Saturday, December 31, 2016

December 31

As most of you know, there was a time back in July when I wasn't at all sure I'd be around to see the end of the year.  Yet here I am.  Hooray!

The other notable event of the year for me was finding three abandoned kittens who are now residents of Casa de Crider.  The Very Bad Kittens have become somewhat well known on Facebook, but for the most part I've avoided inflicting photos on you here on the blog. 

I finished and turned in Dead, to Begin With, a Sheriff Rhodes novel that might well be the final one.  My editor left St. Martin's, and there's been a reorganization.  I won't know about the fate of the series until the new year, but I'm not sanguine.  And I'm fine with that.  I've had a great run.

And speaking of the new year, on January 2 I'll be spending all afternoon and a good part of the evening getting tested at M.D. Anderson.  On January 3 I'll learn my fate.  I'm about 90% sure that the long-postponed chemo will be on the menu, so keep a good thought or two for me in 2017.

And in the meantime, Happy New Year, everybody!

20 comments:

Deb said...

Best wishes in the New Year! Hopefully, your medical news will not be completely gloomy. Take care!

Jeff Meyerson said...

Happy New Year! Let's hope the upcoming year is not as awful as we're afraid it's going to be.

How's that for hopeful?

pattinase (abbott) said...

Phil has finished 5 of his ten chemo sessions. It hasn't been bad. A little more tired than usual, slight nausea and a bad taste in his mouth. But on the whole...hoping five more will be the end of it but he might need radiation too.

Unknown said...

I think about Phil often. I'm glad he's doing okay.

Unknown said...

Happy New Year, Bill! Wishing you nothing but the very best in 2017.

Jeff Meyerson said...

Glad Phil is doing well.

Howard said...


Thanks for everything, Bill. As far as I am concerned, please publish cat pictures anytime here. Remember those of us who want a cat and can't have one.

On chemo: if you have to do it, yes, it might be rough. But look at it like this: I know someone who went through it forty years ago and is still going. He hasn't been leading a particularly healthy lifestyle, either; still smokes. So it has that possibility; and I am sure you take much better care of yourself than he ever did. And the therapies are greatly advanced over what they had back then. Think success; what've you got to lose, right?

And maybe a few more Sheriff Dan Rhodes novels could be in the works, too! I hope so.

James Reasoner said...

We'll be sending plenty of good thoughts your way on Monday, Bill, as well as, well, the rest of the time. And of course, VBKs rule!

Cap'n Bob said...

I'll hold good wishes for you and the VBKs. More Rhodes, more Crider. That's my wish.

Mike Stamm said...

My best and the happiest of New Years for you and the VBKs, and may the coming year be better than the last one. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.

Jerry House said...

What everyone else said.

I hope you have a fantastic 2017 with improved health, great happiness, a new Dan Rhodes contract, and the comforting purring of the VBKs.

Rick Robinson said...

Wishing you the best for the new year, whatever it may bring to you, and to us all.

Rick said...

Best wishes for the New Year, Bill. And likewise to the VBKs. And I'd miss Dan Rhodes a lot.
(Rick Libott)

Kevin R. Tipple said...

Think of you and Phil each day and counting on you both to continue to behave and cooperate with the medical folks. :)

Happy New Year from all of us!

Steph said...

The very best wishes for the New Year, Bill. Sending good thoughts for a positive outcome both with your health and with Sheriff Rhodes.

I'm a Facebook holdout, so feel free to share VBK photos here anytime--I miss having a cat.

michael said...

Checking in on you every day Bill. Heart felt wishes for an upbeat 2017!

George said...

Here's hoping that Good News will come your way on January 3! May 2017 be a lot better than 2016 for all of us!

Unknown said...

Good luck tomorrow, Bill. I'm confident that you have many years ahead of you.

Anonymous said...

I think about your even when you don't think I'm thinking about you. You are important to me.

sas

Thomas Miller said...

Best wishes for your good health in the new year.