Changing colours

partly cloudy, cool, temps 15

Seasonable day - we are into autumn. Spoke to Michael this morning and he told me the mountain behind our home is now all red and oranges...as the trees change colours. He was heading out to get croissants for his cousin Marjorie and our mutual friend Kate, who're coming to visit for a few days.

I'm so sorry to miss them. And miss the leaves changing. And miss Michael.

But I'm having fun here. So important, I realize, not to look sideways, at the stuff happening elsewhere. But to enjoy and appreciate exactly where I am.

Today is the celebration of David Thompson's life. The young co-owner of Murder by the Book in Houston who died suddenly, shockingly, almost two weeks ago. McKenna, his wife, and his friends and co-workers have organized a party for today, at the Briar Club in Houston, from 2 to 5. They've also set up a fund to help pay for a lasting memorial to this wonderful man. A scholarship perhaps. For those interested, here's the info from the Murder by the Book site...

Checks to the order of "In Memory of David Thompson" (NOT simply David Thompson)

Mail for deposit to:
7 E. 14th St. #1206
New York, NY 10003

It's being organized by a terrific NYC crime writer, Alafair Burke.

Wish I could be there - but I'm here.

Sitting in the Le Germain hotel room, watching the Sunday morning news programmes, eating fruit salad and drinking coffee. More editing on the newsletter and a last minute question from a reporter. This is a great hotel and excellent room. sort of like a loft - I think that's the look they're going for. A boutique hotel but instead of that being code for 'minuscule rooms' it is actually code for small hotel, huge rooms. And very cool washroom with a glass wall between the bedroom and the shower. And huge floor to ceiling windows looking into downtown montreal. The key is to remember, when standing in the shower, that the only thing between me and people across the way are two windows.

Wonderful mention of En plein coeur on the big Quebec TV morning show today...SalutBonjour.

And lovely review of BURY YOUR DEAD on Jim Napier's website, (he also put it in the Sherbrooke Record, where he does book reviews). www.deadlydiversions.com

donna, of Hachette Canada - the publishers - is coming by the hotel in about 45 minutes to drive me to Word on the Street in Kitchener for the two events. Not sure what to wear. Turtleneck? Sweater? Coat?

Not a bad life when that's the big issue.

A small update on our friend Louise. She's putting one foot in front of the other. Asking for help from people who specialise in grief counselling. She's amazing. I speak with her often, and email every day. And when I can't speak with her, Michael does. Since he lost his first wife to cancer he and Louise share an experience, a territory, known to them.

Must get dressed. Must remember to close the drapes when I do. don't want to blind Toronto!

Be well, McKenna. My head is here. My heart is in Houston today.

Stop the Clocks

overcast, cold, temps 13

This morning I received this message....

Murder by the Book posted the following at Facebook - "It is with deep sadness that we must share the news that David Thompson passed away suddenly on September 13, 2010. David worked at MBTB for 21 years, & he made an indelible impression on the store & everyone who met him. There will be a memorial service, and we will share the details as soon as they are available. In the meantime, David's wife, McKenna Jordan, asks that no tributes be sent to the bookstore for now. We appreciate the loving support that customers have always given the store, and in the difficult days to come we will need it more than ever."

I feel physically sick. David was young. A remarkable man. Not just a supporter of crime fiction, but he'd recently even started his own imprint. He was young. He was an enthusiastic, energetic, kind man. Knowledgeable. Passionate. Effective. Young. But more than any of that, he was a man who loved deeply. And who did he love? His glorious, remarkable bride, McKenna. Together they took over Murder By the Book. And then married, in a true love match, two kindred spirits, just a few years ago.

When Jacques died it wasn't a surprise. We could see that truck coming.

But this has laid me flat. And though I try to imagine how McKenna is feeling I can't. I spend most of my days imagining sudden death - trying to crawl into the hearts of those who lose loved ones suddenly. But when it actually happens, I realize I don't even come close.

And once again, I'm reminded of an Auden poem...and David and McKenna. Stop the Clocks.