I'm still deep in the writing hole, but...

Look at the size of this rat caught (alive? the article wasn't clear) in Beijing. The age of monsters isn't quite over yet.

I think the cloth from his chest represents the attempt to draw all of the poisons out.

Fables 81 came out today. This concludes a story I knew I'd be doing for some years, but kept to myself for most of that time, even keeping it from the editor and the artists until they absolutely had to know.

        What a joy to be able to make long range plans for a story, a series, and the characters within it. For all of the fun of working inside the DCU fictional universe, I don't control that one, and those that do make so many changes, so often, usually on the fly, that long range planning for DCU comics series is almost a wasted effort, and always one fraught with frustration.

        Maybe it's just the way I tick, but my stories need time to grow and ferment, for some really big payoffs later. This issue of Fables contained one of those payoffs, the first seeds of which were planted way back in The Last Castle story.

        On a not entirely unrelated note, take a look at this gorgeous final cover from Fables' long time cover artist James Jean. In addition to its central theme, you can see bits and pieces of his entire run on the covers scattered here and there around the composition. Quite an impressive goodbye. We'll miss you, James, but will continue to follow your amazing work, and the complex and involving stories you continue to tell with it.

Wood

Just as the downstairs is all slate flagstones, the upstairs is all wood. This is just after the stain was put on when it's still wet.

The Snowfort Progresses Apace.

The fireplace is just about done. Now I have to consider what might be worthy enough to sit on, and hold its own compared to, a mantle piece so imposing as this one.

        The actual firebox looks a bit small, until you scroll down and remind yourself just how huge the mantle piece is, to get a true sense of the scale of this thing.

        The third annual Clockwork Retreat is going to be held here, at the new house (mostly because I feel so broke after buying this thing that I can't justify a trip just now). Many interesting conversations will be held in front of this fireplace, baptizing it just right in thoughtful ideas, advanced storytelling theory, and a reasonable modicum of boasting and bragging.

It's all about Flagstones.

This is the floor for the downstairs half of the casa nova. Between this and the fireplace, it's pretty clear I'm going for just a hint of actual castle in the old, "A man's home is his castle," imperative.

        The upstairs by contrast is all wood. No carpets. I never liked wall to wall carpet. Area rugs, yes. Carpeting no.