Greetings loyal airmen.  Well New England got socked with a fine snowstorm last night.  It started yesterday afternoon and did not let up until close to midnight.  Started with early evening we watched television images of crawling traffic as commuters from Boston to Portland made their way home in the dark and swirling snow.  Not fun for any of them.  Again, the only good thing was that it ended so quickly and sure enough the sun popped up big and yellow this morning.  I managed to get out of bed, share a cup of coffee with Valerie, then gear myself up to do battle.  Once layered with scarf, gloves, boots and a down jacket, I went out and started my trusty-steed, in this case; a snowblowing machine.  Once the 8 horsepower engine was revved up, I charged out of the garage and began shooting that layer of snow skyward.  I've shown you pictures of our home and the rather steep driveway we have to the main road.  The entire job of cleaning this all up, to include the slushy snowbanks provided freed of charge by the city's snow plows is usually between thirty and forty-five minutes.  By the time I was finished, the sun had started melting away at the think layer remaining.

Like cutting the grass in the warm seasons, there is a Zen mental state I go to when snowblowing.  Part of this is my subconscious joy at simply being outdoors and marveling at nature's coating of white.  I've often thought people in New England are even temptered only because nature forces them to slow down five months out of the year.  You simply have to respect roads of ice and slush, or pay the price.  And while I'm pushing this machine up and down the drive, I found myself thinking about my mother, Gabrielle Fortier, and what is going to happen tomorrow afternoon.  At 83, the past couple of years for her have been difficult and she finds she simply cannot do those physical things she did even five years ago.  She's simply slowing down and doesn't possess that much energy any more.  A few weeks ago she suggested that it was time for her to go live in a senior home of some kind.  It was a really remarkable decision on her part and I am very proud of her doing so.  With out help, we found such a place nearby in Dover; a truly marvelous establishment that's been in business caring for the elderly all of eighty-five years.  We called, made an appointment and went to meet the administartor, staff and tour the facility.  Its an old Victorian home and very, very comfy and sociable.  Mom was made to feel welcome the second we walked into the big front foyer.  Here she will be allowed to do as much for herself as he wants, thus maintain her own sense of independence, while those things she can't do will be provided for her.  By the time our tour was over, Mom was very happy a finalized her decision.  Happily there was a room vacancy and after a few weeks of paperwork, etc. she was accepted as a new residence.  All of which beings tomorrow afternoon.  My sister and one of my brothers will be here and the three of us will get her moved from her current condo to the facility.   It will be an emotional time for all of us.  One more and more Americans are having to deal with as today's modern medicine has made it possible for folks to live longer and longer with each new generation.  And with that longivity come these kind of issues.  Fortunately for Mom, this one was not a painful decision at all and its my prayer that once established in her new digs, Mom is going to thrive and live another ten to twenty years.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, as those cowboy heroes use to say, writer/reviewer, Van Allen Plexico recently posted a fantastic review of our graphin novel, DAUGHTER OF DRACULA over at Revolution Science Fiction on the net.  (http://www.revolutionsf.com/article.html?id=3822)  It is one of the finest reviews I've ever had the pleasure of reading.  Please do check it out.   And if any of you have wondered what the entire image of our dramatic cover looks like, wonder no more.  Below is a bookmark made from Mard Maddox's beautiful painting of Marya Dracula.  This is the image we cropped to make out cover.

I thought it was time I let you see it as it was originally completed.  My pal Andrew Salmon did up a bunch of these bookmarks and we gave them out to folks who ordered a copy directly from me.  Our little way of saying thank you for your support.  DAUGHTER OF DRACULA continues to be one of the fastest selling comics I've ever done and I hope by now you've picked up a copy.  If not, you know the drill, go to the Air Fare page and click on the link.   Thanks always for those who have supported us thus far.  Please, keep spreading the word.
Keep in mind, this is the season of gift-giving, and giving any book to your loved ones is always a wonderful idea. Reading is a true joy.

Finally, I hope lots of you arimen caught the Sci-Fi Channel's excellent fantasy adventure mini-series last week, THE TIN MAN.  Inspired by the workds of Frank L. Baum, this was an amazingly well done series with superb acting and direction.  I just learned today it will be available on DVD come the 11th of March, 2008.   I can't wait to own this quality show and view it again.

Okay, loyal airmen, another winter week wrapped up.  Don't get too lost in the Christmas rush, remember the meaning of this Holy Season, and be kind to one another.  Till next week,
Ron – Over and Out.