• Forest for the Trees
  • THE FOREST FOR THE TREES is about writing, publishing and what makes writers tick. This blog is dedicated to the self loathing that afflicts most writers. A community of like-minded malcontents gather here. I post less frequently now, but hopefully with as much vitriol. Please join in! Gluttons for punishment can scroll through the archives.

    If I’ve learned one thing about writers, it’s this: we really are all alone. Thanks for reading. Love, Betsy

So I Put My Hands Up They’re Playing My Song

Closed the books yesterday at the agency. Filed final payrolls. Sent out gifts, cards, bonuses and put the out of office notice on. My dog is curled up and sleeping beside me. We’re watching My Cousin Vinny. The dishwasher is running through its cycles. I’m ready to call it. I’m ready to detach a little. I’d like to throw my phone in the lake. But most of all I want to thank all of the beautiful commenters and mysterious lurkers who hang out at the Okay Corral. I love you all. Thank you for listening. See you in the new year. Love, Betsy

Make a wish.

21 Responses

  1. Get your motor running ’cause 2023 is coming!

  2. Love you too, Betsy, all the way from Vancouver. ❄💙

  3. My wish is for good health for all of us. For the author and for all of the beautiful commenters and mysterious lurkers who hang out at the Okay Corral. May we all enjoy a healthy and peaceful New Year! ❤

  4. Love the line about the dishwasher. Thank you for coming back here, over and over. Wishing you a good ‘slide’ into the new year, as they say around here.

  5. I wish change would come not from the emptiness of others.

  6. Ukraine President Zelensky ran the world.

  7. Peace.

  8. “Make a wish.”

    For as much good as is possible.

    I know that sounds wishy-washy, but I’m a realist.

    Thank you for providing this space, Betsy, and for keeping the lights on up here.

  9. Veganism: Give peas a chance.

  10. Love, luck and laughter

  11. Wishing for several wishes: and end to this arctic weather, a little more balance in the drudge work/what we want to do Life Schedule and holiday contentment for all the folks who are members of this gang. And thanks, Betsy, for providing us with this online island!

  12. I’ve so enjoyed your posts this year, Betsy! You make me smile and think! Have a great break.

    Best,

    Phyllis

  13. I love your little posts–their randomness, length, directness, and often, just what I need to hear. Thanks and wishing you peace and rest.

    • “Little?”
      These posts are iconic. Only kidding. And I love every little response.
      I love this community of criminals and mental patients. Roofers and robbers. People dancing as fast they can or not all. Writers cannot really unite because, essentially, we are loners, but facades can be beautiful, too. Who am I? Who are you?

    • “Little?”
      These posts are iconic. Only kidding. And I love every little response.
      I love this community of criminals and crackpots Roofers and robbers. People dancing as fast they can or not all. Writers cannot really unite because, essentially, we are loners, but facades can be beautiful, too. Who am I? Who are you?

  14. It’s been another swell ride (invoking my 50s persona) out here. Thank you for your wisdom and for the laughs. No one “says” stuff about publishing, or comments on life in general quite like you.

    “Make a wish.”

    Headline in newspapers around the world, COVID has disappeared.

    Only the best to those out here, and to you, Betsy. 💗

  15. Right now I’m pretty good, so my wish is for your good health.

  16. Back atcha babe. Thank you for this wonderful place to pull our pants down and smile. Love you all and best of the best to this motley crew.

  17. I’m one of the mysterious lurkers…read and love every post, so thanks!

  18. I love reading your posts as a mysterious lurker. Have a great break

  19. God, I love you guys! To the leader of the pack and this merry band of misfits (speaking for myself), y’all have made my year! 🥸

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