by Janis Patterson
Don’t worry – this isn’t going to be an evangelistic paean about how I’ve totally remade myself to claim a glorious and bounteous New Year and the rest of my life. That would be nice, though, but I’ve tried it before and it doesn’t work. For long, at least. I think my record is about two weeks.
No, I’m the same old curmudgeonly, opinionated, workaholic biddy I’ve always been. The only changes are that I am a year older and – for a blessed change – rested. From writing stuff, at least. I finished my 22 novel republishing blitz on 25 October. I was so tired (and cranky, I will admit) that The Husband insisted I take November and December off.
And that proved to be a good thing. I am indeed rested and the creative mind is starting to percolate again. I would like to say that my house is cleaner, but I don’t tell lies. Sadly, it probably never will be, as I totally lack the housekeeping gene… and I thought I’d never marry anyone who was as bad a housekeeper as I, but… A sterling man in every other way, but…
We spent the early part of December in Germany, redoing our favorite Christmas market tour, enjoying good German food and beer and a refreshingly enthusiastic attitude toward Christmas everywhere from the markets to the stores to the street decorations. And the people. Love the people.
It’s a good thing I had no other commitments, as since the third week of December I have been at war with Lufthansa airlines about their last-minute cancellation of the final leg of our inbound flight and the subsequent disappearance of our luggage. My bag was found – in the hands of a thief, no less – but The Husband’s is still among the missing. Not to go into details, Lufthansa has handled the thing very badly and withheld information we need if we are to go forward, information that none of the dozen or so of Lufthansa employees we talked to said we needed. Needless to say, it is going to get very ugly.
Back to writing. Aside from the Lufthansa unpleasantness it has been a lovely two months. Germany was – as always – beautiful and fun. My writing mind is unfolding and starting to bloom. I’ve contracted for two novellas – one a Regency romance for a ‘summer weddings’ anthology, the other a WWI mystery for an anthology centered on July 4th. The other novellas include the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, WWII and Viet Nam.
And that doesn’t address the two nearly-finished books of my own done for my own publishing company and a major new release that has to be stage-managed. I’m even considering releasing a compilation of my blog posts from years past. Plus, we’re off to Egypt again in a short time. This will be my 8th trip and this time I get to see Abu Simbel for the very first time! I’m so excited!
Sounds like I won’t be rested for very long.
A writer’s work is never done. But – it is a lot easier when you are rested both mentally and physically, even if that desirable state only lasts a short time. You have to let the well refill. A happy new year to all of you –
Ladies of Mystery 
You sure are a busy gal!
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Unfortunately – but not as much as last year when I repubbed 22 novels, all freshly edited and formatted, and most with new covers. I really didn’t mean to take on so much this year, but… I thought things were supposed to get easier as we got older!
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Janis, such energy! I would love to go to Egypt. That’s one on my list. In the meantime, I’m planning a trip to Italy so suggestions are greatly appreciate. I’m thinking of starting in Naples/Pompeii/Sorento and working my way north to Venice.
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Janet, Italy sounds marvelous! I do hope you get to go. As for advice, I haven’t been to Italy in probably 50 years, so I don’t have any advice other than the standard – comfortable shoes, sunscreen, sun hat, cotton hankies, lots of money… I do remember Italy used to have spectacular leather goods, such as purses, gloves and wallets… Do have a wonderful time!
Janis …committing crime with style! http://www.JanisPattersonMysteries.com http://www.janispattersonmysteries.com/ …always a good story! http://www.janispattersonmysteries.com/http://www.JanisSusanMayAuthor.com
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I have a trip planned for Europe next fall and we have decided to make do with a carry-on suitcase for that reason and we will be taking trains a lot and don’t want to be burdened with lots of baggage. I’m sorry for the baggage and fight with that airline. Now I know not to book through them. 😉 I would enjoy a trip to Europe at Christmas but will settle for the fall. Your trip this year sounds like a lot of fun. Enjoy and congratulations on all the writing and getting your groove back!
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Losing bags is what airlines do very well. They usually find them, eventually. I will tell you, Janis, a recent post of yours inspired me to grouse about the fact that I wanted to go to Egypt, and it had been on my bucket list for decades. My husband finally made it happen and we leave tomorrow! I am not looking forward to the flight – 11 hours to Frankfort, a 4-hour layover, then another 4 hours to Cairo, but once we get over that, it’s a 7-day cruise down the Nile, visiting temples, pyramids, etc. A real adventure. I am bringing two of everything, electrical adapters, and a voltage regulator, as several online sites recommended. I even watched Joanna Lumley’s Jewel in the Nile series. Anyway, thanks for the inspiration.
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Congratulations, Heather! I envy you your first glimpse of Egypt. Have a wonderful time. Egypt is indeed magic. And a cruise is the perfect way to go – no changing hotels every day or so, great food, beautiful views 24/7 – we did a 2 week cruise in the fall of 22 and I want another! (Our upcoming trip only includes 3-4 days of cruise, then switch to a bus… one does have to make sacrifices, you know )
We usually go the way you are – home to Frankfurt, then on to Cairo. Long, but just about the fastest/most economical way. Just be warned that without doubt Frankfurt Airport is one of the Seven Circles of Hell. Huge, bloated, staffed in the main with people who just don’t give a d*mn… it’s horrible. By contrast Cairo is warm and fuzzy. Even Chicago’s O’Hare is better than Frankfurt, and I loathe O’Hare.
As for luggage – Lufthansa has found my husand’s bag, but they flatly refuse to give it to us. It will be sold. They say they cannot give it to us without a case number – but none of the half-dozen Lufthansa employees we talked to at the airport or later on the phone ever bothered to tell us we needed a case number. (And this after my bag showed up while we were in the airport – in the hands of a man walking away from the baggage claim area! I shouted, he dropped the handle and kept on walking.) So, even though Lufthansa knows my husband’s bag belongs to us, and they have admitted it, (and it has the mandatory tag with name/address/phone number on it) they refuse to give it to us. If we did something like that it would be called just plain stealing. Wonder how much Lufthansa makes each year from selling ‘unclaimed’ baggage? It’s free money for them.
Anyway, I’m still fighting. All of which has nothing to do with your Egyptian trip – I know you are going to have a splendid time. Some advice – winter or not, take sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat. Also, get some plain white cotton handkerchiefs. They’re wonderful for keeping sweat off the face without leaving little bits of tissue lint. Keep a pocket full of small change – single pound coins, etc – because you will see pathetically poor people begging who will wrench your heart. There is bad poverty there – some families exist on nothing but bread and tea and sugar. Giving out a pound or two (a couple of cents in our money) can make a difference in their lives. But don’t be a sucker. Also, I also make it a practice to buy ‘stuff’ from street vendors – it helps their dignity. Most of it definitely isn’t of the highest quality… but I take it home and donate it to charity here. Bargaining is often expected, but don’t do it too vociferously. It’s more of a social thing; you don’t want to browbeat them.
Obviously I can talk forever about Egypt, but there is one thing you must accept. There’s no way you can see everything. There is 5,000 years worth of history, and most eras have many spectacular monuments. This upcoming trip will be my 8th, and my ‘bucket list’ of what to see has grown over the trips instead of decreased. Since you’re on a tour you’re probably guaranteed to see the ‘top tier’ items – the Sphynx, the pyramids, the Valley of the Kings, etc. Everyone needs to see them… but the more you see the more you’ll find that you want to see. Keep a list for your next trip. And believe that there will be one.
Happy journey!
…committing crime with style! http://www.JanisPattersonMysteries.com http://www.janispattersonmysteries.com/ …always a good story! http://www.janispattersonmysteries.com/http://www.JanisSusanMayAuthor.com
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