I’ve been tagged – my writing process

The wonderful Wanda Collins Johnson, friend, writer, and critique group member, has asked me if I’d participate in a Blog Hop on the writing process. I can never turn down her smiling face. So here are my answers. I’m not actually going to tag anyone (yes,...

Mary Stewart 1916-2014

At the risk of you all stopping by my blog and mistaking it for a literary obituary page, I do feel I must post something about the author Mary Stewart who just passed away at the age of 97. For years, I’ve been a big fan of hers, my favourite is by far The Ivy...

John Rowe Townsend – author, friend, mentor

Those of you who have read this blog over the years already know how much I adore the author John Rowe Townsend. It’s with sadness that I type these words: John passed away last weekend, at the age of 91. It has been eight years since I visited with him and his...

Read this…

An important piece about the internet, writing, reading, and words by my friend Joelle Charbonneau over at Do Some Damage. Take a couple of minutes and read it. She knows what she’s talking about.

Love

I got a framed print of this for my cabin for Christmas, but it seems an appropriate to post today, too. The written word…you can’t beat it.* *See how I tied this post into writing? Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

Water and books

Remember how at New Year’s I picked three words and “water” was one of them? Well, to help me get my eight glasses a day, I put these eight coloured bands near the bottom of my glass every morning. Each time I drink a glass of water, I move a band up...

Clear, starry skie–uh…wait, what?

Last night’s forecast was for clear skies with lots of stars. I’m thinking that’s the last time they leave that particular intern in charge over the weekend.  I have to say I was pleased by the mistake. Lovely thing to wake up to if you live here...

Imagination

I’ve just come home from the hardware store where I witnessed a wonderful little scene. A very young mom was shopping for nightlights with her son, who appeared to be about three…maybe four. While she was looking, he came up to her holding a small package...

Happy 2014 – words for the year

In 2013, I chose three words to focus on rather than make resolutions. They were Canada, Friendship, and Conversation. Throughout the year, I tried to explore what these words meant to me, and experience new things related to them. They led me in interesting...

Fave for 2013

I usually do a Fave Fifteen of YA and MG at the end of each year, but this year I read wider so here are some books from many genres, in no particular order, that really floated my boat. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh – hadn’t read it since I was a kid...

Maybe I’m a Romantic?

I was looking over my Goodreads entries for the last two years, and there is a lot of FLUFF. I mean, it’s seriously startling how many romance and chicklit novels I’ve read considering that until a couple of years ago, I’d never read a romance. Not...

Hunkering Down

I’ve done a fair amount of traveling in February. I know if I really want to become a Canadian, I should spell it “travelling” but that double L is the one Canadian spelling I can’t make myself do. The thing is, if I spell the word color with a...

Whistler Book Event

I had an excellent trip to Whistler, BC this week, where I got to meet with some young writers at their high school, and then do an event for the public. So much fun! And boy do they treat you well there. Great events, nice hotel, excellent food. And for the...

Upcoming Events

On Tuesday, 12 February, I’ll be at the Whistler Public Library doing an author talk from 4-5pm. Here’s all the info from their site. If you’re in the area, I hope to see you there! Isn’t it a great looking building?! Galiano Literary Festival...

Blind Date With a Book

They are doing the greatest thing at my local library. The librarian, Suzanne, heard about it from a librarian in the US and I want to give her credit, but I’ve forgotten her blog, so if any of you know, be sure to leave it in the comments or email me. See this...

Fave Fifteen of 2012

In 2012, I read 130 books. I also started a dozen or so that I gave up on. Here are my favourite fifteen of 2012. What are yours? In a random order: Not Much Just Chillin’: The Hidden Lives of Middle Schoolers Perlstein, Linda Seriously…I’m Kidding...

A Year is Like a Synopsis – hard to pin down

I like this picture because I’m basking in the winter sunshine…a rare thing in these parts. It reminds me to live in the moment. You might not actually see me online much in the coming year. As far as I know, I don’t have a book coming out in 2013,...

All I want for Christmas is a…rock?

Yes, it’s true. Santa brought me a rock. No, not a pet rock, a garlic rock. Carefully selected from the beach, this rock will sit in my kitchen, handy for pounding garlic. Thanks, Santa, you rock! As for Marley, she’s happy with the wrapping paper.  ...

Circa 1960

My husband’s childhood tree that his parents used to set up in his bedroom. And the lovely ornament my dear friend Alexa gave me in 2010.  Happy Holidays to all!

Hunter Boots No More

I can’t remember ever using my website as a platform for anything other than writing or my husband’s music and photography, certainly not to complain. But this is more of a warning than a complaint, especially if you’re still shopping or Hunter boots...