This and That

Northern New Mexico

I'm reporting on This and That this week: a weekend trip, a short story review, and a goals report.

Travel

My husband and I enjoyed a brief trip to New Mexico this weekend. My nephew's son was playing in a hockey tournament. As it was only a few hours drive for us, and I hadn't seen my nephew or his family in years, we braved bitter cold weather to attend. My nephew is serving in the U. S. Army, and has not been stationed nearby yet! As has been true on many recent trips, we agreed this was an area deserving a longer stay and exploration. Some day. When we have time. It'll have to go on the retirement must-do list for now.

Short Story Review

Futures Off at Closing by John H. Dirckx - Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine Jan / Feb 2017
Detective Lieutenant Cyrus Auburn and Sergeant Fritz Dollinger are called to the scene of a murder. The victim is the employee of The Aldersgate Fund, a company suspected of engaging in insider trading. A hedge fund, a soon-to-be ex-husband, financial hanky panky, a note, and a dead employee. I assumed I knew where this was going, but I was wrong.

Also wrong is the assumption that a story about finance would be dull. The action moves along swiftly as Detective Auburn puts the pieces of the puzzle together. Auburn enlists his lady friend Rochelle's assistance to decipher a note. There is a clever twist at the end I don't want to risk revealing. You'll have to read the story yourself. And you should.

Goals

My schedule has already been disrupted, and we're not even half way through the year. I ended 2016 with a burst of creative energy, and ideas for several stories. Then my sister arrived for a visit. Days later, we made the trip to New Mexico to see my nephew. And then there is the day job. From Thanksgiving through half of January is typically slow for us. Not this year. I am determined to get back on track, while ideas for new stories are still fresh in my mind. I'm wondering how other folks maintain their writing schedules in the midst of life's obligations.

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