I hope that all of you had a wonderful holiday (of the many that just passed)!  Mine were calm and warm, which is how I always hope they’ll be.  My family is small, but close-knit, and I cherish all the moments we still have together.  Candles were lit for those who have passed, and giggles echoed from those who have newly arrived.  That’s really the meaning of the season for me.  It’s not Santa, not Jesus, not Nature or any other force or presence; it’s the love and life between us.

That will certainly explain why the greatest gift I received this year was an unexpected visit from my best friend (those of you who followed my Via Dolorosa Press career will know him as Sasha I. Nyktos).  I can’t remember the last time my heart swelled that much.  I swear, if people paid attention to the way that feels, we’d live in a world free of war.

Lest I turn into a hippie before this post is finished, I also received a fabulous gift from my husband that included Siouxsie and the Banshees’ BBC recordings.  The teenager in me thoroughly enjoyed watching the dvd with my parents while they cringed.  Can’t let them forget those fabulous days of having to listen to Siouxsie, Christian Death, and Fields of the Nephilim as they blared from my stereo! 

I have a lovely week off from my university job at the moment, so I’m going to be finishing up adding and organizing content here on my web page.  I unearthed some of my old poetry chapbooks, and although many make me wince now, I will share any gems hidden in them with you since most of them are no longer in print.

Many happy wishes for a brilliant new year!  Thank you for sharing in it with me!