I can't resist putting up another photo of my doggy pal Monty. As I'm writing he is laying flat out on the carpet near me. He never strays too far from my side. He watches my every move. What a clever dog he is and how lucky I am that he is mine.

My dear old Hubby as he was two years ago. Now he's bedfast. I visited him again today, stayed for two hours. He seems stable, but of course he will never improve. But at 79 one can hardly expect miracles.

I'll try to take Monty to see him next week. Hubby looks forward to seeing the dog.

The lift at the home wasn't working today and I had to climb two flights of stairs. Still, never mind. It was worth it to see Hubby. And he was overjoyed to see me. What a welcome he gave me. Love him.

I'll see him again next week - I hope.

In my slice of the world it's oh so cold, but I shall still go and see Dear Hubby this afternoon.

I took the warning about the extra cold winter very seriously. I bought 4 halogen heaters and two extra calor gas heaters. I'm not taking any chances at my age.

I also believe in layering clothing, even if undressing at night is like peeling an onion down to the core!

Still, the shortest day and been and gone. Now we can look forward to the nights getting lighter and the return of the sun.

After going out I'm always glad to get home and have a cup of tea. I think tea makes the world go round.

I'll put the kettle on ...

No sulking today. I have just signed a new book contract. Whooppee!

Deadline March 06. Now it is nose to the grindstone with a vengeance.

OK! Back to work!

Glad to be indoors this weather; glad there's nowhere I need be.

Thinking about starting to paint again. Watching Charles Evans using watercolour pencils on Discovery channel lately I'm tempted to buy a box of these pencils and try my hand.

My hands are not so nimble as they once were - well, let's face it, they are getting worse. Using a keyboard is no trouble since there's no pressure needed. Are my hands steady enough to paint? Oh, come on, my daubs could never be considered art - so what does it matter as long as I get some enjoyment from dabbing colour on paper?

I'll think about it.

Writing comes first. However I did my stint of over a thousand words today, and as long as I do that each day I'm happy. 25 thousand words to go before the book is finished. Ideally that means 25 days' work. Don't make me laugh!

I wish I could get up early in the mornings and work - but I'm never never willing to get out of bed. Talk about lazy.

I'm making excuses - whinging. Tsk!

Let's see how I fair tomorrow.

I've been busy as can be seen by the above. It takes a long time to write a book - at least 12 months. Now I'm halfway through the next one!

I've just written a heart-felt blog elsewhere about feet - don't ask! But when I published it it did not appear on the blog??? Lost in the ether presumably. It must be me. Anyway, I've found my way back to Blog.co.uk and feel more at home.

I must do this more often.