit

Dear Dateless,
Why not do both, and utilize Melanie Blazer’s novel approach, Brand Name Dates? Shop Cerridwen Press for this chick lit gem and then shop for a new man in the new year who’ll fit you like your favorite flannel jammies.
Love,
Spicy

We all came down with some horrible bug yesterday. Today’s better. I can stay upright so far without trouble, the husband’s feeling good enough to go to work, the toddler looks like her usual perky self. The baby seems to have missed whatever got the rest of us, although she was a little warm and fretful. But all in all I think it’s over. I still have lots of work to do on The Gripping Beast before I turn it back in and so I’ll keep at it. Just the usual craziness here, books and babies with a few Vikings mixed in.

Oh, yes, and I did comment on the word count issue that’s raging across the blogosphere at Shannon’s. I hope that people who are thinking, “I’ll never buy those books again” will stop to consider that length is no guarantee of quality. I’ve read some horrendous 400 page novels and some supremely good novels barely long enough to rate the name. Of all the criteria I base my buying and reading decisions on, length of book is not one of them.