Happy New Year

It's the last day of 2014, and tomorrow I'm kicking off the new year with something I never imagined doing--a radio broadcast. My short story "The Screenhouse" is one of the works featured on the New Year's Day episode of The Platte River Sampler. Listen live on http://www.kzum.org at 6pm central if you want to catch my reading and interview.

If you've missed the previous episodes, you really are missing out. I just got caught up this morning, listening to the podcast from Christmas. Poetry, plays, fiction, and essays in styles as diverse as their creators showcase Nebraska's talent. I'm thrilled to be included among them.

Last summer the fortune cookie in my Chinese take-out promised, "Your fondest dream will come true within this year." I suppose it has. What dreams will the new year bring? 

Happy New Year to you. And may we all find something worth seeking in the months to come.

UPDATE. Here's the podcast in case you missed the live episode:

Platte River Sampler #5: The Screenhouse by Traci Robison; Poetry of Steve Gains; Poems of L. Adkins; Story of a Depression era shooting; Poems of Jules Rolf

Listen to the end to hear my friend Jules' nature-inspired poems. Her "Following the Ground Ivy" is one of my favorites.

December flurry

Ah, December--the busiest time of my year coincides with onset of hibernation urges. All I want is a nap and a cookie (double chocolate, please), but there is, indeed, no rest for the wicked. Here's a quick rundown on what's new.

Last week KZUM broadcast the debut episode of "The Platte River Sampler," featuring creative works penned and performed by Nebraskans. Listen live online Thursdays from 6-7 pm central. If you miss an episode and want to catch up, here's the podcast listing.

Round 23 of SPARK collaborations is going up. Contributors have through Friday to post their work, so be sure to check back for new additions.

As for myself, I have been eating too much, exercising too little, and chipping away at two works in progress. (Full disclosure: I've also been watching a few episodes of American Horror Story: Coven on Netflix. Gotta have some guilty pleasures, don't I?)

All in all, I've been feeling a little like this cat:

"Kittens and cats: a book of tales" (1911)

How many people and bandages do you suppose were involved in getting that cat in a fur coat? My guess is half a dozen of each.