The December morning sky is a grim, pale grey today. After a week of cold, crisp, dry days that began with rosy-hued sunrises, the rain is returning.  And I’m returning to my regularly scheduled program (slight joke) after traveling to Milwaukee to spend time with my dad, siblings, and friends, then returning to Oregon with a godawful cold, followed by some migraines from dental  visits. Sheesh.

So it’s been extra sweet to add Christmas flourishes to my house–though I’ll  put up my tree closer to the holiday. I’m also working on a knotty editing project that’s set in a faraway island 50 years ago {SO much to pay attention to}. Am stocking up on ingredients  to bake massive amounts of cookies to give as gifts.

During Thanksgiving week, while consuming many cups of tea and cough drops HBO aired the Game of Thrones series. And as the first episodes unfolded, I started noticing details that I didn’t focus on during the first viewing. I was an early GOT adopter –of the novels, that is–and the whole Westeros world has loomed large in my imagination since first encountering it.

When I was writing Bullies, Bastards, & Bitches: How to Write the Bad Guys of Fiction, I was greatly influenced by Martin’s characters and storytelling.  I could write pages and pages on the character arcs and reversals alone.  This level of scope and enormity makes the series a rare delight to study–especially for someone who doesn’t typically choose high fantasy.

And, although I heartily disliked the final episodes, the HBO series is a fascinating, rollicking ride. But if you’re unable to watch beheadings and senseless, vile cruelty, and generally bloody, violent happenings and merciless villains, don’t venture forth. But I’m analyzing and discerning a myriad of details, recalling how the first season {and novel} is based on the theme of loyalty. I’m now only watching one episode at a time, but when I was binging, I felt immersed and far removed from today’s reality. The series is also roughly based on The War of the Roses according to Martin and I keep finding echoes of our times.

During Game of Thrones there are regular mentions of the Mad King–Aerys II Targaryen of Westeros. He was a dangerous, vile despot. Willing to burn down his city with Wildfire to spite a rival.  The real story of his death is revealed in the episode The Bear and the Maiden, but the entire series is woven with the creepy family lore, including dragons,  prophecies, and incest. Then there is Daenerys Targaryen, the heir apparent after her brother’s death and the Mother of Dragons. If you’re a fan, here’s an informative video, The Mad King’s Secret Plan by In Deep Geek explaining complex backstory and introducing the delicious term Dragon Dreams.

I’m going to again use Mad King in future references to the administration that’s about to lay siege to our country. Like millions of my fellow grieving and gobsmacked citizens, I’m figuring out how to not fall into abject despair and how I’m going to stand up for democracy. With that in mind, I’d like to add to the dialogue on this topic, and link to others who are doing the same.

Also on HBO, the final episode of Somebody, Somewhere just aired. It stars Brigid Everett and it’s so tender, real, and honest I need to recommend it. It’s a gift to humanity.  I cried during a particular scene in the finale and you just might too. But then I’m a bit weepy these days. And for ballast from GOT, I’ve started  watching the Ted Lasso series. In case you haven’t heard of it, though I’m guessing you have, it’s about an optimistic, big-hearted American who moves to England to help a losing football team. But the team’s owner actually wants the team to lose.

If you’re on Facebook you might want to follow beautiful soul and  author Pam Houston who is posting ideas and support about our coming times. If you want to help kids learn how to tell stories and keep creativity alive, you might want to check out the 826 organization founded by Dave Eggers. And here’s a link to their thinking on the topic, or their theory of change.

The Atlantic just published their annual list of 10 books that made them think. It includes several books I’ve been planning to read and I’m going to pass it along to my book group, but I’m also going to send it to other people I know and ask them if they’d like to read any and get together to discuss the stories or ideas. Because if there was ever a time to talk about ideas, to get excited about art, this is it.

If you like book apps, you might want to check out Booky Call, and discover authors and books you might not run across.

And speaking of art, I haven’t been visiting galleries and museums much lately, so I’m going to increase my participation. I’ll be writing along with all of you, and I’m going to visit this series on LitHub. Because when the sky is falling it just might be a good time to build more skills.  You might also want to donate them before the year ends.

My future holds walks and hikes and trees and gardening. Some travel. Lots of cooking.  Meeting friends for meals and shared laughter and problem solving.  It’s time for community, for mutual aid, for finding healthy solace.

Let’s keep the flame alive.

Let’s write, let’s dream, let’s have heart.

And hope you enjoy the holiday rituals, lights and music–may they have meaning.