One of the good things was a book club in upstate NY chose Promised Rewards as their book to read and discuss. They invited me to join the meeting (Actually, I heard about their book choice and invited myself).

The discussion was enlightening. Of the 8 people, 6 of them liked my book, one disliked the episodic nature of the early chapters, and one just didn't care for the genre and didn't like my book either. Folks mentioned a couple points (not enough description) I'll beat on as I rework the book for a new release next year.

This week also had three evening Christmas parties.

One of my critique groups got together for pot-luck and conversation. This is an fun bunch of folks who started as strangers and have become close friends over years of reading each other's works and helping each other improve. It's great to get together once in a while and not explain what we dislike about their brain-child.

Next night was the dance studio's pot-luck and dance party. I had a great time dancing and chatting with folks. Again, we all started as strangers a year or two ago, and seldom have time to talk. But, there's a level of comfort and being comfortable with each other that's grown over time. I'm getting familiar enough with some of the dances that I can chat with my partner other than mouthing 1-2-quick-quick-slow.

The next night was a party at one of my oldest friend's homes with some folks I've known for years and others I've never met. I had fun catching up with friends I don't see often any more, and meeting new folks. (And got one good vignette I intend to steal and merge into one of my stories.)

I could get maudlin and ruminate on how we take the frailest of single interest threads and weave them into the tapestry of our lives. Strangers become close friends who share our triumphs and help us through disasters.

But it's Christmas, so I'll just say I'm blessed with a lot of really good friends.