Whoa!

overcast, a little rain, temps plus 3

A little chilly. But the big news (besides Markus) is that the temperatures will be soaring to 20 degrees or more this weekend! and sunny. It should be a spectacular Easter long weekend. Yay.

And Markus has arrived. He's amazing. Very calm, very gentle. Huge. I fed him and apple and he bit it into three pieces from my hand. Very gentle and delicate.

He's resting now. But we're all delighted and relieved.

One of our friends - Sandra - who sometimes posts comments, wrote a few days ago to tell us about her wonderful dog, Ernie. Because they now have a baby, Flora, they find themselves in the heartbreaking position of having to find him a new home - preferably in Ontario or Quebec.

I asked Sandy if she could send me something, just in case one of you might have a home for him. Well, she just sent this link to her blog because she wrote about him today - with pictures...so that's much easier than me trying to figure out how to get stupid ole photos on the blog. Funny - I could do it once...but just spent about an hour and couldn't figure it out. so Sandy was kind enough to send this link...to Ernest -

http://sandradumais.blogspot.com/2010/03/ernest-dumais.html

On another front - We saw the skunk! The bugger was just waddling around our back garden. In the middle of the day. Clear not at all afraid of Trudy, or us. And why would s/he be?

Can you imagine if people could squirt each other like that? The office would be a whole different place. As would divorce court. Of course, the world might be a nicer place, if our bad behavior had such immediate and smelly consequences.

Wrote two thousand today. I was looking ahead to my schedule in April and realized it actually has quite a few events. Many of them social, but still events. So I really do need to not stumble now.

It's quite fascinating what is happening with the story. In some ways it feels as thought i'm running in place, because the time isn't moving forward...but the events are. Pacing is always interesting...can't all blast along, but neither can it lag.

Having breakfast tomorrow with Danny and Philip to discuss the Knowlton Literary Festival this summer. then back home to write. Friday looks free to just write. Saturday two of Michael's sons are arriving to celebrate Easter. That'll be huge fun.

And hoping to go for a ride on the weekend. Not on Markus...Jana said she'd take the first turn. Michael said he might even go for a trail ride, but probably not until later...by later I'm not sure if he meant later in the summer or later in life. He told me the funniest story about his first, and last, time riding. he was a teenager and the horse took off back to the barn. With Michael clinging on and yelling, 'Whoa'. the horse went not just to the barn, with michael still on him, but into his stall. For the next ten minutes, until someone found him, Michael just sat on the horse in his stall.

It was no one's finest moment. Michael hasn't felt fondly toward horses ever since. But we might change that. Later.

Actually, he seemed quite taken with Markus, who was very calm and didn't seem inclined to kidnap Michael.

Don't forget to check out Ernest! He's adorable.

Hope you're have a good day...speak to you tomorrow.

Canadian launch for The Brutal Telling

mainly sunny, very hot and humid temps 31

Now, this is a Quebec summer day in July. We're meeeelting. But what bliss for us. We worked, then took dips in the pool, then worked, and swam. Wonderful.

Had a terrific breakfast in Knowlton with Danny and Lucy. We decided that the local, and Canadian, launch of THE BRUTAL TELLING would be an event. Like last time when we held High Tea at Hovey Manor.

For THE BRUTAL TELLING we're doing a brunch in Knowlton on Sunday, October 4th. Not sure what hotel will host, probably the Lakeview. Danny and Lucy will be selling tickets that will cover the brunch, plus a small donation to the Yamaska Literacy Council, which tutors and works to teach local men and women how to read and write. I'm thrilled we're raising money for them. We'll also have draws for signed books, and a special, limited edition, Vive Gamache cafe au lait mug.

We'd LOVE to see you there. If you're interested call Danny and Lucy at their bookshop (Brome Lake Books) - 450-242-2242. I know for sure they haven't set a price for the brunch, but if you'd like to reserve a few places you might want to call early. If last year's launch is any indication, we'll sell out quite fast, though I think we can go up to 150 places.

Will let you know as it gets closer. It's also a fun excuse for a weekend in the Eastern Townships!

And, there's a great literary festival happening in Knowlton this weekend, called Letters from Knowlton. And among the guests will be Noah Richler, Neil Smith and Heather O'Neill. Michael and I are going to hear Neil - who wrote Bang Crunch and Heather - who wrote Lullabye for Little Criminals - on Saturday afternoon at 1pm...such a fan of their books. If you're interested you can ask Danny and Lucy about tickets too.

Feels like lots of business today! But a great day. Off to see our neighbors for cocktails, then home for a quiet evening...Thunderstorm warning out - not sure if we should take the car. Feels ridiculous to do the car from so close, but better than dodging a downpour and lightning.

Speak tomorrow!