Leaks

partly cloudy, cold, temps 8

I swear it was almost cold enough to snow this morning. Blech. But at least it isn't raining!

The pool seems to have sprung another leak.

Trying not to stress about it - we've decided to note the waterline and see if it goes lower - then contact our pool guy.

The really wonderful spot is that Gary has managed to fix the roof of the screen porch so it doesn't leak!!! (Perhaps the leak has just moved over to the pool...maybe we're destined to always have a leak someplace) We are beyond thrilled and relieved. Gives us back the use of the porch. poor guy was here for 5 hours on Friday fixing it. And God knows, we had a great test with the torrential rains yesterday.

Writing going well...mapping out where I'm going next is great...at this stage the writing is easy and fun - it's just the structure that's a challenge. Needing, as I've said before, to bring everything together and do it with some elegance.

Just returned from Brunch over at Susan's. Always fun. And Mike - who is leaving CBC Radio for the Guardian - I think I told you about that earlier in the week - sent some emails from listeners after his big announcement on Thursday. I'd begged him to do it, and needed to almost threaten the poor guy before he agreed to send some. But they're very moving. Mike has really made a difference to the listeners - creating a fabulous, insightful, smart but also warm show. So that was really fun, reading all the great things people were saying about our wonderful friend.

Be well - will talk tomorrow...if I don't spring a leak, though that might look after the water retention.

If I only had a brain...

very windy, rainy chilly, temps 14

Power keeps flickering off today. Sitting once again by a fire - in mid-May. Listening to the wind biffet the house. Thank God for brick homes. Have put water in the tub in case the power goes off and we need it to prime the pump. Will take Trudy out soon. Actually, I want to cut the last of the daffodils in the cutting garden, and some tulips and take them over to the cottage. Susan arriving tomorrow for the long weekend.

Listened to our great friend Mike Finnerty on his CBC Radio show this am. He announced what we already knew but couldn't say - he's leaving Daybreak to move back to London. His partner Dom has a wonderful job there...and Dom (such an amazing person) - gave up his career in London so that Mike could follow his dream...and now it's time for Mike to go back so that Dom and pick up. And Dom - because he's brilliant - has a great new job there...even in this economy!

And Mike - because he's brilliant - has also got a fabulous and exciting new job in London. He'll be working at The Guardian! A journalists dream...and they're so smart to hire Mike. He'll be their editor for theguardian.co.uk - their website and comcasts. Thrilling new field.

But we're heartbroken to lose him - from our radios but mostly from our lives. Still, we'll be visiting, and they'll be visiting us.

Lise came today - some book work, but mostly she and Donna dove into the garden and worked there. It looks great. Lets home a tree, or a house, doesn't land on it. If we see a bunch of Munchkins out the window we'll know we're not in Quebec anymore.

Wrote well over 2,000 words this morning...hit another turning point but I think I negotiated it ok...feels good. Right now I'm trying to turn everything to the endgame. So everything is driving toward the solution.

Exciting, but often scary, stage.

Well, off into the storm with Toto. Auntie Em, Auntie Em...