My birthday: life is still good, the world is getting darker

A year ago, I felt a lot more upbeat on my birthday.

It’s not that my personal life has gone sour. It’s going well. Snowdrop’s an indoor cat, I’m getting out socially more, my books sell (albeit not in large quantities) and my health is good. TYG and I grow, I think a little closer every year.

A year ago, though, we were under a competent, decent president, Biden, rather than the corrupt, evil triumvirate of The Felon, Musk and Putin (I used to think the idea of Trump as a Russian asset was too over the top but as I said yesterday, the evidence is persuasive).

Last year I was optimistic the year ahead would be good. I was confident both Savage Adventures and Southern Discomfort would be published by now. I had hopes we’d beat the fascists and stay a functioning democracy for another four years. But neither book is done and the election did not break that way.

While President Snowflake will definitely not usher in a golden age or make America great again (Russia, maybe), we’re not necessarily doomed. I’ll keep speaking out, writing GOTV cards and donating to activist groups and groups that simply help people. As David Rieff puts it in A Bed for the Night, applying a bandage to one person’s wound doesn’t feel adequate, but it’s important — sometimes people need bandages. Or blood

And I’m still writing. Both books will come out, as will my Jekyll and Hyde work.

For today, I’m taking the day off as I usually do. And doing takeout at Cheesecake Factory because I can get a free slice of the tastiness along with my order. Beyond that? Well, we’ll see.

And for the year ahead, who knows? Because every birthday is, in a way, a new genesis

Art by Frank Brunner, all rights to image remain with current holder.