54,381 was the final count (after a mild panic of 5,000 words lost just before validation Wednesday/Thursday). Is the story finished? Of course not. Definitely a twig or seedling, however, into something doable. So the indulgence as the gathering for the final finish at the local bar and grill? A deliciously prepared raisin bread pudding!
Letting this draft percolate/ferment for at least a month before taking the figurative sheers to it, snip it, re-piece it, etc. Four for four isn’t a bad feeling.

A wise thing to do with a hurried piece.
Agreed. Learned this year’s piece will probably be ranked ‘fourth’ in terms of ‘favorites’ out of the four years of doing this…
Yum!