under another sun

Working long and hard on editing two of my stories, The Hounding , and The Meat It Feeds On , and writing the first draft of a new short one called Snowfall . Other bits and pieces too, and sent a manuscript, rather speculatively, off to Gregory in New York. There is something, I have decided, which is very empowering about being 60. It's damn the torpedoes and full steam ahead. Loving reading my book of Ray Bradbury short stories at night. Lorraine coldy and tired at night. I started to read a story but she was asleep in about 30 seconds.

Monday. Back to teetotalism and calorie counting. Battened down the hatches and made lists for my ancient self to work on. All nice things to do, apart from my accounts and stuff like that. Lorraine off to work early. Beth making phone calls and sorting stuff like water bills out before setting off to work in the afternoon. A sense of folding back into my desk. On the buff and polish stage of two stories, The Hounding , and The Bestie, which is now called The Meat It Feeds On.  I read short stories by Algernon Blackwood, Ray Bradbury and Thomas Ligotti. Anton called to discuss the blackwing pencils he had bought me. They are very nice. I sense the dawn of a new stationery obsession. As the day was rainy and uninviting I just popped out once or twice to local shops. Lorraine home with a cold and feeling poorly after work. An early night for all.

Everyone at Kenny towers up early this morning. Beth up and off with the sparrows,  and Lorraine too on her new wheeze of going to the gym before work. I pushed on cheerily with The Hounding , which I am very pleased with. Beth back mid morning and we had a nice chat. Anton called me describing the most appalling plane ride to Spain in an Easyjet flight full of stag and hen parties. The pilot attempted three times to land, and couldn't because the worst storm in Spain's recent history was happening. Meanwhile Anton's fellow passengers spewing. They had to fly to a different airport and try again. Meanwhile Anton's uncle John, who was driving to the airport to pick him up, was caught in floodwater, and had water in his car, and then was trapped in the airport. Even Anton was scared in that flight, expert, as he is, in air disaster scenarios. I made off to the gym again, and had a fairly productive afternoon too. A good day. I cooked a nice chicken stew, and Laura pop...

Lorraine up very early this morning, which meant I was too. Horrid dreams all night. At my desk by 6:30 however, and transforming the story I had started last week and making it more about dogs. It is now called The Hounding, and is coming on very well. By the time noon arrived, I found I had worked for over five hours already, so I sloped off through the park to the gym. A surprisingly good session there, as I am feeling so much better than I have been. Walked back through the park feeling one of the strange feelings of well-being and happiness again. Full of a sense that I am happy to be alive. Got back to work for a bit, and then cooked. Lorraine and Beth arriving late. Early to bed. Reading a story by Thomas Ligotti from his collection of short stories, Teatro Grottesco .  Lorraine not wanting me to read her these stories.