Still here - plugging away!

mainly sunny, hot, temps 29

Beautiful day...sunny, hot and humid - though clouding over a bit now. thunder storms forecast.

My brother, Dog, dropped by for a short visit. Just overnight. always such fun having him here. And I think, given Lucy's unexpected loss, that added a layer of gratitude. That I could still hug my brother. And laugh with him and tell him things few others would be interested in. And see him and Michael kid each other, and be so comfortable together.

We called back and forth to Regina, where our other brother, Rob and his wife Audi live. We're trying to arrange the annual family reunion for Thanksgiving. We think we'll rent a home in or around Niagara-on-the-lake. Beautiful community in Ontario, close to Niagara Falls.

I want to sincerely thank all of you for your support of Lucy. I know how much she, and her family, have appreciated it. And I appreciate it too. thank you.

Sorry for the blog silence. Feeling a little overwhelmed right now. With the editing, and the need to keep up a certain pace so that I'll be finished before I go on tour. And all sorts of great things happening, but each demanding time and attention. Teresa Chris, my agent, has just sold the books to be translated into Greek, Taiwan (Chinese), Portuguese (bringing the total to 20 languages)- but most of these countries need complex tax forms filled out and stamped by Canadian tax authorities and sent on.

That takes time. And who really likes paperwork???

So many things have come as a surprise in having a writing career. Most very, very good. The magnificent friends I've made...the people I've met. You. And the excitement that never diminishes in having a manuscript accepted....and then, that magical day of holding it in my hands. Wow.

but it can also be a bit overwhelming. Right now, as I seem to race toward the fall tour, I want to finish the book. And not just finish - but make it as wonderful as I can. So I find I need to stop and go back, and go over, and add, and adjust....then move forward. And it always takes far more time than I expect. I had a thought today about how to make a scene better about 20 pages earlier....so tomorrow I'll go back and redo it. sort of like ripping the knitting out. Painful - but if you want a creation you're proud of, that will forever be associated with you - then it is necessary.

Michael and I stayed in Montreal after James Hoblyn's funeral - figuring getting over the bridges on a friday afternoon would not be pleasant. So we over-nighted at the apartment, woke up at 5:15am - drove to Sutton (bridges a dream) - and met Gary and Cheryl for breakfast at Le Cafetier.

Susan's at the guest cottage, so we went over there for dinner Saturday and she came over here for drinks and a swim yesterday before doug arrived.

The Knowlton literary festival, called WordFest is this coming weekend...I'll tell you more about it in the next post - I hope.

sort of a scattered post - but lots to catch up on.

James Hoblyn - 46

sunny day, warm, temps 25

We came in to Montreal to be at the funeral of James Hoblyn.

Neither Michael nor I ever met him. Nor have we met his wife, Josee, or his three daughters, Emilie, Charlotte and Ashley. Nor have we met his brother, Thomas.

But we know and love James' sister, Lucy.

Lucy and her husband Danny own and run Brome Lake Books in Knowlton. Many of you have spoken to Lucy on the phone, arranging for Vive Gamache mugs, or signed books. And I know how much Lucy and Danny love the contacts and have grown to feel many of you have become friends.

In fact, Danny and their youngest son, Ben, were at our place having a swim and drinks by the pool on Sunday, before they got the news.

James Hoblyn was 46. An executive at Bombardier. He was training for a marathon. He was adored by his daughters and loved by his wife. And he died of a massive heart attack.

I honestly can't speak to how many friends he had, but if he's like Lucy, he had a whole village full of friends. What I do know is that Knowlton convulsed when it heard. With pain. for one of their daughters, in such pain.

If you're one of the many people who have corresponded with Danny and Lucy - or spoken to them - perhaps you can email again. A word of kindness. and support. I know it often seems there's so little to be said in the face of such grief. But we all know how deeply meaningful it is to feel that support. Even from relative strangers. Every bit of kindness helps.

their email is: blb@b2b2c.ca