heavy rains, then sunny, unseasonably warm - temps plus 8
Can you believe it???! I am over the moon celebrating the nomination. BURY YOUR DEAD has been shortlisted for the Agatha Award for Best Novel in the US! This is such an important award - honouring the Grand Dame of mysteries...and so, it has added meaning. On top of that - it's a reader-driven award...the shortlist comes from readers sending in their suggestions.
The nominees are:
Best Novel:
Stork Raving Mad by Donna Andrews
Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny
The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard
Drive Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan
Truly, Madly by Heather Webber
Best First Novel:
The Long Quiche Goodbye by Avery Aames
Murder at the PTA by Laura Alden
Maid of Murder by Amanda Flower
Full Mortality by Sasscer Hill
Diamonds for the Dead by Alan Orloff
Best Short Story:
"Swing Shift" by Dana Cameron, Crimes by Moonlight
"Size Matters" by Sheila Connolly, Thin Ice
"Volunteer of the Year" by Barb Goffman, Chesapeake Crimes: They Had it Comin'
"So Much in Common" by Mary Jane Maffini, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine - Sept./Oct. 2010
"The Green Cross" by Liz Zelvin, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine - August 2010
there are two other categories - best non-fiction and best young adult fiction.
Congratulations to everyone!!! I suspect you are as thrilled and excited as I am.
The winner will be announced at this fabulous convention called Malice Domestic. It's held every May in Washington, DC, and is organized by people who love reading crime fiction. One of the many great things about it is its size. It's large enough to draw big name writers, but small enough that you get to run into them in the halls, and at breakfast, and at cocktail parties. You just never know who's in the elevator with you. If you like murder mysteries, consider coming to Malice Domestic. I'll be there. I love Malice Domestic.
On another subject, you might have noticed the weather report. And the lack of tropical photos.
The truth is - we came home from St Lucia early. I know, I know. Yet another piece of evidence for the looney-bin.
We were supposed to be there until this coming Monday - but we left after less than a week - and decided to take our quiet holiday in our Montreal apartment - watching crappy movies, lying on the bed, eating pizza. It was bliss.
The problem was the weather. It is normally sunny and hot in February. It sure was last year. But this year it was unseasonably rainy. Every day. Every night. Torrential rains - and huge winds howling through the slats in the shutters, and the trees. It was just too loud. Like living in a wind tunnel.
I longed for peace. And quiet. And while normally St Lucia would be perfect, this year was different. And I suspect most people would not mind the wind. it really wasn't the rain. It was the sound of the wind. No quiet. Apparently this is extremely unusual.
The villa itself was magical and even better than we dared hope! Absolutely breath-taking. Thrilling. Indeed, we offered it to a friend and his wife and they took it for a week themselves. So we don't feel quite as badly about leaving.
In fact, I think that's one of the great things Michael and I are discovering. If we don't like something, then leave. I actually did check the weather forecast and it was for solid rain for the upcoming week...so that just decided it.
It was a brilliant decision. We were sad it didn't work out - but to cling on to something because we paid, and making ourselves more miserable is something we might have done 20 years ago. maybe even 10. But no more. Life's too short. Cut the loses and find what we do love.
And, ironically, we found it at home. Go figure.
But we decided to keep it quiet so that we could have that peace and quiet. And no guilt about not seeing people. We were, as Michael took to calling it, not in Montreal but in St Lucia adjacent.
Still on vacation until Tuesday, so I don't think you'll hear from me. That's something else I need to respect more - my private time. And I know for sure, from all your comments, that you respect it....more than I do! Thank you for that.
Speak to you next week. Hope whatever you're doing, where ever you are, you're enjoying it!
Showing posts with label St. Lucia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Lucia. Show all posts
Friday, 18 February 2011
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Our Butler
sunny, hot, temps 32
We've ben here three days and Michael forgot what day it is. I told him it was Michael-Day and he seemed content.
Danced on the beach two nights ago - after dinner. Just us. The live music was in the open air lounge about 20 yards away, but we were behind a stand of palms...coming back from dinner at Gordon's restaurant, which is on stilts over the Carribean sea.
We've met our butlers...Amos is lovely - only met him yesterday - mostly we've been butled by the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen. And clearly the most gorgeous woman Michael has ever seen.
Her name is Malaika. And now, along with the exotic bird calls and gentle rhythm of the waves there is another chorus. Michael saying, 'I think I'll just call Malaika. I'm a little thirsty.'
Actually, I'm as smitten as Michael. It's a very funny feeling to have a butler. sort of uncomfrtable, really since we want to take full advantage of having them, without actually taking advantage of them. Though that latter is becoming less and less of a concern as our vacation moves along.
I wish I could tell you we've learned scuba diving and visited the volcano - or kayaked. We barely get ourselves to the beach! But we do - and lie there reading, slathered in sunblock. We have quite a creative tan/burn. I think this is because we have two differnt types of block - a 30 and 60, and I believe I mixed up the two. So some sections are burned and some are blocked.
Were invited to the General Manager's cocktail party last night. Very elegant. His name is Winston and he has the happy capacity to remember not just what day it is, but peole's names.
Every time we return to our room (The presidential suite!!!! feel the need to repeat that) - some new surprise awaits. Two nights ago, after dinner on the quai and dancing on the beach we returned to find our bedroom lit by candles and flowers strewn on the bed. We both burst into tears. Last night someone had writted our names on the bed using palm fronds.
This is an extraordinary place.
We find ourselves exhausted - and might not actually leave the resort for the remainder of our stay.
We're very happy. And very, very glad to have you along. Happier still to have a butler!!! No - OUR butler. I need to say that because I suspect we won't be able to say that many more times in our lives. Our butler.
Wow.
We've ben here three days and Michael forgot what day it is. I told him it was Michael-Day and he seemed content.
Danced on the beach two nights ago - after dinner. Just us. The live music was in the open air lounge about 20 yards away, but we were behind a stand of palms...coming back from dinner at Gordon's restaurant, which is on stilts over the Carribean sea.
We've met our butlers...Amos is lovely - only met him yesterday - mostly we've been butled by the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen. And clearly the most gorgeous woman Michael has ever seen.
Her name is Malaika. And now, along with the exotic bird calls and gentle rhythm of the waves there is another chorus. Michael saying, 'I think I'll just call Malaika. I'm a little thirsty.'
Actually, I'm as smitten as Michael. It's a very funny feeling to have a butler. sort of uncomfrtable, really since we want to take full advantage of having them, without actually taking advantage of them. Though that latter is becoming less and less of a concern as our vacation moves along.
I wish I could tell you we've learned scuba diving and visited the volcano - or kayaked. We barely get ourselves to the beach! But we do - and lie there reading, slathered in sunblock. We have quite a creative tan/burn. I think this is because we have two differnt types of block - a 30 and 60, and I believe I mixed up the two. So some sections are burned and some are blocked.
Were invited to the General Manager's cocktail party last night. Very elegant. His name is Winston and he has the happy capacity to remember not just what day it is, but peole's names.
Every time we return to our room (The presidential suite!!!! feel the need to repeat that) - some new surprise awaits. Two nights ago, after dinner on the quai and dancing on the beach we returned to find our bedroom lit by candles and flowers strewn on the bed. We both burst into tears. Last night someone had writted our names on the bed using palm fronds.
This is an extraordinary place.
We find ourselves exhausted - and might not actually leave the resort for the remainder of our stay.
We're very happy. And very, very glad to have you along. Happier still to have a butler!!! No - OUR butler. I need to say that because I suspect we won't be able to say that many more times in our lives. Our butler.
Wow.
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Presidential Suite!!!
showers, warm, temps 80
Oh, my Gooood. By some bit of great good fortune we were upgraded to the presidential suite. I'm not kidding. We arrived yesterday afternoon - a little rainy in Montreal but nothing to worry about (go tell my previous self) - landed in St. Lucia and were picked up by a fellow named Kim...our private chauffeur with a private car - to take us the hour and a half across the island to the Sandals Grande St. Lucian. I was quite glad I'd swallowed my Gravol-type anti-motion sickness pill. Up and down, sharp turns - mountainous roads...but stunning! We drove through the rain forest and could see mountains and valleys covered in mist and vegetation...everything was huge. Felt like we were in the Land of the Giants.
We sure weren't in Kansas anymore! Or Quebec.
It was sunny and warm and humid - but very pleasant.
Someone met us at the front of the Sandals, asked our name and said, Oh yes, you're in our very best room.' Which I thought was both promising and hyperbole. We'd arranged, as you know, for a Butler Level room...the Prime Minister's One bedroom suite.
But a moment later they showed up to the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential suite!!!
Dear Lord in heaven - take me now.
I don't think I've ever seen Michael so thrilled and amazed - and that includes seeing him at the alter as my mother and I walked down the aisle at our wedding.
Let me describe this suite. You walk into a vestibule (zooming almost unnotived past a powder room the size of our entire bathroom at home) - and facing us is a bank of three huge double drench doors leading onto a verandah looking onto the Caribbean Sea. Sail boats, palm trees, mountains beyond.
And in the foreground, our room. A living room area with back to back huge sofas, One set facing a massive flat screen TV - then behind it a dining room, a kitchen... then upstairs two big bedrooms, each with ensuite. The master bedroom is immense...with a sitting area and biggest flat screen TV I've ever seen - and behind that a four-poster king bed, also with a flat screen. A dressing room. A huge (this is a theme, by the way) bathroom with jacuzzi tub, walk in shower, two sinks, marble counters, separate toilet. And an outside shower...on the terrace...looking onto the other side of the resort...out to the Atlantic.
Both bedrooms have sliding glass doors onto a (yes) massive balcony with chaisse lounges and tables and chairs.
We knew for sure we were in Paradise!!
had dinner at the beach barbeque last night - on the beach. Eating mahi mahi and listening to a steel band. This morning we had breakfast on the verhandah off the living room, looking on the caribbean. It was, and is, very warm, but not uncomfortable. Sunny at first, then cloudy and showers off and on for the day. But we don't care. No one seems to care. Very relaxed and happy atmosphere.
Not at all sure we'll leave the resort, frankly. Quite surprised we left the suite.
Between cloud bursts we swam in the ocean and laid on beach chairs, reading. And feeling very, very grateful and blessed. And blissed.
Will blog again in a few days. Be well - and welcome to St. Lucia!
Oh, my Gooood. By some bit of great good fortune we were upgraded to the presidential suite. I'm not kidding. We arrived yesterday afternoon - a little rainy in Montreal but nothing to worry about (go tell my previous self) - landed in St. Lucia and were picked up by a fellow named Kim...our private chauffeur with a private car - to take us the hour and a half across the island to the Sandals Grande St. Lucian. I was quite glad I'd swallowed my Gravol-type anti-motion sickness pill. Up and down, sharp turns - mountainous roads...but stunning! We drove through the rain forest and could see mountains and valleys covered in mist and vegetation...everything was huge. Felt like we were in the Land of the Giants.
We sure weren't in Kansas anymore! Or Quebec.
It was sunny and warm and humid - but very pleasant.
Someone met us at the front of the Sandals, asked our name and said, Oh yes, you're in our very best room.' Which I thought was both promising and hyperbole. We'd arranged, as you know, for a Butler Level room...the Prime Minister's One bedroom suite.
But a moment later they showed up to the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential suite!!!
Dear Lord in heaven - take me now.
I don't think I've ever seen Michael so thrilled and amazed - and that includes seeing him at the alter as my mother and I walked down the aisle at our wedding.
Let me describe this suite. You walk into a vestibule (zooming almost unnotived past a powder room the size of our entire bathroom at home) - and facing us is a bank of three huge double drench doors leading onto a verandah looking onto the Caribbean Sea. Sail boats, palm trees, mountains beyond.
And in the foreground, our room. A living room area with back to back huge sofas, One set facing a massive flat screen TV - then behind it a dining room, a kitchen... then upstairs two big bedrooms, each with ensuite. The master bedroom is immense...with a sitting area and biggest flat screen TV I've ever seen - and behind that a four-poster king bed, also with a flat screen. A dressing room. A huge (this is a theme, by the way) bathroom with jacuzzi tub, walk in shower, two sinks, marble counters, separate toilet. And an outside shower...on the terrace...looking onto the other side of the resort...out to the Atlantic.
Both bedrooms have sliding glass doors onto a (yes) massive balcony with chaisse lounges and tables and chairs.
We knew for sure we were in Paradise!!
had dinner at the beach barbeque last night - on the beach. Eating mahi mahi and listening to a steel band. This morning we had breakfast on the verhandah off the living room, looking on the caribbean. It was, and is, very warm, but not uncomfortable. Sunny at first, then cloudy and showers off and on for the day. But we don't care. No one seems to care. Very relaxed and happy atmosphere.
Not at all sure we'll leave the resort, frankly. Quite surprised we left the suite.
Between cloud bursts we swam in the ocean and laid on beach chairs, reading. And feeling very, very grateful and blessed. And blissed.
Will blog again in a few days. Be well - and welcome to St. Lucia!
Sunday, 24 January 2010
One More Sleep
Sunny - but rain expected - temps minus 5
Lovely morning, but a bit of a mess expected overnight and tomorrow. Hope it doesn't affect the flight! I try not to worry, since it's clearly pointless - but it bubbles up every now and then.
I've been very lucky with flights. The only time the weather played a big role while on tour was two years ago. I needed to fly out of Montreal in March for an event in Connecticut - I was supposed to leave Sunday, but a massive blizzard arrived and the airport was shut. I went to the airport at 4 am next morning and it was - of course - chaos. I was on a wait-list, but finallyn got on a flight to NYC around ten am...the even was 1pm. The PR man at Minotaur met the flight, whisked us into a waiting limo and off we zoomed. Missed the lunch, but made the actual discussion. Then I had the whole week of travel, from NYC to Detroit, to Arizona and California ahead of me. A little tough to start off so stressed and tired - but everything else worked out very well.
It's amazing, really, when you consider the number of lights, and connections, over the years while on book tour.
So - fingers crossed for tomorrow. Always a great feeling once the plane takes off, breaks through the clouds and we're on our way. Phew.
I've decided, after some agonizing - to leave the blackberry at home and the computer. My intention is to see if there's a business centre and blog a few days - but not everyday.
Funny - but this was a harder decision that it probably should have been. The problem with having both with me is I have almost no self-control. And it would be deeply sad to spend time on a blackberry or computer when paradise and Michael await.
So - no temptation. The Apple is left at home.
Our friend Cotton is dropping by our Montreal apartment in a few minutes. She's staying here a few nights while we're gone and we need to show her around. Besides that it will be a quiet day. Watched the US Women's Figure skating last night. Nail-biting. Beautiful.
Off now to water the plants asnd check-in to the flight online.
Thank you for all your well-wishes!!! We'll see you in St. Lucia!
Lovely morning, but a bit of a mess expected overnight and tomorrow. Hope it doesn't affect the flight! I try not to worry, since it's clearly pointless - but it bubbles up every now and then.
I've been very lucky with flights. The only time the weather played a big role while on tour was two years ago. I needed to fly out of Montreal in March for an event in Connecticut - I was supposed to leave Sunday, but a massive blizzard arrived and the airport was shut. I went to the airport at 4 am next morning and it was - of course - chaos. I was on a wait-list, but finallyn got on a flight to NYC around ten am...the even was 1pm. The PR man at Minotaur met the flight, whisked us into a waiting limo and off we zoomed. Missed the lunch, but made the actual discussion. Then I had the whole week of travel, from NYC to Detroit, to Arizona and California ahead of me. A little tough to start off so stressed and tired - but everything else worked out very well.
It's amazing, really, when you consider the number of lights, and connections, over the years while on book tour.
So - fingers crossed for tomorrow. Always a great feeling once the plane takes off, breaks through the clouds and we're on our way. Phew.
I've decided, after some agonizing - to leave the blackberry at home and the computer. My intention is to see if there's a business centre and blog a few days - but not everyday.
Funny - but this was a harder decision that it probably should have been. The problem with having both with me is I have almost no self-control. And it would be deeply sad to spend time on a blackberry or computer when paradise and Michael await.
So - no temptation. The Apple is left at home.
Our friend Cotton is dropping by our Montreal apartment in a few minutes. She's staying here a few nights while we're gone and we need to show her around. Besides that it will be a quiet day. Watched the US Women's Figure skating last night. Nail-biting. Beautiful.
Off now to water the plants asnd check-in to the flight online.
Thank you for all your well-wishes!!! We'll see you in St. Lucia!
Saturday, 26 December 2009
New Best Friend
overcast, mild, windy
Freezing rain in the forecast, but for now it's quite nice. Just came back from breakfast with Joan, then took Trudy around the pond...a trudge through the now. head down into the blowing wind and drifting snow. it occured to me I definitely see more of my boots than anything else in winter. Beautiful vistas are lost on me...all I see are the tips of my boots as they sink into the snow. Boots should be more interesting. Perhaps build a video monitor into them, or a book. When I do look up all I see, through the swirling snow, is Trudy's backside.
Ahh, a Canadian winter.
And, I have a new best friend. Her name is Long Underwear. It's quite an intimate relationship, and God help Michael is he tries to steal her away. He has his own best friend.
However, I am leaving Miss Long Underwear behind in a few weeks when we take off for our first winter vacation ever!!! To St. Lucia. Yippee.
Have a fairly quiet day. got the notes a few days ago on suggested adjustments to the novella for literacy I wrote. It features Chief Inspector Gamache et al in a murder in Three Pines. It's called The Hangman. Hope to get the notes finished by the end of the weekend. Also want to write the January newsletter. How times slips away! It's almost January.
Off to a birthday party tonight. Indeed, am hoping to have all the editing etc done by the beginning of January...and then, for the most part, take two months off! I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am, though I imagine you know.
Things always appear - an event here or there, an interview, some more unexpected editing. (Just got, on Christmas Eve, the line edits for the paperback edition of THE BRUTAL TELLING - they need to be read by the end of the week, and any corrections sent to England). But what I hope not to do is do any writing in two months. Spend the time relaxing, playing...and thinking about the next book, which I will begin writing the first of March. It needs thought, and some planning. Mostly what I need to do is give it some time to just start hearing conversations, seeing scenes, fleshing out characters until they can walk and talk on their own. Quiet time. Preferably on a beach.
Be well - will talk to you tomorrow. If I figure out how to attach a book to the toes of my boots, or, to Trudy's behind, I'll let you know.
Freezing rain in the forecast, but for now it's quite nice. Just came back from breakfast with Joan, then took Trudy around the pond...a trudge through the now. head down into the blowing wind and drifting snow. it occured to me I definitely see more of my boots than anything else in winter. Beautiful vistas are lost on me...all I see are the tips of my boots as they sink into the snow. Boots should be more interesting. Perhaps build a video monitor into them, or a book. When I do look up all I see, through the swirling snow, is Trudy's backside.
Ahh, a Canadian winter.
And, I have a new best friend. Her name is Long Underwear. It's quite an intimate relationship, and God help Michael is he tries to steal her away. He has his own best friend.
However, I am leaving Miss Long Underwear behind in a few weeks when we take off for our first winter vacation ever!!! To St. Lucia. Yippee.
Have a fairly quiet day. got the notes a few days ago on suggested adjustments to the novella for literacy I wrote. It features Chief Inspector Gamache et al in a murder in Three Pines. It's called The Hangman. Hope to get the notes finished by the end of the weekend. Also want to write the January newsletter. How times slips away! It's almost January.
Off to a birthday party tonight. Indeed, am hoping to have all the editing etc done by the beginning of January...and then, for the most part, take two months off! I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am, though I imagine you know.
Things always appear - an event here or there, an interview, some more unexpected editing. (Just got, on Christmas Eve, the line edits for the paperback edition of THE BRUTAL TELLING - they need to be read by the end of the week, and any corrections sent to England). But what I hope not to do is do any writing in two months. Spend the time relaxing, playing...and thinking about the next book, which I will begin writing the first of March. It needs thought, and some planning. Mostly what I need to do is give it some time to just start hearing conversations, seeing scenes, fleshing out characters until they can walk and talk on their own. Quiet time. Preferably on a beach.
Be well - will talk to you tomorrow. If I figure out how to attach a book to the toes of my boots, or, to Trudy's behind, I'll let you know.
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