I'm finally back from Canada. It was a wonderful trip, but I am exhausted. I know that I have been horribly negligent with "The Alchemist" of late. In the weeks leading up to vacation, I barely wrote a thing and then, of course, I have not written anything in the two and a half weeks I was on holiday. I really, really owe you all, I know.
I thank you all so much for your encouragement and patience. I will definitely try to work on something this weekend. The chapter I was working on before I left was terribly painful to write, but I know that it must be finished.
Thanks again to all of you! You have no idea how much your support and kind words encourage me to continue.
Please take a look at this absolutely beautiful gift that

drew for me. It is one of the lovliest things I have every recieved "just because". Make sure to leave her a comment and let her know how phenomenally talented she is!

She also did this

illustration for "The Alchemist"!