My turn to send out birthday greetings. And to one of the most helpful, encouraging people at this site.

Many happy returns, my friend, and may you have many more to come.

We all would be so much poorer without you here.

Hugs,

Maggie

Yes, everyone it is another one of those for me. (Armond, it may not be today, or tomorrow, but remember -- revenge is a dish best served cold. Blabbermouth. :) )

A lot has happened this past year for and to me. As with everyone else, some of it good some of it bad. My health took a downward turn, but that is balanced by my learning to not only cope but to use other skills I've learned to not let that slow me down any more than necessary.

Right now I'm feeling a mix of elation and sadness. A story I've lived with, thought about and sweated over for years is finished. It's never easy to let your children go, I know this because my youngest is moving out on her own tomorrow, both instances are bittersweet but tell me that I've managed to do something right even with all the mistakes made along the way.

Hi, apologies for the wait on this next chapter of Maiden by Decree. Real Life has once again conspired to keep me from the keyboard and I know this one is short. I wanted to make sure all you believed me when I was telling you I hadn't dropped the story and it will be completed.

I can tell you that the chapter after this one is going to get really exciting and will be longer.

Hi all. I know I've been absent for some time here. Health issues, you know. I won't go into those here, just tell you all that I've got the next chapter of Maiden up and do profusely apologize for the delay in getting it to those of you who have waiting so patiently.

Or not so patiently. lol.

The bad news is that I can't guarantee that I'll be able to keep up with posting a new chapter each week, the good news is that I'm writing again at last.

So that's the news from here.

Hi everyone. Just a quick note to assure those of you interested that I haven't given up on Maiden by Decree. Far from it, actually. I have the next chapter plotted out, just need to rouse my sleeping muse (I think Phoebe is nursing a monumental hangover after visiting Bek Corvin's muse for a month) and get the energy to actually sit at the keyboard and write.

The shaping is a long story, and be warned, it is a horror story. I had intended to post it in chapters but no access to the internet for a week more or less finished that idea if I wanted the whole thing posted under the deadline for the contest. Since I had no access to a computer, either, I apologize in advance for typos I may have missed while going back over it today.

On a historical note, just to head off questions or arguments, the facts regarding the Osage are true and documented elsewhere. The Spanish explorers I made up to suit my requirements for the story.

For all the positive and other comments on Maiden by Decree. My muse had left me for a while there thanks to a month long bout of illness that I won't go into here. Please know that all your comments, even the few negative ones helped me with the story so far and were very much appreciated. And yes even negative comments if made as comments and suggestions, help an author improve the story in question.