Leap, Year 55

As of Saturday, I'll have completed 55 years.

I'm pleased because...

1. I had no trouble hiking the 5-mile trail down to Lake Superior.

 [But don't imagine me emerging from the woods onto a wild shore; the trail comes out at a restaurant/bar that specializes in local brews.]

Despite having worries about being heavier and squishier after spending the winter sitting with presidents, I could still chug up rocky hills and down icy slopes, just fine.
 
I feel I've been let off lightly, with a warning:
Don't take another season off from exercising.
It doesn't matter if I enjoy exercise for its own sake or not. It's not optional at this age.

Also, I'd never hiked in the woods in winter (it's winter up here). Birch and fir and only the sound of your footsteps on bright snow.

2. I just now heard from the publisher that they want to see a full proposal of my Y/A book on fandom! 
This is pretty much a, say, a 95% yes to doing the book. 
This is good work I want to do---thinking and writing about something I care about.

A few things in my life aren't so happy. But that's life, eh?
Let us march forth.