It sounds as if you had a fine birthday, especially the hot tea, funny phone calls, and pistachio ice cream. Oh, and the good fiction part, too ... okay, it all sounds wonderful. Good for you!

I'll definitely watch the space! (Even though what you write nearly always gives me the willies.)

Hurrah for house repairs that make places cosier and warmer; my next big fixit wish is to put blow-in insulation behind the walls of our tiny condo, at least on the west and north sides, and then, should thousands of new dollars suddenly show up in my bank account, replacing all my windows, especially the huge front window, with triple-glazed glass. Ah, I can dream ....)