Update #5 - January 2025

 I finally finished chapter 21 a couple of days ago. Now Gwernin et al will be riding north, intending to reach Beltany Stone Circle in time for the Midsummer observances there. 

Not often do you get five Thursdays in January. After a very cold and snowy month, the beginning of February, at least, looks more pleasant - forecast high for next Wednesday is 70 F! I'm looking forward to finally get some garden cleanup done; I also want to start walking regularly again. Ruay will also be happier. :)

Update #4 - January 2025

 Not much progress with the writing this last week due to various distractions. Hopefully next week will be better
. 

The weather has been very cold here, with several near zero or subzero F nights and some days that didn't get above freezing, also a couple of days with snow. Next week should be better with highs in the 40s.

Update #3 - January 2024

 Some progress this week - about 2/3 of chapter 21. Gwernin and company have arrived at Oweynagat, and three of them are sharing their own experiences of the cave. I'm debating whether to include a couple more incidents, which would make for a rather long chapter. In the next chapter, they'll head north.

The weather has been cold and dry for the last week, but there's a bitter winter storm with snow and subzero lows forecast for the weekend. May the weather Gods be merciful!

Update #2 - January 2025

 I've made a little progress on chapter 21 in the last week, interrupted by finishing up the spring issue of Oak Leaves. I've found a replacement editor and will be working with her on the summer issue which comes out at Beltane. After that I should be able to concentrate on my own writing without interruptions. This will be good, since the story is beginning to move -- Gwernin et al are on their way to Oweynagat.

January weather is back this week - very cold with intermittent snow. I keep planning on running errands, then canceling. Next week at least looks drier, if not much warmer. My orange cat Ruay hasn't spent much time outside this week, and when he's out I've been setting a timer to remind me to check on him. We'll both welcome the approach of spring.

Update #1 - January 2025

 I finished chapter 20 yesterday -- mostly fidchell games and magic. Now in chapter 21 Gwernin et al will be moving on to Cruachan and Oweynagat for a different sort of magic. First, however, I have to finish my article for Oak Leaves and wrap the issue!

Relatively mild and dry this last week, although we had one night in the lower teens. Next week's weather looks more promising for precipitation, which we need badly. I ask the weather gods every morning for rain - we shouldn't be having fire warnings in January.