The thing that’s really standing out to me tonight, though, is the number of “Dear Ms. Andersen”, “Dear Ms. Anderson”, and “Dear Mr. Anderson” queries I’m getting. It’s starting to do my head in, so I’m going to set a couple of things straight.

[1] I’m a girl. It’s okay if you didn’t know this–it happens to me a lot. And, growing up, I was a tomboy. And I still climb trees. So no big deal.

See? I really am a girl, even if my hair is about to get quite a bit shorter soon...

[2] It’s “Andersen”. Blame my husband, Joe. His father’s family is Danish, and they spell everything funny.

[3] Please, people, don’t feel obligated to put in a title, or my whole name. It makes me feel all kinds of posh, and as if I have to write back in very careful, very formal English. Honestly, “Peta” is just fine. And, since lots or people ask, you can pronounce it either way–Pea-ta (like the organisation) or Pet-ah. My family calls my both, so you can, too. Assuming you want to call me, that is.

Now, back to queries. By the way, January is going to be a dark winter issue, a mixture of creepy, hide under the bed stories, and curl up with a good cup of hot chocolate ones…