overcast, rainy and windy temps 12
perfect day. Rain - and therefore quiet. Absolutely wonderful to sleep beside Michael - feel Trudy sneak up onto the bed and curl up at our feet into a tight ball of golden retriever. Thanksgiving was amazing - but it's sure great to be home. took a fall photo out by the pond and wanted to show you before we lost all the leaves (which happened today in the rain and wind - definitely past peak now) - but then the Blackberry network crashed. I'm quite relieved to hear it - I was wondering why our messages suddenly wouldn't send, and we hadn't received one in 6 hours.
Odd feeling. Both relieved and mystified. Nothing that needed responding to - but suddenly felt sort of bereft.
Will post the photo when I can. Strangely enough I just tried to re-send and it wouldn't go. Oh well.
The renovations are going brilliantly - thank god. We had just enough sunny , dry weather that they were able to rebuild both roofs - and finished yesterday. Today the rains came. Wow. Perfect.
Now they're working indoors - and I hope going like stink since the Ikea kitchen comes next week, as does the gas fireplace. I'm praying to the construction gods - Mercury perhaps, with his little helmet? Thor with his hammer. I think the Gods of Construction must have a sense of humour - and feed on money.
Still - no flights, no drives, no speaking. Just loving being home and even working in the kitchen. I missed cooking, can you believe it. Lunacy, I tell you - book tours bring on lunacy - though hardly a big transition from my normal state.
Michael's just left for the main house to check on construction...the hole for the fireplace was put off centre...by about half a foot - just enough to slightly annoy. And now the stained glass window Kirk found from an old Quebec nunnery, has also gone in off centre. Apparently there was no choice - and I believe them. They're really very good. It's just sort of funny that suddenly everything is just off centre.
Can't possibly be a message. From the Gods of Construction? Don't worry about such details, when so much is perfect.
Got it.
Loving being home. I think you know how I feel - but I just need to keep sighing and saying that. Though, interestingly, Michael and I have decided to plan an around-the-world trip to celebrate his 80th birthday. We'll do it a little early, but might as well. Perhaps in a year or so. So I find myself at home, googling 'around the world flights'.
How strange life can be. And delightful.
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Thursday, 13 October 2011
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
A string and a prayer
sunny, cloudy, warm, cold, dry - then torrential rains. All normal.
Back home in Sutton!! Feel I've been away longer than I have. So wonderful to be home. Played with Trudy, hugged Michael, cut the first peonies and some lupines out at the pond. visited Markus. Wrote. Took Trudy to the Vets, with Michael - just for some rabies shots and other shots...and some heart worm prevention stuff. All's well.
All's better than well.
When I stepped out of the car and hugged and kissed Michael and asked how his breakfast in Cowansville was he said - It was grovelous.
huh?
He started to say 'Grotesque' (as it massive) - and changed halfway to 'marvelous' (as in massive).
Feels so amazingly good to be home. But it was also a wonderful time away...everything, as you saw, went so smoothly.
Met Simone at 8 at the cafe creme in Westmount. hadn't met her before. She's the publicist for the launch of Still Life in French. The French title is En Plein Coeur - which means Right in the Heart. The literal, exact, translation of Still Life is - Nature Mort. A GREAT title, but so great it's been used a million times. So we went with the other, which is also a magnificent title.
The publisher herself, from Flammarion Quebec, Louise Loiselle, also came, which was a lovely surprise. She was on vacation. so the three of us sat around and talked strategy and touring and timing. And it became clear that this fall I would in fact be juggling three tours.
The US and Canadian tours for Bury Your Dead.
The Canadian tour for the literacy novella The Hangman
And the Canadian/Quebec tour for the French translation of Still Life, En Plein Coeur
Very exciting. But crucial to pay close attention to scheduling. fortunately, everyone is very reasonable and fairly flexible...though there are some dates that can't be changed...like the Miami and nashville and Montreal Book Fairs, and the literary festivals.
I had two very large, extra strong, cafe au laits - no breakfast - and boing...what a caffeine rush! Drove - having to pay close attention - to my dentist for a cleaning - then home.
It was very cold this morning, but Michael told me he bundled up, put the roof down, and drove the beetle to Cowansville for breakfast. I tell you - he's in love with this car.
Our neighbor saw him and remembered he - like one of you - used to have a karman Gia (sp?) Said he might just see if he can get one again. We might have to rename the road...VW way.
Gary's coming on Thursday to take a photo of me with the car for The Globe and Mail. I thought it would be fun to sit in the car and have old fashioned goggles and a scarf appear to be flapping out behind me...but I would obviously be stationary. So I did what I always do... Oh, Lise...
Emailed My Assistant Lise and asked her how she'd get that effect. A few hours later she sent back the funniest email, with a bunch of suggestions! What a creative woman she is...and i have to think, not many assistants get urgent requests like that.
her winning suggestion is to tie some thin nylon string to the end and hold it up (out of camera range) with a pole. so it looks like it's heading straight out behind me. Will let you know how it goes on Thursday.
Speak to you tomorrow!
Back home in Sutton!! Feel I've been away longer than I have. So wonderful to be home. Played with Trudy, hugged Michael, cut the first peonies and some lupines out at the pond. visited Markus. Wrote. Took Trudy to the Vets, with Michael - just for some rabies shots and other shots...and some heart worm prevention stuff. All's well.
All's better than well.
When I stepped out of the car and hugged and kissed Michael and asked how his breakfast in Cowansville was he said - It was grovelous.
huh?
He started to say 'Grotesque' (as it massive) - and changed halfway to 'marvelous' (as in massive).
Feels so amazingly good to be home. But it was also a wonderful time away...everything, as you saw, went so smoothly.
Met Simone at 8 at the cafe creme in Westmount. hadn't met her before. She's the publicist for the launch of Still Life in French. The French title is En Plein Coeur - which means Right in the Heart. The literal, exact, translation of Still Life is - Nature Mort. A GREAT title, but so great it's been used a million times. So we went with the other, which is also a magnificent title.
The publisher herself, from Flammarion Quebec, Louise Loiselle, also came, which was a lovely surprise. She was on vacation. so the three of us sat around and talked strategy and touring and timing. And it became clear that this fall I would in fact be juggling three tours.
The US and Canadian tours for Bury Your Dead.
The Canadian tour for the literacy novella The Hangman
And the Canadian/Quebec tour for the French translation of Still Life, En Plein Coeur
Very exciting. But crucial to pay close attention to scheduling. fortunately, everyone is very reasonable and fairly flexible...though there are some dates that can't be changed...like the Miami and nashville and Montreal Book Fairs, and the literary festivals.
I had two very large, extra strong, cafe au laits - no breakfast - and boing...what a caffeine rush! Drove - having to pay close attention - to my dentist for a cleaning - then home.
It was very cold this morning, but Michael told me he bundled up, put the roof down, and drove the beetle to Cowansville for breakfast. I tell you - he's in love with this car.
Our neighbor saw him and remembered he - like one of you - used to have a karman Gia (sp?) Said he might just see if he can get one again. We might have to rename the road...VW way.
Gary's coming on Thursday to take a photo of me with the car for The Globe and Mail. I thought it would be fun to sit in the car and have old fashioned goggles and a scarf appear to be flapping out behind me...but I would obviously be stationary. So I did what I always do... Oh, Lise...
Emailed My Assistant Lise and asked her how she'd get that effect. A few hours later she sent back the funniest email, with a bunch of suggestions! What a creative woman she is...and i have to think, not many assistants get urgent requests like that.
her winning suggestion is to tie some thin nylon string to the end and hold it up (out of camera range) with a pole. so it looks like it's heading straight out behind me. Will let you know how it goes on Thursday.
Speak to you tomorrow!
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Thank you, Ralph
overcast, rain, temps 17
Cool and rainy - but good for the garden, and it's the day we left Hovey anyway so we really don't mind the rain. Lilac almost out here at home. Even got the suitcase unpacked! I often can live out of it for a week - too lazy to totally unpack...so I do it in stages. Funny how easy it is to unpack at the hotel, but so hard to do it at home. I timed myself today. Took 7 minutes. And yet I can stretch it out for a week.
Nice to be home.
And lovely of Ralph Cosham to blog for us. What a wonderful post too. Thank you, Ralph.
On another topic, les Canadiens have so far lost both of their hockey games against Philadelphia. The first was 6 to 0! the second, last night, was 3-0. So we're getting better. I figure, at the rate they're going, they'll tie the next game, 0-0. Then win the next 3-0, etc. So, basically, the Habs have Philly just where we want 'em. What a plan.
Hoping to have another quiet day tomorrow and start getting ready for everyone arriving this weekend. Speak to you tomorrow!
Cool and rainy - but good for the garden, and it's the day we left Hovey anyway so we really don't mind the rain. Lilac almost out here at home. Even got the suitcase unpacked! I often can live out of it for a week - too lazy to totally unpack...so I do it in stages. Funny how easy it is to unpack at the hotel, but so hard to do it at home. I timed myself today. Took 7 minutes. And yet I can stretch it out for a week.
Nice to be home.
And lovely of Ralph Cosham to blog for us. What a wonderful post too. Thank you, Ralph.
On another topic, les Canadiens have so far lost both of their hockey games against Philadelphia. The first was 6 to 0! the second, last night, was 3-0. So we're getting better. I figure, at the rate they're going, they'll tie the next game, 0-0. Then win the next 3-0, etc. So, basically, the Habs have Philly just where we want 'em. What a plan.
Hoping to have another quiet day tomorrow and start getting ready for everyone arriving this weekend. Speak to you tomorrow!
Monday, 3 May 2010
catching my breath
sunny and warm now, but raining earlier temps 22...we're in Montreal
Phew...what a whirlwind. Amazing, fun, breath-taking. Yippiiiee. The phone and messages haven't stopped all day. I still have more than 100 emails to respond to. Not totally certain I'll get to them all.
Thank you, each and everyone, for your support, your celelbrations, your joy and your company. Your wanting me to win, but not caring if I didn't.
Did interviews today with 2 CBC Radio Shows...there're articles on CBC.ca and The Globe and Mail. Had to turn down a French interview because I was feeling so frazzled I knew I'd just butcher it...but I invited the reporter down to Sutton and said we could talk there, where it's more peaceful. Have an interview on Wednesday at noon with Vita Magazine - the French version of More. And then at 4pm with Chatelaine - which is a big Canadian women's magazine.
It's actually a bit like running full blast and hitting a wall. Deeply unexpected. A little stunning. Oddly bruising. But also - to get away from the wall analogy - very, very wonderful.
It gets a little confused because I'm also fighting to finish book 7 - and being away for so long (at least it feels like that) it took all day just re-reading and editing the previous two chapters to feel I was in anyway 'back' there in Three Pines with Gamache. And then the phone would ring...or there'd be an urgent email about an interivew or a photograph. Oh...I need to get a couple photos from the event...of just me and the Agatha. Michael took a few but other people - especially the glorious Hank Phillippi Ryan who won for BEst Short Story, were in his shots. In fact, that's one of the photos also on the facebook page.
But if any of you were there and have a photo of just me, me, me holding the Agatha teapot, I'd appreciate a copy.
I got absolutely no new writing done today - but I think I'm almost back to where I should be in terms of head-space.
Having said that - I know this may never, every happen again and I need to really savour it...and I am.
thank you again for all your kind words and encouragement!!!
Trip home was easy - short US air flight to Burlington. The only hitch was at the Phillipsburg border crossing back into Canada. Only two customs lanes open. Huge long line. I, of course, got into the slow one. And I mean SLOW. But we cleared eventually. got to the Montreal apartment...ordered pizza - and exhaled. Phew... that I think is always the best part...getting back quietly and being able to just slip into PJs, eat pizza, and smile.
Tomorrow Michael takes the car in - winter tired finally off...while I write. Then we have a Palliative Care talk late in the afternoon followed by a buffet supper with the organizor, a friend named Kappy Flanders.
We have friends with interesting names. Kappy. cotton. Wilder. susan. Well, her name is fine, it's the woman who's strange.
Will try to speak to you tomorrow. Be well - and thanks for the company.
Phew...what a whirlwind. Amazing, fun, breath-taking. Yippiiiee. The phone and messages haven't stopped all day. I still have more than 100 emails to respond to. Not totally certain I'll get to them all.
Thank you, each and everyone, for your support, your celelbrations, your joy and your company. Your wanting me to win, but not caring if I didn't.
Did interviews today with 2 CBC Radio Shows...there're articles on CBC.ca and The Globe and Mail. Had to turn down a French interview because I was feeling so frazzled I knew I'd just butcher it...but I invited the reporter down to Sutton and said we could talk there, where it's more peaceful. Have an interview on Wednesday at noon with Vita Magazine - the French version of More. And then at 4pm with Chatelaine - which is a big Canadian women's magazine.
It's actually a bit like running full blast and hitting a wall. Deeply unexpected. A little stunning. Oddly bruising. But also - to get away from the wall analogy - very, very wonderful.
It gets a little confused because I'm also fighting to finish book 7 - and being away for so long (at least it feels like that) it took all day just re-reading and editing the previous two chapters to feel I was in anyway 'back' there in Three Pines with Gamache. And then the phone would ring...or there'd be an urgent email about an interivew or a photograph. Oh...I need to get a couple photos from the event...of just me and the Agatha. Michael took a few but other people - especially the glorious Hank Phillippi Ryan who won for BEst Short Story, were in his shots. In fact, that's one of the photos also on the facebook page.
But if any of you were there and have a photo of just me, me, me holding the Agatha teapot, I'd appreciate a copy.
I got absolutely no new writing done today - but I think I'm almost back to where I should be in terms of head-space.
Having said that - I know this may never, every happen again and I need to really savour it...and I am.
thank you again for all your kind words and encouragement!!!
Trip home was easy - short US air flight to Burlington. The only hitch was at the Phillipsburg border crossing back into Canada. Only two customs lanes open. Huge long line. I, of course, got into the slow one. And I mean SLOW. But we cleared eventually. got to the Montreal apartment...ordered pizza - and exhaled. Phew... that I think is always the best part...getting back quietly and being able to just slip into PJs, eat pizza, and smile.
Tomorrow Michael takes the car in - winter tired finally off...while I write. Then we have a Palliative Care talk late in the afternoon followed by a buffet supper with the organizor, a friend named Kappy Flanders.
We have friends with interesting names. Kappy. cotton. Wilder. susan. Well, her name is fine, it's the woman who's strange.
Will try to speak to you tomorrow. Be well - and thanks for the company.
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
home!
partly cloudy, cool, temps minus 5
We're home. And as wonderful as Paradise is, well, this is Heaven on earth. Snow everywhere, of course. Another other things, now that Trudy is back. I was tossing her the ball this morning, and digging to try to find the one she'd lost in the deep snow, and realizing that when the spring comes our lawn will be littered with brilliant yellow tennis balls. And poop.
When we got home and pushed open the door (and were greeted by the unique scent of home) the first thing our eyes hit was a vase of fresh tulips! Up the few steps and into the kitchen, on the long pine table.
They were from our friend Kirk down the road, who is also, with Jane Walker (also a friend), our interior decorators. They're wonderful. They'd come over a few times before we left - I might have mentioned it - to choose fabric. We knew we needed the large sofa more or less re-built (a very big, and wide, author had sat there for 5 years writing and now the cushions rested on the floor)...so we decided we'd bite the bullet and recover the sofa, and two chairs...and might as well do the curtains (previously Ikea specials - I LOVE Ikea, but a little goes a long way). don't you find the 'might-as-well's kill you?
But while we were away Kirk and Jane worked their magic and we came home to fresh tulips and a brand new living room. Oh, it looks beautiful. Feels like a brand new room - warm, fresh, alive and comfortable. Trudy friendly too. But with a simple elegance. I hope. thanks to Kirk and Jane.
The trip home from St. Lucia could not have been easier. We hugged and kissed everyone...feeling very sad to leave the most stunning place, and the most gracious people. There's a saying that no man is a hero to his butler. I can't begin to say what the wonderful Malaika, Amos and Sabie thought of us, but I know what we thought of them. They were kind, thoughtful, dignified, warm.
As an example, on our last night Michael and I decided we'd have dinner at a restaurant called Barfeoot by the Sea...we'd eaten there the night before and adored it. It was scramble seating, which was fine with us...but we had to let Amos know our intention. Next thing we know, he was at the door to escort us down...he'd selected a lovely table on the shore, and sprinkled the table with flower blossoms.
I believe they do this for everyone, but Amos, Sabie and Malaika all made us feel we were the only ones they were caring for.
Never obsequious, always gracious...amazing people.
The resorrt arranged for a chauffer to drive us the 90 minutes to the airport. It's up and down and all around, and through the rain-forest. Glorious. But for a delicate flower like me (motion sickeness) a bit of a trial. So I dramamined up and even tried those pressure-point things you put on your wrist. Something worked because the drive was terrific.
Flight fast - uneventful - 4 hours. We were home and ordering pizza by 9pm.
It still amazes me...breakfast by the shores of the Caribbean and dinner with snow outside our window. We won't talk about lunch, which was an Air Canada special...which is to say, nothing.
We miss St. Lucia. Feel a little lost without someone to care for us - I can definitely see how people grown spoiled and entitled. Funny, but it doesn't seem such a bad thing now.
Mostly we feel lost and a little frightened out of sight of a buffet. We just stand in the kitchen pointing to our open mouths, and nothing happens.
I remember when my mother was alive my brothers and I would marvel that the further away she got from her sofa the odder she became. A transatlantic flight with her was quite an experience.
We feel a bit like with with the Sandals buffet table. But I think we'll survive. once we figure out how to use the oven again.
Breakfast tomorrow with Joan...we're making plans with friends. So wonderful to still have about 3 weeks 'holiday' before starting to write the next book. time to settle in and start structuring it...feeling and fleshing out the characters. Coming up with mis-directions and red herrings...I love that. But I have to stop myself from doing too much. Must leave space for inspiration.
I've decided I need to respectfully decline all invitations for at least march and april - to really concentrate on the writing. But today the phone rang and it was the Sutton Elementary School asking if I'd read to the kids and speak to them as part of their push to get kids passionate about reading.
I couldn't say YES fast enough. I remember when I realized I could be a writer...I was in elementary school.
The downside is that I'm rubbish with kids. Have no idea how to relate to them. I just pretend they're puppies - but that has its limits.
thank you too for all your comments on the blog while I was gone! I read them all but didn't respond since the internet wasn't covered and the rates were frankly ruinous - so I simply wrote real fast blogs...and scanned the comments, enjoying and appreciating them.
I know I say this a lot - but wow, are we lucky. To have had such a blessed and blissful holiday, and to be back in a home and community we love. Doing what I love.
Thanks for coming to St. Lucia! Must see most of our friends fast before the tans fade...already they seem tepid. Well, compared to that glowing, radioactive thing I was a few days ago. Ships at sea were making for me.
Speak to you tomorrow...
We're home. And as wonderful as Paradise is, well, this is Heaven on earth. Snow everywhere, of course. Another other things, now that Trudy is back. I was tossing her the ball this morning, and digging to try to find the one she'd lost in the deep snow, and realizing that when the spring comes our lawn will be littered with brilliant yellow tennis balls. And poop.
When we got home and pushed open the door (and were greeted by the unique scent of home) the first thing our eyes hit was a vase of fresh tulips! Up the few steps and into the kitchen, on the long pine table.
They were from our friend Kirk down the road, who is also, with Jane Walker (also a friend), our interior decorators. They're wonderful. They'd come over a few times before we left - I might have mentioned it - to choose fabric. We knew we needed the large sofa more or less re-built (a very big, and wide, author had sat there for 5 years writing and now the cushions rested on the floor)...so we decided we'd bite the bullet and recover the sofa, and two chairs...and might as well do the curtains (previously Ikea specials - I LOVE Ikea, but a little goes a long way). don't you find the 'might-as-well's kill you?
But while we were away Kirk and Jane worked their magic and we came home to fresh tulips and a brand new living room. Oh, it looks beautiful. Feels like a brand new room - warm, fresh, alive and comfortable. Trudy friendly too. But with a simple elegance. I hope. thanks to Kirk and Jane.
The trip home from St. Lucia could not have been easier. We hugged and kissed everyone...feeling very sad to leave the most stunning place, and the most gracious people. There's a saying that no man is a hero to his butler. I can't begin to say what the wonderful Malaika, Amos and Sabie thought of us, but I know what we thought of them. They were kind, thoughtful, dignified, warm.
As an example, on our last night Michael and I decided we'd have dinner at a restaurant called Barfeoot by the Sea...we'd eaten there the night before and adored it. It was scramble seating, which was fine with us...but we had to let Amos know our intention. Next thing we know, he was at the door to escort us down...he'd selected a lovely table on the shore, and sprinkled the table with flower blossoms.
I believe they do this for everyone, but Amos, Sabie and Malaika all made us feel we were the only ones they were caring for.
Never obsequious, always gracious...amazing people.
The resorrt arranged for a chauffer to drive us the 90 minutes to the airport. It's up and down and all around, and through the rain-forest. Glorious. But for a delicate flower like me (motion sickeness) a bit of a trial. So I dramamined up and even tried those pressure-point things you put on your wrist. Something worked because the drive was terrific.
Flight fast - uneventful - 4 hours. We were home and ordering pizza by 9pm.
It still amazes me...breakfast by the shores of the Caribbean and dinner with snow outside our window. We won't talk about lunch, which was an Air Canada special...which is to say, nothing.
We miss St. Lucia. Feel a little lost without someone to care for us - I can definitely see how people grown spoiled and entitled. Funny, but it doesn't seem such a bad thing now.
Mostly we feel lost and a little frightened out of sight of a buffet. We just stand in the kitchen pointing to our open mouths, and nothing happens.
I remember when my mother was alive my brothers and I would marvel that the further away she got from her sofa the odder she became. A transatlantic flight with her was quite an experience.
We feel a bit like with with the Sandals buffet table. But I think we'll survive. once we figure out how to use the oven again.
Breakfast tomorrow with Joan...we're making plans with friends. So wonderful to still have about 3 weeks 'holiday' before starting to write the next book. time to settle in and start structuring it...feeling and fleshing out the characters. Coming up with mis-directions and red herrings...I love that. But I have to stop myself from doing too much. Must leave space for inspiration.
I've decided I need to respectfully decline all invitations for at least march and april - to really concentrate on the writing. But today the phone rang and it was the Sutton Elementary School asking if I'd read to the kids and speak to them as part of their push to get kids passionate about reading.
I couldn't say YES fast enough. I remember when I realized I could be a writer...I was in elementary school.
The downside is that I'm rubbish with kids. Have no idea how to relate to them. I just pretend they're puppies - but that has its limits.
thank you too for all your comments on the blog while I was gone! I read them all but didn't respond since the internet wasn't covered and the rates were frankly ruinous - so I simply wrote real fast blogs...and scanned the comments, enjoying and appreciating them.
I know I say this a lot - but wow, are we lucky. To have had such a blessed and blissful holiday, and to be back in a home and community we love. Doing what I love.
Thanks for coming to St. Lucia! Must see most of our friends fast before the tans fade...already they seem tepid. Well, compared to that glowing, radioactive thing I was a few days ago. Ships at sea were making for me.
Speak to you tomorrow...
Thursday, 31 December 2009
un-sprung
overcast, mild, temps minus 2
We're back in Sutton. Seems even uneventful days become eventful. We never know what the day will bring. Very fun.
Today we awoke in Montreal, packed the car, returned the video of 30 Rock (loved it!) - went for breakfast at Nick's on Greene Ave - then drove to Michael's son's home to deliver the Christmas gift he intentionally left at our place over the holidays - he was going into the States and was concerned about explaining it at the border coming back.
This was also a good chance for Michael to show Vic his new Mercedes. I think the thing that thrills Michael the most is the key...or the fact you don't actually need the key to get in, or start the car. Well, you need it on you somewhere, but he can keep it in his pocket and it works.
He's like a kid. Vic says the Prius he drove over the holidays does the same thing. Great car, the Prius. We seriously considered it too - but no AWD.
Then we headed home - easy highway drive - and met Kirk in Cowansville to transfer ownership of my volvo to him. We're so happy it is going to people we love. It's a fabulous car. The other thing that was terrific was how easy the whole transfer thing was. We have an SAAQ in Quebec. Stands for the Societe Assurance Automobile du Quebec. Now, in Montreal going to the SAAQ is akin to walking into a black hole. Never to be seen again. or certain, never to be seen by a clerk.
Out here it's a small office, very efficient. No crowds. We were in and out in five minutes. Phew.
And now we're home - waiting for Trudy. And Kirk. He'd dropping by because we need his designing help with blinds for the bedroom windows...and the sofa in the living room I write on seems to be sagging. No doubt the weight of my words...the huge import of what I do...the staggering intellect has finally sprung the springs. Not the croissants and gummy bears.
But, while we're away in St. Lucia we'd love Kirk to arrange to have it re-strung or sprung or whatever you do with sofas. This is one of the huge, long things made, apparently, of wrought iron. Michael's mother (did I ever tell you this?) collected wrought iron. Some people collect spoons, or plates, limoges china, antiques. Michael's mother collected wrought iron stuff. Most of it gates we have lugged from place to place. This sofa, thankfully, isn't really made of iron but it sure feels like it. Solid oak I think. We also need it re-covered.
So, Kirk Lawrence to the rescue.
Oh, he just arrived. Must run.
have a happy and safe New year's eve! Speak to you tomorrow.
We're back in Sutton. Seems even uneventful days become eventful. We never know what the day will bring. Very fun.
Today we awoke in Montreal, packed the car, returned the video of 30 Rock (loved it!) - went for breakfast at Nick's on Greene Ave - then drove to Michael's son's home to deliver the Christmas gift he intentionally left at our place over the holidays - he was going into the States and was concerned about explaining it at the border coming back.
This was also a good chance for Michael to show Vic his new Mercedes. I think the thing that thrills Michael the most is the key...or the fact you don't actually need the key to get in, or start the car. Well, you need it on you somewhere, but he can keep it in his pocket and it works.
He's like a kid. Vic says the Prius he drove over the holidays does the same thing. Great car, the Prius. We seriously considered it too - but no AWD.
Then we headed home - easy highway drive - and met Kirk in Cowansville to transfer ownership of my volvo to him. We're so happy it is going to people we love. It's a fabulous car. The other thing that was terrific was how easy the whole transfer thing was. We have an SAAQ in Quebec. Stands for the Societe Assurance Automobile du Quebec. Now, in Montreal going to the SAAQ is akin to walking into a black hole. Never to be seen again. or certain, never to be seen by a clerk.
Out here it's a small office, very efficient. No crowds. We were in and out in five minutes. Phew.
And now we're home - waiting for Trudy. And Kirk. He'd dropping by because we need his designing help with blinds for the bedroom windows...and the sofa in the living room I write on seems to be sagging. No doubt the weight of my words...the huge import of what I do...the staggering intellect has finally sprung the springs. Not the croissants and gummy bears.
But, while we're away in St. Lucia we'd love Kirk to arrange to have it re-strung or sprung or whatever you do with sofas. This is one of the huge, long things made, apparently, of wrought iron. Michael's mother (did I ever tell you this?) collected wrought iron. Some people collect spoons, or plates, limoges china, antiques. Michael's mother collected wrought iron stuff. Most of it gates we have lugged from place to place. This sofa, thankfully, isn't really made of iron but it sure feels like it. Solid oak I think. We also need it re-covered.
So, Kirk Lawrence to the rescue.
Oh, he just arrived. Must run.
have a happy and safe New year's eve! Speak to you tomorrow.
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Home sweet home
snow storm, temps minus 3
Home, home, storm, blwoing snow, home, breakfast, home, home, writing cards, packaging and wrapping gifts for mailing, home, home, home, fireplace, home.
Cafe au lait, home, home, pannetone, walk Trudy. Home.
Michael falls on ice getting mail. Bruises hand, but nothing broken. Home. Quietly by fire. Hand puffs up. Hospital? No. Can move everything, just bruised. Still home.
Snow swirling outside. Feed birds. Wind and snow takes my breath away. Snow down my boots. But love it.
Michael's hand feels better. left hand. Good. Hot chocolate by fire. Home sweet home.
Home, home, storm, blwoing snow, home, breakfast, home, home, writing cards, packaging and wrapping gifts for mailing, home, home, home, fireplace, home.
Cafe au lait, home, home, pannetone, walk Trudy. Home.
Michael falls on ice getting mail. Bruises hand, but nothing broken. Home. Quietly by fire. Hand puffs up. Hospital? No. Can move everything, just bruised. Still home.
Snow swirling outside. Feed birds. Wind and snow takes my breath away. Snow down my boots. But love it.
Michael's hand feels better. left hand. Good. Hot chocolate by fire. Home sweet home.
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Home
clear, cold, temps minus 6
Home, home, home, home, home, home, home, home, home, home, home, home, home, home.
With Michael and Trudy.
Home.
Home, home, home, home, home, home, home, home, home, home, home, home, home, home.
With Michael and Trudy.
Home.
Friday, 4 December 2009
800???
Partly cloudy, mild, temps 5
We're home!!! Wow, when we left last Sunday it felt like we'd nmever make it...just so much to do in 5 days...but it all worked out so well. Indeed, nicely organized and timed. We had a travel day, then a work day, then a travel day and then a work day etc. And not being terrified of flying (just of speaking to 800 people) helps.
When they first asked me to do the Arts and Lectures event I said no. And debated whether to tell them the truth. That the idea terrified me. Made me sweat just imagining it. I decided to tell the truth and the two Susan's (the producers of the series) were so sympathetic and understanding, and comforting...telling me it doesn't feel like that many, and everyone is kind. So I agreed.
Then grew more and more fearful as the event approached.
Happily, 20 minutes before going on, Susan put me into the 'green' room by myself. It's a library! I immediately felt myself relax. I realize I respond very strongly to scents. And this place smelled of books. I could feel my tearing heart calm. And I could breathe deeply and start to relax and the scream in my head became a howl, become a moan and finally became just a whimper. And I could start to think straight.
Said a couple prayers. Thought a bit about what I wanted to say...then it was time to go on.
Amazing feeling to be backstage, in the darkness, but see through the crack of the curtain Susan at the podium, bright lights on her, doing the introduction. And seeing the faces. Fortunately, I could only really see the first few rows. But so many tickets had been sold they had to put seating on the stage, so there were tiers of people on either side.
And then to be introduced, take a deep breath, and walk through the curtains.
Honestly? It feels like falling off a cliff. Just opening my arms (figuratively) and doing what seems inconceivable. Walking out there.
But the Susan's were right. Everyone was very warm. I was quite nervous at first, then it receded, but about ten minutes into a 50 minute speech it came pounding back, like being blindsided. I don't know if any of you get panic attacks. I do. Not often, that God, anymore. But I still can. And speaking engagements are often a trigger.
I could feel it up there - the sudden light-headedness - becoming twitchy - having trouble breaking. But I know enough to realize a few deep breaths will solve it, so that's what I did - and it worked. Could feel my heart calm again.
And the rest was actually fun. Wonderful audience in Rochester. Very attentive and responsive. I didn't ever feel they were bored, or restless or being anything other than supportive.
We had about a ten minute question and answer at the end. Then it was over.
A year of worry, over.
Boy, does that feel great. But you know what feels the best? Standing in the dark, looking through the curtains, hearing my name....and doing the inconceivable by walking out there. Actually doing what scared me so much.
I feel good about that. And deeply grateful to my Higher Power for putting me in a library where I could inhale books. And grateful to the susans for insisting, and to the audience at the Arts and Lectures series for being so warm.
Finally met my publisher's mother in law, Esther. She came for the event, as did Donna and a few others...Maddie. Peoiple I'd never met, but have corresponded with.
This morning at 6am the two Susan's came by the hotel, picked us up and took us to the airport. Quick 40 minute flight )JetBlue -yay!!) to NYC, then another 40 minute flight (jetble - yay) to Burlington. Our friend Wilder picked us up - in our BMW - trying to get as much use squeezed out of it before we turn it in.
And now we're home!!!! Our friend Susan is arriving tomorrow - staying with us, then Sunday she and I will head off to Burlington again...for a girl's weekend of shopping, eating, yakking - and I have a couple of events too.
Then nothing until the new year. Yipppeee!!!!
Big exhale. Home.
We're home!!! Wow, when we left last Sunday it felt like we'd nmever make it...just so much to do in 5 days...but it all worked out so well. Indeed, nicely organized and timed. We had a travel day, then a work day, then a travel day and then a work day etc. And not being terrified of flying (just of speaking to 800 people) helps.
When they first asked me to do the Arts and Lectures event I said no. And debated whether to tell them the truth. That the idea terrified me. Made me sweat just imagining it. I decided to tell the truth and the two Susan's (the producers of the series) were so sympathetic and understanding, and comforting...telling me it doesn't feel like that many, and everyone is kind. So I agreed.
Then grew more and more fearful as the event approached.
Happily, 20 minutes before going on, Susan put me into the 'green' room by myself. It's a library! I immediately felt myself relax. I realize I respond very strongly to scents. And this place smelled of books. I could feel my tearing heart calm. And I could breathe deeply and start to relax and the scream in my head became a howl, become a moan and finally became just a whimper. And I could start to think straight.
Said a couple prayers. Thought a bit about what I wanted to say...then it was time to go on.
Amazing feeling to be backstage, in the darkness, but see through the crack of the curtain Susan at the podium, bright lights on her, doing the introduction. And seeing the faces. Fortunately, I could only really see the first few rows. But so many tickets had been sold they had to put seating on the stage, so there were tiers of people on either side.
And then to be introduced, take a deep breath, and walk through the curtains.
Honestly? It feels like falling off a cliff. Just opening my arms (figuratively) and doing what seems inconceivable. Walking out there.
But the Susan's were right. Everyone was very warm. I was quite nervous at first, then it receded, but about ten minutes into a 50 minute speech it came pounding back, like being blindsided. I don't know if any of you get panic attacks. I do. Not often, that God, anymore. But I still can. And speaking engagements are often a trigger.
I could feel it up there - the sudden light-headedness - becoming twitchy - having trouble breaking. But I know enough to realize a few deep breaths will solve it, so that's what I did - and it worked. Could feel my heart calm again.
And the rest was actually fun. Wonderful audience in Rochester. Very attentive and responsive. I didn't ever feel they were bored, or restless or being anything other than supportive.
We had about a ten minute question and answer at the end. Then it was over.
A year of worry, over.
Boy, does that feel great. But you know what feels the best? Standing in the dark, looking through the curtains, hearing my name....and doing the inconceivable by walking out there. Actually doing what scared me so much.
I feel good about that. And deeply grateful to my Higher Power for putting me in a library where I could inhale books. And grateful to the susans for insisting, and to the audience at the Arts and Lectures series for being so warm.
Finally met my publisher's mother in law, Esther. She came for the event, as did Donna and a few others...Maddie. Peoiple I'd never met, but have corresponded with.
This morning at 6am the two Susan's came by the hotel, picked us up and took us to the airport. Quick 40 minute flight )JetBlue -yay!!) to NYC, then another 40 minute flight (jetble - yay) to Burlington. Our friend Wilder picked us up - in our BMW - trying to get as much use squeezed out of it before we turn it in.
And now we're home!!!! Our friend Susan is arriving tomorrow - staying with us, then Sunday she and I will head off to Burlington again...for a girl's weekend of shopping, eating, yakking - and I have a couple of events too.
Then nothing until the new year. Yipppeee!!!!
Big exhale. Home.
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
ahhhh
sunny, cool, temps 4
Montreal - Yay! As wonderful as Britian was...and I could have happily stayed longer in London - it sure feels great to be home. Wonderful travel day too... not always a given. Heathrow was easy...helps to check-in on line. The Air Canada flight was almost empty so we got the emergency exit seats. We'd asked for them from the travel agent who assured us we had them, but they weren't the exit rows...indeed, she'd book us into the middle section...so not only were they not exit row, they were in the worst possible location. But we got really lucky and were able to switch once the plane was taxiing.
What a difference it makes!
And the flight attendents we had were just great! Again, not always the case. Often they're so harried and stressed - and some seem quite embittered - that it just makes an already dismal travel experience as a passenger all the worse. But this trip was great. Louise (one of our attendents) was delightful and kind...her husband is also named Michael...go figure. And Daniel was amazing...when not flying he volunteers for his local SPCA in Quebec and goes on Puppy Mill raids...and helped set up this huge raid in the papers today where 100 huskies were rescued.
Fascinating man. And it was quiet enough we got to talk a little to these two lovely people.
The only distressing part was one of the passengers was clearly quite ill. Throwing up all the time. She - poor one - was two aisles away and fortunately fell asleep for most of the flight. Her husband seemed to abandon her - choosing to move to a whole other cabin section.
But she was well looked after by the attendents. though - selfishly - I did wonder if she had H1N1 or the plague...or by the end of the flight I had us all succumbing to terrible illnesses - and/or put in quarantine. But no one seemed to concerned and she left the plane with the rest of us.
My noon event at the curling club has been cancelled - at least, it goes on but they cancelled me, thinking for some reason that I wasn't coming...crossed signals. Still, it gives me the day off and I'm almost giddy with excitement. Can't remember the last time I had a day off...no writing, editing, social events, speaking engagements...so I've rented a few movies, bought lots of candy and will get into my sweats, get into my bed and put the Star Trek new release in the machine...ahhhh.
Oh, another bit of good news, The Strand Magazine named THE BRUTAL TELLING one of the years best books! ahhhh.
How lucky am I. Back home. An afternoon off. And great book news. Michael is feeling good too. Sad at times, but mostly trying to concentrate on the good.
Am off to Quebnec City tomorrow for a 7pm event at La Maison Anglaise. Hope to see you there. Except those of you in Australia and New Zealand. And India. And South Africa. But the rest of you I expect to see.
Montreal - Yay! As wonderful as Britian was...and I could have happily stayed longer in London - it sure feels great to be home. Wonderful travel day too... not always a given. Heathrow was easy...helps to check-in on line. The Air Canada flight was almost empty so we got the emergency exit seats. We'd asked for them from the travel agent who assured us we had them, but they weren't the exit rows...indeed, she'd book us into the middle section...so not only were they not exit row, they were in the worst possible location. But we got really lucky and were able to switch once the plane was taxiing.
What a difference it makes!
And the flight attendents we had were just great! Again, not always the case. Often they're so harried and stressed - and some seem quite embittered - that it just makes an already dismal travel experience as a passenger all the worse. But this trip was great. Louise (one of our attendents) was delightful and kind...her husband is also named Michael...go figure. And Daniel was amazing...when not flying he volunteers for his local SPCA in Quebec and goes on Puppy Mill raids...and helped set up this huge raid in the papers today where 100 huskies were rescued.
Fascinating man. And it was quiet enough we got to talk a little to these two lovely people.
The only distressing part was one of the passengers was clearly quite ill. Throwing up all the time. She - poor one - was two aisles away and fortunately fell asleep for most of the flight. Her husband seemed to abandon her - choosing to move to a whole other cabin section.
But she was well looked after by the attendents. though - selfishly - I did wonder if she had H1N1 or the plague...or by the end of the flight I had us all succumbing to terrible illnesses - and/or put in quarantine. But no one seemed to concerned and she left the plane with the rest of us.
My noon event at the curling club has been cancelled - at least, it goes on but they cancelled me, thinking for some reason that I wasn't coming...crossed signals. Still, it gives me the day off and I'm almost giddy with excitement. Can't remember the last time I had a day off...no writing, editing, social events, speaking engagements...so I've rented a few movies, bought lots of candy and will get into my sweats, get into my bed and put the Star Trek new release in the machine...ahhhh.
Oh, another bit of good news, The Strand Magazine named THE BRUTAL TELLING one of the years best books! ahhhh.
How lucky am I. Back home. An afternoon off. And great book news. Michael is feeling good too. Sad at times, but mostly trying to concentrate on the good.
Am off to Quebnec City tomorrow for a 7pm event at La Maison Anglaise. Hope to see you there. Except those of you in Australia and New Zealand. And India. And South Africa. But the rest of you I expect to see.
Saturday, 24 October 2009
John
rainy, mild, temps 13
We're back in Montreal...wow does it feel good to be home. But I have to say we had just a riot on tour. Let me catch you up. thursday night was the launch and signing at Sleuth of Baker street...a fabulous mystery bookstore in Toronto...with Marian and JD. Loads of people...readers who have been with the series from the beginning and some new people. Loads of friend - lots of people who know my brother Doug - and are his friends...and have become friends of mine. So it felt very warm and comfortable. Had dinner before with an old friend, Margaret. We yakked and got caught up even though we hadn't seen each other in years. Wonderful to have friends like that.
Then yesterday we were picked up at the hotel by Kelly Bernstein, of the Keswick library and whisked to one of Ontario's fine Inns...the Briars. This magnificent old home - rambling...with small, initmate, lovely little sitting rooms all over the place. Our room looked over Lake Simcoe and had a fireplace and a canopy bed. While Michael napped I took the newspaper down to this small sitting room with a muttering fireplace and a sofa facing it. There was a coffee machine so I brewed myself some, sat there quietly and peacefully for an hour, read and looked out the window at the rain, and into the lovely fire. Can't remember the last time I felt so at peace.
Then Mary and her sister Patty picked us up for dinner. We met Kelly and her husband at the restuarnt. This is all part of the One Book, One Community celebrations. The idea is that a community choose a book and over the course of the year they get as many people as possible to read it. Now, I thought they'd chosen Still Life, but in fact they decided to choose the entire series. They had a Three Pines themed dinner earlier in the year, and a car rally with clues from the books!
All this culminated in my visit last night to talk to the town, answer questions, etc. A wonderful glass artist had made the most exquisite stained glass window of Three Pines, with the trees, the Northern Lights, the village. Auctioned off to raise money for the library. I bid - and lost!
But after I spoke they presented me with a glorious necklace, made by the same man, with a scene from Dead Cold/A Fatal Grace...of Three Pines in the winter...with stars twinkling. So beautiofully and very moving.
Went back to the hotel and slept like a baby...though woke up in the middle of the night and thought maybe the place was haunted. Odd, that. But eventually went back to sleep. If it was haunted they seemed very pleasant ghosts.
Mary and Patty picked us up and took us to the train to Montreal. And Michael and I subsided into our seats...spent the 5 hours listening to music, staring out the window, dreaming. Very peaceful, again.
The only difficulty in our lives now has prompted a major change to the tour schedule for the next two weeks or so. I will still go to Vermont next week and do Tuesday's event at Bear Pond Books in Montpelier, and then Norwich Books, in Norwich, Vermont the next night. I was going to spend Wednesday night in Norwich, but now will drive home to Sutton because the next day...this coming Thursday, we suddenly have to head to England.
Michael's best friend, John, is in the last stages of cancer. We spoke with him and his wife Moira about two weeks ago, just before I headed out on tour. We knew he had cancer, but it had been in remission for 14 years. But in that call he said it was back, but the docs were going to treat it. We talked about seeing them in April, when we plan to be in the UK. But then, last week in Toronto, we heard from John's daughter - Michael's goddaughter, that her father had taken a very bad turn and to come quickly.
So, we've re-scheduled everything from next Thursday on, and will get to England asap.
This means I won't be able to speak at next Sunday's Books and Breakfast, put on by Paragraphe Books in Montreal. Nor will I be at the Phoenix bookstore on Tuesday, Nov 3rd, or flying to Arizona for an event at poinsoned Pen bookstore Nov 5th.
But I have managed to re-schedule most things and will let you know about them soon.
How kind people are when told. I know they've put a lot of effort into making the event a huge success and then to have me pull the plug at the last minute is upsetting. But everyone, to a person, was supportive. How kind people are. And clearly I will try to make up the dates.
We've decided to get to London - then head to the village of Eye (I'm not kidding, that's what it's called!! only the brits - though in Canada we have Kicking Horse Pass and Come-by-chance so we can't really claim higher ground) - but we'll get to the village - see John and Moira for a few days, then head to London and stay there for a couple of weeks...going up every now and then to see John.
Michael's sister Carol is also recovering from a big operation so this will give us a chance to see her and David, and perhaps do some small chores, like getting food. Details like that.
I also need to do the final (I hope) edits on Bury Your Dead (books 6) and staying in London will allow me to do that.
We just don't know, do we, what life has in store. As Michael said the other day after we'd hung up the phone...we need to make every moment count. And know how lucky we are.
Speak soon - off on another journey.
We're back in Montreal...wow does it feel good to be home. But I have to say we had just a riot on tour. Let me catch you up. thursday night was the launch and signing at Sleuth of Baker street...a fabulous mystery bookstore in Toronto...with Marian and JD. Loads of people...readers who have been with the series from the beginning and some new people. Loads of friend - lots of people who know my brother Doug - and are his friends...and have become friends of mine. So it felt very warm and comfortable. Had dinner before with an old friend, Margaret. We yakked and got caught up even though we hadn't seen each other in years. Wonderful to have friends like that.
Then yesterday we were picked up at the hotel by Kelly Bernstein, of the Keswick library and whisked to one of Ontario's fine Inns...the Briars. This magnificent old home - rambling...with small, initmate, lovely little sitting rooms all over the place. Our room looked over Lake Simcoe and had a fireplace and a canopy bed. While Michael napped I took the newspaper down to this small sitting room with a muttering fireplace and a sofa facing it. There was a coffee machine so I brewed myself some, sat there quietly and peacefully for an hour, read and looked out the window at the rain, and into the lovely fire. Can't remember the last time I felt so at peace.
Then Mary and her sister Patty picked us up for dinner. We met Kelly and her husband at the restuarnt. This is all part of the One Book, One Community celebrations. The idea is that a community choose a book and over the course of the year they get as many people as possible to read it. Now, I thought they'd chosen Still Life, but in fact they decided to choose the entire series. They had a Three Pines themed dinner earlier in the year, and a car rally with clues from the books!
All this culminated in my visit last night to talk to the town, answer questions, etc. A wonderful glass artist had made the most exquisite stained glass window of Three Pines, with the trees, the Northern Lights, the village. Auctioned off to raise money for the library. I bid - and lost!
But after I spoke they presented me with a glorious necklace, made by the same man, with a scene from Dead Cold/A Fatal Grace...of Three Pines in the winter...with stars twinkling. So beautiofully and very moving.
Went back to the hotel and slept like a baby...though woke up in the middle of the night and thought maybe the place was haunted. Odd, that. But eventually went back to sleep. If it was haunted they seemed very pleasant ghosts.
Mary and Patty picked us up and took us to the train to Montreal. And Michael and I subsided into our seats...spent the 5 hours listening to music, staring out the window, dreaming. Very peaceful, again.
The only difficulty in our lives now has prompted a major change to the tour schedule for the next two weeks or so. I will still go to Vermont next week and do Tuesday's event at Bear Pond Books in Montpelier, and then Norwich Books, in Norwich, Vermont the next night. I was going to spend Wednesday night in Norwich, but now will drive home to Sutton because the next day...this coming Thursday, we suddenly have to head to England.
Michael's best friend, John, is in the last stages of cancer. We spoke with him and his wife Moira about two weeks ago, just before I headed out on tour. We knew he had cancer, but it had been in remission for 14 years. But in that call he said it was back, but the docs were going to treat it. We talked about seeing them in April, when we plan to be in the UK. But then, last week in Toronto, we heard from John's daughter - Michael's goddaughter, that her father had taken a very bad turn and to come quickly.
So, we've re-scheduled everything from next Thursday on, and will get to England asap.
This means I won't be able to speak at next Sunday's Books and Breakfast, put on by Paragraphe Books in Montreal. Nor will I be at the Phoenix bookstore on Tuesday, Nov 3rd, or flying to Arizona for an event at poinsoned Pen bookstore Nov 5th.
But I have managed to re-schedule most things and will let you know about them soon.
How kind people are when told. I know they've put a lot of effort into making the event a huge success and then to have me pull the plug at the last minute is upsetting. But everyone, to a person, was supportive. How kind people are. And clearly I will try to make up the dates.
We've decided to get to London - then head to the village of Eye (I'm not kidding, that's what it's called!! only the brits - though in Canada we have Kicking Horse Pass and Come-by-chance so we can't really claim higher ground) - but we'll get to the village - see John and Moira for a few days, then head to London and stay there for a couple of weeks...going up every now and then to see John.
Michael's sister Carol is also recovering from a big operation so this will give us a chance to see her and David, and perhaps do some small chores, like getting food. Details like that.
I also need to do the final (I hope) edits on Bury Your Dead (books 6) and staying in London will allow me to do that.
We just don't know, do we, what life has in store. As Michael said the other day after we'd hung up the phone...we need to make every moment count. And know how lucky we are.
Speak soon - off on another journey.
Friday, 2 October 2009
Doc says Michael's great!
partly cloudy, cool, temps 8
Cutting to the chase, the doc says Michael's eye is doing really well!!
Phew. I think we're both exhausted. We were going to stay in Montreal until Monday, with me scooting back to Knowlton for the brunch/launch event, then heading back to Montreal...but after seeing the eye doc this morning, and getting the great news...we decided to just head back to the country.
Basically, the damage has stopped - the eye has stopped leaking. The tear has been mended, thanks to donated eye tissue. This was donated by the family of someone who died suddenly and tragically. Can you imagine? And it has saved Michael's vision.
It is both terrible and beautiful.
The pressure in that eye was down to almost zero, according to the doctor during the operation...but now it's back up to 8. Apparently a normal eye pressure is 12-14...but he is thrilled with it being at 8 so quickly.
We have another appointment in Montreal Monday at 1pm - but have every expectation everything is terrific. We feel, too, a responsibility to the person who donated the eye tissue, and to their family. We can't absolutely make it 'take' - but we can do loads not to mess it up ourselves.
We're kind of pooped now. But wonderful to be back in the country. I sat in a bubble bath for an hour...and read...wait for it...People Magazine!!!
Did you see the great review? Yippee.
It's almost 5pm - time for Trudy's dinner...then I actually think I might change all the clocks in the house, convince Michael it's 8pm - time for our dinner then bed.
Hope to spend tomorrow on the first big edit of the literacy novella. Right now I'm pretty sure it's crap. I'm trying to see that as a good sign.
Be well - and thank you, thank you, thank you for holding our hands and our hearts through this time. You are beautiful.
Cutting to the chase, the doc says Michael's eye is doing really well!!
Phew. I think we're both exhausted. We were going to stay in Montreal until Monday, with me scooting back to Knowlton for the brunch/launch event, then heading back to Montreal...but after seeing the eye doc this morning, and getting the great news...we decided to just head back to the country.
Basically, the damage has stopped - the eye has stopped leaking. The tear has been mended, thanks to donated eye tissue. This was donated by the family of someone who died suddenly and tragically. Can you imagine? And it has saved Michael's vision.
It is both terrible and beautiful.
The pressure in that eye was down to almost zero, according to the doctor during the operation...but now it's back up to 8. Apparently a normal eye pressure is 12-14...but he is thrilled with it being at 8 so quickly.
We have another appointment in Montreal Monday at 1pm - but have every expectation everything is terrific. We feel, too, a responsibility to the person who donated the eye tissue, and to their family. We can't absolutely make it 'take' - but we can do loads not to mess it up ourselves.
We're kind of pooped now. But wonderful to be back in the country. I sat in a bubble bath for an hour...and read...wait for it...People Magazine!!!
Did you see the great review? Yippee.
It's almost 5pm - time for Trudy's dinner...then I actually think I might change all the clocks in the house, convince Michael it's 8pm - time for our dinner then bed.
Hope to spend tomorrow on the first big edit of the literacy novella. Right now I'm pretty sure it's crap. I'm trying to see that as a good sign.
Be well - and thank you, thank you, thank you for holding our hands and our hearts through this time. You are beautiful.
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Home
rain, cool, temps 15
HOME! Oh, does this feel wonderful. Everything is emerald green and young and fresh and achingly beautiful. And home, home, home.
It feels like such a long time away...and sorry I couldn't blog sooner, but very glad not to have taken the laptop along...so busy anyway.
Love that it's raining here, and I don't care. Indeed, want to lay a fire, and lie in front of it this afternoon, reading and relaxing, drinking tea and snoozing. Plan to take next couple of days away from writing to get caught up. Loads of emailing and mailing of books and other things. Feels like a mountain. You know what it's like - getting back to work after time away. Still, one thing at a time and it all gets done.
Had a blast in Pittsburgh, and the road trip with Marcia Talley, Elaine Viets, Rhys Bowen, Mary Jane Maffini and GM Maillet. We laughed and laughed. And I got a chance to listen to Elaine and Marcia (whose car I was in for about 10 hours or more) talk about their experiences as mystery writers, and the community. Hilarious at times, but also very informative.
And had more great news...THE CRUELEST MONTH has been shortlisted for a Macavity Awards, which will be given out at Bouchercon in october. It's up for Best Novel. GM's book, DEATH OF A COZY WRITER is up for Best First. And Rhys Bowen's A ROYAL PAIN is up for Best Historical. Very fun...and fun to be with that group.
And now I'm going to head off...more correspondence and interviews to do. Before breakfast, after walking Trudy, I went into the cutting garden and got a whole lot of stunning tulips. Will return shortly for daffodils.
What a life. Hectic, buccolic, peaceful and frantic. Wonderful.
HOME! Oh, does this feel wonderful. Everything is emerald green and young and fresh and achingly beautiful. And home, home, home.
It feels like such a long time away...and sorry I couldn't blog sooner, but very glad not to have taken the laptop along...so busy anyway.
Love that it's raining here, and I don't care. Indeed, want to lay a fire, and lie in front of it this afternoon, reading and relaxing, drinking tea and snoozing. Plan to take next couple of days away from writing to get caught up. Loads of emailing and mailing of books and other things. Feels like a mountain. You know what it's like - getting back to work after time away. Still, one thing at a time and it all gets done.
Had a blast in Pittsburgh, and the road trip with Marcia Talley, Elaine Viets, Rhys Bowen, Mary Jane Maffini and GM Maillet. We laughed and laughed. And I got a chance to listen to Elaine and Marcia (whose car I was in for about 10 hours or more) talk about their experiences as mystery writers, and the community. Hilarious at times, but also very informative.
And had more great news...THE CRUELEST MONTH has been shortlisted for a Macavity Awards, which will be given out at Bouchercon in october. It's up for Best Novel. GM's book, DEATH OF A COZY WRITER is up for Best First. And Rhys Bowen's A ROYAL PAIN is up for Best Historical. Very fun...and fun to be with that group.
And now I'm going to head off...more correspondence and interviews to do. Before breakfast, after walking Trudy, I went into the cutting garden and got a whole lot of stunning tulips. Will return shortly for daffodils.
What a life. Hectic, buccolic, peaceful and frantic. Wonderful.
Thursday, 19 February 2009
International Cuisine
snowy, mild, temps about freezing
Well, we're home! We actually left Quebec City yesterday on the 5:30 train. It started to snow before we arrived in Montreal around 9pm...our plan was to see how we felt, but try to drive out to the country if we could, since a storm was coming in.
And that's what we did. Loaded up the car and skidaddled out of there.
Not the happiest drive, but we got here, so it wasn't too bad either!!
Lise had done the most amazing job of organizing Michael's study, and other parts of the home. I hate mess. well, some I can live with. the only thing that stresses me more than mess is everything too neat and tidy.
Our home is never too neat and tidy...but it sometimes slops over into chaotic.
So, while we were away the wonderful Lise had her way with the home. And what a happy home we came back to. Wow. And - to make absolutely certain she's in our wills, Lise left me a huge vat (as opposed to a small vat) of gummi bears, and Michael a big dark chocolate bar.
She is now our main beneficary. She inherits mounds of papers, magazines, books, gummis. A real wealth.
It's great to be home. I had a long, bubble bath. Michael opened the mail.
And Pat had made us a lovely dinner. So tonight I threw it in the over and heated it up. Too much. It came out very hot and very dry. It was like eating Arizona. Our meals are more often irish. Cool and wet.
Hard to say what Michael prefers. But I know something for sure...as fabulous as Quebec City was - his favorite meals are Sutton meals.
Well, we're home! We actually left Quebec City yesterday on the 5:30 train. It started to snow before we arrived in Montreal around 9pm...our plan was to see how we felt, but try to drive out to the country if we could, since a storm was coming in.
And that's what we did. Loaded up the car and skidaddled out of there.
Not the happiest drive, but we got here, so it wasn't too bad either!!
Lise had done the most amazing job of organizing Michael's study, and other parts of the home. I hate mess. well, some I can live with. the only thing that stresses me more than mess is everything too neat and tidy.
Our home is never too neat and tidy...but it sometimes slops over into chaotic.
So, while we were away the wonderful Lise had her way with the home. And what a happy home we came back to. Wow. And - to make absolutely certain she's in our wills, Lise left me a huge vat (as opposed to a small vat) of gummi bears, and Michael a big dark chocolate bar.
She is now our main beneficary. She inherits mounds of papers, magazines, books, gummis. A real wealth.
It's great to be home. I had a long, bubble bath. Michael opened the mail.
And Pat had made us a lovely dinner. So tonight I threw it in the over and heated it up. Too much. It came out very hot and very dry. It was like eating Arizona. Our meals are more often irish. Cool and wet.
Hard to say what Michael prefers. But I know something for sure...as fabulous as Quebec City was - his favorite meals are Sutton meals.
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Home
cloudy, snow forecast, temps minus 3
Stayed in Montreal last night. The snow had stopped (Montreal had about 30 centimetres) but it was dark by the time the train arrived and rush hour...and I thought...well this is why we've kept an apartment in the city. So I chatted with Michael a couple of time, walked to the store for dinner. Didn't feel like ordering pizza (I might be dying)...but at the store all I felt like was fruit so got two small buckets of sliced mangos and some yoghurt.
As soon as I got home I smelled someone cooking steak. And looked down at my pathetic pile of fruit. Had I really forgotten I'm a carnivore? Of course then all I craved all night, as I ate the mango, was red meat.
Michael and I are trying to do one day a week vegetarian. To save the planet and our waistlines. Its an imperfect effort. And result.
Had lunch today in Sutton with our friend Cotton. Just ran into her coming out of the bakery, and Michael was at the post office - so we all met up at the tea room for lunch. Always fun when that happens.
Lovely to be home - with Michael and the girls. And heaven to know we aren't going anywhere for a month...until A RULE AGAINST MURDER comes out January 20th in the US. I'll be going to Phoenix for a couple of days just then. Then off to Quebec City for a month to research the next book.
But for now - we're home. Bring on the blizzards. We have hot chocolate, christmas cake, duck tortiere (today is NOT the vegetarian day) and clementines. And each other.
Home.
Stayed in Montreal last night. The snow had stopped (Montreal had about 30 centimetres) but it was dark by the time the train arrived and rush hour...and I thought...well this is why we've kept an apartment in the city. So I chatted with Michael a couple of time, walked to the store for dinner. Didn't feel like ordering pizza (I might be dying)...but at the store all I felt like was fruit so got two small buckets of sliced mangos and some yoghurt.
As soon as I got home I smelled someone cooking steak. And looked down at my pathetic pile of fruit. Had I really forgotten I'm a carnivore? Of course then all I craved all night, as I ate the mango, was red meat.
Michael and I are trying to do one day a week vegetarian. To save the planet and our waistlines. Its an imperfect effort. And result.
Had lunch today in Sutton with our friend Cotton. Just ran into her coming out of the bakery, and Michael was at the post office - so we all met up at the tea room for lunch. Always fun when that happens.
Lovely to be home - with Michael and the girls. And heaven to know we aren't going anywhere for a month...until A RULE AGAINST MURDER comes out January 20th in the US. I'll be going to Phoenix for a couple of days just then. Then off to Quebec City for a month to research the next book.
But for now - we're home. Bring on the blizzards. We have hot chocolate, christmas cake, duck tortiere (today is NOT the vegetarian day) and clementines. And each other.
Home.
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
A hard frost and an easy life
sunny, perfect fall day, temps 17
We had a hard frost this morning. Walked the dogs around the pond in rubber boots - the mist rising from the warm pond into the chill air. The sun just up and the sky blue. Leaves are beginning to turn so it's still that wonderful mix of green and red and orange.
Gary's done an amazing job on the home. We'd been trying to get the painter to do it for 2 years but he kept putting us off. Finally we fired him and asked Gary - who hates to paint. He quoted comedian Steven Wright who said, 'It's a small world, but I'd hate to paint it.'
It must have felt to Gary and John as though they were painting the world at times. So much woodwork and trim. And because it hadn't been done in a while some of the wood was rotten.
Funny how things work out. Had the painter done it this spring he wouldn't have been able to do the carpentry - might have just painted over the rotten bits. But Gary could replace the spoiled stuff.
Had a lovely evening last night, eating fresh corn bought at a roadside stand (the last of the season the grower said) and watching National Treasure 2 - Book of Secrets. Loved it. Such fun.
Spent today doing laundry, opening and answering mail (Michael, dear soul, did the bills), and starting to put the edits from the hardcopy of book 5 onto the computer version.
We thought we'd have a quiet day but by 10am Deanna was vacuuming, Dwayne was working on ventilation ducts in the basement and Wayne was cutting the grass.
We're home.
We had a hard frost this morning. Walked the dogs around the pond in rubber boots - the mist rising from the warm pond into the chill air. The sun just up and the sky blue. Leaves are beginning to turn so it's still that wonderful mix of green and red and orange.
Gary's done an amazing job on the home. We'd been trying to get the painter to do it for 2 years but he kept putting us off. Finally we fired him and asked Gary - who hates to paint. He quoted comedian Steven Wright who said, 'It's a small world, but I'd hate to paint it.'
It must have felt to Gary and John as though they were painting the world at times. So much woodwork and trim. And because it hadn't been done in a while some of the wood was rotten.
Funny how things work out. Had the painter done it this spring he wouldn't have been able to do the carpentry - might have just painted over the rotten bits. But Gary could replace the spoiled stuff.
Had a lovely evening last night, eating fresh corn bought at a roadside stand (the last of the season the grower said) and watching National Treasure 2 - Book of Secrets. Loved it. Such fun.
Spent today doing laundry, opening and answering mail (Michael, dear soul, did the bills), and starting to put the edits from the hardcopy of book 5 onto the computer version.
We thought we'd have a quiet day but by 10am Deanna was vacuuming, Dwayne was working on ventilation ducts in the basement and Wayne was cutting the grass.
We're home.
Monday, 15 September 2008
Oh, yes, I'm sure it'll be fine - says the guy in Wales.
riany then cleared and now sunny. Temps 20
We're back in Montreal! What a long day yesterday was. Travel days always are. We got up around 7:30 in Cambridge, had breakfast in the flat then packed and rolled the suitcases through the cobbled streets (what a racket! thud, thud, thud - and shaking our arms off) to the bus-stop. Thankfully it's only a couple of blocks away - couldn't be more convenient. And after a week of rain it was finally sunny. We were supposed to catch the 11am bus to the airport but when we arrived at about 10:30 a bus to Heathrow was waiting, so we hopped on.
Not sure we saved ourselves any time. This seemed to be the milk-run. Still, we got to relax and watch the rolling green hills go by.
I think the most stressful part of the whole day was getting from the central bus station at Heathrow to Terminal 4. It involved waiting with about 100 other people, all like us with tons of luggage, for 4 elevators. When one door opened we all tried to crowd in. It was a total crap shoot - a Darwinian experiment. I wondered if there were CCTV cameras recording it for some reality show on torture and human dynamics.
I don't react well in those situations. I generally try to be courteous, allowing others, especially elderly people in. But after being screwed a few times I become worse than anyone - giving sneering, glaring looks - 'Just try it' my face snarls. And I'm yelling at Michael - 'Over there, over there - quick!' He meanwhile, has a far-away look on his face and a slight smile. He's gone.
Once down the elevator (we have to catch 2!!) we had to find the train link from that terminal to Terminal 4. Then wait with the growing crowds, then race to the door with 100 other people and shove our way in. Honestly. I hate it. Get very stressed. I want to be decent, and kind and accommodating. But I'd like others to be that way for me too. And I learned quickly, if I want to be like that (which is fine) I'd better be prepared to live out my life in the train station. Never actually going anywhere.
Once at Terminal 4 life became easier. We get to use the First Class check in - much faster. There I can be courteous because there's no one else there. Very helpful.
Then through security and off to the first class lounge where they serve hot and cold food, have beverages and newspapers. I'm tempted to say for free, but you pay for it a thousand times over in the ticket.
The flight itself was easy, except it was delayed an hour. Seems, the pilot explained once we were onboard and couldn't escape, someone backed a truck into a cargo door of the plane. So they had to inspect it, measure it, photograph it - have enginners look, then send the whole report to some guy whgo lives in Wales. He had to interrupt his dinner to look at the info. Then he gave his OK.
I think two things about flying. 1) Children should be placed, along with their parents and a lot of toys, into a cargo bay. 2) Any engineer who says a plane is safe after being damaged should be forced to fly on it.
We had great seats - loads of legroom - and spent the flight plugged into our ipods. I finished editing book 5 at 38,000 feet, somewhere over the Atlantic. Amazing feeling.
It was 26 degrees in Montreal at 9pm when we landed. We raced for security - but arrived behind 600 other people. Still, the line went quickly and we got our luggage, grabbed a cab and were home within an hour of the plane landing. Heaven.
It's so great to be back in the Montreal apartment. We have a fabvulous breakfast out at Chez Cora's - then Michael got to work on his book while I walked to the shops and got us some salads and diet ginger ale for lunch. Spent the morning replying to emails and writing articles people wanted. Need to remember a couple of interview requests as well.
Tomorrow we drive to Elora, Ontario. About a 7 hour drive. To Cousin Marjorie (one of the templates for Ruth). She adores food, and so we're taking her and her/our very good friend Margo Morgan (who had a recipe column in Canada for many years under the name Margo Oliver and put out a number of cookbooks) to a restaurant they love in Niagara on the lake. It's about a 2 hours drive each way and they're beyond doing it themselves. This must be one fantastic restaurant. I'm dying to see it - and have a meal. Will report back, mes amis.
Won't be able to blog again until we reach the hotel in Toronto on Thursday. The family's descending for a Penny family reunion. Rob, Audi and Sarah from Edmonton, Michael and me from Quebec and Doug, Mary, Brian, Roslyn and Charlie from Toronto. We bought giant Toblerone bars for the kids...if Michael doesn't eat them first. We'll see how long we last before the first tears.
Talk to you then - hope you're well. It is great to be home!
We're back in Montreal! What a long day yesterday was. Travel days always are. We got up around 7:30 in Cambridge, had breakfast in the flat then packed and rolled the suitcases through the cobbled streets (what a racket! thud, thud, thud - and shaking our arms off) to the bus-stop. Thankfully it's only a couple of blocks away - couldn't be more convenient. And after a week of rain it was finally sunny. We were supposed to catch the 11am bus to the airport but when we arrived at about 10:30 a bus to Heathrow was waiting, so we hopped on.
Not sure we saved ourselves any time. This seemed to be the milk-run. Still, we got to relax and watch the rolling green hills go by.
I think the most stressful part of the whole day was getting from the central bus station at Heathrow to Terminal 4. It involved waiting with about 100 other people, all like us with tons of luggage, for 4 elevators. When one door opened we all tried to crowd in. It was a total crap shoot - a Darwinian experiment. I wondered if there were CCTV cameras recording it for some reality show on torture and human dynamics.
I don't react well in those situations. I generally try to be courteous, allowing others, especially elderly people in. But after being screwed a few times I become worse than anyone - giving sneering, glaring looks - 'Just try it' my face snarls. And I'm yelling at Michael - 'Over there, over there - quick!' He meanwhile, has a far-away look on his face and a slight smile. He's gone.
Once down the elevator (we have to catch 2!!) we had to find the train link from that terminal to Terminal 4. Then wait with the growing crowds, then race to the door with 100 other people and shove our way in. Honestly. I hate it. Get very stressed. I want to be decent, and kind and accommodating. But I'd like others to be that way for me too. And I learned quickly, if I want to be like that (which is fine) I'd better be prepared to live out my life in the train station. Never actually going anywhere.
Once at Terminal 4 life became easier. We get to use the First Class check in - much faster. There I can be courteous because there's no one else there. Very helpful.
Then through security and off to the first class lounge where they serve hot and cold food, have beverages and newspapers. I'm tempted to say for free, but you pay for it a thousand times over in the ticket.
The flight itself was easy, except it was delayed an hour. Seems, the pilot explained once we were onboard and couldn't escape, someone backed a truck into a cargo door of the plane. So they had to inspect it, measure it, photograph it - have enginners look, then send the whole report to some guy whgo lives in Wales. He had to interrupt his dinner to look at the info. Then he gave his OK.
I think two things about flying. 1) Children should be placed, along with their parents and a lot of toys, into a cargo bay. 2) Any engineer who says a plane is safe after being damaged should be forced to fly on it.
We had great seats - loads of legroom - and spent the flight plugged into our ipods. I finished editing book 5 at 38,000 feet, somewhere over the Atlantic. Amazing feeling.
It was 26 degrees in Montreal at 9pm when we landed. We raced for security - but arrived behind 600 other people. Still, the line went quickly and we got our luggage, grabbed a cab and were home within an hour of the plane landing. Heaven.
It's so great to be back in the Montreal apartment. We have a fabvulous breakfast out at Chez Cora's - then Michael got to work on his book while I walked to the shops and got us some salads and diet ginger ale for lunch. Spent the morning replying to emails and writing articles people wanted. Need to remember a couple of interview requests as well.
Tomorrow we drive to Elora, Ontario. About a 7 hour drive. To Cousin Marjorie (one of the templates for Ruth). She adores food, and so we're taking her and her/our very good friend Margo Morgan (who had a recipe column in Canada for many years under the name Margo Oliver and put out a number of cookbooks) to a restaurant they love in Niagara on the lake. It's about a 2 hours drive each way and they're beyond doing it themselves. This must be one fantastic restaurant. I'm dying to see it - and have a meal. Will report back, mes amis.
Won't be able to blog again until we reach the hotel in Toronto on Thursday. The family's descending for a Penny family reunion. Rob, Audi and Sarah from Edmonton, Michael and me from Quebec and Doug, Mary, Brian, Roslyn and Charlie from Toronto. We bought giant Toblerone bars for the kids...if Michael doesn't eat them first. We'll see how long we last before the first tears.
Talk to you then - hope you're well. It is great to be home!
Monday, 25 August 2008
Home
cloudy, temps 20
We're hoooome!
Wow did we ever have a great time on Mackinac Island! But it's good to be home. And with nothing to do except a luncheon on Thursday with friends for Michael to research his book. Looking forward to that. Looking forward to making Michael the centre of attention.
Long day yesterday. I tend to break days like that into segments in my mind. yesterday was in 9 sections. The horse-drawn carriage to the ferry. The ferry to Mackinaw City. The 2 hour limo drive to Traverse City. Getting through airport security. The American Eagle flight (45 minutes) to Chicago. The 2 1/2 hr layover in Chicago (happily spent in the first class lounge, a by-product of the around-the-world flights on BA last year), the 2 hr flight to Montreal. Canadian security, taxi home.
That way I just live in each segment and the day doesn't seem too long. As someone who's goal-oriented this approach seems to work. The day 'speeds' along.
Have figured out the Mackinac - Mackinaw issue. The island, with the hotel, is spelled 'Mackinac' but pronounced 'Mackinaw'. The city across the bay is pronouned and spelled 'Mackinaw'. Don't know why the difference.
Finally finished section 9 last night at 10pm. Got into the Montreal apartment. But everything went very smoothly - thanks once again to Robin Agnew's family. They'd arranged for us to fly from the island straight to Traverse City airport. 40 minute flight would have saved us 3 hours of ground/water travel. But scaredy-cat here decided I didn't want to get back onto the small plane. So they re-arranged everything. Without a murmur, without mocking.
A relief to be around people who are kind, not sarcastic. I was and am most grateful.
This morning we didn't set the alarm, but got up whenever, then went for breakfast in Montreal. Michael had a lunch with his great friend David and I went back to the apartment and cleaned up a few things. Then we drove back down here.
God, does it ever feel amazing not to have to edit or write book 5! Am taking the week off. Will read a hard copy of the manuscript during the week or so we're in England. We travel late next week.
Until then I'm on vacation. I'm very good at working hard, and very, very good at doing nothing. Watch me.
This blog, by the way, is going to get extremely boring over the next week. Consider it valium.
We're hoooome!
Wow did we ever have a great time on Mackinac Island! But it's good to be home. And with nothing to do except a luncheon on Thursday with friends for Michael to research his book. Looking forward to that. Looking forward to making Michael the centre of attention.
Long day yesterday. I tend to break days like that into segments in my mind. yesterday was in 9 sections. The horse-drawn carriage to the ferry. The ferry to Mackinaw City. The 2 hour limo drive to Traverse City. Getting through airport security. The American Eagle flight (45 minutes) to Chicago. The 2 1/2 hr layover in Chicago (happily spent in the first class lounge, a by-product of the around-the-world flights on BA last year), the 2 hr flight to Montreal. Canadian security, taxi home.
That way I just live in each segment and the day doesn't seem too long. As someone who's goal-oriented this approach seems to work. The day 'speeds' along.
Have figured out the Mackinac - Mackinaw issue. The island, with the hotel, is spelled 'Mackinac' but pronounced 'Mackinaw'. The city across the bay is pronouned and spelled 'Mackinaw'. Don't know why the difference.
Finally finished section 9 last night at 10pm. Got into the Montreal apartment. But everything went very smoothly - thanks once again to Robin Agnew's family. They'd arranged for us to fly from the island straight to Traverse City airport. 40 minute flight would have saved us 3 hours of ground/water travel. But scaredy-cat here decided I didn't want to get back onto the small plane. So they re-arranged everything. Without a murmur, without mocking.
A relief to be around people who are kind, not sarcastic. I was and am most grateful.
This morning we didn't set the alarm, but got up whenever, then went for breakfast in Montreal. Michael had a lunch with his great friend David and I went back to the apartment and cleaned up a few things. Then we drove back down here.
God, does it ever feel amazing not to have to edit or write book 5! Am taking the week off. Will read a hard copy of the manuscript during the week or so we're in England. We travel late next week.
Until then I'm on vacation. I'm very good at working hard, and very, very good at doing nothing. Watch me.
This blog, by the way, is going to get extremely boring over the next week. Consider it valium.
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Peonies and people
Mainly sunny, cool, temps 18
We're home. And the blessed peonies waited for us (how's that for ego?) They're up and out. We arrived home about 5:30 yesterday afternoon and the first thing we did after unpacking was take the dogs for a walk around the pond, with clippers in hand. Out at the pond the lupins are in full flight - a bank of purple and blue thrusting flowers climbing up from the water and into the trees and field. We scattered the lupin seeds 9 years ago, and now they're really growing and spreading.
I'm not the most patient person, but I sure am learning it be. And the funniest thing is, I'm learning how much more amazing everything is when you have to wait for it.
I cut a few lupins, then we came back and strolled through the garden close to home, and cut some peonies and alliums and gas plant and made an arrangement that sits in a tall vase on the wooden kitchen island. I swear to God sometimes I wonder whether we weren't in a fatal crash on the highway and this is Heaven.
Happily it seems we've arrived in heaven without that particular mess.
Came down this morning to a kitchen perfumed by peony. Ate breakfast on the screen porch. Then Michael and I spent the day returning calls, making calls, doing email, doing snail-mail, doing laundry.
The clothes line is now sagging under the weight of 3 weeks worth of clothing.
Our Volvo won't work. It's always something, isn't it? Starts just fine, but won't move forward or back. We took Michael's car to the store, and when we returned Tony was repairing a rip in the screen porch and we asked him about it. He had me rock the car back and forth and diagnosed that break pad at the right rear wheel has seized up. Clever man.
He's off home now to get his tools to fix it.
This really is what makes this place Heaven. yes, the peony. But ultimately it's the people.
Had a very nice invitation today from Edmonton to go out next year and speak at a couple of libraries. This co-incides with an invitation from the Alberta Library Conference to speak at their annual gathering in Jasper next year in late April. We can almost certainly combine the two events.
The only problem is that I already have an event in late April, as well as committments in January, February and March. And I need to write the next book. Sound familiar? If you've been reading this blog for a while now you'll recognize the dilema. In fact, you've lived it with me for a while. Perhaps I should make it like the game show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and poll the readership of the blog.
Perhaps I should just make up my own mind, and try to be thoughtful about it. Hmm.
What I will do is something I'm trying to do in all aspects of my life and that's say, 'Thank you. I'll get back to you on that.'
And then think, instead of react.
I laid out on the grass by the pond this afternoon and watched the clouds overhead. Trudy came and lay beside me, after jumping first with both feet on my stomach. Maggie ran around the pond looking for frogs.
It was very peaceful.
Will speak to you tomorrow. Am starting the first edit on book 5, The Brutal Telling. This is The Brutal Editing. Afraid to see what the wordcount is.
We're home. And the blessed peonies waited for us (how's that for ego?) They're up and out. We arrived home about 5:30 yesterday afternoon and the first thing we did after unpacking was take the dogs for a walk around the pond, with clippers in hand. Out at the pond the lupins are in full flight - a bank of purple and blue thrusting flowers climbing up from the water and into the trees and field. We scattered the lupin seeds 9 years ago, and now they're really growing and spreading.
I'm not the most patient person, but I sure am learning it be. And the funniest thing is, I'm learning how much more amazing everything is when you have to wait for it.
I cut a few lupins, then we came back and strolled through the garden close to home, and cut some peonies and alliums and gas plant and made an arrangement that sits in a tall vase on the wooden kitchen island. I swear to God sometimes I wonder whether we weren't in a fatal crash on the highway and this is Heaven.
Happily it seems we've arrived in heaven without that particular mess.
Came down this morning to a kitchen perfumed by peony. Ate breakfast on the screen porch. Then Michael and I spent the day returning calls, making calls, doing email, doing snail-mail, doing laundry.
The clothes line is now sagging under the weight of 3 weeks worth of clothing.
Our Volvo won't work. It's always something, isn't it? Starts just fine, but won't move forward or back. We took Michael's car to the store, and when we returned Tony was repairing a rip in the screen porch and we asked him about it. He had me rock the car back and forth and diagnosed that break pad at the right rear wheel has seized up. Clever man.
He's off home now to get his tools to fix it.
This really is what makes this place Heaven. yes, the peony. But ultimately it's the people.
Had a very nice invitation today from Edmonton to go out next year and speak at a couple of libraries. This co-incides with an invitation from the Alberta Library Conference to speak at their annual gathering in Jasper next year in late April. We can almost certainly combine the two events.
The only problem is that I already have an event in late April, as well as committments in January, February and March. And I need to write the next book. Sound familiar? If you've been reading this blog for a while now you'll recognize the dilema. In fact, you've lived it with me for a while. Perhaps I should make it like the game show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and poll the readership of the blog.
Perhaps I should just make up my own mind, and try to be thoughtful about it. Hmm.
What I will do is something I'm trying to do in all aspects of my life and that's say, 'Thank you. I'll get back to you on that.'
And then think, instead of react.
I laid out on the grass by the pond this afternoon and watched the clouds overhead. Trudy came and lay beside me, after jumping first with both feet on my stomach. Maggie ran around the pond looking for frogs.
It was very peaceful.
Will speak to you tomorrow. Am starting the first edit on book 5, The Brutal Telling. This is The Brutal Editing. Afraid to see what the wordcount is.
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