A Pretty Swell Monday, All Things Considered

Monday, February 9, 2026 — Orlando, Florida

Happy Monday, Dear Reader.

There’s something about the first day of a new workweek that feels like a clean page—full of possibility, full of momentum. Today has that energy in spades. Central Florida is showing off a bit: bright sun, clear skies, and a gentle coolness that lingers just long enough to remind you it’s still winter. As I write this, we’re hovering around a comfortable 69°F (20°C), with the day headed toward a picture-perfect high of 75°F (24°C). It’s the kind of weather that invites you to step outside, breathe deeply, and maybe keep a light jacket within reach, just in case.

There’s also a bit of wonderful news to brighten the day even further: Paul Schingle’s thoughtful, generous review of Comings and Goings – The Art of Being Seen is now officially live on Amazon. If you read it yesterday on Schingle’s Blog, you already know how perceptive his take was—but seeing that five-star review appear not only on Amazon’s U.S. store but across its international sites (Canada, France, Germany, the UK, and Australia) is a thrill all its own. Knowing that Paul’s words—and the story itself—are now reaching readers around the world is both humbling and exhilarating. I’m deeply grateful.

On the home front, I’m especially glad to be back at my main computer today. After my midday break, I’ll be diving once more into The Jim Garraty Chronicles—a project that’s been simmering quietly while I’ve focused on other things. I’ll be honest: it doesn’t ignite the same spark that Reunion: Coda did while I was writing it, but I made myself a promise. I said I’d bring the Reunion Duology and its companion novelette together in a single omnibus edition for anyone who wants the full experience in one place. Maybe that’s only a handful of readers—five or six, perhaps—but even one reader waiting is reason enough to finish the job.

Kindle Create continues to test my patience with its stubborn subheading quirks, but progress is progress. There’s new material to write, including an introduction, and I’m determined to make it worth the wait.

If you haven’t yet explored Reunion: A Story, Reunion: Coda, or Comings and Goings – The Art of Being Seen, I’d love for you to join me on those journeys. And if you’ve already read them, your reviews—on Amazon, on your blog, or wherever you share your thoughts—make a world of difference. They help stories find new readers, and they keep writers like me going.

Thanks, as always, for being part of this adventure.