overcast, light snow, mild, temps about freezing
I have no idea what it's like out - haven't been beyond the threshold, expect to yell at Tony as his snow-blower roared. Wanted him to come in and have a coffee. Besides that, I've barely been off the sofa. Great day.
My brother Doug arrived from Toronto with the whirlwind that is his dog, Buttercup. The Hound from Hell. Actually, BC is joyous, with a tail like a thick whip - that goes constantly. She also levitates. She managed, when our backs were turned to eat a package of hot cross buns, some bread and a pita. Carbing up. Does not bode well.
Having Doug here is such fun - we laugh until no sound comes out. over lunch I thought Michael would be permanently red he was laughing so hard...at Doug's description of traveling with our mother.
Nancy came by this morning to fix Doug;s computer, which he brought from Toronto for her...we only trust her, and she was fab - fixing it in an hour or so.
Doug went off visiting, Michael watched the Olympics and I spent most of the day going over the copy edited version of BURY YOUR DEAD. Quite daunting at first...a huge pile of pages, covered in red. But then I realized most of the red ink was to Americanize the manuscript. I write dialogue using just one quotation mark, '. but in the States they use two, ". and, of course, there's the spelling. Draughts, drafts. Honour, honor. It's extremely interesting to see the differences, but as I said, disconcerting to see all that red ink.
But there were also extremely interesting issues of time and dates and other things that demanded attention...and some references that needed further research. I like this part of the process...especially this year when it happens when I'm not yet writing the next book. I find it very difficult to write one book in the morning and edit another in the afternoon. Besides the always present issue of being way too lazy to want to work that hard.
We're having a relaxed dinner at home tonight...cheese, pate and baguette - carrots and celery, hummus and tatziki by the fire...then probably off to watch a bit of the Olympics. I've lost a little track of what's happening. Big game tomorrow night - Canada vs the US at hockey! Mary and the kids are there. Doug keeps getting texts from his oldest son, Brian, to say how much fun they're having at the Olympics. They saw Robinson get the gold in skeleton yesterday, and heard a live band and just got back from skiing themselves at Whistler. Sounds like the trip of a lifetime.
Did I mention I stayed on the couch all day? And....loving it.
Thank you too for all your beautiful comments after yesterday's post. I really, really appreciate it. Your support means so much to me.
Speak to you tomorrow!
Showing posts with label Olympics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Olympics. Show all posts
Saturday, 20 February 2010
Friday, 19 February 2010
Agatha!!!!
Steady, light snow, some blowing, temps minus 5
Came back from dinner last night through practically a snow storm. Fortunately we're so familiar with the roads there was no anxiety at all...and it's only about a 20 minute drive. Had a wonderful, fun dinner with Kirk and Walter, Jack and Jane - and about a million other people in the restaurant. Cheap eats night. Very fun...and loads of birthdays celebrated - including Donna, who works for Lise in the summer and helps do our gardens. Lise and Delmar were there to help her celebrate....wonderful to see them. And our neighbor Pina was at another table.
Watched on pins and needles as Evan Lysacek won Olympic Gold in figure skating. Wow.
But I have to tell you...my HUGE news yesterday was that THE BRUTAL TELLING has been nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Traditional Mystery. Yiipppppeeee! So excited. Sadly the others in my category are very strong. Damn. Here's the list for Best Novel and Best First....
Best Novel
Swan for the Money, Donna Andrews, St. Martin’s Minotaur
Bookplate Special, Lorna Barrett, Berkley Prime Crime
Royal Flush, Rhys Bowen, Berkley Prime Crime
A Brutal Telling, Louise Penny, Minotaur Books
Air Time, Hank Phillippi Ryan, MIRA
Best First Novel
For Better For Murder, Lisa Bork, Midnight Ink
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, Alan Bradley, Delacorte Press
Posed for Murder, Meredith Cole, St. Martin’s Minotaur
The Cold Light of Mourning, Elizabeth Duncan, St. Martin’s Press
In the Shadow of Gotham, Stefanie Pintoff, Minotaur Books
Congratulations to all the nominees. It is VERY exciting. The Agatha's are given out at the Saturday night banquet at Malice Domestic - a mystery readers and writer's conference in Washington at the beginning of May.
It's fun because emails to and from the other nominees have been flying - congratulating each other. Feels so good to be part of community where people are genuinely pleased for the other. We each, of course, want to win...but we'd also be happy for whoever does. Great feeling.
speak to you tomorrow!
Came back from dinner last night through practically a snow storm. Fortunately we're so familiar with the roads there was no anxiety at all...and it's only about a 20 minute drive. Had a wonderful, fun dinner with Kirk and Walter, Jack and Jane - and about a million other people in the restaurant. Cheap eats night. Very fun...and loads of birthdays celebrated - including Donna, who works for Lise in the summer and helps do our gardens. Lise and Delmar were there to help her celebrate....wonderful to see them. And our neighbor Pina was at another table.
Watched on pins and needles as Evan Lysacek won Olympic Gold in figure skating. Wow.
But I have to tell you...my HUGE news yesterday was that THE BRUTAL TELLING has been nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Traditional Mystery. Yiipppppeeee! So excited. Sadly the others in my category are very strong. Damn. Here's the list for Best Novel and Best First....
Best Novel
Swan for the Money, Donna Andrews, St. Martin’s Minotaur
Bookplate Special, Lorna Barrett, Berkley Prime Crime
Royal Flush, Rhys Bowen, Berkley Prime Crime
A Brutal Telling, Louise Penny, Minotaur Books
Air Time, Hank Phillippi Ryan, MIRA
Best First Novel
For Better For Murder, Lisa Bork, Midnight Ink
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, Alan Bradley, Delacorte Press
Posed for Murder, Meredith Cole, St. Martin’s Minotaur
The Cold Light of Mourning, Elizabeth Duncan, St. Martin’s Press
In the Shadow of Gotham, Stefanie Pintoff, Minotaur Books
Congratulations to all the nominees. It is VERY exciting. The Agatha's are given out at the Saturday night banquet at Malice Domestic - a mystery readers and writer's conference in Washington at the beginning of May.
It's fun because emails to and from the other nominees have been flying - congratulating each other. Feels so good to be part of community where people are genuinely pleased for the other. We each, of course, want to win...but we'd also be happy for whoever does. Great feeling.
speak to you tomorrow!
Saturday, 13 February 2010
Opening ceremonies
light snow, windy, temps minus 5
One of those chilly days that gets into the bones. Last night too. The problem, always, is the wind. Late yesterday afternoon Michael came down from his study all chilled. His study is the coolest (not in a good way) place in the house - but not cold. Just cool enough that you don't notice yourself getting a chill until it has already happened. So off he went to bed with his flannel pajamas and a hot water bottle I boiled up for him. Felt better after an hour or so. Appeared (perhaps not completely coincidently) in time for dinner.
Then we both repaired to the bedroom and watched the opening ceremonies.
Wonderful. Those whales? The first nations! The dancing and joy. The images on the floor...the continental ice breaking up and splitting the clans. Amazing.
Like everyone else, our hearts broke for the Georgian athletes - and indeed for the Olympic organizers and volunteers who'd worked years and years - and then to have this tragedy happen just when it was time to let loose and celebrate.
Still, I think they did an amazing job of striking the appropriate balance between honouring the young man, marking his death, mourning it - but also allowing for a celebration.
Just two slightly odd things for us...everytime the camera panned to the VIP platform the guests looked uninterested. The athletes were waving and using their 'candles' - the 60-thousand in attendance were cheering...but the VIP's often looked asleep. Bored even. Perhaps it was just bad timing...and perhaps they were exhausted. And maybe they felt a certain gravitas needed to be shown. But I also think they could have looked happier. Or more engaged.
the other thing I thought was slightly odd was the decision to put Wayne Gretzky (I believe they might have found someone else to light the flame...I'd have loved to see Betty Fox or Rick Hansen or Nancy Greene) on a pickup truck at the end of the ceremony, shipped him across town, to light the outdoor Olympic flame, so far from any celebration...so the 60-thousand people, the athletes, the snoozing VIP's did not see it live. Just felt a little low rent after a beautiful, elegant, joyous opening ceremony.
But those are tiny things compared to the amazing achievement. Such soaring pride I felt. It was not an opening ceremony that will be remembered for anything in particular, I believe. But it was warm, welcoming, lovely - happy.
One of my favorite parts was the beat poet. He was great. I'm always astonished at people's poise. I cannot begin to imagine how many ativan it would take to get me up there.
Had breakfast this morning with Gary and Cheryl...lots of fun. Off to a meeting tonight. Quiet few days ahead. Bliss. We've dug out from the messages and mail and chores always waiting. God bless Lise for fielding most of the work while we were away.
Some of you wrote to ask about the calendars... Yes, we will definitely be creating them. Lise, Michael and I worked on the design yesterday, choosing appropriate photos from around here to compliment the months - and a few photos of Michael and me, and Trudy even slipped into one.
We have one of those perpetual calendars up in our kitchen and consult it everyday to see who's birthday or anniversary is coming up. Without it we'd be lost! Sadly with it we have no excuse for forgetting birthdays.
We hope to make the design very easy, simple, clear - and reflective of the Gamache series without being too in-your-face. Hitting the tone, really, of Three Pines. So we're being quite careful, and consulting each other a lot over choices. happily both Lise and Michael have an artists eye. I provide the words, which in a calendar turns out to be quite easy.
We hope to have it ready by April...which in a regular calendar might be a problem, but in one that is not year specific should not matter.
Am off to soak in a bubble bath and see if there are any Olympic events on. I love it!
One of those chilly days that gets into the bones. Last night too. The problem, always, is the wind. Late yesterday afternoon Michael came down from his study all chilled. His study is the coolest (not in a good way) place in the house - but not cold. Just cool enough that you don't notice yourself getting a chill until it has already happened. So off he went to bed with his flannel pajamas and a hot water bottle I boiled up for him. Felt better after an hour or so. Appeared (perhaps not completely coincidently) in time for dinner.
Then we both repaired to the bedroom and watched the opening ceremonies.
Wonderful. Those whales? The first nations! The dancing and joy. The images on the floor...the continental ice breaking up and splitting the clans. Amazing.
Like everyone else, our hearts broke for the Georgian athletes - and indeed for the Olympic organizers and volunteers who'd worked years and years - and then to have this tragedy happen just when it was time to let loose and celebrate.
Still, I think they did an amazing job of striking the appropriate balance between honouring the young man, marking his death, mourning it - but also allowing for a celebration.
Just two slightly odd things for us...everytime the camera panned to the VIP platform the guests looked uninterested. The athletes were waving and using their 'candles' - the 60-thousand in attendance were cheering...but the VIP's often looked asleep. Bored even. Perhaps it was just bad timing...and perhaps they were exhausted. And maybe they felt a certain gravitas needed to be shown. But I also think they could have looked happier. Or more engaged.
the other thing I thought was slightly odd was the decision to put Wayne Gretzky (I believe they might have found someone else to light the flame...I'd have loved to see Betty Fox or Rick Hansen or Nancy Greene) on a pickup truck at the end of the ceremony, shipped him across town, to light the outdoor Olympic flame, so far from any celebration...so the 60-thousand people, the athletes, the snoozing VIP's did not see it live. Just felt a little low rent after a beautiful, elegant, joyous opening ceremony.
But those are tiny things compared to the amazing achievement. Such soaring pride I felt. It was not an opening ceremony that will be remembered for anything in particular, I believe. But it was warm, welcoming, lovely - happy.
One of my favorite parts was the beat poet. He was great. I'm always astonished at people's poise. I cannot begin to imagine how many ativan it would take to get me up there.
Had breakfast this morning with Gary and Cheryl...lots of fun. Off to a meeting tonight. Quiet few days ahead. Bliss. We've dug out from the messages and mail and chores always waiting. God bless Lise for fielding most of the work while we were away.
Some of you wrote to ask about the calendars... Yes, we will definitely be creating them. Lise, Michael and I worked on the design yesterday, choosing appropriate photos from around here to compliment the months - and a few photos of Michael and me, and Trudy even slipped into one.
We have one of those perpetual calendars up in our kitchen and consult it everyday to see who's birthday or anniversary is coming up. Without it we'd be lost! Sadly with it we have no excuse for forgetting birthdays.
We hope to make the design very easy, simple, clear - and reflective of the Gamache series without being too in-your-face. Hitting the tone, really, of Three Pines. So we're being quite careful, and consulting each other a lot over choices. happily both Lise and Michael have an artists eye. I provide the words, which in a calendar turns out to be quite easy.
We hope to have it ready by April...which in a regular calendar might be a problem, but in one that is not year specific should not matter.
Am off to soak in a bubble bath and see if there are any Olympic events on. I love it!
Saturday, 16 August 2008
The Gold standard for friends
mainly sunny, temps 25
It's about 8am on Saturday - and Canada did really well at the Olympics yesterday. A gold and bronze in women's wrestling and a silver in the men's pairs rowing. Didn't see any of them - too bad - but hope to catch it on the highlights reeel.
but have a busy day today. off for breakfast with Joan, then heading to Johnson, Vermont and a noon event at Ryan Books. Our friends Jim and Sharon are coming down for that. Then we have a small birthday celebration for Jim tonight.
Pat came last night to pick up Maggie and Trudy...what a wonderful woman she is. We're SO lucky in the people we have in our lives. As someone mentioned in the comments from a post earlier this week, Lise is amazing. Gary is fantastic, when he isn't chained up in the basement. Wayne and Anthony and Pat.
Michael and I seem to be in the way most of the time. Oh, well.
Must be off - will try to speak to you tomorrow. Be well.
It's about 8am on Saturday - and Canada did really well at the Olympics yesterday. A gold and bronze in women's wrestling and a silver in the men's pairs rowing. Didn't see any of them - too bad - but hope to catch it on the highlights reeel.
but have a busy day today. off for breakfast with Joan, then heading to Johnson, Vermont and a noon event at Ryan Books. Our friends Jim and Sharon are coming down for that. Then we have a small birthday celebration for Jim tonight.
Pat came last night to pick up Maggie and Trudy...what a wonderful woman she is. We're SO lucky in the people we have in our lives. As someone mentioned in the comments from a post earlier this week, Lise is amazing. Gary is fantastic, when he isn't chained up in the basement. Wayne and Anthony and Pat.
Michael and I seem to be in the way most of the time. Oh, well.
Must be off - will try to speak to you tomorrow. Be well.
Monday, 11 August 2008
Couch Michael, and his Olympians
mainly sunny, temps 20
Finally, some sun - but thunderstorms in forecast - of course.
Wow, it's nice to be home. But I had a wonderful time on Wolfe Island. Didn't even know there was a Wolfe Island. it's just off the city of Kingston, Ontario. A 20 minute ferry ride takes people and cars there. So calming being on the ferry - lovely trip.
I was there for the Scene of the Crime mystery festival. It's an annual event in which 4 writers are invited - and a fifth writer is a guest of honour. This year it was Joy Fielding. The other writers with me were Jose latour - a Cuban writer of noirs. Linwood Barclay - who's had huge and deserved success with No Time To Say Goodbye. Mary Jane Maffini - whose traditional mysteries have won all sorts of awards, and was the president of the Crime Writers of Canada a few years ago. And me.
Most of us stayed at the Queens Inn, a hotel with a great location near the water in Kingston - but a more dreary place would be hard to find. it was like sleeping in one of those miniscule VIA Rail sleepers, only without the gentle rocking (thank goodness) My feet were practically in the shower. And the doors didn't seem to fit properly so that everytime someone arrived or left there was a great thumping as they slammed the doors closed. My room had a spider, which I decided not to kill, then spent the night wondering where it was.
But Wolfe Island is charming - and the people very welcoming. The event lasted all day - from the 10am meeting and greet over coffee to readings and a panel discussion...and a fascinating interview with Joy Fielding...who is lovely by the way. Very gracious too, and funny.
Speaking of funny, one of the best lines I've heard came from Mary Jane Maffini in our panel discussion when someone in the audience asked, 'Who do you think your readers are.'
Mary Jane answered: 'Intelligent women with colds.'
I thought I'd wet myself laughing. It was perfect. Certainly describes how I view people reading my books. I know men read them - I know you don't need to be sick to pick one up....but they were written with myself in mind - and there's nothing more comforting when you're ill than crawling under the covers with a honeyed tea, cookies and a good mystery. Sometimes I'll lie under a blanket on the sofa in front of the fireplace.
Wonderful. My books are meant to comfort. Either when we're physically sick, or just sick and tired of coping, of stress, or reality. of too many demands and too little thanks. Of a world that can seem cold and cruel. My books are meant to re-assure. That goodness exists.
Intelligent women with colds. perfect.
Got home yesterday and Susan came over for dinner...brought the dinner actually, clever woman. Pizza and home-made peach crisp. Michael and I made a salad and we sat on the screen porch until the rain drove us inside.
Oh - I have a website if you'd like to lookup bed and breakfasts in the North Hatley area...if you're interested in coming to the launch of The Murder Stone.
The website is: www.bbcanada.com and for location, put in North Hatley. We're having the local launch at Brome Lake Books on Friday, October 17th at 5pm. that's in Knowlton. then on Saturday, October 18th we're going to Hovey Manor for afternoon tea and a launch celebration. Tickets are 20 dollars, and cover tea. We decided to do this since Hovey is the inspiration for the Manoir in The Murder Stone. It's also a fantastic place.
We're enjoying the Olympics. I wasn't exciting or even interested before they began, but now I'm addicted. We're watching as much as we can. What Michael called, 'Couching' the Canadian team.
Gary, the electrician and Yves are arriving this afternoon to try to solve the TV mystery.
Wrote this morning. Being away from it for a few days is difficult since we're down to the short strokes now and every clue counts. Quite exciting. But frustrating picking up the pieces.
Must be off to walk dogs. Sun's out.
Finally, some sun - but thunderstorms in forecast - of course.
Wow, it's nice to be home. But I had a wonderful time on Wolfe Island. Didn't even know there was a Wolfe Island. it's just off the city of Kingston, Ontario. A 20 minute ferry ride takes people and cars there. So calming being on the ferry - lovely trip.
I was there for the Scene of the Crime mystery festival. It's an annual event in which 4 writers are invited - and a fifth writer is a guest of honour. This year it was Joy Fielding. The other writers with me were Jose latour - a Cuban writer of noirs. Linwood Barclay - who's had huge and deserved success with No Time To Say Goodbye. Mary Jane Maffini - whose traditional mysteries have won all sorts of awards, and was the president of the Crime Writers of Canada a few years ago. And me.
Most of us stayed at the Queens Inn, a hotel with a great location near the water in Kingston - but a more dreary place would be hard to find. it was like sleeping in one of those miniscule VIA Rail sleepers, only without the gentle rocking (thank goodness) My feet were practically in the shower. And the doors didn't seem to fit properly so that everytime someone arrived or left there was a great thumping as they slammed the doors closed. My room had a spider, which I decided not to kill, then spent the night wondering where it was.
But Wolfe Island is charming - and the people very welcoming. The event lasted all day - from the 10am meeting and greet over coffee to readings and a panel discussion...and a fascinating interview with Joy Fielding...who is lovely by the way. Very gracious too, and funny.
Speaking of funny, one of the best lines I've heard came from Mary Jane Maffini in our panel discussion when someone in the audience asked, 'Who do you think your readers are.'
Mary Jane answered: 'Intelligent women with colds.'
I thought I'd wet myself laughing. It was perfect. Certainly describes how I view people reading my books. I know men read them - I know you don't need to be sick to pick one up....but they were written with myself in mind - and there's nothing more comforting when you're ill than crawling under the covers with a honeyed tea, cookies and a good mystery. Sometimes I'll lie under a blanket on the sofa in front of the fireplace.
Wonderful. My books are meant to comfort. Either when we're physically sick, or just sick and tired of coping, of stress, or reality. of too many demands and too little thanks. Of a world that can seem cold and cruel. My books are meant to re-assure. That goodness exists.
Intelligent women with colds. perfect.
Got home yesterday and Susan came over for dinner...brought the dinner actually, clever woman. Pizza and home-made peach crisp. Michael and I made a salad and we sat on the screen porch until the rain drove us inside.
Oh - I have a website if you'd like to lookup bed and breakfasts in the North Hatley area...if you're interested in coming to the launch of The Murder Stone.
The website is: www.bbcanada.com and for location, put in North Hatley. We're having the local launch at Brome Lake Books on Friday, October 17th at 5pm. that's in Knowlton. then on Saturday, October 18th we're going to Hovey Manor for afternoon tea and a launch celebration. Tickets are 20 dollars, and cover tea. We decided to do this since Hovey is the inspiration for the Manoir in The Murder Stone. It's also a fantastic place.
We're enjoying the Olympics. I wasn't exciting or even interested before they began, but now I'm addicted. We're watching as much as we can. What Michael called, 'Couching' the Canadian team.
Gary, the electrician and Yves are arriving this afternoon to try to solve the TV mystery.
Wrote this morning. Being away from it for a few days is difficult since we're down to the short strokes now and every clue counts. Quite exciting. But frustrating picking up the pieces.
Must be off to walk dogs. Sun's out.
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