Between 20 January and 24 February each year life gets a little emotionally bumpy.

The 20 January is my big sister's birthday. The 24 February is the anniversary of her death.

My sister taught me a lot of things; three unit maths, gin rummy, how to ride a bicycle. Her death taught me a lot of things; bad things happen to good people, hug the ones you love, happiness is hard work.

So I'd like to pay a tribute to all those I love and whom love me.

My entire family in all it's shapes and forms, my dear friends, lovely L.

I miss my sister. I am blessed to have had her and to know and be close to so many other wonderful people.

(Usual cynicsm will doubtless resurface shortly.)

Tonight I'm a blowout not a hero.

I planned to come home, go to the gym, go shopping, come home, write 6 kinds of good.

Instead I came home, had a nap, shopped, came home, watched Battlestar Gallactica, drank a glass of wine.

You have to accept that every now and then you'll let down your own expectations. In fact expect to let them down - then anything else is victory.

Today I have been good.

I put some time in on my current short story in progress (loosely titled 'Uncle Henry's Dog'), in fact I thought I'd finished it - but across the day a couple more ideas of edits and additions have come to me.

I worked on my novel synopsis.

I went to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition - some very amazing shots indeed. I want to take up photography now!

I vaccuumed and ran and am contemplating perhaps a little more writing type stuff before bed.