[Conjure up image of Derb emerging blinking into sunlight, groundhog style, or like the prisoners coming up out of the dungeon in Fidelio — “Heil! Heil! Heil sei dem Tag!” etc.] OK, survived Christmas & New Year and got book finished!! at last. Blogging will resume shortly, just as soon as I’ve caught up on all the household chores, book reviews, tax prep, promises to editors, thank-you notes to people who sent me greetings & presents (THANK YOU! — but notes will be on their way), etc. that I’ve been putting off the past few weeks. Oh, and I haven’t done my Christmas jigsaw puzzle yet. Spoiled for choice this year, thanks to friends: I have four splendid ones: a 3,000-piecer, two 2,000-pc, and a 1,500-pc that I shall knock off before breakfast one morning.

Meanwhile I’m told my December Diary will be up around midday (soon). Radio Derb on Friday, more foam-flecked columns & Corner posts to follow. Happy New Year, everybody!