Holiday 💕Love💕 and ✨Wishes✨ (Patreon)

✨*:.｡..｡.:* All *:.｡. .｡.:*✨

Here we are at the end of 2024, wrapping up our years and getting all hepped up for the new one just around the corner 🐍.

First, I want to thank all of you for your continued support, belief in me, and all the poka poka warm friendship. My favorite thing about this patreon is when I get to chat with you all in any way and get to know you a little bit better. I'm not sure I ever mentioned this (or maybe I do all the time), but I'm an only child and we moved every couple of years. I didn't meet my dad's side of the family until I was in my teens, and mom just has one sister, so family isn't so big. But, you! You all really feel like family 💕. Thank you for that.

For me, 2024 saw The Book of Japanese Folklore come out and the release of David's Knights Vs Samurai comic which, by the way, is fantastic on so many levels. I'm so humbled and grateful to be a part of it and in the periphery of his wicked-awesome talent.

I did loads of interviews which I would normally hate because I have become such a recluse, but I quickly discovered I had the absolute best time talking with every single interviewer. They were all so kind and fun and each interview opened up my world more and more.

Early in 2024, I started working on my own middle grade book and was making good progress -- more than halfway through a first draft! -- when a couple of exciting opportunities popped up that will take me into 2015. I pressed my hands together in the gasho pose 🙏, bowed my head, and promised my "work in progress" I'd get back to it as soon as I could. This is like the fifth time...

But!

1) I was asked to write another middle grade book. That should be coming out early in 2026. It'll have a combination of yōkai, mythological figures, and ghosts! With really gorgeous art, as well.

2) I'll also be doing a mini series of sponsored shows. That's a big deal for me. I've been reticent to do any unless it's a company I like and is a good fit for the listeners. This one is! And I basically get to do the same type of show I usually do. I made a long overdue trip to the States to see mom and dad and R's family and all of us are getting older. I had all sort of emotions with the huge takeaway that we need to see them as much as we can because we love them and miss them...but damn (!) tickets and trips overseas are expensive. So, it only makes sense to occasionally do a sponsor or ad episode. But, of course, I'll put up ad-free versions for patrons here.

3) Deck of yōkai oracle cards anyone? Yes! That's another project I'm currently in the middle of and I'm having a blast working on them. They should be coming out at end of 2025.

4) ** still secret ** project, but I'm crazy excited about it and can't wait to get started on it.

I'll also start putting in some time, working on my own little middle grade adventure/fantasy story in 2025.

Oh, and for monthly patron Bedtime Stories, I'm going to be reading The Pillow Book by Sei Shōnagon, several chapters each month. Her thoughts and observations on the Heian Court are a delight to read.

At the moment, I'm in Hokkaido, visiting J and K and loving getting to hang out with them and experience a different bit of the island. They just moved from the northernmost part of Hokkaido to much more down south. It's snowing right now, but at least it's not to the second floor window!

Again, I want to send you all my love and gratitude, and a couple other little things I picked up this week while wondering around to help you get through your own 2025:

Here's a mamori gami (or protecting spirit/god) for the coming year.

A grinning oni whose club reads: 無病息災 / mubyō sokusai, meaning free from illness and in good health.

Two darumas to help you achieve all your goals and dreams for 2025. Or keep you safe from drones, they can do that, too.

One of these because I just learned the "snow fairy" or long-tailed tit are a thing around these parts and I'm on a quest to see a real one (like below). So far I've picked up a couple souvenirs with their likeness on them.

When you're feeling low and need an "Awww 💕"

Kawaii power, ACTIVATE!

And finally, one of these weirdos.

Ultraman for all the power you could possibly need for the coming year and a big ol' panda head for when you want some boneless, roly-poly napping and snacking.

Everyone, have a warm, safe, and delightful Christmas, Holidays, End-of-the-Year and New Years Oshogatsu 🎍✨Patrons, I'll be writing you more behind the scenes stuff before we get that far. I think we're going to an Ainu museum today and possibly see some bears. My heart is full.

Love you all, XOXO, ヾ(๑╹◡╹)ﾉ"

terrie