On Saturday, the Chinese New Year will start and herald in the Year of the Goat. It's a really big deal; houses are thoroughly cleaned to get rid of any lingering bad luck, doors and windowpanes are painted a bright red. Married couples give money to single adults in red envelopes. Grudges are cast aside and everything begins anew.

Janet sent me a gorgeous card for Chinese New Year (my first one!) that has lots of reds and koi swimming and Chinese characters in foil stamping. She even painted some watercolor orchids on the inside, and even if the paint didn't take on the paper, it still looks cool. I'll scan it and post it here soon. I just can't stop looking at it; it's very cool.

So even though the New Year doesn't start until February 1, I was too excited about Janet's card not to mention it today. I was born in the Year of the Rabbit, and Janet in the Year of the Snake, which apparently makes us a really good match for each other. I knew that already, but it's nice that the stars agree.

---

Now Reading:
A Painted House by John Grisham

Stories Out to Publishers:
9

Novel Word Count:
18,800