It was the best of times...

Good Monday morning! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We did. The whole weekend, actually, with all the kids and and all grandkids but one, was pretty near perfect. We ate an extraordinary amount and played games of Cards Against Humanity that ran the gamut of insanity, obscenity, and painful realism. Duane doesn't like the game and never plays, but he loves listening to the laughter and the voices as the rest of us surround the big dining room table at our daughter's house.

Sometimes family members have asked if I used them in books. I always say, "Not really," and that's true. Sort of.

However, an editor I had once argued that the "young people" in my books were too articulate--the editor never sat and listened when a flock of them argued a point. Profane, yes. Extreme, yes. Articulate--oh, God, yes.

I love writing girlfriend scenes, both because I'm blessed with a bunch of "gal pals," and because I watch my girls working together in the kitchen, shopping together on Black Friday, rubbing affectionate hands over the heads and shoulders of each other's kids. I don't know how close they are--their relationships are their own--but I know they have each

other's backs.

There are long marriages in our family. The newliest-weds have married 18 years, the oldest ones over 26. Everyone who's in a long marriage knows better than to take anything for granted, but it's what those of us who write traditional romance (and read it) hope for when we write happy endings.

My youngest grandson Eamon, who is six, had on shoes with velcro fastenings. His Uncle Chris, who is 46, asked if he was able to tie his shoes. Eamon said he was. "Well then," said Uncle Chris, "will you tie mine?" Eamon did, working quietly and earnestly. Midway through the session, he asked Chris, "Why can't you tie your own shoes?"

Although I was laughing so hard I could hardly contain it, the six-year-old and his uncle--who adore each other--continued their serious conversation.

And there we have my favorite part of writing romantic fiction. It's not the romance--sorry!--or the sensuality, or even the HEA (which I truly do love)--no, it's the relationships. Between girlfriends, teenagers, sisters, uncles and nephews, and...yes, the protagonists. If they're friends, they'll be even better as lovers.

On to Christmas! That's our new tree up there. It's flocked, which means there is white stuff all over my living room, and I found out if you decorate a flocked tree with mostly silver ornaments, you really can't see the ornaments. You just learn something new every day, thank goodness.

While you're out rambling today, stop by Angela Hayes' blog. I'm today's Thankful Author and would love to see you!

Have a great week!