Mainly sunny, some snow this morning, temps minus 11
Drove in to Montreal this morning. Woke up to lots of beautiful, fluffy snow falling. Less beautiful when you're on the road. Got caught behind a huge snow plow for about 20 kilometers. The downside is that it goes at about 25 kilometers an hour. Creeping along as it plows the snow off the road. The upside is that it is plowing the snow off the road. Ridiculous to speed to get to the destination 5 minutes earlier. But, God help me, I've done it. Drove like a maniac when I was in my twenties. Not necessarily really reckless - but I don't think I used the best judgement.
Michael and Trudy stayed at home. I have an interview tomorrow with the marvelous Nathalie Petrowski, of La Presse. We're meeting for breakfast at Chez Nick's. Then I'll head back home.
No more squirrels - though there is one snooping around the house. I do wonder if it's one of the fellas we re-located. Returned home. Our home, and apparently their's too. I stare at it, as it plays on the honeysuckle and sits in the bird feeder, but frankly they all look the same to me.
Great news about the mother and puppies - the black labs who'd been abused near our home. All the puppies have been adopted, and the Mom has gone to a fabulous home in Quebec City. I have to say, we'd have loved to have be able to adopt one of them. But very, very happy they're all in loving homes.
Watching the football games, and exchanging emails with Michael - we always seem to root for different teams.
Hope you're well and enjoying your weekend.
Showing posts with label squirrels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label squirrels. Show all posts
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Thursday, 6 January 2011
Squirrels in the attic
Partly cloudy, cool, temps minus 4
...and squirrels in the walls. And the basement. Actually, it isn't quite the invasion it seems. We think it's the same squirrel, running around. Inside. This is not the best thing that can happen. But when we called (who else) Tony he came by, looked at the evidence and said -
'I think it's a beaver.'
'Huh?'
Then he laughed. Damn. We fall for it every time. But it does seem to be a squirrel, so now we have a live trap in the basement (don't tell the squirrel). We check it all the time, and when/if the squirrel wanders in we'll call (who else) Tony and tell him we caught a bear cub.
He'll come by and drive it far enough from the house that it won't find its way back. But the key is to try to figure out how it got in, and plug the hole.
Went to exercise class today. Then errands around town. And heard from the Quebec publisher that Le Telejournal - which is the biggest TV show in Quebec, is interested in doing an interview with me next week. Dear Lord. Now I really do have to become bilingual, by next Wednesday. It's like cramming for an exam - trying to guess what questions they might ask, then boning up on possible answers in beautiful french. Now, unless they want to know the menu of the local bistro, I have a lot of work ahead.
I was just beginning to really relax too. Takes a while to realize there 's nothing to worry about - I've been so used to worry. And stress. When it comes off it takes some time to creak back to place. But now with Le Telejournal the worry is back. Like a squirrel in my head.
You don't think...
...and squirrels in the walls. And the basement. Actually, it isn't quite the invasion it seems. We think it's the same squirrel, running around. Inside. This is not the best thing that can happen. But when we called (who else) Tony he came by, looked at the evidence and said -
'I think it's a beaver.'
'Huh?'
Then he laughed. Damn. We fall for it every time. But it does seem to be a squirrel, so now we have a live trap in the basement (don't tell the squirrel). We check it all the time, and when/if the squirrel wanders in we'll call (who else) Tony and tell him we caught a bear cub.
He'll come by and drive it far enough from the house that it won't find its way back. But the key is to try to figure out how it got in, and plug the hole.
Went to exercise class today. Then errands around town. And heard from the Quebec publisher that Le Telejournal - which is the biggest TV show in Quebec, is interested in doing an interview with me next week. Dear Lord. Now I really do have to become bilingual, by next Wednesday. It's like cramming for an exam - trying to guess what questions they might ask, then boning up on possible answers in beautiful french. Now, unless they want to know the menu of the local bistro, I have a lot of work ahead.
I was just beginning to really relax too. Takes a while to realize there 's nothing to worry about - I've been so used to worry. And stress. When it comes off it takes some time to creak back to place. But now with Le Telejournal the worry is back. Like a squirrel in my head.
You don't think...
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
Thank you
clear, cold, highs minus 14
GREAT news! The paperback sales of A FATAL GRACE are booming in the US! Just heard from the publishers - and they're thrilled. And if they're happy you can just imagine how I feel. Wow. It's so exciting to think of people hearing about the series then buying the books.
I mention this for a couple of reasons - it's a huge event in my publishing life and I wanted to share it with you. But equally important I know people hear about the series through you. I know how many of you have been spreading the word - in some cases accosting complete strangers - well done! And I'm SO grateful.
It's so difficult getting the word out. I've been extremely lucky, but even so it's hard work. And a shattering number of wonderful books bob to the surface then sink from sight. There are just so many books out there.
that's still, of course, a possibility with the Three Pines series. We haven't quite hit the 'tipping point' yet. But I think we're close. And I know it's because you're such great support.
Thank you! And I'm afraid I'll be calling on that support again in a few weeks when the third book, THE CRUELEST MONTH, comes out in the United States. But, you know I hope, that I don't expect you to do anything. And don't feel badly if you don't tell anyone about the books. That's not expected, not what this blog or this experience is about. It's not necessary. Some people are good at it, and some not. Frankly, I'm not so good at it. It's excrutiating for me to approach a stranger in a store and tell them about my book. I feel like I'm melting.
I still try to do it (though don't always find the courage) - but then they're my books. I really don't want any of you to feel you should do the same thing. But I also do know most of you have told family and friends and that is massive.
I'm going on too long about this, and feel I've been a little flat-footed - but I'm thrilled and wanted to share the delight!
Great news too - I've finished the party scene. Will spend today going back over it...already I see a few small holes or wrong words. Things that occur in the night, or while watching the primary returns, just before my mind goes numb.
Had to decline an invitation to tour Canada's Northwest Territories next winter. I;'ve never been there and I hear the Arctic is amazing. I'd have loved to go but amazingly I seem quite booked already and just couldn't find the time. Next winter I'll be researching and writing the next book, in Quebec City, then doing the next US tour, the Hawaii (yup) for Left Coast Crime, then UK for British stuff. This is all a year away. But what fun. Still, I asked if they'd mind inviting me again the next year and I'll make time. It's not book sales there, it's a literacy push.
I was in the bath yesterday afternoon (where else) and heard a squirrel trying to get in through the roof. They can be quite destructive. My options were to call out for Michael, get out of the bath, or phone Anthony or Lise (only because she's our external common sense).
I stayed in the bath. Once out I noticed that the TV antenna was missing. Not a tiny rabbit's ear contraption on the roof, but quite a large tower planted in the ground next to the house. Either our squirrels know Roger Clemens or that scratching sound wasn't them.
As you probably know, a good writer notices things - so it's both humbling and disconcerting to realize someone could walk off with our communications tower and me not even notice.
Of course there's also the humbling evidence of laziness. Oh, well. At least I'm clean and hydrated and that's all that matters.
Off to the office today. Hope you're well and I'll write tomorrow.
GREAT news! The paperback sales of A FATAL GRACE are booming in the US! Just heard from the publishers - and they're thrilled. And if they're happy you can just imagine how I feel. Wow. It's so exciting to think of people hearing about the series then buying the books.
I mention this for a couple of reasons - it's a huge event in my publishing life and I wanted to share it with you. But equally important I know people hear about the series through you. I know how many of you have been spreading the word - in some cases accosting complete strangers - well done! And I'm SO grateful.
It's so difficult getting the word out. I've been extremely lucky, but even so it's hard work. And a shattering number of wonderful books bob to the surface then sink from sight. There are just so many books out there.
that's still, of course, a possibility with the Three Pines series. We haven't quite hit the 'tipping point' yet. But I think we're close. And I know it's because you're such great support.
Thank you! And I'm afraid I'll be calling on that support again in a few weeks when the third book, THE CRUELEST MONTH, comes out in the United States. But, you know I hope, that I don't expect you to do anything. And don't feel badly if you don't tell anyone about the books. That's not expected, not what this blog or this experience is about. It's not necessary. Some people are good at it, and some not. Frankly, I'm not so good at it. It's excrutiating for me to approach a stranger in a store and tell them about my book. I feel like I'm melting.
I still try to do it (though don't always find the courage) - but then they're my books. I really don't want any of you to feel you should do the same thing. But I also do know most of you have told family and friends and that is massive.
I'm going on too long about this, and feel I've been a little flat-footed - but I'm thrilled and wanted to share the delight!
Great news too - I've finished the party scene. Will spend today going back over it...already I see a few small holes or wrong words. Things that occur in the night, or while watching the primary returns, just before my mind goes numb.
Had to decline an invitation to tour Canada's Northwest Territories next winter. I;'ve never been there and I hear the Arctic is amazing. I'd have loved to go but amazingly I seem quite booked already and just couldn't find the time. Next winter I'll be researching and writing the next book, in Quebec City, then doing the next US tour, the Hawaii (yup) for Left Coast Crime, then UK for British stuff. This is all a year away. But what fun. Still, I asked if they'd mind inviting me again the next year and I'll make time. It's not book sales there, it's a literacy push.
I was in the bath yesterday afternoon (where else) and heard a squirrel trying to get in through the roof. They can be quite destructive. My options were to call out for Michael, get out of the bath, or phone Anthony or Lise (only because she's our external common sense).
I stayed in the bath. Once out I noticed that the TV antenna was missing. Not a tiny rabbit's ear contraption on the roof, but quite a large tower planted in the ground next to the house. Either our squirrels know Roger Clemens or that scratching sound wasn't them.
As you probably know, a good writer notices things - so it's both humbling and disconcerting to realize someone could walk off with our communications tower and me not even notice.
Of course there's also the humbling evidence of laziness. Oh, well. At least I'm clean and hydrated and that's all that matters.
Off to the office today. Hope you're well and I'll write tomorrow.
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