I was all set to keep one of my new year’s resolutions to blog more and write a light-hearted blog about how the IRS is no longer sending out paper tax forms automatically and how the IRS is now using YouTube and Twitter and actually got 771 “Likes” on facebook.

But then I followed yesterday’s  massacre in Arizona, including the senseless death of a nine-year old girl, who was born on September 11, 2001, and wanted to meet her congresswoman because she had recently been elected to her school’s student counsel.   And there was no way I could write my light-hearted blog, but instead prayed for the victims in church this morning, and prayed for our country, and prayed for those who still believe that violence is the answer.   And I heard myself silently praying the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, where there is hatred, let me sow love.”   That seems like a much better new year’s resolution.

It’s November and as others plan for Thanksgiving I have decided to participate again in National Novel Writing Month where the goal is to write a  50,000 word novel in 30 days. This year I have decided to write my novel entirely on the iPad I received for my birthday. I’m currently up to 8,000 words. Although the mathematically inclined will know that I am behind schedule, the beginning is the hardest part for me, I’m still getting used to the iPad, and most importantly I’m having fun. And hopefully I won’t be fighting the swine flu this year as I’m finishing. Next 42,000 words, here I come!