I have been reading the two novels by Scott Smith.  One is "A Simple Plan" and the other is "The Ruins."  Both differed somewhat from the movie versions, or was it the other way around?  Can you imagine writing two novels, and having both of them become movies - how successful is that?  Another of my favorite writers, right now, is Joe Kane, who wrote "Savages" and "Running the Amazon."  I used to go online and order books from Amazon.com, but I can't afford to do this anymore.  That's why my library card is so active right now.  I can only afford to borrow books.  Another favorite writer, Clifford Pickover, has written a lot of books that are captivating to my mind.  I find it difficult to read more than a few pages of his writings at a time, as they are so mind-blowing.

It seems strange, a bit, that all summer long I was reading books about the Arctic, and all winter long, so far, I've been reading books about the Amazon jungle, where it's so hot and humid.  Maybe there's a method here?  I am beginning to build up a head of steam regarding my novels - I need to alter one drastically, edit one, and finish one. 

Tomorrow, I have two social engagements; one for brunch with 2 of my girlfriends, and one for lunch with my children.  So this amounts to my New Year's celebration - daytime fun, lots of coffee and food, and talking, talking, talking.  Last night, I just couldn't watch another glittering, entertaining, fireworks-ridden display; turned off the tv at 11:45 and fell asleep.  I did not have an alcoholic beverage, either.  I'm on medication and I've been very tired lately.  It wasn't cold enough to perform the usual New Year's ritual of going outside with a cup of hot water, throwing it into the air, and seeing it turn into snow.  It's better when it's below zero for that.  Well, this is why I'm Shackhappy.  I accept that. 

I made cinnamon buns with powdered sugar glaze yesterday as a New Year's Eve treat.  For awhile there, I thought I had overdosed on sugar...I ate four of them, and they were so good.  I dreamed about my mother last night, and have been reliving her last days, getting a new perspective on our time together, good and bad.  I can laugh now, and stop blaming myself for letting her die.  She was going to die anyway, I see that now.