Jane/Susannah/Sadie here, who put off writing this post as long as she could …
First off, I hope everyone is having a wonderful celebratory season, whatever form that takes for you. I have been on a staycation, getting lots of little projects done around the house (with a few more to go over the next days until January 2).
Did you ever have to do a thing that you knew was right, but that still broke your heart a little? Well, that’s where I am right now. This will be my last regularly scheduled post as a Wicked Accomplice. It’s been an amazing few years here, blogging one Thursday a month with some of the most dangerous, talented, and accomplished female sleuth-wranglers out there. The time has come, though, for me to take a break. I’ll tell you more at the end of the post, but I thought it might be fun to tell you some of the not-real reasons first:
Not-Real Reason 1: I am now choosing to spend my time playing with the Instant Pot I got for Christmas. Do any of you have one? I wasn’t sure about it, but man oh man can it do a lot. I’ve already made bone broth from a rotisserie chicken, and the results are far superior to using the slow cooker–the broth came out very tasty and clear, without any of the little sludgy protein bits that never strain out completely and make the liquid cloudy. I also made crème brulee (just the crème, not the brulee yet) and the custards came out perfectly. (They’re in the fridge waiting to be torched tomorrow). Next up: beef short ribs.
NRR2: I won the lottery, retired from the day job, and bought a villa on a Greek island. If only! When that happens, I’ll let you all know and you can come and visit me. Bring books so I can build a library that overlooks the ocean.
NRR3: I am obsessively knitting. Well, true, but not the Real Reason. I have been going through closets and drawers (avoiding thinking about the 3-generations-of-stuff pit that is my basement and must be addressed at some point), and one of those was my craft closet. I made a commitment to myself that everything had to fit into that one not-very-big space, but I also committed to either finishing or tossing UFOs (Unfinished Objects, for you noncrafters). So far I’ve finished a hat, a small shawl, and right now I’m working on the mate to a fingerless glove–again. I dropped a bunch of stitches on the thumb opening–enough that when I tried to pick them up, I made a bigger mess and the stitches ran like a cheap pair of pantyhose. Clear nail polish on the run wasn’t going to help, so I frogged it (Knitspeak for ripping out stitches) down to the cuff and started it again from that point. Oh, and the craft closet is unstuffed, neat, and organized. Now to maintain it!
NRR4: I’ve become a great aunt for the first time! Also true. My niece just birthed a tiny baby boy (only 6.25 pounds, but healthy)–a couple of weeks early, on Christmas Day. Am I the only one who thinks “Great Aunt” sounds like someone older than a “Grandma?” No matter–I can’t wait to see the baby in a few weeks, even though I actually AM older than the baby’s grandma (my younger sister). I will call her “Granny” and that may make me feel better.
The Real Reason. I wish it was more exciting, but the fact is, in my heart (the one that’s breaking right now, remember?), I just knew it was time. Now that I’ve gone back to work (especially because my job is in the publishing industry), I’ve found it challenging to maintain my focus on the thing that really matters to me: writing stories. And in order to do that, just like the closets and drawers in my house, I have to let go of some things in order to make room for the new. Sadly, my monthly date here is one of them, a sacrifice I need to make for my own greater good.
But I’m not really going anywhere. I’ll still pop in and comment from time to time (I couldn’t give up this wonderful blog completely!), and I may do an occasional guest post. Look for a new Susannah Hardy novella, The Poseidon Misadventure, coming out in March (ebook only; I should have it up for preorder soon)!
So, in closing, I want to thank the Wickeds for letting me hang out with them, and even more I want to thank you all, Dear, Dear Readers, for coming along with me on this journey. It’s been a joy and a privilege.
Now, so I don’t cry, tell me something that’s bringing you joy in your life!