lupins

Mainly sunny, hot, temps 30

Another stunner. Gorgeous. Spent the morning on the screen porch, writing. I wish I could say I was editing, but the truth is, I'm doing mostly original writing...doing new scenes at the beginning of the book.

But I really like what I'm doing, and don't feel at all badly that all the writing I did months ago to start the book will never be read...will in fact disappear. Because I know two things....what I'm doing now is better. And I needed to write what I did before to be able to write this.

It's all a process...building on itself. And the beginning of my books are almost always going to need re-writing because when I start a book the themes and direction are never as clear as when I finish. So the second draft is done from a whole different perspective.

I'm actually very excited about this stage...not at all afraid anymore, even though it looks as though the editing is really more of a second draft than an edit. And will almost certainly take longer than expected. But I'm now hoping to have this draft finished by the beginning of July. We're going to NY for a few days early in the month to celebrate a friend's birthday so I'm aiming to have it done then.

Lovely life. To sit on the porch, looking over the gardens, and writing about Three Pines, about Clara and Ruth and Gamache.

when I'd finished for the day I took Trudy for a walk - and found that the lupins by the pond were out.

Did I mention that a duck is nesting on the island? Trudy and I scared it by mistake a few days ago and it flew away...then I worried it wouldn't come back - but I didn't want to check, and scare it again. But Victor and Michael reported it was back. So we're expecting a brood of ducklings any day now.

My Assistant Lise dropped by with the flats of annuals. She'll put them in tomorrow. And Kirk came by with a suggestion for a wall colour for the Montreal apartment.

Nice, nice day. I feel at peace.

Asperagus

Mainly sunny, mild, temps 14

Another gorgeous day. The asperagus is just coming up in the cutting garden. Normally I realize it's up when I see it in bloom out the kitchen window. This year I'm determined not to forget it's there.

How wonderful is fresh asperagus? My brother Doug planted it when he came to live with us for a year. We miss him - but thank God he left his vegetables.

We're off to Boston tomorrow. One of our favorite cities. We adore it. Quite a bit like Montreal we find - a very people-oriented city. We're going down mostly on personal stuff. But once the people we were visiting settled on what weekend would suit them we re-arranged the Burnham Library event (originally for this weekend) thanks to the kindness of Marty, and made arrangements to be in Boston. Then I got in touch my the publicists about it.

I'm fortunate to have two publicists (high maintenance, you know...all those unreasonable requests). There's Hector at St Martin's Minotaur. He's absolutely fantastic. Just had a baby, and it hasn't seemed to have thrown him off at all. Though Hector sleep deprieved and Hector normal are hard to tell apart.

And we have Kathleen at Goldberg McDuffie in New York. They're terrific publicists.

So I contacted them, told them the weekend our people wanted us in Boston and asked if there was anything they could set up.

Loe and behond, they did! A TV interview tomorrow, and two signings on Friday. Leaves Saturday free for our personal stuff - which we're really looking forward to.

I'll be posting from Boston to keep you up to date.

We decided to drive down...leaving 5 am tomorrow - to make the 1pm tv interview.

Must run...lunch is ready. Just back with Michael and the 'girls' from a walk. Tons of tadpoles in the pond - and huge numbers of bass. Sadly our little duck eggs have been abandonned. And the ducks are gone. Feel horrible about that.

Will try to post again soon...be well.

Guck

sunny, warm, highs 16

What a glorious day! spent the morning writing - a little scary getting back into the story, but once in it seemed to go well. All these red herrings and misdirections and suspects floating around - at this stage I need to be tying them up and resolving things, which I am, but I keep remembering things that need resolving! I should probably write them all down. And of course emotionally things are coming to a head for many of the characters. At this stage it's more an issue of structure and pacing than plot and character.

Trying to keep the critic out of the room - but she's wily, and strong and cunning. Happily, so am I.

The contest to win a signed copy of Julia Spencer Fleming's new book I SHALL NOT WANT is a huge success...almost too much! I'm overwhelmed with replies. Since I like to write back to everyone this might take a while. if you wrote - thank you SO much...the letters are wonderful!!! but please be patient. I definitely will respond.

Walked around the pond with the puppies this morning. Heaven. I stop at the far side and say a little prayer, and feel myself surrounded by light and love. It's a very peaceful moment in my life.

For some reason this morning there was only one goose, and a lone duck. I'm hoping they're both young and haven't yet found mates. I'm also hoping they don't mate...

Went to the feed store Edwards this afternoon for dog food, then into sutton for groceries...walked right by the gummy bears. Now I regret doing that!

Spoke to Gary and Cheryl. Gary did an amazing job on our ceiling. He was putting in a support beam while we were in London. When we got back the otehr day we ran in, at midnight, to look. Nothing. Furniture exactly where we left it - no beam in the ceiling. Clearly Gary had spent three weeks watching the sports network in flat-screen high definition on our bed. But, that wasn't right since there were no crumbs. Finally we saw some tiny marks on the living room ceiling...Gary had managed to bury the support beam. Though, when I called this afternoon he did say he'd just sprinkled some plaster around, re-arranged the furniture slightly and scratched the ceiling. We'll get the bill in a few days. We'll pay it, as we always do, with dog poop.

Having lunch next week with Cheryl. So looking forward to it.

Must run - have a couple hundred emails to respond to. Hope you're enjoying the spring. Be well.