I hope this note finds you all safe, happy and healthy. This feels like such a strange and fraught moment in history, and I hope you all are taking care of yourselves amidst everything happening around us.

As for me, I am working on that daily. I’m doing Weight Watchers and seeing results – 17 pounds gone so far. I’ve started moving more and completed four 5ks, with plans to do a few more this month. But it’s a struggle to feel motivated. I work on that, like many of you, by taking advantage of the time when I do feel energetic. And when I don’t, I don’t.

I’m thankful that my interests keep me engaged and learning, and I think in part that helps with the motivation. I’ve been re-learning piano, reading, knitting and planning my gardening tasks. I’ve also tried reaching out more to facetime with friends and family, or just chat on the phone to remain connected. If you play Words with Friends, that’s a great way to stay connected to me. Leave a comment here or email me, and I’ll send you my details so we can play a game or ten.

But there’s also a sadness pervading my thoughts these days. I’m losing two important people in my life to upcoming out-of-state moves. One won’t be too far away, but my cousin is moving to California to pursue an education in film. He starts classes this month, and I’ve never not lived in the same city as him. We were born on the same day a year apart and even though I don’t see him as often as I’d like, it still will be weird that we don’t live in the same city, supporting each other and making each other laugh. But I am proud as hell of him, and I’m looking forward to his next piece of creative work.

The second person who is leaving Vegas for greener pastures is my good friend Lisa. You’ve seen her writing on Conjure and I hope it’s something she continues to do from across the country in Michigan. I will miss her greatly. I’m not sure she knows how much I adore her, but I do. We have been together through so many ups and downs in both of our lives, just being there for each other through good and bad. I took Lisa to Disneyland for the first time in her life, a feat that makes me very proud. We’ve also gone to Sedona and cheered each other on for job interviews, through bad relationships, and through crazy co-worker drama. We even drove off-road to investigate a transformer fire on Thanksgiving after my power went out the first year I lived in Southern Highlands. There have been so many good memories, too, and I hope we continue to make them the rest of our lives. I will miss her and this is a real loss for me, but a huge step for her and her sister, not to mention a gain for her friends in Detroit.

This year has been surreal on multiple levels – for all of us. So, thanks for riding with me so far on this Conjure adventure.

My 38^th year is fast approaching, and I’m settling in to the idea of being solidly in my late thirties. It took me a while to get here mentally, but I’m happy. I’m alive, healthy, and getting better every day in many respects. I have a wonderful husband and am surrounded by great family and friends. I truly am a lucky lady.

I also am reworking my novel with a new beginning but the same essential story. It just felt like it needed something different, and I’ve finally figured out what that is. It’s coming along nicely, and I hope to share more updates as the year progresses. In the meantime, look for a snippet of the first couple chapters this month on Conjure.

Until next time, happy conjuring.

Laura