Seven days

Overcast, mild, temps 20

Rained buckets in the night. Perfect for the gardens and the water table.

There are all sorts of wild turkeys around the place - with their little ones. Quite worried what will happen in a few weeks when hunting season begins. They seem totally unafraid of people. Silly things.

Went off to Cowansville for breakfast this morning...very tasty. Did some errands including looking at a bridge. Michael had the great idea of having another bridge put in from the island in our pond to the other side. Right now we, of course, have one bridge, but it would be fun to keep going and have another. So we looked at some very attractive cedar bridges. But the man gave me the creeps. Seemed sort of boozy, at 11am. Thought this might not be the guy we want to invite onto our property.

Still, Michael had a great idea. Will just search around.

Have been asked by the Sunday Telegraph in London to write a travel article on Quebec City. Will do that this afternoon. Happily, as many of you know, we spent a month there this past winter - and I lived there for a few years - so I know it quite well. And, of course, I adore it.

Put on one of my autumn coats today. Put my hand in the pocket, and discovered a time machine...of sorts. Found a map of the Art Gallery of Ontario from a couple of years ago. Receipts from Canada Post and some construction material. A To Do list -including dry cleaning, nuts, fish nets and mosaic tiles. Makes you wonder what we were building.

Also found 11 cents and a golf tee.

The other pocket was filled with dog treats.

And that was the big excitement today. Have I killed you yet? Or are you made of stronger stuff?

Actually, these are terrifically exciting times!!! Seven days to go until the US launch of THE BRUTAL TELLING. Hope you like it!