1 done and only 11 to go! Maybe it was the time off, but did anyone else feel that January flew by? I know we say this more and more as we age  but for some reason I thought this one went really quickly.

Now that we are in February and I KNOW a lot of you don't do resolutions but also some do. If you did, are they still being followed?

Today I had breakfast with two friends that live together. One, who has been through multiple brain surgeries and major life events setting him back, for the past 3 or 4 years had turned to drinking. Walking out of rehab after the first day multiple attempts or shall we say forced attempts, lots of trips to the hospital, losing half his front teeth when falling down, etc. The other friend that lives with him drinks too, he says to deal with the other. Well he got out of the hospital on the 30th of December again after getting his stomach pumped  They both made a commitment to stop drinking, but this was the first time it was said by Adam. We are now 35 days in and he hasn't touched a drop. He is so surprised how much better he is feeling, isn't craving the booze, and has lost about 30lbs. and is starting to feel good about himself again. Although not a New Year's resolution, I am so proud of him and even though the other is mildly drinking again, Adam says it is even more motivation for him to not start like the other did. I am so proud of him and hope that he continues down this path. Sometimes depending on the circumstances, promises around the end of the year can come true! Much too early to say forever, but heck 35 days sober after 3-4 years drunk everyday and without AA or others involved is a great start! I wish I could make at least a commitment like that and keep it up on other things!

Enough about me and my friends, what have you changed in the past month and is or is not a resolution that is making you feel better about yourself?

Now onto the reason we are all here  Let's wrap the week up. A bit slow as we had a 5th week in the month this past one. 

Monday we all took a day off  

Tuesday, Myr went off with his scuba gear out onto Lake Ontario, cut a hole in the ice and went for a deep dive. He wore a dry suit, so it wasn't his annual polar bear plunge. This is what he found:

We took Wednesday off

On Thursday, Val gave everyone an update on the ongoing selection of a theme for this years annual Anthology. There was also a link and a reminder of this years Poetry Anthology. Don't forget the due date!!!

Aditus popped in on Friday and provided two new fresh prompts to get your juices flowing. Wait! Your creative juices  

To finish off the week in a jocular sense, Comicality gave us a new article:

Even if we were slow on the GA News Blog, we definitely were not on the Words of the Day:

indolent, horsefly, intransigent, parturition, metatarsus, paleontology, pediment

Upcoming Writing Events 

Poetry Anthology - Seasons, will be due April 1st 2024. Click here for all the information and more that you will need.

Secret Author Contest - More information to come.

Annual Anthology (theme TBA) - More information to come. Due October 1st 2024.

Prompt Team Event/Contest - More information to come.

Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!

Ask a Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292

Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292

Here is the look at the past weeks postings on all our Authors and Poets!

2 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories

1. The Freshmen by Mark Arbour
2. The Ultimate Vehicle of Earthly Bliss by AC Benus

3 Recently Updated 'Classic Author' Stories

1. Keeper of the Rituals by Libby Drew
2. A Life Lived by Dabeagle **Complete**
3. Beyond the Crags by Kyle Aarons

24 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories

1. Thicker Than Water by John Henry
2. The Making of a Slave by and9993
3. Blood Of The Wilde by CasualWanderer82
4. Of Pride and Power by W_L
5. Talented Teens by AusGlitterati  **Complete**
6. Andre and Chris by Paladin
7. No going back by Robert Hugill
8. All My Dreams Pass Before My Eyes by JLynch
9. Dating Rules And Pretty Fools by Laura S. Fox
10. Before And After the Divorce by Lee Wilson
11. The Brotherhood: Awakening Book II by The Writer X
12. Trash Polka by Demiurge
13. A Wizard's War by TeamStilinski
14. As They Say - (Revised) by D.K. Daniels
15. Strange Behavior by chris191070  **Complete**
16. Res Publica Christiana by W_L
17. A Night with no Stars by Mercury Eff
18. Oregon in the Fall by drown
19. Brian: Taking Courage by Robert Hugill
20. Amber Waves by Yeoldebard
21. Any Way Out by Leslie Lofton
22. For you by Zuri  **Complete**
23. Connor and the Wolves by Yeoldebard
24. Forever My Love by vanalas

1 Recently Updated 'Poet' Stories

1. Waltzing With Words by frozenphenix

Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)