sunny, warm, lovely day - temps 75
Glorious washington today...trees in full bloom.
Michael and I had breakfast together, though I was still full from yesterday. Then at 10am there was this wonderful event that I believe is unique to Malice Domestic and that's this sort of speed dating with authors. 20 tables are set up, with ten people at each, and space for 2 authors. the fabulous Canaidan myrsery writer Vicki Delany and I teamed up. We had 2 minutes each to talk about our books, then at the end of 4 minutes the authors got up and went to the next table and began again. For 90 minutes. By the end we were giddy with exhaustion.
Then Vicki, Michael and I headed off for lunch - and returned in time to hear William Link interviewed one-on-one. He's one half of the famous Levinson-Link TV producing team. They created Columbo and Murder, She Wrote and all sorts of other great TV shows and movies. Brilliant. He's one of the guest of honors here. Very funny interview - filled with anecdotes. Sadly I don't have time to go through it now. But trust me, they were hilarious. Best ever...now I'm just teasing you.
had a quiet hour in the room and now am in the lobby blogging - where the internet is available.
Oh, the Edgar's were last night in New York City and Minotaur Books (my publishers) cleaned up! John Hart won for Best Novel and the fabulous Stefani Pintoff won for best first novel for In the Shadow of Gotham. Congratulations!!!
Need to run...opening ceremonies in a few minutes...introducing the Agatha nominees.... Rhys Bown, Donna Andrews, Lorna Barrett, Hank Phillipi Ryan and me! Then the five of us have a panel...and then there's the live auction tonight. They're auctioning off a signed ARC for Bury Your Dead...the first person in the world, outside the publishers, to get a copy!!
Speak later...
Friday, 30 April 2010
Thursday, 29 April 2010
No, no, I'm not from Montreal, the home of the Habs...
Sunny, warm, temps mid-70's.
Wow, what a change. We had to wear our boots just to get to the car. Fortunately (unlike last November) both Michael and I remember to change out of them at the airport. Got away nice and early. By 8am. But we'd already had Tony topping up the swimming pool with water and Gary dropping by.
Gary, Michael and I danced around the mud room shouting, 'Habs!!! Habs!!!'
The Montreal Canadiens (known in Canada as the Habs after the french phrsae habitant) defeated the Washington Capitals 2-1 last night to take their series. Against ALL odds. The Habs were the last placed team and the Caps the first. Wow.
Gary's last word before leaving was, 'For God's sake, don't tell them you're from montreal.'
So what's the first thing I say when asked by the cab driver at the Washington airport where we're from? 'Oh, Montreal.'
he gave us the stink-eye.
As I say, Tony also dropped by
Indeed, we knew Tony was there because we heard what sounded like the biggest mouse in the world scrambling away behind a wall. A bull-mouse. Turns out it was just Tony, trying to attach the hose to the outside tap.
Ken and Mary came late yesterday, to vacuum the pool. I have a photo of them shoveling first, to get to it, after our snow fall. Fortunately most of it has fallen off the trees.
Got across the border easily and did the park and shuttle thing at the Burlington Airport. Twice. Let me explain...ahem... the community radio station gave me an MP3 player to record this trip...so I started recording events this morning...bits and piece, inclduing crossing the border. We got to the airport, jumped on the shuttle, checked in, got through security when I realized I'd left the recorder in the car!
Gack!
Told Michael. Dear one volunteered to go all the way back. But I said, No, let's just leave it, I can record another event for them. But he insisted...so I decided I really should go. (a rare moment of clarity). Went back through security, out the airport, waited for the nice shuttle driver...got to the park and shuttle, got the keys, walked to the car...and found the tape machine...lying on the pavement beside the car!!!
Just lying there.
Gack!
Now this is a terribly expensive machine and I'm not at all sure what lie I'd have to tell them. Mugged in Washington, and the only thing they took as the MP3 player.
But I didn't have to...there it was.
Sooo, back on the shuttle, back to the airport, back through security, who now scrutinized me quite closely as a possible psychotic. And found Michael waiting at the gate. Told him the whole amazing story, and thanked him. he was quite chuffed, and he should be.
The flight from Burlington to Washington DC was about an hour...very smooth and easy, and fast.
We arrived, checked in - dodged dirty looks when people realized we were from Quebec... then went to a local seafood house for chowder and sea scallops. Now will spend the evening relaxing before tomorrow. We've been here at Malice Domestic so often it feels like home. Dear, not sure that sounds so good...
Go Habs!!!
Wow, what a change. We had to wear our boots just to get to the car. Fortunately (unlike last November) both Michael and I remember to change out of them at the airport. Got away nice and early. By 8am. But we'd already had Tony topping up the swimming pool with water and Gary dropping by.
Gary, Michael and I danced around the mud room shouting, 'Habs!!! Habs!!!'
The Montreal Canadiens (known in Canada as the Habs after the french phrsae habitant) defeated the Washington Capitals 2-1 last night to take their series. Against ALL odds. The Habs were the last placed team and the Caps the first. Wow.
Gary's last word before leaving was, 'For God's sake, don't tell them you're from montreal.'
So what's the first thing I say when asked by the cab driver at the Washington airport where we're from? 'Oh, Montreal.'
he gave us the stink-eye.
As I say, Tony also dropped by
Indeed, we knew Tony was there because we heard what sounded like the biggest mouse in the world scrambling away behind a wall. A bull-mouse. Turns out it was just Tony, trying to attach the hose to the outside tap.
Ken and Mary came late yesterday, to vacuum the pool. I have a photo of them shoveling first, to get to it, after our snow fall. Fortunately most of it has fallen off the trees.
Got across the border easily and did the park and shuttle thing at the Burlington Airport. Twice. Let me explain...ahem... the community radio station gave me an MP3 player to record this trip...so I started recording events this morning...bits and piece, inclduing crossing the border. We got to the airport, jumped on the shuttle, checked in, got through security when I realized I'd left the recorder in the car!
Gack!
Told Michael. Dear one volunteered to go all the way back. But I said, No, let's just leave it, I can record another event for them. But he insisted...so I decided I really should go. (a rare moment of clarity). Went back through security, out the airport, waited for the nice shuttle driver...got to the park and shuttle, got the keys, walked to the car...and found the tape machine...lying on the pavement beside the car!!!
Just lying there.
Gack!
Now this is a terribly expensive machine and I'm not at all sure what lie I'd have to tell them. Mugged in Washington, and the only thing they took as the MP3 player.
But I didn't have to...there it was.
Sooo, back on the shuttle, back to the airport, back through security, who now scrutinized me quite closely as a possible psychotic. And found Michael waiting at the gate. Told him the whole amazing story, and thanked him. he was quite chuffed, and he should be.
The flight from Burlington to Washington DC was about an hour...very smooth and easy, and fast.
We arrived, checked in - dodged dirty looks when people realized we were from Quebec... then went to a local seafood house for chowder and sea scallops. Now will spend the evening relaxing before tomorrow. We've been here at Malice Domestic so often it feels like home. Dear, not sure that sounds so good...
Go Habs!!!
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Snow! Snow!!
snow! More snow. temps slightly above freezing
We've had over a foot. More whacking away at the bushes and trees. Driving back from Sutton last night there were all these trees bowed down over the road...so we had to weave around the trees. Again, very pretty, if it wasn't in danger of hurting the trees, and us.
Power went off and on all night long. Kept waking up to things clicking and whirring back to life. Though, that actually might have been Michael. Or me. I do whirr a lot.
This morning it continued to snow - more than 14 inches in total. Tony came by with more bird seed for the poor birds. Then a wonderful thing happened...it started melting. Fast. Now almost all the snow has come off the trees and bushes...phew.
Wrote lots today. Wrote good. Well, wrote lots. But didn't finish the first draft and now I'm too pooped. Will take the computer with me and see what happens. Off to Washington tomorrow - for Malice Domestic.
So looking forward to it. Busy, busy time - but I just love this readers and writers conference. it focusses on traditional mysteries. the readers are deeply intelligent and very supportive of everyone.
Might not be able to blog tomorrow - but will try.
We've had over a foot. More whacking away at the bushes and trees. Driving back from Sutton last night there were all these trees bowed down over the road...so we had to weave around the trees. Again, very pretty, if it wasn't in danger of hurting the trees, and us.
Power went off and on all night long. Kept waking up to things clicking and whirring back to life. Though, that actually might have been Michael. Or me. I do whirr a lot.
This morning it continued to snow - more than 14 inches in total. Tony came by with more bird seed for the poor birds. Then a wonderful thing happened...it started melting. Fast. Now almost all the snow has come off the trees and bushes...phew.
Wrote lots today. Wrote good. Well, wrote lots. But didn't finish the first draft and now I'm too pooped. Will take the computer with me and see what happens. Off to Washington tomorrow - for Malice Domestic.
So looking forward to it. Busy, busy time - but I just love this readers and writers conference. it focusses on traditional mysteries. the readers are deeply intelligent and very supportive of everyone.
Might not be able to blog tomorrow - but will try.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Snow!!
Snow!!! temps zero
Snow!!!
Did I mention what happened today? We're having Snow!!! And now just a flake or two. We've had about a foot of heavy wet stuff. Very, very beautiful. But when it starts staying on the roads it's quite dangerous, especially since most people have removed their winter tires. We haven't. Couldn't get an appointment with the garage until next Tuesday. Seemed nuts to be driving on winter tires into May. Until today. Now we look brilliant.
The main problem for us, though, is what the heavy snow does to the trees and bushes and flowers. Poor tulips, bowed to the ground. But it's the bushes and trees that are the most worrisome. After feeding trudy she and I went outside with a big broom, and swept the honeysuckle and lilacs and apple trees.
Very satisfying - and fun. they bounced right back into place once the snow dropped off their branches.
The other problem, related to trees and heavy snow, is that they bend over onto the hydro wires (electrical lines I guess they're called elsewhere) - causing power outages. We poured a tubful of water, in case there's an outage.
Michael and I went to breakfast this morning, then to Knowlton to visit Lucy and Danny at the bookstore and sign some books. then over to the community radio station - CIDI. I told them I'd take a tape machine and record our trip to Washington for Malice Domestic and the Agatha Awards - to give people an idea what it feels like from the inside. But we had to pop by to pick up the machine and learn how to use it.
Nice day yesterday too...but with writing like a maniac trying to finish the book before heading to Washington Thursday I barely looked up. So didn't have time to blog. Then we had a dinner party last night. Actually, it was a fundraiser to raise money for sports facilities for kids here. 300 people at the chalet of the ski hill, Mont Sutton. Ironic it should start to snow while there. Our friend Wilder arranged for a table. Lots of fun. But to be honest I was so tired and distracted I'm not sure I was the best companion. And the music was so loud it was almost impossible to hear.
But I'm glad we went...and we met a bunch of people we've never met before.
We have a neighborhood watch meeting tonight, in Sutton. Through the snow, but our friends and neighbors Guy and Nicole are organizing it - so we really should go. Besides, there'll be Surete du Quebec officers there - and I have some questions.
I don't actually think I'll be finished the book tomorrow - but I'm close. We'll see. Perhaps I'll get as far as I can and just write, The End.
Hope you're enjoying the day!
Snow!!!
Did I mention what happened today? We're having Snow!!! And now just a flake or two. We've had about a foot of heavy wet stuff. Very, very beautiful. But when it starts staying on the roads it's quite dangerous, especially since most people have removed their winter tires. We haven't. Couldn't get an appointment with the garage until next Tuesday. Seemed nuts to be driving on winter tires into May. Until today. Now we look brilliant.
The main problem for us, though, is what the heavy snow does to the trees and bushes and flowers. Poor tulips, bowed to the ground. But it's the bushes and trees that are the most worrisome. After feeding trudy she and I went outside with a big broom, and swept the honeysuckle and lilacs and apple trees.
Very satisfying - and fun. they bounced right back into place once the snow dropped off their branches.
The other problem, related to trees and heavy snow, is that they bend over onto the hydro wires (electrical lines I guess they're called elsewhere) - causing power outages. We poured a tubful of water, in case there's an outage.
Michael and I went to breakfast this morning, then to Knowlton to visit Lucy and Danny at the bookstore and sign some books. then over to the community radio station - CIDI. I told them I'd take a tape machine and record our trip to Washington for Malice Domestic and the Agatha Awards - to give people an idea what it feels like from the inside. But we had to pop by to pick up the machine and learn how to use it.
Nice day yesterday too...but with writing like a maniac trying to finish the book before heading to Washington Thursday I barely looked up. So didn't have time to blog. Then we had a dinner party last night. Actually, it was a fundraiser to raise money for sports facilities for kids here. 300 people at the chalet of the ski hill, Mont Sutton. Ironic it should start to snow while there. Our friend Wilder arranged for a table. Lots of fun. But to be honest I was so tired and distracted I'm not sure I was the best companion. And the music was so loud it was almost impossible to hear.
But I'm glad we went...and we met a bunch of people we've never met before.
We have a neighborhood watch meeting tonight, in Sutton. Through the snow, but our friends and neighbors Guy and Nicole are organizing it - so we really should go. Besides, there'll be Surete du Quebec officers there - and I have some questions.
I don't actually think I'll be finished the book tomorrow - but I'm close. We'll see. Perhaps I'll get as far as I can and just write, The End.
Hope you're enjoying the day!
Sunday, 25 April 2010
The end is nigh...or...The end is not nigh
mainly sunny, mild, temps 15
Did a lot of writing today - almost 4,000 words. I think my plan now is just to blast through to the end, and worry about whether these sections are any good on the second draft. I know, I know - I've said that before...but this time I think I mean it. I'm so close to the end...I can hear and see the next few scenes...and I know that when I get to this stage in the next draft it will be obvious what needs to be changed.
But we'll see. The only problem, as ever, is that the end seems to keep moving further away.
Michael is also VERY close to finishing his first draft...very exciting.
Lovely day here...the gardens, thanks to Lise and Donna, look spectacular. Trudy and I toured them a few times - and around the pond too. Sitting here in the TV room I can see the front porch and see a birds next there - with a bird coming and going. not sure it there are eggs or babies. That would be fun.
VERY happy that the Canada geese seem to have given our pond a miss this year. We love seeing them and their babies - but their droppings get old fast.
Nice quiet day. Bliss. Nothing to do except what we want. Which is pretty well drinking cafe au lait, eat Social Teas, write, and walk with Trudy.
Did a lot of writing today - almost 4,000 words. I think my plan now is just to blast through to the end, and worry about whether these sections are any good on the second draft. I know, I know - I've said that before...but this time I think I mean it. I'm so close to the end...I can hear and see the next few scenes...and I know that when I get to this stage in the next draft it will be obvious what needs to be changed.
But we'll see. The only problem, as ever, is that the end seems to keep moving further away.
Michael is also VERY close to finishing his first draft...very exciting.
Lovely day here...the gardens, thanks to Lise and Donna, look spectacular. Trudy and I toured them a few times - and around the pond too. Sitting here in the TV room I can see the front porch and see a birds next there - with a bird coming and going. not sure it there are eggs or babies. That would be fun.
VERY happy that the Canada geese seem to have given our pond a miss this year. We love seeing them and their babies - but their droppings get old fast.
Nice quiet day. Bliss. Nothing to do except what we want. Which is pretty well drinking cafe au lait, eat Social Teas, write, and walk with Trudy.
Saturday, 24 April 2010
the doc's dock
sunny, mild, temps 15
Another beautiful day - we're back in Sutton. Walked over to the guest cottage with trudy to see how Gary and Alan got on without our supervision and advice. Oddly, everything is finished! And done beautifully!! The large blacony/deck/verandah. And they re-built the dock completely! And even built in a bench. It is just so peaceful on a summer's day to sit down there with a cup of coffee in the morning. And now they needn't worry about taking their lives in their hands.
the place is getting very uninteresting. Hardly any mortal dangers anymore. Bears gone. Decks without holes. Docks repaired. We're heading off to Malice on Thursday (thank for the link, Marjorie!!!) - but friends will be using the cottage in our absence - coming for a funeral.
Speaking of travels, we've confirmed (as far as I know) that the Canadian launch party for Bury Your Dead will be in Quebec City on Friday, Oct 29th. At the Morrin Centre - which is the home of the wonderful Literary and Historical Society - where much of the action of Bury Your Dead takes place. We'll be there, of course...and it'll be a GREAT party. If you can come that would be amazing.
And, have just booked a few days in New York in early July...some business stuff, but mostly going to celebrate my friend Dan's birthday. Michael and I will be staying at a hotel I've been dying to try - the W Union Square. Now, we've stayed at lots of W's - like them a lot...but they are famous for compact rooms...and in NYC they tend to be miniscule. But apparently the W Un ion Square has much larger rooms...and we booked into a Mega Room - which bodes well. Will let you know, of course.
Gary and Alan, Bless 'em, also put the dock in at the main house.
The daffodils are all up - the tulips are just days away from blooming. What an amazing time of the year...especually when you consider the feet and feet of snow not all that long ago.
Didn't get any writing done today - but did a first draft of the May newsletter. Don't forget, I'll be giving away 2 copies of the advance copy of BURY YOUR DEAD in this newsletter. It always feels better to get the newsletter written. Linda Lyall, in Scotland, who manages and designs the website and newsletter, is magnificent.
Must go. Have some gardening to do. As we talked to the cottage I noticed some digitalis in the forest _ where i'd spread seeds years ago - and want to dig some up and plant them in the garden around the house. And our friend Cotton dropped by while we were gone and left off three beautiful potted asian lilies, which need to be popped into the garden as well. The cutting garden I think, for them.
Speak to you tomorrow.
Oh - the Canadien's won!!! Just when we thought we'd be put out of our misery. But hope still burns.
Another beautiful day - we're back in Sutton. Walked over to the guest cottage with trudy to see how Gary and Alan got on without our supervision and advice. Oddly, everything is finished! And done beautifully!! The large blacony/deck/verandah. And they re-built the dock completely! And even built in a bench. It is just so peaceful on a summer's day to sit down there with a cup of coffee in the morning. And now they needn't worry about taking their lives in their hands.
the place is getting very uninteresting. Hardly any mortal dangers anymore. Bears gone. Decks without holes. Docks repaired. We're heading off to Malice on Thursday (thank for the link, Marjorie!!!) - but friends will be using the cottage in our absence - coming for a funeral.
Speaking of travels, we've confirmed (as far as I know) that the Canadian launch party for Bury Your Dead will be in Quebec City on Friday, Oct 29th. At the Morrin Centre - which is the home of the wonderful Literary and Historical Society - where much of the action of Bury Your Dead takes place. We'll be there, of course...and it'll be a GREAT party. If you can come that would be amazing.
And, have just booked a few days in New York in early July...some business stuff, but mostly going to celebrate my friend Dan's birthday. Michael and I will be staying at a hotel I've been dying to try - the W Union Square. Now, we've stayed at lots of W's - like them a lot...but they are famous for compact rooms...and in NYC they tend to be miniscule. But apparently the W Un ion Square has much larger rooms...and we booked into a Mega Room - which bodes well. Will let you know, of course.
Gary and Alan, Bless 'em, also put the dock in at the main house.
The daffodils are all up - the tulips are just days away from blooming. What an amazing time of the year...especually when you consider the feet and feet of snow not all that long ago.
Didn't get any writing done today - but did a first draft of the May newsletter. Don't forget, I'll be giving away 2 copies of the advance copy of BURY YOUR DEAD in this newsletter. It always feels better to get the newsletter written. Linda Lyall, in Scotland, who manages and designs the website and newsletter, is magnificent.
Must go. Have some gardening to do. As we talked to the cottage I noticed some digitalis in the forest _ where i'd spread seeds years ago - and want to dig some up and plant them in the garden around the house. And our friend Cotton dropped by while we were gone and left off three beautiful potted asian lilies, which need to be popped into the garden as well. The cutting garden I think, for them.
Speak to you tomorrow.
Oh - the Canadien's won!!! Just when we thought we'd be put out of our misery. But hope still burns.
Friday, 23 April 2010
Earth Day - plus one
sunny, mild, temps 10
A little cool in the shade...still wearing my all-time favorite coat - a waxed Barbour we bought years ago in London. In fact, the photo to the right - me sitting on the bench at home - in that photo I'm wearing it too. Love it. Because it's waxed I smell more than a little bit like an old tent.
An oddly comforting smell, actually. At least for me - not sure if it's as comforting for my companions.
Like most people, I'm drawn to fragrance. Roses, sandalwood, coffee, bacon, fresh cut grass, peony, lilac, smoke from maple logs in the fireplace - and old tents. I read once that my generation (I'm turning 52) tends to relate to chemical smells - gasoline, Ben Gay, cool aid. Things that are manufactured. The older generation reacts to natural aromas - like grass.
I thought that was interesting - and perhaps even true. I know when I smell Ben Gay I feel comforted. I suspect when my mother smelt it she felt simply stressed. One more sick child.
Had fun yesterday - very hectic day. Supposed to have breakfast with our friend but there was a confusion of dates. Frustrating since we'd have loved to see her, and it pushed our day back by 2 hours. We'd normally be at the restaurant for breakfast by 7:30 - 8am - home by nine and writing...but she wanted to meet at 9am. So lost 2 hours of precious writing time when I'm rushing and working hard to try to finish before we head to Washington next Thursday. Not catastrophic if I don't finish, but having to stop writing for four days in a first draft is never a good thing for me.
But, got home and got 2 hours of writing done anyway, before heading off to our tax accountant. Great news - I'm getting a refund. Not great news - it will be eaten up and then some by Michael's taxes! All those pedicures, I suspect.
Then we hopped it over to the Delta in Montrealfor the Blue Metropolis Literary Festival - met Nancy and pat and Barbara and Anthony for drinks and dinner. I scooted away briefly to meet with Louise loiselle, the president of Flammarion Quebec, my French publisher. She was there with one of her authors, James Frey. Rejoined the others then we headed to the event room.
It's always a little scary, thinking no one will show up - but the place was packed. Barbara Fradkin and Anthony Bidulka were sparkling and fascinating...and then Anthony was nominated for the Arthur Ellis for Best Novel...which was thrilling!
there was a wine and cheese afterward - sponsored by the Crime Writers of Canada. Nancy Grant - the VP of the CWC did the most wonderful thing. She took all our book covers and turned them into wine labels, then stuck them on wine bottles. It was a riot.
Home by shortly after 9pm...pooped.
Hope you had a happy Earth Day. When I think of the changes in our lives - environmentally speaking - since the first Earth Day 40 years ago I shudder. At the waste I'm responsible for...at the fear of what we've collectively done - but also at how easy the changes are to implement. Our garbage is easily a quarter what it once was. We have one car (and a horse). We compost and turn off lights. And still we could do so much more.
I look at old movies - from the 40s or 50s - and want to shout at the screen...don't do it. Don't ruin everything. Don't build big cars and create fast food and strip the rain forests, don't rip of passenger rail routes and don't believe plastic is the future.
But apparently screaming at the TV doesn't work. if it did the montreal Canadiens would be winning their series!
Be well - speak to you tomorrow. Back to work for me.
A little cool in the shade...still wearing my all-time favorite coat - a waxed Barbour we bought years ago in London. In fact, the photo to the right - me sitting on the bench at home - in that photo I'm wearing it too. Love it. Because it's waxed I smell more than a little bit like an old tent.
An oddly comforting smell, actually. At least for me - not sure if it's as comforting for my companions.
Like most people, I'm drawn to fragrance. Roses, sandalwood, coffee, bacon, fresh cut grass, peony, lilac, smoke from maple logs in the fireplace - and old tents. I read once that my generation (I'm turning 52) tends to relate to chemical smells - gasoline, Ben Gay, cool aid. Things that are manufactured. The older generation reacts to natural aromas - like grass.
I thought that was interesting - and perhaps even true. I know when I smell Ben Gay I feel comforted. I suspect when my mother smelt it she felt simply stressed. One more sick child.
Had fun yesterday - very hectic day. Supposed to have breakfast with our friend but there was a confusion of dates. Frustrating since we'd have loved to see her, and it pushed our day back by 2 hours. We'd normally be at the restaurant for breakfast by 7:30 - 8am - home by nine and writing...but she wanted to meet at 9am. So lost 2 hours of precious writing time when I'm rushing and working hard to try to finish before we head to Washington next Thursday. Not catastrophic if I don't finish, but having to stop writing for four days in a first draft is never a good thing for me.
But, got home and got 2 hours of writing done anyway, before heading off to our tax accountant. Great news - I'm getting a refund. Not great news - it will be eaten up and then some by Michael's taxes! All those pedicures, I suspect.
Then we hopped it over to the Delta in Montrealfor the Blue Metropolis Literary Festival - met Nancy and pat and Barbara and Anthony for drinks and dinner. I scooted away briefly to meet with Louise loiselle, the president of Flammarion Quebec, my French publisher. She was there with one of her authors, James Frey. Rejoined the others then we headed to the event room.
It's always a little scary, thinking no one will show up - but the place was packed. Barbara Fradkin and Anthony Bidulka were sparkling and fascinating...and then Anthony was nominated for the Arthur Ellis for Best Novel...which was thrilling!
there was a wine and cheese afterward - sponsored by the Crime Writers of Canada. Nancy Grant - the VP of the CWC did the most wonderful thing. She took all our book covers and turned them into wine labels, then stuck them on wine bottles. It was a riot.
Home by shortly after 9pm...pooped.
Hope you had a happy Earth Day. When I think of the changes in our lives - environmentally speaking - since the first Earth Day 40 years ago I shudder. At the waste I'm responsible for...at the fear of what we've collectively done - but also at how easy the changes are to implement. Our garbage is easily a quarter what it once was. We have one car (and a horse). We compost and turn off lights. And still we could do so much more.
I look at old movies - from the 40s or 50s - and want to shout at the screen...don't do it. Don't ruin everything. Don't build big cars and create fast food and strip the rain forests, don't rip of passenger rail routes and don't believe plastic is the future.
But apparently screaming at the TV doesn't work. if it did the montreal Canadiens would be winning their series!
Be well - speak to you tomorrow. Back to work for me.
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