Random Updates

Alissa Grosso

Apr 29, 2026

This past week has been a bit overwhelming. A loved one is having some health issues another loved one had a medical procedure. There has been research and phone calls and stress coupled with feeling overwhelmed and also somehow helpless. So, as I sit down to write this on Tuesday evening after another hectic and exhausting day, I’m not sure if I can remember how to write coherent sentences, but here are some random updates.

Our resident robins have returned. Ron and I noticed some robins acting all flustered and dismayed whenever we stepped out the back door. I had a look at the underside of the deck and sure enough there’s a fresh nest there.

A very blurry photo of a bird nest beneath an old wooden deck.

We never got around to cleaning up any of the previous nests, and though it’s hard to tell from my blurry and dark photo, it would appear that the robins have decided to follow the lead set by many a New Jerseyan with a tiny building lot and are building upwards by crafting a fresh nest on top of last year’s abode.

Speaking of crafting things, last week I picked up my now completed ceramic jar from the library (and did a little more playing with clay) while I was there. For now my lumpy little jar is perched atop our mantel:

Photo of a handmade little jar glazed a denim blue color sitting on a wood mantel.

As for the bright blue streak on my little jar, I think that’s a reflection of me, or the light or possibly aliens, who knows.

I promised to keep you updated on my latest short story, and this is a very early heads up that you’ll be able to read my story “Mysterious Ways” in the July/August issue of Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine which hits newsstands in June, but don’t worry I’ll send you another reminder before then.

Anyway, we did have a little bit of good news today, so let’s hope that things are on the upswing around here!

— Alissa