I have finally caught up with almost all of the short story submissions for so far this year. Unless there is a sudden influx of submissions, I can reduce the number-per-issue, although I rather hope I won't have to do that. So send 'em on in, folks! I'll be glad to have them.

Retirement is treating me well, if I say so myself. When the weather cooperates, I can even get caught up on household and yard work jobs I couldn't make time to get to before I retired. The drought seems to have broken--with a vengeance, LOL! Near daily rain has become the norm for the past few weeks. Yet, there have been enough dry days for me to accomplish some everyday tasks. Makes quite a change from the heat of Summer to the rains of mid-Summer. There was a time when I thought my lawn and shrubbery would dry up and blow away. But everything greened up nicely once the rains returned. However, we do have to keep a lookout for trees that have been weakened by the drought and blow over in the current thunderstorms.

I do have to be more careful, however. I'm beginning to realize that I'm no longer as young as I once was. I tire more easily, need to catch my breath more frequently, and I have to pace myself more diligently when I'm doing tasks my younger self would have breezed through. But, I have more experience now, so I don't have to do everything the hard way anymore. I've learned a thing or two!

I look forward to every day instead of dreading the alarm clock going off at 6 AM. I'm eating healthier. I've cut back on how many cups of coffee I can have each day. What's more, I can finally plan ahead to determine the best way to tackle each step of complex jobs. Makes a huge difference.

All that said, it's time for a change of pace.

The online streaming shows "Stupid O'clock" and "Last Man Standing" have been uploaded live to YouTube as well as several Facebook pages for over four years now. They are basically live-streaming chat shows covering a range of topics, modeled on the types of conversations people have after hours at SF&F conventions. Joe McKeel and I have archives of past shows on our own YouTube channels. Check 'em out if that sounds like something you'd enjoy I've put links in our Features section that will take you to the YouTube archives of both shows.

It's high time I shut up and let you get to reading. 

Enjoy yourselves,

Dan