Wow! It seems like ages since I blogged. School and work and life just seem to be a bit hectic right now. The semester is going fine, but I'm still catching up on some things, and haven't had much chance to write.

Have posted an essay, "Constructing Nature." Keep wondering about my essays and publication. I have recently had a lot of ideas for essays and want to write several, but that just takes that much more time away from other writing.

Who am I kidding? If I am writing, I am happy. Must keep writing, no matter what the genre. I haven't even written much in my personal journal lately.

Got a rejection email from Amarillo Bay for my poems "Lamp," "To A Fleeing Hawk," "Going Hence," "Through The Drizzle," and "The Artist Still." Editor Jerry Craven did say he'd like to see more of my work, however, so that is very encouraging. Maybe it isn't true, but I reason that since editors are usually overloaded with writing they would rather not read, they must like something if they actually encourage you to submit again, even while they reject what you have already sent. Bottom line: I need to carve some time to find good pieces to submit. Just trying to get work published is a full time job, and I feel lucky if I can make one submission a week. With email and online submissions now possible in so many places, this should be a breeze, but alas, no.

Have posted a new essay to the website. Right now, it is titled "Pageants," but I would like to explore ideas for a different title. It is about not just Christmas, but the whole season for us. I enjoyed, to some extent, writing it, but I have no idea if it will have a place anywhere.

Also posted a new poem, a sonnet, about the war of words between politicians. When will people wake up and see screwed up this situation is?

Wintermester ends today. Spring semester begins Monday. Much work to do. So why not blog?

Again, I have had to wait awhile to post anything here. Computer at home is very down and I couldn't access the net with the laptop I checked out of the library. Oh well.

Have done some writing. Posted today a new story, "The Last Bottle," and two new poems: "Approaching The Hawk" and "The Artist Still." Also started an archive. Pretty soon I will have to take some works off the main pages.

Started a personal essay about Christmas. Maybe I can finish it this weekend. It reads a bit like prose poem. Don't know if I could get it published. Guess it could show up in a book somewhere. Don't know. Got a feeling some people I know will be upset about it anyway. But then again, lots of people that would be don't read what I write. So what am I worried about?

Been pretty busy with Wintermester. Like my class. Didn't give myself enough of a break during the holiday though.

Been reading, of course. Finished Poodle Springs, by Raymond Chandler and Robert B. Parker. I think I read another Parker book (and early one) before that. Have been plowing my way though Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman. Good, but since I'm taking notes, it is taking me a bit longer. Also started my first P.D. James novel, Devices and Desires (or the other way around). Other stuff too has been read since my last posting, but I'm out of time to write about it for now.