Plot and Character, Holiday Cards, and Sending Hugs

I have to get back to work on the short story I'm working on. I got lost in the Halls of Karnak and need to get hold of my character once again. I allowed Egypt to take over my story, and it's just a backdrop. I might pull her out of that land completely and into an unknown area instead. It might work better for the overall story if I do that. In this story most of the setting is unimportant, it's the character who needs to be the focus for this one. 

Setting of any story is as much of a character as those 
who are living and acting out their lives in it. But a 
balance must be achieved between the setting and the 
character - one cannot overshadow the other. It's a 
delicate balance - a dance, if you prefer. The character 
and the setting must be harmonious and move the plot 
along. Right now, that's not happening in my short 
tale, so I need a serious revision. 

I got all of my holiday cards punched and tied yesterday afternoon, finishing up approximately 10 minutes before DH arrived back home from the shop. Envelopes are the next and (almost) penultimate step. Then one final stamp on the back of the card, sign them, stuff and seal, put postage on, and send. They should be in the mail no later than Wednesday (ideally). They're late this year, but still in time to get to most of my mailing list before Solstice. I suspect my overseas friends might have delivery delayed a bit more, but once I drop them into the mail, it's out of my hands. 

I'll be glad when I can actually put my holiday cards 
into the mail. I hate it when I run this late, and I 
haven't been this late for years! Still, I'm in the 
final stretch, so they should be in the mail by 
mid-week, if all goes well. 

I'm pretty happy with this year's card. I had no idea what I was going to create this year, which is hard. I was skating on thin ice a few times, but it all managed to come together and I'm pretty darned happy. I hope you'll enjoy yours when it arrives at your door. 

Done and done. I was good, showed up on time, and by 
10:15 am I had received my booster shot and was on 
my way. I decided to have a cup of tea at home before 
heading to the grocery store, but eventually went over 
there, bought the veggies I needed, and headed home 
again to make my next batch of Ogre Juice. 

So, today I'm cold, my left arm is a little achy from my booster shot yesterday (which actually went rather smoothly at the pharmacy - I had a Pharmacist whose sister is also needle-phobic, so she knew how best to handle me). I have the booster added to my Vaccination Card, and filed away with my personal papers. I'll take it easy for the weekend (as much as I can at the shop, since I work both days), and put some serious exercise into my arm on Monday morning in the swimming pool. 

Rosemary's husband has been in full-time care 
for the past two+ years, but he's been slipping 
lately, and she was advised to move him into 
hospice care instead. I know it has been a 
difficult few years, but she's really done well. 
Now she'll need to be strong, but in some ways 
I suspect she'll also be relieved that John 
is finally at peace. She has two sons who 
have been very helpful, but neither of them 
live nearby so she's learned how to deal with 
the home and yard and her general life on 
her own. 

My friend Rosemary - my swimming lane partner for many years - wasn't at the pool yesterday. She had warned all of us that if she wasn't at the Y one morning, it would be because her husband (currently in hospice) was dying and she would need to be with him. I suspect that's where she was yesterday morning, so I'm keeping a close eye on the obituaries. If I can go to the wake, I'll try to be there for her. 

Sending hugs to each of you - nearby or far away. 
I hope your day and your weekend are glorious 
and filled with love, happiness and joy. 

On that note, I'm out of here. We're colder once again, and the northern part of the state is getting the first serious snowstorm of the season. It won't come down as far as the Twin Cities, but we are definitely colder than yesterday. Time to bundle up and face the fact that it's December and I live in the Frozen Northlands - LOL. Have a wonderful weekend and I'll be back on Monday.