Today the participants of Jano celebrated with a party. A group of local writers, who liked the idea of writing for one month on a novel of our choice, but didn’t like doing it during the month of November, decided to do it in January. (So instead of Nano, we called ours Jano.) We had participants from coast to coast; not even sure how one of them even found us! Four people actually reached the goal of 50,000 words. But not me. However, I now have a good start on a mystery novel. Prizes were awarded at our celebration party for several things; I tied for “best first page.” Yea! We all enjoyed hearing what everyone has accomplished. This was fun, and the mutual cheerleading encouraged a lot more writing. (Now for Jano 2011)

Sleuths’ Ink, a mystery writers group I belong to, decided to spend a month in which each member (who chose to do so) would write a 50,000 word novel, but not in November when it’s usually done. We chose the “bare” winter month of January. Problem was…I got sick and totally drained of all energy. Took a long time to “come back.” And while I did not reach the 50,000 goal, I got a really good start for a novel that has been just running around in my heard taunting me for a few years. Now to go back to work finishing other projects!

I plan this year to finish the five major writing or writing related projects that I’ve been working on.
One: complete the editing of my biography about the life and times of Maria Sybilla Merian, a woman who captured my heart because she played with caterpillars all of her life, was a very important part of the development of the field of entomology, did her own meticulous research, and became famous. She persevered and did all of this even though everything was stacked against her. What a gal!
Two: finish the illustrations for a children’s book written by Beverly Crandall.
Three: complete the last bit needed for my picture book about Maria Sybilla Merian, and send the dummy book out searching for a publisher.
Four: send out a children’s book I have written about a ghost’s discovery that he is a ghost.
Five: complete the writing of a 50,000 word mystery novel during the month of January, even though I have a slow start right now. : )

Last weekend in Columbia, MO, I tried Tiger Ice Cream at MU. It was quite tasty and the scoops were the biggest I’ve seen in awhile.
Last night we went to Andy’s where I had my favorite––a concrete with raspberry topping (which means the topping is all mixed in). Delicious.
But my all time favorite is the ice cream I had in the little town of Wilster, Germany, at the Eiscafe Rialto across from the church. It was a dish called Spaghetti Ice Cream; looked like real spaghetti with tomato sauce! Tasted fantastic! I loved the combination of looks and taste. And if I’m ever back in Hamburg, I will definitely take the train to Wilster for more ice cream at the Eiscafe Rialto.

I have a short mystery story published online in the October issue of Caching Now magazine.

You can see it at http://www.cachingnow.com/

Click on Feature to read the story.