It rained here after all...

...a day later than the forecasts predicted, and in quantity sufficient only to spot the pavement. Clouds formed late this afternoon, spat some wet stuff, and are now dissipating.

They created a colorful sunset, though...



I'm feeling a bit grim tonight, I must admit. I've spent the afternoon wrapping up an article for a client I've spent four largely enjoyable years working for. Unfortunately, it's the last piece I'll be doing for them, as the editor -- the third or fourth I've worked with during that time -- convinced the publisher my regular space could be better filled by something of more "local interest."

Excuse me while I disagree, but it's not my decision to make.

This didn't bring in much money, but these days the loss of any income is not good. Moreover, it was a straightforward bit of work I could do, and do well, without any particular drama or problems.

The email telling me I've been broomed from the magazine's pages was waiting for me when I came home from the hospital. I haven't been able to work up the energy to put in any time on the final piece I owe them since them.

But the copy deadline is now a mere four days away, and I'm not missing that. Hell, I've never missed a deadline with them. That's one of the reasons -- aside from pretty fine writing that never needed editing -- they liked me. A previous editor once told me that my articles were the best in the magazine. Having read some of what else they've published, I have to agree.

Being the best isn't enough to save my gig, though.

And that brings me down.

Fooey.