So I ease toward the surgery date. Plans are being made, logistics being logisted, visitors and loved ones to be accommodated, and I can already see my life narrowing in those things I now have to refuse or reconsider. Really, it's been a great day, but the truth of what comes next hangs over me like a 900 pound parakeet. The Fear is gone, but man, are there a lot of pieces.

And this is the calm before the storm.

(Thanks also to jaborwhalky for the icon.)

the_child and I visited the Portland Japanese Garden today in the pouring rain with jeffvandermeer. ( She and I both took a few photos )

As usual, more at the Flickr set.

Worked like hell all day... just finished drawing my weekly minimum of 7 cartoons. Tomorrow: coloring.

Thanks to everyone who came out for the book thingy yesterday.

Tomorrow, I start work on the next book thingy. I know you can't wait for the inevitable relentless bitching and cries of dismay that will emanate from my workspace, between intermittent thumping sounds.

I only have to write three books (and a bunch of short stuff) between now and October. Piece of cake, right?

Okay, I haven't really been updating LiveJournal lately...but I HAVE been updating my website! And if you're a SURVIVOR geek like me, you'll want to check out my INARGUABLE (unless you feel like arguing) list of the 12 Best Votes (and 2 worst) ever.

Check it out at http://www.jeffstrand.com