I haven’t posted lately–or commented on other people’s posts–because I’ve been busy dealing with a few things, one of them bad. First, though, something good: I had a wonderful but very quick visit to NY last week. I spent a couple of days with an old friend I hadn’t seen for a while, and a couple of days with my publisher, who couldn’t have been more fun or more hospitable. The only snag was a terrible trip home that involved thunderstorms, hundreds of cancelled flights, long lines and last-minute rebookings, and waaaay too many hours spent sitting on airport floors. Fortunately I had a nice thick Peter Hamilton novel with me so was able to keep myself occupied.

The bad thing is that I’ll be spending most of the summer in Florida, my least favorite place at my least favorite time of year. My mom needs my help. She was diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer two weeks ago and is currently being prepared for a regimen of radiation and chemotherapy that will last a month and will leave her seriously debilitated but, we hope, cancer-free. At this moment I’m laundering my stuff from NY in preparation to repack for Florida. I may set out this weekend with my laptop and carryon bag, after shipping to her home a box of all the research stuff for my next couple of writing projects. It’s going to be a busy season, and I may not be very good about staying in touch with people. It is going to be very weird being away from Zach, Xerxes, and my own home for an extended period, but I’m very glad that the nature of my work makes me fairly portable, so that I can be there for my mom.

The delightful Alaska cruise that mom and I were planning to enjoy together next month is, of course, off. To the three Vancouverites: Nuts! I was so excited about meeting you on the 18th for overpriced fancy drinks! But Vancouver is not so far away, and there will be another opportunity.