mainly sunny, crisp, beautiful late fall day temps 7
Frost on the ground...melting where the sun hit it this morning, but staying in the shadows so the grass was a patchwork of green and crystal white. Deer hooves in the frosty grass this morning by the pond. A picture perfect Quebec autumn day. Walked over to the guest cottage where Gary is putting on new siding. To get there we needed rubber boots and to walk along winding paths through the forest. It smelled so sweet. I said to Michael that I wished I could describe it, do this justice. but I realize I can't because it isn't a sensation. It isn't a sight, a fragrance. It's a feeling.
How much I love this place.
And thank you so much, all of you who sent good wishes for Michael and his John. Lifelong friends. How wonderful to have made a friend like that.
We arrived back in Sutton yesterday and immediately 'hit the ground'...mail, phone messages, letters to respond to, packages to get ready to be sent, laundry, laundry, laundry.
I'm heading to Bear Pond books in Montpelier, Vermont, for an event at 7pm tomorrow. Staying the night, then off to Norwich bookstore, in Norwich for a 7pm event Wednesday...then driving home. Arriving, I hope, about midnight. Then off to the UK Thursday. So I need to pack today. and have all the details worked out.
I think most are done. Even managed to make an appointment for tomorrow morning with the garage to put the winter tires on the Volvo!
So far so good...not a lot of wiggle-room for something to go wrong. So I will have to put that at the top of the 'To Do' list. Make sure nothing goes wrong.
huh huh.
Once again, thank you for all your thoughts. I'm REALLY glad so many of you are listening to the pronunciation guide too. yay. It was a lot of fun to do.
And fun to hear of other odd place names, like Truth or Consquences, which I believe someone said was in Arizona. And another US names - Toad Suck Ferry. Unless someone was kidding...
Will try to post from Montpelier tomorrow. Off we go again!
Showing posts with label schedule. Show all posts
Showing posts with label schedule. Show all posts
Monday, 26 October 2009
Friday, 22 May 2009
The Great Unwashed
mainly sunny, mild, temps 20
Well, the septic tank is in. But it had some company. While showing the tank to the Pompage BM people yesterday Michael fell into the septic tank. Well, not all the way in, but far enough. He called me to say, in a little boy voice, 'I had an accident.' which could mean anything from 'I've broken my neck' to 'My ice cream fell from the cone.' At no stage did I think it could possibly mean, 'I fell into the septic tank.' A weeping field, maybe. Who hasn't? But a barrel full of poop?
Home he came, off came the clothes. and shoes. Into the washing machine they went, into the shower he went. A cup of tea and date square later and he was feeling better.
Honestly, that is not the way you want to go. Imagine that. And imagine the headlines... Man killed by fall...crap sought for questioning.
And just when we thought we'd seen the last of the damned tank we got a call about an hour ago from the city inspector. We'd put it 1 metre from the house (where the old tank ((and briefly Michael)) had been) - instead of 1.5 metres from the house.
So now we need to dig another hole. Oh well. Frankly, I don't think you can have too many holes in a lawn, but Michael disagrees.
Last night - all night - the alarm kept beeping. Not outright wailing, thank God, but a persistent beeping that was enough to drive us from our room and into a guest room. Called the alarm people and while Michael was supervising the septic situation, having intimate knowledge now of the tank, I supervised the repair of the alarm system. Which mostly meant staying out of Benoit's way.
We've made reservations to go to New York at the end of June. That's be wonderful. Staying at the W, I think.
Before that we have a few events, including being the Canadian Guest of Honour at Bloody Words. Denise Mina - a wonderful Scottish crime writer, is the International Guest of Honour. Received the schedule of my events for that. a one-on-one interview and two panels...and I need to give a short speech at the banquet on Saturday June 6th. Need to write that.
Am hoping to finish the first draft of book 6 by June 1st - then write the speech, then head off for an event in Toronto, then the Ellis awards banquet, then Bloody Words - then back to Montreal in time for the apartment move mid-June. Then off to New York.
whenever I feel stressed - which is fairly often these days - I remember my new mantra...at least it isn't a tank of crap. At least it isn't a tank of crap. Repeat after me. At least...
Well, the septic tank is in. But it had some company. While showing the tank to the Pompage BM people yesterday Michael fell into the septic tank. Well, not all the way in, but far enough. He called me to say, in a little boy voice, 'I had an accident.' which could mean anything from 'I've broken my neck' to 'My ice cream fell from the cone.' At no stage did I think it could possibly mean, 'I fell into the septic tank.' A weeping field, maybe. Who hasn't? But a barrel full of poop?
Home he came, off came the clothes. and shoes. Into the washing machine they went, into the shower he went. A cup of tea and date square later and he was feeling better.
Honestly, that is not the way you want to go. Imagine that. And imagine the headlines... Man killed by fall...crap sought for questioning.
And just when we thought we'd seen the last of the damned tank we got a call about an hour ago from the city inspector. We'd put it 1 metre from the house (where the old tank ((and briefly Michael)) had been) - instead of 1.5 metres from the house.
So now we need to dig another hole. Oh well. Frankly, I don't think you can have too many holes in a lawn, but Michael disagrees.
Last night - all night - the alarm kept beeping. Not outright wailing, thank God, but a persistent beeping that was enough to drive us from our room and into a guest room. Called the alarm people and while Michael was supervising the septic situation, having intimate knowledge now of the tank, I supervised the repair of the alarm system. Which mostly meant staying out of Benoit's way.
We've made reservations to go to New York at the end of June. That's be wonderful. Staying at the W, I think.
Before that we have a few events, including being the Canadian Guest of Honour at Bloody Words. Denise Mina - a wonderful Scottish crime writer, is the International Guest of Honour. Received the schedule of my events for that. a one-on-one interview and two panels...and I need to give a short speech at the banquet on Saturday June 6th. Need to write that.
Am hoping to finish the first draft of book 6 by June 1st - then write the speech, then head off for an event in Toronto, then the Ellis awards banquet, then Bloody Words - then back to Montreal in time for the apartment move mid-June. Then off to New York.
whenever I feel stressed - which is fairly often these days - I remember my new mantra...at least it isn't a tank of crap. At least it isn't a tank of crap. Repeat after me. At least...
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Busy
overcast, cool (compared to yesterday), temps 16
Can't believe it got up to 28 degrees yesterday! Actually hard to sleep it was so hot upstairs. Turned the ceiling fan on...then the temp dropped in the night. Phew.
You see - we can talk about the weather forever. And I know how interesting it is to other people.
Pat and Tony will be moving in here tomorrow while we're away - bringing their dogs and looking after Trudy. We're off to Ste Agathe tomorrow, to spend the night with a couple of friends at Lac manitou. Then I'll be giving a talk to the local Canadian Club. Then on Wednesday I have a talk to the Protestant School board members. Then on Thursday we fly to Washington for Malice Domestic.
That's a fun 3 day convention for mystery readers and writers - especially in the Tradiitonal gnre. I really like Malice Domestic. Lots of fun. This year the guest of honour is Anne Perry.
After that - next Sunday - I have that event with Marcia Talley, Rhys Bowen, Elaine Viets, Mary Jane Maffini and GM Maillet at the B&N in Annapolis. 5pm. Then on monday I'll be heading to Pittsburgh for the Festival of Mystery.
Busy time.
And not sure when I'll get a chance to blog. Will try, but you might not hear from me for 10 days or so. Think of me at the Agatha Awards Saturday night...The Cruelest Month is nominated. But it's a hugely talented field!
Take care of yourselves, and each other, and I'll talk to you soon.
Can't believe it got up to 28 degrees yesterday! Actually hard to sleep it was so hot upstairs. Turned the ceiling fan on...then the temp dropped in the night. Phew.
You see - we can talk about the weather forever. And I know how interesting it is to other people.
Pat and Tony will be moving in here tomorrow while we're away - bringing their dogs and looking after Trudy. We're off to Ste Agathe tomorrow, to spend the night with a couple of friends at Lac manitou. Then I'll be giving a talk to the local Canadian Club. Then on Wednesday I have a talk to the Protestant School board members. Then on Thursday we fly to Washington for Malice Domestic.
That's a fun 3 day convention for mystery readers and writers - especially in the Tradiitonal gnre. I really like Malice Domestic. Lots of fun. This year the guest of honour is Anne Perry.
After that - next Sunday - I have that event with Marcia Talley, Rhys Bowen, Elaine Viets, Mary Jane Maffini and GM Maillet at the B&N in Annapolis. 5pm. Then on monday I'll be heading to Pittsburgh for the Festival of Mystery.
Busy time.
And not sure when I'll get a chance to blog. Will try, but you might not hear from me for 10 days or so. Think of me at the Agatha Awards Saturday night...The Cruelest Month is nominated. But it's a hugely talented field!
Take care of yourselves, and each other, and I'll talk to you soon.
Friday, 24 October 2008
Muncie Cum Murder
heavy rain, cool, temps 55
loads of rain today - had a quiet morning reading more of Josephine Tey's Brat Farrar, which I'm loving. Dick Kennison picked me up at 11:30 and we went off to Ruby Tuesday for burgers. Then to the convention centre for the start of Magna Cum Murder. they've set up a coffee bar with flavors to add ourselves - like vanilla and raspberry and caramel. I did a praline flavour with whipped cream on top. Yum.
then I was asked to interview an author with a debut author - Wilfred Bereswill. the persdon who was supposed to be involed showed up late, so I agreed to step in...20 years of CBC Radio interviewing paid off...and it's always a pleasure to help out a new author.
Then there was the author dinner and after that Jim Huang, who owns and runs The Mystery Company bookstore in Indianapolis and Ronald Tierney another author and I ran a discussion with all the registered guests and authors about the state of mystery reading and writing today.
By 8:30 tonight I was ready to come back to the hotel - pooped. My sessions start at 8 tomorrow morning and end with a signing at 9pm tomorrow, after dinner. including being the feature interview over lunch and a TV interview somewhere in there. Might need to carb up.
But this is an extremely well run conference, and that makes a HUGE difference. No stress about whether things will be ready, or I'll be picked up, or if something isn't going to work. Unexpected things always happen, but here I know they'll be taken care of. Someone is paying attention. A massive difference to my enjoyment of the event.
Sleep well - probably won't blog tomorrow but will try on Sunday.
loads of rain today - had a quiet morning reading more of Josephine Tey's Brat Farrar, which I'm loving. Dick Kennison picked me up at 11:30 and we went off to Ruby Tuesday for burgers. Then to the convention centre for the start of Magna Cum Murder. they've set up a coffee bar with flavors to add ourselves - like vanilla and raspberry and caramel. I did a praline flavour with whipped cream on top. Yum.
then I was asked to interview an author with a debut author - Wilfred Bereswill. the persdon who was supposed to be involed showed up late, so I agreed to step in...20 years of CBC Radio interviewing paid off...and it's always a pleasure to help out a new author.
Then there was the author dinner and after that Jim Huang, who owns and runs The Mystery Company bookstore in Indianapolis and Ronald Tierney another author and I ran a discussion with all the registered guests and authors about the state of mystery reading and writing today.
By 8:30 tonight I was ready to come back to the hotel - pooped. My sessions start at 8 tomorrow morning and end with a signing at 9pm tomorrow, after dinner. including being the feature interview over lunch and a TV interview somewhere in there. Might need to carb up.
But this is an extremely well run conference, and that makes a HUGE difference. No stress about whether things will be ready, or I'll be picked up, or if something isn't going to work. Unexpected things always happen, but here I know they'll be taken care of. Someone is paying attention. A massive difference to my enjoyment of the event.
Sleep well - probably won't blog tomorrow but will try on Sunday.
Sunday, 5 October 2008
Gerbil-esque
started sunny, now clouded over. temps 14
Turns out, it's a mouse. Feel almost as stupid as when we called the electrician because a lamp wasn't working and he put a new bulb in and turned it on. To be fair, I'd also tried a new bulb and nothing had happened - so perhaps it was an old bulb I'd put in. Either way, he gave me 'the look'. I shrank.
I wonder if that's what gives women osteoperosis? Years of 'that look'. Diminshed.
I got it again today from Tony. He and Pat came up for tea. He also checked our mouse traps and announced we'd caught one. So we had a dead one in the basement (killed by us) and a live one in the mudroom - saved by us.
Discuss.
Made Michael a pot roast using the slow-cooker the other day. First time I'd (or anyone) had used it. Put it on then went to Knowlton for breakfast - this was Friday. Tried to banish image of it bursting into flames while I was gone. Happily the pear, melted brie and spiced blueberry crepe banished all bad thoughts. It was a transcendental experience. I'd like to buy the world a crepe.
Have to release the mouse into the wild. Preferably far enough from the house so that it doesn't come back and we end up doing something terrible to it. Strange how we bond with things we save...or imprison. This is sort of the Stockholm syndrome, in reverse.
Nice, quiet day. Reading by the fire and having tea with friends. Tomorrow Nancy comes to fix the computer - it will receive but won't send emails...have an interview with a newspaper and I think that's all so far. Trying to settle a time to do narration for a film on literacy. They want to do it this coming week but I have to do a CBC interview Wednesday then fly to Baltimore early Thursday, so will see. Perhaps Wednesday afternoon.
Michael's reading THE BRUTAL TELLING. So far so good.
Turns out, it's a mouse. Feel almost as stupid as when we called the electrician because a lamp wasn't working and he put a new bulb in and turned it on. To be fair, I'd also tried a new bulb and nothing had happened - so perhaps it was an old bulb I'd put in. Either way, he gave me 'the look'. I shrank.
I wonder if that's what gives women osteoperosis? Years of 'that look'. Diminshed.
I got it again today from Tony. He and Pat came up for tea. He also checked our mouse traps and announced we'd caught one. So we had a dead one in the basement (killed by us) and a live one in the mudroom - saved by us.
Discuss.
Made Michael a pot roast using the slow-cooker the other day. First time I'd (or anyone) had used it. Put it on then went to Knowlton for breakfast - this was Friday. Tried to banish image of it bursting into flames while I was gone. Happily the pear, melted brie and spiced blueberry crepe banished all bad thoughts. It was a transcendental experience. I'd like to buy the world a crepe.
Have to release the mouse into the wild. Preferably far enough from the house so that it doesn't come back and we end up doing something terrible to it. Strange how we bond with things we save...or imprison. This is sort of the Stockholm syndrome, in reverse.
Nice, quiet day. Reading by the fire and having tea with friends. Tomorrow Nancy comes to fix the computer - it will receive but won't send emails...have an interview with a newspaper and I think that's all so far. Trying to settle a time to do narration for a film on literacy. They want to do it this coming week but I have to do a CBC interview Wednesday then fly to Baltimore early Thursday, so will see. Perhaps Wednesday afternoon.
Michael's reading THE BRUTAL TELLING. So far so good.
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