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...

Mike Finnerty

started sunny, then clouded over and rumblings of thunder in the distance. warm. temps 26

Another lovely summer day. Michael and I sat on the porch and wrote. Michael's still at it...I've decided my cadence is to write/edit from 9am to 3pm - without break except to walk Trudy and make lunch. Then stop...and spend two hours doing the 'business' - returning emails, doing mail, organizing things. And try to be finished for the day around 5pm.

I've found I have to keep up a certain pace or I get swamped - and then its no fun.

Have a pre-interview Friday. A researcher from a prominent Quebec television show on literature will call, to see if my French is good enough to do a live interview in August. It's a terrific opportunity to promote the French version of Still Life - En plein coeur. But honestly, I'm not sure my French really is good enough. It's ok for social situations, and even meetings etc...but this demands expressing complex and nuanced thoughts. I realize my French probably makes me sound like a 14 or 15 year old. That's about the level of my complexity and subtlety. It's frustrating...to have deep thoughts and feelings, and not to be able to properly express them. Gives me a little insight into how stroke victims might feel - having all these thoughts and unable to express them except in the most blunt way.

But - we'll see. Perhaps a miracle will occur. Zoot alors. (see what I mean?)

We heard the fabulous news yesterday that our friend Mike Finnerty has been confirmed as the new host of the Montreal CBC Radio morning show, Daybreak!!! He resigned a couple of years ago to head back to London to work at the Guardian. But he missed live radio and Montreal. So now he's coming back!!

He's a magnificent journalist and wonderful host and we are beyond happy - as friends, and CBC Radio listeners. Yay!

OK, off now to reply to some emails and get some books ready to mail.

Trudy's home!

Sunny, hot, temps 27

Well, it's really hot! Can't quite believe it. Keep changing clothing, getting skimpier and skimpier. But wow does it feel wonderful after the long winter - and that was just the April in London!

Here's Trudy, on our dock. She's home now and a little groggy after being fixed but besides that surprisingly peppy. We just need to walk her on a leash, which surprises her, and check her wound for infection. They gave us some pain-killers - will try not to take them ourselves.

Just got off the phone from a local man - Dr. Grondin I think he said his name is. He asked if I'd speak to his club in a weeks time. They have dinner meetings at the Auberge West Brome, just down the road. I said I'd love to. Then he asked the 'question juste' - do you speak French? What to say? for once I was honest...yes, I said, but perhaps not well enough to carry a 1 hour talk to people who've already had quite a bit of wine. Though, actually, that would help. They can have wine, I can take Trudy's pain-killers and we're all happy (except Trudy). I've given talks in French before, and run meetings in French - but it's just so much work, I'd rather not. But he was very kind and said his members understand English. I guess we'll see. If need be I'll try out my Russian.

Adeen haladeelnik. One refridgerator. Short, kind of mysterious. Almost poetic.

Trees are exploding in bloom - last of the daffodils cut - I put them in a vase and will walk over to the guest cottage to leave them there for Susan, who's coming down tomorrow. In fact, I put on my rubber boots to do that, then got side-tracked by messages, and thought I might as well blog while I'm here. My feet are quite hot now. I wonder if this blog is deteriorating?

Staked up the peonies yesterday and made arrangements for a local organic farmer to bring produce by every Thursday throughout the summer. Yum.

I'm off to take the flowers next door then sit out by the pool with the proofs. At one stage the proof editor actually calls Gamache stupid. I don't think that's called for. Another bit like that and the pages might find themselves falling into the goose poop zone of the pond.

Still writing book 5 - every morning and into the early afternoon. Things are coming together, clues revealed...stuff Gamache (who isn't in the least bit stupid) has wondered about throughout the investigation are becoming clearer. I love this part.

Be well. Be kind.