Fete de Lobster

rain, rain - then - dear Lord, beautiful sunny day! temps 26

It was supposed to be wall to wall lovely today. Wayne showed up to do the lawns - aborted many times over the past ten days. Got on the mower, started 'er up. Took it out of the shed. And wham. A downpour.

Wayne backed the mower up. Shut 'er down. Got off the mower. And went home.

I spent the morning writing...then at 11 I realized I'd done more than 1,000 words. While I could have/would have happily continued, we had other things packing our agendas. Initially the idea was to write until 1pm then head into Montreal, but since I'd done 1,000 by 11 I asked Michael if he'd like to hop in the beetle and we could head in to the city in time for lunch.

He didn't need to be asked twice. So, through the rain, we drove the 1 1/2 hrs into Montreal. Arrived in time for lunch at Taverne on the Square...then dropped off a 16th birthday gift for Bethany - I hesitate to say she's the daughter of our friends Bal and Linda - makes it sound like Bethany isn't our friend too, and she is. We adore her. So we popped around and dropped off a gift. Then Michael had a 3pm doctor's appointment (longstanding, not about his cold, which is MUCH better - cough persists but that's all). At 4pm we left. By then it was brilliant sunshine.

The bridge out of Montreal to the townships was just about gridlocked. But once actually on the bridge, things got a little better. rush hour. Plus, we're heading into a long weekend here.

In the rest of Canada it's called Victoria Day - for Queen Victoria. here in Quebec it's called La Fete de Dollard. After Dollard des Ormeaux - a french leader who died in a battle with the Iroquois.

Two solitudes indeed.

Had a wonderful drive once we got off the highway. Stopped to put the top down on the beetle. Beautiful drive! Exquisite evening. All the more lovely after all the rain. Wow. In fact we're sitting on the screen porch. that's a photo from a few minutes ago. The lobster festival is just starting at the IGA in sutton. Michael loves lobster. I'm OK with them, but not a big treat. So we got him one. And I'm writing while he eats. This is something only people married 15 years might do. blog while the other eats dinner. (and you thought speaking on a cell phone was rude at the dinner tabIe!) But, in my very shaky defense, I only do this because it takes him about 6 hours to eat a lobster. If I didn't do something I'd end up simply watching him. Hour after hour. he's one of those who has to check every hair, in case... Such fun, though, to see him consumed with pleasure.

Yesterday, in the middle of a writing jag, I did something I have never done over the course of 7 and a half books.

I dropped pasta all over my notebook. At least I didn;t dump it into the laptop - but the notebook IS the book. Has all my notes. All my thoughts, all the details. The plot. From tiny little words to huge ideas. All there. And yesterday, while eating lunch and writing, my hand caught the bowl and... you know when everything starts going in slow motion? I could see what was about to happen but I couldn't stop it.

and - plop. Cheese-y pasta vegetable crap (not the brand name) all over my notebook. Gumming up the rings of the binding. soaking through. I tried to clean it up, and most of it is gone...most. But this morning it was as though I'd poured glue all over the book. it does give me pause, and make me wonder what that stuff is doing to my insides. But I continue to be way more concerned about what it's doing to my notebook.

Fortunately, I'm in the homestretch, more or less. Another two, maybe three weeks, and Book 8 will be finished.

Which brings me to your AMAZING responses to the ARC giveaway!!! As you can see, there are over 100 in the comments from yesterday, and we received hundreds through the 'contact' email. We're reading through them and will post the winners on Saturday - though how we'll even get it down to a shortlist is anybodies guess.

I'll thank you again on Saturday....but I do want you to know how much I love reading what you've written. How it fills my heart with gladness, that this is what I get to do - and I get to do it for and with you. You make this fun. And your messages on how you'd promote A TRICK OF THE LIGHT if you win the ARC have left me in tears of laughter, and tears of joy. And gratitude.

And, if you haven't yet entered the contest, you have until Friday night. It's for an advance copy of the next Gamache book. you can read the details in Monday's blog post.

thank you for reading the books, and promoting them, and joining Michael and me on the blog....and having the lobster dinner together. Oh, I must tell you, when we arrived back home it was to find Wayne had been again - and this time got the whole place mown. the smell of fresh cut grass...first of the season here...mixed with lobster. Life cannot possibly get better.

Writing

rain, cool, temps plus 3

A regular April day. Keep wondering if Michael and I can take off for Florida or Arizona or New Mexico for a couple of weeks. Write there. But I look at our schedule and realize we can't. It doesn't really matter...just yearning for change. And warmth.

We're in Montreal - came back for peace and quiet. But now they're re-doing the floors upstairs. Sanding. Above our heads. All day. If, in book 8, you read about floors being sanded in the monastery, or people's teeth being drilled, you'll know where that comes from.

After finishing writing yesterday Michael and I headed out to do some chores in the city...mailings, that sort of thing. Then decided to pop into the Tavern on the Square for lunch. He had honey garlic shrimp salad and I had just the soup. Not overly hungry these days. It was a fabulous soup. Cauliflower and green apple soup, and fresh baguette on the side. Perfect.

Teeming with rain yesterday. And more today. Heading out again - to the bank this time. Never fun. Apparently the Royal Bank of Canada does not recognize British pounds. And so refuses to honour a cheque in pounds. We will have a little discussion.

But, in the scheme of problems, that's a small one. Worst case scenario is that we simply change banks. But I don't think that will be necessary.

Hope you're enjoying your day. The writing is actually going very well. almost 2,000 words today. And my 'worry' quotient is quite low.

Speak soon - be well.

Kirkus Review - top mysteries, 2010

snow, blowing snow, bright sunshine temps minus 11

very strange weather day. We woke up to blowing snow and the news that the highways were in a terrible state, with more snow expected. We were to go in to Montreal, but decided to just curl up in bed.

And then we saw that it was supposed to clear by midday. And then we faced the typical Canadian in winter dilemma. To go out and risk death or stay at home and risk atrophying.

We proved ourselves typical Canadians by agreeing to a compromise. We had an appointment with the bank, so we'd go to Cowansville for breakfast (we've already established the magical attraction of French toast on explorers), go to the bank, and see from there.

Well, after the bank we stepped outside and the sun was shining. So we hopped in the car, turned it toward Montreal, and here we be. But not before going through a few unexpected white outs on the highway. Here's a photo Michael took (I was driving, just fyi) as we crossed the Champlain Bridge across the St Lawrence. Normally from there we can see Montreal clearly. It's a gorgeous entry to a city, perhaps the most beautiful I've ever seen. But today the city had disappeared into a snow squall.

Stopped at the Nespresso shop in downtown Montreal for more capsules (we worship at the duel alters of french toast and nespresso cappucinos), then off to victoria Ave in Westmount for food, then off to the video shop (Night and Day, Inception, and the last two disks in the Modern Family season one). And now back in the Montreal apartment.

Heading out soon for a doctor's appointment for Michael, then back to the apartment.

Hoping to have breakfast at Nick's tomorrow with Susan. Michael has a lunch with his good friend David. And I plan to spend the day doing absolutely nothing!!!!

Oh, got the great news that BURY YOUR DEAD made the Kirkus Review's list of top 10 mysteries. All on the list are amazing - if you click here you can find it...

http://www.kirkusreviews.com/lists/best-mysteries-2010/

Congratulations to everyone on that list...it's a wonderful Christmas buys list too...

speak to you tomorrow....

details

bright sunny day, temps minus 2

Beautiful, cold, day. Windy. Awoke to some snow on the cars, but the skies cleared. Good thing too. We suddenly had to go back in to Montreal. To see our accountant. And go to the car dealership because the key battery needed replacing. since when do keys have batteries? Well, ours seems to.

Busy couple of days. Bit of a blur. My Assistant Lise came by yesterday with all sorts of business to discuss. she's a marvel, holding together our empire (the military industrial complex that rivals Kraft Foods) in our absence. Should we be worried that everything is now in her name? My Assistant Lise Inc. Nah.

Got our passports renewed and just as we handed our old ones over I remembered I needed to cross the border to the States for business. But later yesterday the border guards let me through with photocopies of my old passport and proof that the renewal was underway. A relief.

Banking, mailing, laundry, unpacking, more mailing. All sorts of details. If I'm found dead it will be at the hands of details. Crushed by them. I realize - and have known it for a long time - that I'm not much of a detail person. I don't care. Give me the broad strokes and I'm happy. I'll tell you, this is a challenging career for someone not naturally given to caring about minutiae.

Gary came by last night to take a few photos for a Globe and Mail article for this Saturday. Luckily the article is on what book I'm reading and where I most love to read. Which is on the sofa in front of the fire. So while Gary and Michael worked on the the lighting, I lay on the sofa. This is exactly the sort of work I'm best suited for.

Then up early today and in to Montreal. Then back home, and more mailing.

Tomorrow - dear Lord - Michael and I are going back to Pina's exercise class. It's in the Sutton church hall. And it's torment. I'm deeply worried about how much it will prove I'm out of shape. Still, apparently this is the best way to get back in to shape, or at least a different shape.

Must be off. Clay pot chicken is cooked. I'd forgotten the pleasure of cooking meals.

3 loads of laundry

mainly sunny, cool, temps 13

We're back in the Montreal apartment! Unpacked and immediately did a load of laundry. Then another. Then another. Our clothes practically have lives of their own at this point. You should see how we decide what to wear in the morning...but I will leave that up to your considerable imaginations.

What I think you won't have any difficulty imagining is our joy. To be not quite home, but at least in the apartment. With familiar things. Oh, what I wouldn't give to stay a week here...but we're off tomorrow morning to Quebec City. Not exactly a hardship! If any place could get me happily away at this point it's Quebec City.

We're off to do the Quebec launch at the actual Literary and Historical Society. Right in the library where Gamache found such peace and quiet. Shattered by the discovery of a body in the sub-basement. CBC Radio will be broadcasting the event live, and we'll be talking about all sorts of issues raised by the book, as well as speaking to the Chief Archeologist of Quebec about other Quebec mysteries.

That will be this Thursday, the broadcast (CBC Radio's Breakaway with jacquie Czernin) will be between 4 and 6pm - then there'll be a cocktail and nibblies and a party celebrating. You're all invited to both events. It should be loads of fun! Michael will be there, as will My Assistant Lise - and Donna, from Hachette Canada, will be flying in for the day.

But more about that tomorrow or thursday.

Today we took the train from Toronto to Montreal. 5 hours. Funny how a 5 hour train trip feels SO much shorter than a 5 hour flight.

Yesterday Donna and I drove north of Toronto to the Orangeville area - to a lunch event organized by Nancy Frater, of Booklore. The photo above isn't great (nancy's on the right) but the event sure was. Sold out - packed. Great food...wonderfully attentive and enthusiastic crowd. Thoughtful questions...no spoilers.
They even temporarily renamed Ray's Bakery to 'Olivier and Gabri's Bistro'.

Then back to the hotel. Packed - up by 6:30 am to catch train. Listened to music, stared out the window. Emptied mind. Thought a lot about the past month and meeting so many wonderful people. Being in so many interesting places.

Also made notes on the next book, as ideas floated by.

It does feel wonderful to be home in the apartment - if only overnight.

Mission Impossible

overcast, rain, temps 23

Odd day. Cool, but humid - so it manages to feel both hot and cold at the same time. Hard to get comfortable. We drove in from Sutton this morning. Stopped at Nespresso in Montreal to recycle the coffee caps and get some more. then into the apple store to asks about a problem with the USB port. (Michael's territory) Then into the apartment.

Finally got the new homepage written for the re-launch of the web site, once Bury Your Dead comes out.

And Michael and I are now relaxing on the bed watching episodes of the old TV show Mission Impossible. Very fun. And relaxing.

Tomorrow we're meeting our friends Bal and Linda for breakfast - then off to do the research - then home to Sutton. Gary's coming by in the late afternoon to take more publicity shots.

It sure is a full life. Oh, and Michael brought home a cherry pie. Not bad! Two more and it'll be paradise.

Montreal

mainly sunny, mild, temps 24

Lovely easy drive in to Montreal. Spent the day editing - fourth draft. Got to page 37 - quit about 5:30. Too tired really to enjoy it and have any judgment left.

Had the most wonderful dinner at the cottage with Susan last night. Chicken and pork on the barbeque (just corrected a typo where I initially wrote children and pork on the bbq - oh oh). And two fabulous salads, one with watermelon, parsley, spanish onions, olives, feta cheese. Unbelievably good. the other was a yummy quinoa and cranberry salad.

In this latest book, set in June, I have Gamache eating a quinoa and mango salad. Seemed like a good combo. Must use the watermelon one too. Lovely fresh fruit salad for dessert.

have the French TV interview tomorrow. Susan was wonderful, helping me practice. Wonderful to have a quiet day here, to just concentrate on writing. Am really loving this book...at the smoothing out stage now. Love this stage. less terrifying. While we were away a few scenes and adjustments occurred to me, so the manuscript is littered with notes.

Tomorrow will write in the morning, try to get my hair done around noon, get to the TV studio for make-up at 2pm. I always feel like a cartoon character in TV make-up. Will probably sound like one too. Wilma Flintstone - or, in French - Wilma Pierrefou.

Susan told us the Champlain bridge will be down from 3 lanes going south out of the city, to one lane this weekend. Construction! Have to decide whether to drive out in rush hour after the interview or stay over anyway and get up early Saturday and risk hitting terrible traffic over the bridge. I go back and forth on the decision. Need to be in Knowlton for the SPCA adoption day by 11 am. Still, I'm leaning toward staying over...but will see.

Michael stayed in the country...his son Vic is coming for a week or so, so this gives them a few days on their own. Always nice.

Hope you're enjoying your week. Will let you know how the interview goes...light a candle!

Writing with Eclairs

sunny, cloudy, sunny. temps 26

We're in Montreal. Ahh. Really more or less fled here. Felt too many hands grasping at us. Nothing hurtful - all great and understandable - but it added up to just too much stress. So we ran away to the big city. God, does it feel great. And how lucky we are to have this small bolt-hole in this great city. We met friends last night, then headed in, arriving about 9pm. Phew. You all know what it's like...when you break free of stress. Wow.

It's amazing when the least stressful thing in my life is writing the book. If I could just concentrate on that - and had no other distractions - I'd be fine. But, such is life. And most of the distractions come from a successful career. But I think I need to get better at boundaries. Saying no.

Honestly, thank God for Lise and Michael - and Marjorie, the Facebook elf! And even so, I stagger sometimes. Cn you imagine what my life would be like if I actually had to live it myself?

Michael and I had breakfast at Nick's, then back to the apartment to write. I'd hoped to finish this third draft of the book, but didn't quite manage it. Had 45 pages to do, and only managed 20 in seven hours. One scene needed to be severely edited and re-organized, and that took a great deal of time...and most of the rest of the 20 pages needed work. Not huge, but sometimes the little things take the longest...trying to find just the right connection...the turn of phrase. Taking out something that's clunky, but needing to find something subtle and suitable.

Of course, gobbling pastries did eat into some of that time. The literary life.

Now I'm hoping to finish tomorrow. It is bliss writing here...no interruptions! If I finish tomorrow that means I can concentrate on the upcoming spca tea. It's coming together really well - thanks to a whole lot of work by a whole lot of volunteers.

3rd draft

sunny, beautiful day, temps 32

Hot but not humid. Really, a very beautiful summer day here in Montreal. Have finished the first day of the 3rd draft and am sitting on our balcony looking out over the private park at the back of our building. Very tranquil, except for the endless work being done on the building across from us. The poor people who live in that building!!

Didn't get so far on the third draft...only about ten pages....but while in New York I had a couple of ideas for this book, and especially the beginning - which I have now re-written three times. I've had to do that with a few books. The beginning of Still Life - the opening chapter I mean - didn't come to me until after about a year. And I remember taking a bound print out of THE BRUTAL TELLING with us to Cambridge, in the UK. We were there a couple of years ago, in Sept, for Michael's 50th reunion. I thought I had just the fine-tuning of THE BRUTAL TELLING to do, and so was looking forward to sitting in one of the famous walled gardens at his college, or by the banks of the Cam river, reading the manuscript for my latest book. One of those 'pinch me' moments.

Well, the 'pinch me' moment became a 'kick me' session.

I read the manuscript with growing horror - and nausea. I'm not kidding. When something's wrong in my life, and certainly in my work, it sits in my stomach.

I was so upset, and disconcerted. Here it was, September already. I thought I'd all but finished the book, and now I'm reading it, and hating it! So I sat down with a red pen and started crossing things out, and moving things, and re-working the opening...inded, reworked a lot of it. Just hoping to save it. Pull it from the fire.

Interestingly, when I'd finished I adored the book...it was worth every moment of anxiety (i say that now that the book is out and is fine - at the time it was excruciating). Sometimes it seems the more I have to struggle, the better the book is. Means I really am writing close to the bone - and more and more in touch with the characters and the story I want to tell. So that if something is off I know about it, and can't let it go. The issue then becomes, how to fix it.

So today I worked on the beginning of this book, and I think I got it right...but that's the power of finishing a draft then waiting a week or so...gives me time to disconnect, and be able to come at it with fresh eyes. The eyes of the reader. And to know if the book is as good as it can be.

But it sure is a relief right now to say I'm pleased with where it's at.

Also wanted to tell you that the novella I wrote for literacy is now available for pre-order. Not actually sure when it'll be released, but you can go to Amazon.ca and order it. It's called THE HANGMAN. Now, I do need to warn you that it's really just a quite long short story, and while it has Gamache, and is set in Three Pines, it is written at a grade 3 level, so the wording is perforce very simple. As is the story.

It's meant for emerging readers...but is certainly aimed at adults. So you might like it too. And the money goes to literacy organizations.

We're meeting Susan for breakfast tomorrow, then Michael has a dentist appointment and a meeting with our accountant and friend, Frank. Then we're off home.

It's a bit of a trade-off in sweltering weather. The Montreal apartment has airconditioning. But the country home has a pool.

Woe is me, who has to make such choices. Yes, I know, I don't get to complain. Well, just try to stop me!

Hope you're well - speak to you tomorrow!

Anthony Nomination!

mainly sunny, beautiful day...temps 20

Great news...The Brutal Telling has been nominated for an Anthony Award in the States as the Best Crime Novel of the Year!!!

Here's the list of nominees - in alphabetical order:


BEST NOVEL

THE LAST CHILD - John Hart [Minotaur Books]
THE MYSTIC ARTS OF ERASING ALL SIGNS OF DEATH - Charlie Huston [Ballantine Books]
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE - Stieg Larsson, translated by Reg Keeland [Quercus/Knopf]
THE BRUTAL TELLING - Louise Penny [Minotaur Books]
THE SHANGHAI MOON - S.J. Rozan [Minotaur Books]


BEST FIRST NOVEL

THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE - Alan Bradley [Delacorte Press]
STARVATION LAKE - Bryan Gruley [Touchstone]
A BAD DAY FOR SORRY - Sophie Littlefield [Minotaur Books]
THE TWELVE/THE GHOSTS OF BELFAST - Stuart Neville [Harvill Secker/Soho Press]
IN THE SHADOW OF GOTHAM - Stefanie Pintoff [Minotaur Books]


BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

BURY ME DEEP - Megan Abbott [Simon & Schuster]
TOWER - Ken Bruen and Reed Farrel Coleman [Busted Flush Press]
QUARRY IN THE MIDDLE - Max Allan Collins [Hard Case Crime]
STARVATION LAKE - Bryan Gruley [Touchstone]
DEATH AND THE LIT CHICK - G.M. Malliet [Midnight Ink]
AIR TIME - Hank Phillippi Ryan [Mira]

Fabulously strong fields!!! I wanted you to see the other nominees because I suspect most of you love reading good crime and mystery fiction and these are the best - whoever wins.

Congratulations to all the nominees...I know this is an exciting day for all of us.

Am in Montreal...arrived just after 9 last night. Driving over the bridge in construction season is always terrible, so we find it best to do it extremely early in the morning or fairly late at night. Coming in last night gave me the entire day to work on editing the next book. Got lots done. As I get further into the book less needs to be done, as the themes and characters became clearer. Am also winnowing it down, making it sharper and clearer. I hope!

Michael called to say he'd taken our new baby - the beetle - into Knowlton for lunch. Top down. He showed it off to everyone and even took Lucy from Brome Lake books for a spin. What a guy. I'm not gone 12 hours and he'd picking up pretty women and showing off his 'etchings'. He sure sounded hyped though - having a blast.

Off to Toronto tomorrow morning - by train...such a nice trip. Will blog from there.

Be well.

Proof

beautiful sunny day, cool - temps 6

heavy frost on the ground this morning. temp minus 1 when we left for birthday breakfast with Cheryl. Such a fun time. She just turned 50...and I'm turning 52. Wonderful to have a friend going through exactly the same things, same issues, as I am. Feeling in many ways stronger, more confident - but also questioning alot of things in our lives. And in ourselves. And how to become better people. And still be true to who we are. When to bend and when to stand firm.

A life-long learning, at least for me.

so it's always wonderful to speak to Cheryl, who is funny, kind, thoughtful - and honest about how she's feeling.

Dropped by the guest cottage later in the afternoon - the new balcony is looking spectacular. Had to climb a ladder to get up. then walked out onto the dock and almost fell through. Gary...are you listening? (or even reading??) the dock needs replacing!!!

I'll tell you, this guest cottage - if anything can go wrong, it will. do you remember last autumn when suddenly the septic tank needed replacing and michael fell into it? Between Michael and Trudy it's no wonder guests prefer their own separate home.

Busy day. had a conference call about the US cover for Bury Your DEad. VERY exciting. Can hardly wait for you to see it.

And the Advance Readers Copies (ARCs) of Bury Your Dead will be ready soon! I'm going to give two away with the May newsletter and every subsequent newsletter until publication in September. Good luck.

Between calls and emails (trying to set-up Canadian tours as well and have just been invited to the International Festival of Authors in Toronto) I managed about 12-hundred words today.

And then Michael said he had a tooth ache. So we called the dentist in Montreal and tried to book in for today, but could only get tomorrow at 4:30. In Montreal. But I have a big interview with VITA magazine (the French equivalent of MORE Magazine) tomorrow at 2pm. here.

I wrote Annick, the lovely woman writing the article and asked if she could come earlier, and explained why. She very kindly wrote back to say she can make it another day. So we've re-scheduled for April 28th - just before we head to Washington for Malice domestic.

Finished the page proofs last night - and today I sent off an email with all the corrections. SO theilled to have that done. Always a huge job.

So - will write tomorrow morning, we'll hop in the car (Pat and Tony will come and sit Trudy) - and head to the Mtl apartment. We've decided since we'll be going to Burlington, VT for dinner Saturday to celebrate our friend Susan's birthday (and staying the night) we might as well stay in MTL and drive directly down on Saturday.

Logistics.

Didn't worry about the bear yesterday. By the way, that 'Someone's been sleeping in my bed...' line from yesterday's blog came from Gary who guffawed when I told him my fear that Smokey would get into the house, and come gunning for us.

Be well - might not blog tomorrow, but will try to get back to you on Friday.

27-thousand

overcast, very mild, temps 12

Really, astonishingly mild. Almost warm. Doesn't stop us from still sitting by the fire every day. Writing. It's one of my favorite things on earth. And one of my least favorite. Depending on how the work is going.

This morning it felt like my feet weighed a thousand pounds...lugging them into the living room. I just didn't want to write. I'd tossed a lot last night...thinking about this new, unexpected, direction the book has taken. Not comfortable with it. Having to wonder if my discomfort was because it was a stretch - daring - difficult even painful - but right. Or if the discomfort came from knowing, instinctively, it was wrong.

Toss, turn. Toss, turn.

I finally decided it was wrong. As soon as I came to that conclusion it felt better. This morning over breakfast I talked to Michael about it. He had some insight and a great idea. So that felt wonderful. But still - I just didn't want to go to work today. I thought though, if I don't what will I do that's better? Watch TV and eat gummy bears? And I realized there was nothing I would really rather do.

Once again, it was just the fear talking.

so I sat down anyway - and am very happy with today's pages. Am at 27-thousand words, more or less. About a quarter of the way through the first draft.

Went into sutton after that - to pay taxes and do some mailing. Then exercised at home - did a load of laundry - Pat came over with a recipe that needed copying.

Oh, congratulations to Alan Bradley, who won the Dilys award! Given out this past weekend by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association. Very well deserved!

We're off to Montreal tomorrow. Breakfast in Cowansville then into Montreal. Michael has a noon lunch with a friend and I'll settle into our apartment to write. Wednesday I'll be meeting my publicist for Hachette Canada for lunch - she's flying in from Toronto to meet and discuss the books and marketing. Then will tape an interview for Sharman Yarnell's show in CJAD.

Coming back to Sutton Thursday in time to speak to students at the elementary school as part of the Literacy Project. They've invited me for lunch first. I was laughing about the dreadful cafetieria lunches when I was growing up - but they said the Sutton Elementary School had won awards for the best meals in the province! Healthy, tasty, popular and inexpensive. for instance, today's meal is grilled chicken panini with raw vegetables and fresh fruit. On Thursday when I'll be there for lunch they're serving Baked Salmon with lemon, New potatoes and Bumbleberry muffins.

the meals cost five dollars. Amazing. And apparently the kids love it. Have made the transition from junk food, canned veg, and fries to this very happily.

Well, off to watch Fantasy Homes By the Sea. Nice escapism. Hope you're well!

Where's my key, agenda, cheque, head?

snow in morning, very windy, then bright sunny skies temps minus 14

Drove in to Cowansville for breakfast this morning, then on to Montreal. Took the back roads since there was a lot of snow. But mostly the danger comes from ice, and blowing snow - which we had in abundance this morning.

Michael drove the Mercedes home - hallalujah!

Though it took a while to get here to the Montreal apartment. It was, in many ways, a day of remebrance - following a day of forgetfulness. Our DOF happened last visit to Montreal. Michael forgot to bring the cheque for Volvo, Steve at Mercedes forgot to give us the second key, and I forgot my agenda at Lemeac Restaurant. All in a matter of hours.

So today we retraced our steps...took the cheque to Volvo for the final payment before selling the car...picked up the second key for our new Mercedes (adore it!!!) from the dealer...and met Michel at Lemeac for lunch and picked up my agenda at the same time.

Lunch was great. Michel will be the person translating my books into French. Over a lunch of calamari, fish soup, cuisse de canard, baguette we discussed all sorts of things, including translation options and turns of phrases. Can you believe this is work??? Hope to convince Revenue Canada it's work, but it sure didn't feel like that. Michael and Michel laughed about the role of a hematologist in designing murder mysteries. We had a blast.

And speaking of blasts - that's what met us (after we forgot the key to the car in the restuarant) as we walked to the car. A bitterly cold wind right in our faces. Feels like the skin is peeling away. Poor noses. And ear lobes.

The new car is fabulous...a real dream. As you know we agonized over what to get. We needed an all wheel drive, we wanted something comfortable for the highway, and something environmentally responsible. We got two out of three. Situational ethics, c'est moi. However, to right the imbalance - and because they're cool - we're also going to get a used Smart Car for tooling from home to the villages, and only use the Mercedes for trips to Montreal or further afield.

I've quite lost my heart to the Smart Car - but I wouldn't want to drive them around our mountain home in winter...nor would I want to drive them on the highway in any weather. people do, I know...but not these people. We first saw a Smart Car in Paris about five years ago. I remember standing stock-still and staring...mesmerized by the tiny car. Adoring it right away. So it will be such fun to have one.

Rob - Barbara Peter's husband (she of Poisoned Pen books) in Phoenix - has a Smart Car and we got to see it. Course, it might make a little more sense in Phoenix than in two feet of snow. But I'm sure I can justify it. Oh, wait...I don't need to. What a relief.

So now we're home in the Montreal apartment...no plans for tomorrow, except to maybe lose a few more things.

Fruit salad for dinner...craving healthy food - finally.

Hope you're well...talk to you tomorrow.

Montreal and meditation

rain, mild, temps 23

We're in Montreal now - arrived yesterday. Had such fun Tuesday at Joan's - having tea then going into her centre to meditate for 20 minutes. Michael and I had taken a few courses through the Bishop's University adult learning programme in Knowlton a few years ago. And loved it. I'd forgotten how peaceful it is. And I realized how filled with sensations my life is...music, voices, newspapers, books, television, movies.

How calming when it's all still.

The 20 minutes flew by. I was surprised when Joan hit her little gong. Of course, I might have been asleep for part of it, but I don't think so. Well, never admit it.

On our way there, in two cars, we hit a HUGE storm. Could barely see through the windshield washers. 14 year old Bethany and I were in the car behind Bal, Linda and Michael. I was watching them, hoping a tree didn't land on them, then realized I should also be worried about us. And what about a lightning strike? And I realized young Bethany would, understandably, be thinking this elderly 50 year old woman would protect her. I tried to remember what we should do it a hydro line fell on us.

Happily, none of that happened. It was teeming down still when we arrived and we all dashed into Joans home, soaked to the bone in the 10 seconds we were outside, but all laughing and enjoying ourselves.

We got in to Montreal yesterday around noon and had the wallpaper man, Tapestrie Maurice and his daughter Julie coming at 2pm. What a fabulous job they did!! What a relief. It was quite difficult to find someone to do wallpaper, but we finally did. And it looks amazing.

Had pizza on the bed and watched a video...Knowing. Fun.

Today it's raining, but fresher. Quiet day at home, more smoothing and polishing of book 6. Making some arrangements for the fall tour - fine-tuning some events. The day just slips by. We do love this apartment! Small and perfectly formed.

Sushi tonight - and watermelon. Yum. What a wonderful August we've had.

Denitst tomorrow morning here in Montreal then back home.

Having a small dinner party tomorrow night...the Mounts, Cotton, Kirk and Walter. Having it catered, of course. All we have to do is show up! How perfect is that?

Take care - will try to blog tomorrow! Hope you're well. Ohmmm. Sushi. Ohmmmm.

Lazy days

overcast, cool, rain expected temps 22

As we've come to expect, we have a sunny, hot day, then a cool, rainy one. Balance. Why not?

Still in Montreal - polishing and smoothing book 6...loving the process. Michael's joined me...in the evenings we order pizza and watch a DVD...go out for breakfast - then back to the apartment so he can work on his book and I can work on mine.

Still, this feels like a vacation to me. Such fun. I was saying to him that I'd rather be in Montreal than any place on earth! From our apartment we can walk everywhere (almost)...so great to be able to get all our provisions within a few blocks, put them into our canvas bags and get home.

We're off for lunch now. Japanese. Can't get that in Sutton so it's a real treat. Michael's put the books (or most anyway) in the new bookcases. The place is really coming together. Will relax this afternoon - perhaps watch Entourage on DVD.

Life continues to delight. One day it won't - so I'd better appreciate the good times while I have them.

Take care - speak tomorrow.

An uneventful, delightful, life

cloudy, rain, heavy at times, clearing now, windy, temps 17

After spending yesterday baking by the pool with the family today we lit the fire! Fun either way. Wardrobe getting a work-out.

Lovely day yesterday - went to the lit fest with heather O'Neil and Neil Smith in Knowlton. Wonderful. And packed. Then home for a few hours by the pool with family and then off to a meeting. Got home in time for a late dinner with everyone.

Today quiet day - only left to go for a cafe au lait with my brother in Sutton. Feels as though the day was spent doing not much of anything - some preparing food, some cleaing up, some chatting, some reading. Perfect.

Doug and I are off ar 5 tomorrow morning...in separate cars...me into Montreal and him back to Toronto. We're VERY similar. Both prefer to rise at ungodly hours to beat traffic that get up at a civilized hour and fight traffic. And this is the end of Quebec's construction holiday so the roads might be packed with people returning to the city and returning to work. So this suits out temperments.

Have had a wonderful visit. Have done no work! Haven't responded to any (well a couple) of the hundreds of people who wrote in yesterday, after the mailing of the August newsletter. Want to get to some more in the next couple of days to thank people for writing and being so supportive. People are so kind. It means a lot.

Dentist appointment in Montreal tomorrow at noon...and need to find a bookcase for the new apartment. I'm hoping to not have to go to Ikea (don't want to assemble the thing) but I feel Sweden calling).

Will let you know what happens!

Phew

mainly sunny, temps 20

It's early Sunday morning. We're packing the suitcases - somehow we've accumulated a huge amount of stuff. Happily much of it is candy! Not at all sure why, but very kind people are giving me gummy bears. Life blood. As well, the organizors of Bloody words had a couple of wonderful candy packages sent up from Laura Secord.

Yum.

As anyone who has been to these conventions for mystery readers and writers knows, they're fuelled on candy.

Last night was terrific - loads of fun. Normally I write a speech and memorize it, but this time I decided, what the hell, I'll do my best but basically I'll just read it. Much less stressful and makes the weekend and the dinner a lot more fun. So that's what I did.

Barbara Fradkin - the local guest of honour - gave a wonderful speech...then dinner...then I spoke and finally Denise Mina, the international guest of honour. Her books are quite noir, but she herself is not only charming, but very, very funny.

And, of course, the amazing mary Jane Maffini was delightful as Master of Ceremonies. She - earlier in the day - had the best line. she likened writing a first draft of a novel to having a daily colonoscopy. I howled with laughter and still laugh when I think of it. Perfect description!

Michael was a big hit - not only charming and handsome, but everyone loved his bowtie. Such fun to be on his arm.

Well, we're packed. heading back to Montreal. Gary is coming to the Montreal apartment tomorrow afternoon to take down the curtains and lighting - and put them up in the new place. Bob and Janet arrive at the guest cottage - must remember to ask Pat to unlock the door!

Thanks for accompanying Michael and me to Bloody Words in Ottawa. Hope you had fun.

3 Questions for God...

sunny, chilly, windy, temps minus 10

Am in Montreal - bit of a hairy drive in...we had 2 feet of fluffy snow, most of it yesterday. But as we got closer to Montreal the dreive improved. Had the hair appointment - I think the results are good, but it always looks good when they just do it, and blow dry it. I never blow dry my hair. Just shake.

I think I might be turning into a golden retriever.

Had a fun dinner last night with Marilyn and about 14 other women - members of a montreal book club. It was held in an Italian restaurant downtown. What a great community they've formed. If i lived in Montreal and wanted to join a book club this would definitely be on the short-list.

Off for breakfast this am with Susan, then a teeth cleaning...then home to Michael and the puppies.

Had a wonderful email from US editor who read the revised The Brutal Telling and says it's the best so far. Yay. And Phew.

Also had the longest questionaire I've ever had...25 questions from readers in Russia...I believe it's part of a book club there. But the questions are like none others I've ever been asked. Things like why do I live in and old home...and if I had dinner with God what 3 questions would I ask. What makes a happy woman.

Fascinating questions...Questions I reaslly have to think about! So that's awaiting me at home.

Heading out now.

Happy Autumn

brilliant sunshine, glorious day, temp 16

A magnificent first day of Autumn. Crispy day - leaves turning, some already on the ground. It's national 'No Car Day' so I walked to the grocery store this morning and kicked leaves and smelt the musky fall air. It really makes the heart soar.

We drove back to Montreal yesterday after breakfasting with Doug and his 12 year old daughter Roslyn. Indeed, Gamache's daughter-in-law, Roslyn is named after her. She's my God-daughter too.

The drive back was easy - about 7 hours - with a stop for lunch. Arrived back to see the US take the Ryder Cup then off to dinner with Jim and Sharon (who we invited out to join us this Christmas in the country) and two other friends, Maureen and Dave. We had spinach pie (which I frankly didn't like much, found it bland and greasy) but Michael loved. But the company was fun.

We're staying in Montreal until this afternoon since Michael has a check-up at the Royal Victoria Hospital this afternoon. This must rate as one of the most frightening hospitals in North America. It looks like a haunted Victorian mansion...built high on a hill overlooking Montreal it's all turrets and grey stone - formidable and daunting. And inside? A warren of dingy corridors.

I spent a number of years volunteering at the Palliative Care unit there. Would sit at the bedside of people dying and hold their hand, so they wouldn't be alone. But the thing I really dreaded was being asked to take paper-work to Admissions. Honestly? I could never find it. I swear to God it kept moving, like the staircases in the Harry Potter books. The guts of the Royal Vic roil and move. And scare me.

Even Michael, who interned there, is perplexed by it.

But we're off there again. Must see if I can find some Holy Water.

Then we drive back home to Sutton. Oh, how we can hardly wait. Gary has finished painting and repairing the outside of the home, and the bits and pieces inside - so it'll gleam. On top of that, Autumn in the Eastern Townships is Heaven. Especially after the Hell of the Royal Vic.

Speak to you tomorrow.

Spring has arrived - inside

sunny, calm, lovely day

When I went to bed last night it was clear and mild, when I woke up it was clear and mild, and at sometime in between it managed to snow about 5 inches. Cars are covered in it. Fluffy light snow that would collapse down to nothing if challenged. Like white bread. used to love putting a slice in my fist, smushing it into a ball and eating that.

Can't figure out why my generation is living longer when you think of the things we put in our bodies. Tang. White bread. Anything in a can.

I belonged, until recently, to a group of women who'd get together once a month and one of us would do a presentation on some theme chosen at the beginning of the year. The theme that year was memory - so I chose to study smell and memory. Really very interesting the power of scents to trigger not just memory, but emotion. If there's such a thing as time travel it's fueled by scents.

But, as part of my research, I ran into an fascinating survey. It discovered that if you ask people over 70 what their favorite smells are for the most part they'll say things like roses, fresh baking, fresh mowed grass - that sort of thing. If you ask people under 50 chances are they'll say things like Vics Vapo Rub, gasoline - that sort of thing.

Not everyone fits into the catagory, but I thought it was telling. And now I've told you.

As you know, my books are filled with aromas - most of them natural - because they're so calming. Bacon, fresh coffee and wood smoke in the morning. A garden after a rain. Even mud.

Went into the local grocery store the other day and they had a massive display of tulips - so I bought about five bunches. Tuplips and snap dragons. Now we have bouquets in almost every room, including the bathroom, so that when I relax after the days writing I see spring. As long as I don't look out the window.

We're off to Montreal today - again! We were supposed to zip in and out tomorrow for physio for Michael but the forecast is for freezing rain and snow tomorrow morning. Not worth the risk. We're so fortunate to have kept a small apartment in the city, for times like these.

Pat will look after Maggie and Trudy - who pout when we return home. We call Pat's place the 'spa'. They adore it and her.

Pants very loose - and no that isn't a comment on my morals. It's a comment on our diet! It's working. And, miracle of miracles, it's actually easy! of course the book tour will be a dietary disaster - oh well.

I'll try to write tomorrow from Montreal. In the mean time, enjoy your Sunday and be well.