Welcome to 2026! I’m not asking for amazing things for the year; I’d just like it to be gentle with me.
2025 was difficult, although I did have some writing successes in journals, have been working with the small press, ELJ Editions, that will be publishing my flash memoir, and had my manuscript inspired by painter Remedios Varo accepted by Shanti Arts.
*Scrap: Salvaging a Family, a hybrid flash memoir, will be out March 20, 2026
*Hunting the Cosmos, flash fiction and poetry for Remedios Varo, will be out fall 2026
I should have a cover reveal soon for Scrap. Can’t wait to share it with you!!!
The problem with the new year, though, is it springs from the old and all the unresolved issues of 2025 will go on in 2026. My mother’s dementia is one of those things. Taking over her affairs is very stressful and time-consuming, but worse is the dilemmas of communication with my mother. I can still have good conversations with her if I ignore the little idiosyncracies (the “critters” that have taken up residence in her apartment, but can only be seen by her), hearing about her going to a service two hours early and waiting for others to show up, etc.
Both Perry and Meesker have serious health issues. As you may remember, Perry was diagnosed with issues two years ago, but I don’t like to talk about it. All I can say is I am constantly feeding sick cats who need food all day long and cleaning up diarrhea, pee outside the box, and dramatically hurled vomit. And Lily still hates Sloopy Anne. Last night she threw herself violently against the gate we have up to keep them apart, trying to get to Sloops.
2025 was productive for me for writing, up to a point. I haven’t written anything for weeks now. Between grandbaby duty, my mom’s stuff, and these cats (on top of regular work and business), I’ve been too busy and very tired.
I read some good mystery series this year, though, as that’s a good way for me to unwind. Actually, I read far more than I usually do, but then I did have hip replacement surgery in May, so mysteries helped out a lot when I was suffering before the surgery and then during the recovery. Here are the series: Yorkshire Murder Mysteries by J.R. Ellis; Dark Yorkshire, Misty Isle, and Hidden Norfolk by J.M. Dalgliesh; Rev. Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries by Julia Spencer-Fleming; Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mysteries by Deborah Crombie; China Thrillers, Lewis Trilogy, and Enzo Macleod by Peter May; DCI Craig Gillard Mysteries by Nick Louth. (To give you a clue, I am a fan of Louise Penny, Ann Cleeves, and Elly Griffiths, and the series I’ve listed here are more like the Griffiths and possibly the Cleeves than the Penny books. The Spencer-Fleming series is a lot like the Elly Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway books, notably because of the hot love affair in the middle of the mysteries.
In addition, I read some wonderful stand-alone novels and poetry collections. I reviewed just a few of them for this blog. If I reviewed your book in 2025 and didn’t list it, please let me know!
POETRY
A Gorgeous Collection Combining Genres of Poetry, Genealogy, and History
FICTION
Book Tour Stop: Book Review of Deborah Brasket’s When Things Go Missing
Just got a call from my son. He miscalculated the days this week and asked if I could watch Hudson again tomorrow. Sure! (Good thing I fell asleep on New Year’s Eve at 8PM). The other night the Gardener put together a tricycle for Hudson. He’s almost two, and his feet barely reach the pedals, but we can work on learning to pedal a bike again tomorrow. 🙂
Let’s work on making 2026 a tender, playful, happy year! If we all puts our heads and hearts together . . . .
Congratulations on your upcoming memoir. I feel everything you’re going through with you mom. You will never regret this time spent together.
Thanks, Amie. It’s so hard. I want to cry for her (constantly). Thank you re the book. Yup, it’s the one I read from in Tucson. So exciting!
I hope you have a really good year ahead, Luanne.
Anneli, I hope you do, too. xo
I, too, wish for a less eventful year of health issues and crises. May be both get our wish. Having someone young in the family helps to balance watching elders decline. Sending hugs.
Your family has really had its share. I agree about having someone young. It’s as if the whole family is turned toward Hudson all the time! Hugs back atcha, Kate.
Yes, many challenges — but wow!! — two big publications coming up! Congratulations! And all your grandbaby time and reading — great stuff! I’m glad the hip was fixed. And you are a saint re: your cats. I hope 2026 settles down and you can write.
Oh, I complain about the cats all the time. Then the Gardener reminds me they won’t be here forever, and I start to cry! heh So glad my hip was fixed. I am doing pretty well right now, all illnesses considered! I better go on the stationery bike to prepare for Hudsy tomorrow. Thanks, WJ!
I love how you have managed to do so much amongst the adversary and continue to hold hope and love in your heart, Luanne! ♥️♥️♥️
Oh, thank you so much, Cindy. Happy happy new year to you!!! xo
You’re so welcome, always and thank you 🙏 ♥️
I’m sorry about your mom. It was stressful and time-consuming taking care of my mom. I was fortunate to have my siblings helping out though. And your cats. It’s so sad when our beloved companions are sick.
Congratulations on all the good things and your upcoming publications. Thank you for the review!
Happy New Year!
Yes, I remember about your mother. I felt so sad for you at that time. And now it’s like it’s all over again, but my mom.
Thank you, Merril! Enjoy your grandbaby!
You’re so welcome, Luanne.
I was fortunate in that my mom had some stroke-related dementia, but she really improved when my siblings and I were there regularly. But then when we couldn’t be, she declined, and then came covid . . .
I remember that with you not being able to see your mother during covid. Just AWFUL. I try to talk to my mother every day because it makes her focus on family. And my brother is good about helping. But I see other family members getting “afraid” of her, not knowing how to talk to her.
That’s very sad, Luanne. I’m so sorry.
Thank you. It is frustrating, too.
Thank you for the update of what’s been going on in your life, Luanne. I’m very sorry about your mother. Dementia is so heartbreaking to deal with. I’m sorry that your kitties’ health has taken a turn for the worse.
You did have a banner year for publishing your poem and flash fiction, though! Congratulations on the acceptance of Hunting the Cosmos. I’m greatly looking forward to reading Scrap.
Thank you for your review of The Weight of Snow and Regret. I’m so glad it resonated with you.
I loved your book.
Thank you. And about dementia and the cats, too. Sigh. Life is hard.
Yes, and it just gets harder.
Yes!
I’m sorry to hear about the difficult times you’ve been having health-wise with you mom and the cats. That can take a lot out of you, so I’m not surprised you haven’t been writing much lately. But having two books coming out in 2026 is thrilling news! Congratulations. I can’t wait to hear more about them. Cover reveals are always fun! Take good care of yourself, my friend, and may 2026 bring healing times.
Thank you, Deborah. I hope things are going well with your beautiful novel. Yes, I am cutting myself some slack about not writing. I feel that I need to focus on everything else right now, although I am going to take a little ekphrastic writing workshop for a couple of days just so I don’t get rusty ;). Cover reveal is Monday!!!! I hope 2026 is gentle and productive and happy for you.
I’m so glad to read your update, Luanne! Both my mom and my husband’s mom had dementia. It’s exahusing to care them and it’s heartbreaking also. 2025 was a hard year for you to care for your mom and the two sick cats. I hope you’ll have some help in May when you have your hip replacemnt. I remember when my grandkids riding the paddle bikes when their feet couldn’t reach the paddle. My older granddaughter walked the bike for 0.8 mile to the park. Congratulations on your progress of writing and reading. Happy New Year to you.
I had the hip replacement this past May, and it’s coming along very well. Thank you, Miriam!!! I am sorry to hear about your mother and your husband’s mother. It seems like dementia is becoming an epidemic. So many parents are getting it or had it.
That’s a long way to walk a bike. Hudson was walking the little trike down our street, and I could see he was getting very tired, so I finally carried back to the house for him! A very happy new year to you, Miriam! xo
Well, God bless, and I do hope this new year works out better than the old. Best wishes with your mom and the kitties. It must be so hard.
Thank you so much, Polly. I find myself getting very tired and stressed so I am trying to be kind to myself but not eat too many chocolates!!!
May there be more improvements this year
Thank you, Derrick. I hope you’re doing well!
Oy. I can relate on too many levels. I will email you. Happier year ahead, I hope.
I hope 2026 eases the difficulties with your mom and cats, Luanne. Best to you!
Jennie, thank you so very much! Happy New Year to you!!!
You’re welcome, Luanne. Happy New Year!
Wow, what a great post to bring in the new year! Congrats on your upcoming publications!!! I can’t wait to read them! You really rock, Luanne 🙂 And many thanks for listing your favorite mysteries and book reviews.
My sympathies for what you’re going through with your mom and the kitties. You must feel sometimes like the Universe is ganging up on you 🙁
Find joy where you can and, please, rest when you can. Xoxoxo
Marie, thank you so much for everything you wrote here. Now that Scrap is coming out, I keep thinking about the fact that you have read more versions of this book than anyone. And it looks very different from what you read. Your feedback was so helpful. Sending you hugs from AZ to FL :)!!! xoxo
I really admire how you stuck with Scrap, Luanne. I’m so happy for you that it will be published. Just goes to show that it’s never too late!
Sounds a bit like some hard times now for you. Good that you have the consolation of good books to read and watching the grandson. Poor kitties! And I do understand dealing with dementia. I was fortunate that my mother had selected a permanent residence that included memory care when that was required.
Congratulations on your upcoming publications!
My grandson is such a bright light. He really keeps my spirits up. And he is so sweet with the cats.
Eilene, I’m sorry about your mother. What you say about the residence–my mother did too, but they have no room in memory care right now. And she’s kind of in the middle of assisted living and memory care. She doesn’t need locking in, for instance, at least not yet. But she probably is a bit past regular assisted living. However, there isn’t room in either place!
Thank you so much about the books!
Wishing you blessings in this New Year 2026!!! I know you are a blessing to your grandson and your mother. I am so very sorry to hear about your cats! Congratulations on your publications and thank you for sharing these book reviews with us!
Aw, thank you so much for saying that, Linda. I know my son appreciates that my husband and I are close by and willing to watch our grandson whenever needed. Thank you for the congratulations, too. I hope the book reviews are helpful!
Luanne, I’m so sorry about your mother. I went through the same thing with my mom years ago. It’s not easy, to say the least. Hugs. I hope 2026 is a kinder one for you.
I’m sorry to hear that, Jennifer, about your mother. It is really awful to witness, much less to interact. Awful. Thank you so much for 2026 wishes. I hope your year is a good one, too!
Dear Luanne, wishing you every good thing in 2026 – or, at a minimum, the health and patience to deal with the down times. And congratulations on all your publications to date and those yet to come.
I’m up to proofreading for my upcoming historical novel, Louisa. No cover reveal yet though. xxxx Gwen
Caregiving is time and energy consuming, whether it be for another person or an cat companion. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, Luanne.
Our Nod and Silkie cats are finally coming out of a 2 month long weird respiratory infection. I thought we were going to lose them.
Lavinia, what a horrible time for you to not know the trajectory of their illness! Poor babies! It’s so stressful to take care of sick cats! I got the call today that the memory care apartment is ready for my mother. I have a pit in my stomach about her acclimating to such a small place with one window! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Mine back for your sweet kitties and yourselves as well!
Thank you, Luanne.
I have been so out of the loop–I didn’t know you had a hip replacement! My husband had his replaced Dec 1, so we are now a totally bionic hip family (though Evangeline only had one hip worked on.) I’m so sorry about your mom and am grateful for your ability to weave around the difficult parts to enjoy her company.
I’m soooo excited about Scrap coming out. I have loved it since you first began posting about it (I just turned in my proof edits on When We Were Murderous Time-Traveling Women–how extraordinarily tedious that was.) I look forward to the cover reveal. And I really need to add some of those books to my TBR list…though it is already as long as Methuselah’s beard.
Cover reveal: https://writersite.org/2026/01/05/cover-reveal-for-scrap-salvaging-a-family/
The book has changed shape so many times since I first started. And is much shorter. But I think it’s a fast, rewarding read (at least I hope so).
You three are so cute with your bionic hips haha. I am so grateful that I was able to have one!!!
I can’t wait for your new novel!