T.H.I.S

Dear Friends,

I know it’s not spring yet, but it’s March and in my book, that’s practically the same thing. If nothing else, I’ve been able to slog through The Februaries and make it out to the other side. Yes, we still have heaps of snow everywhere and it was 9 degrees Fahrenheit this morning when I got up, but hope springs eternal.

Spring is coming.

In the meantime, I’m happy to say goodbye to February, though it did come with its diversions. We welcomed it with ice at the New Hampshire Ice Castle

and sent it on its way with fire (with the fire sculptures at the Lowell Winterfest).

The pictures don’t do either justice. Both gave me a sense of awe and wonder (who knew there were people who make fire sculptures??), which I have soaked up like a sponge. I needed the reminders that there is still magic in the world.

In the meantime, work continues in all of its forms. The genesis retreat 2026 planning is well underway and applications are currently being accepted. Once again, I can’t help but look forward to the respite and the creative hum that comes along with the brightness of mingling with such a group. More awe and wonder. And scones. Lots of scones.

“The Blues” show has ended at the Arts League of Lowell, and I’ll soon be working on a piece to enter into the next show, which is a celebration of Lowell’s 200th anniversary. I have several small pieces currently available at the gallery, so if you’re in the area, pop over to the gallery at 307 Market St, Lowell, MA and check out the local art. They’re open Wednesday to Sunday, 12:00 to 4:00.

On the writing front, I’m working on illustrations for a nonfiction picture book, which has been on the back burner for far too long. I’m hoping to have a mostly complete dummy, with sketches and one finished piece by the end of the month to send to my agent. Once that’s on its way, I’ll return to a YA novel that also has been languishing in a hypothetical drawer.

As for my reading goals, I’ve read Crooked House by Agatha Christie, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, volumes 2 and 3 by Beth Brower, and I’m currently reading The Work of Art: How Something Comes From Nothing by Adam Moss, The Endless Night by Agatha Christie (last novel included in this book of three, thank goodness), and The Book: A Cover-to-Cover Exploration of the Most Powerful Object of Our Time by Keith Houston.

I’ve listened to the audiobooks The Ring of Solomon by Jonathan Stroud as well as The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, volume 2. Yes, I read AND listened to the audiobook of the same book. Don’t judge. The audiobook is delightful company during mornings on the exercise bike, and I’m about to enter into the audiobook of the third volume. Yes/and.

On a related note, I’ve done a cleaning and rearranging of my bookcases, wherein I have found several red stragglers that have joined the others, so I expect I’ll be starting in on 101 Classical Texts before too long. I don’t have high expectations for it as it’s composed of little snippets of a bunch (101?) of things—abridgments—and if you’ve ever read 84 Charing Cross Road, you’ll know how to respond to books that are abridgments.

What’s new with you?

May your March be full of daffodils and sunshine.

All the best,

Ginger