Hiaitus

So I have sad news, and it's sad news that has shifted on me. I have an aunt with cancer and she had a surgery in May that left us hopeful for a short time—then the tumors started growing back... and they thought six months to a year, but a second assessment had a HOLY COW that's fast, less than three months.

I had planned to go see her at the end of August—she is staying with my cousin in Arizona. But I talked to my cousin yesterday and all the signs indicate this is probably more a matter of days to a couple weeks rather than a couple months, so I am flying out to Phoenix tomorrow. I have no clue what my computer access will be at all, but I will definitely have other priorities, so I am taking the week off—possibly the one following with the exception of a guest spot I have scheduled.

And I'd like to share this wee bit of hard-earned wisdom. Don't let your families drift. I know it can happen—people you love have lives off in another place and you lose touch. Reach across the gap, would you? It is so sad to do so when you know how little time is left. My dad's family just has not been very close since my grandma died 33 years ago, but my aunt is a sweet woman and I wish I'd made the time to be closer.

And in other news... Happy birthday, JK Rowling and Harry Potter...

and

I am ALSO over at Ink in the Book http://inkinthebook.blogspot.com/ again today... only it isn't me... but it's ABOUT me... Talynn has written a little on the smarmy Jean-Jacques Georges...