It's the end of January, and we are snowed in. In South Carolina, it only takes around an inch of snow. But we are lucky to have power, and I don't have to call upon any agents of hell to keep our house warm. 
My Demon Cat Hades is, for now, tucked safely next to the oven with some treats. She still doesn't like the cold. In that she is me.

It feels like just yesterday that we were on summer break, with never-ending warmth and family time. And then the kids went back to school, and I thought I could finally get back to my projects. But as it often is, fate interfered with my plans, and death came knocking. Like the aftermath of a storm, this left debris and scars that had to be cleaned and tended to. Slowly, the world rights itself again, and I'm emerging, maybe a different person than before. I hope to be wiser, to cherish my time and my loved ones. Time is a curious thing, just trickling along. It can heal, a slow stream of warmth and comfort, even though the outside is still cold and unfriendly. As always, my sanctuary is in the worlds that keep appearing in my head, my own kind of small magic. Like a warm hug, these pull me out of dark corners, feed me with warmth, and pull me in to their story-filled whispers. And I always hope to bring some of these whispers to others. So that they might be given a small moment, where a smile or even a laugh just pops into existence and will expel all that weighs on the mind, be it the state of the world or the last math quiz. 
Now I get back to my creatures made out of words and stories and slowly bring them to life. Because in that world, I get to be a mage. And isn't that what we all love to be? And that's actually my new project. A world where every time someone puts pen to paper, magic is created. 
See you soon and stay creative!