Not even a broken car can ground me. Wedged into my friend’s compact, three of us headed off to Pennsylvania for five days of relaxation and friendship. The trip down offered glorious spectacles of fall colours transforming the mountains into nature’s gardens. The week was spent exploring the Poconos, swimming in a delicious salt-water pool and wandering along the Delaware River. According to Murphy’s Law, my camera was nestled in my car ready to go and of course I switched cars and forgot my camera – grrr. While there, I learned a new card game which I immediately introduced to my grandchildren on my return so they could beat the pants off me. Why are they so smart? Ah, but I’d not have it otherwise.

            I have spent the morning sorting out the dilemma of my car which I have been informed will plunge me into spending way too much money. Can’t live with those metal beasts and certainly not without them.

            On the positive side, signed copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul O Canada are now available through me at $14.95. Just email me at fourteencups@hotmail.com

Happy Halloween folks

Wandering Home

            Michigan was showing off with trees sporting deep reds and blinding yellows. I went in search of that perfect shot but diverted from autumn leaves to seed pods and intricate patterns. The sugar beets fascinated me with the way the light played through their stems. Delicious time spent with my daughter was too short and I had to be back in Port Hope to speak to a group of avid readers.

            Autumn colour enticed me with my camera to wander back roads. I left Port Hope after speaking to an attentive group about Wandering Backward and spending the night with life-long friends simply catching up. I took advantage of the glorious weather to head along the

Welcome Road

to Garden Hill. The leaves were just hinting that they would turn brilliant shades within days. My destination was Oshawa where I intended to spend a few days with relatives. Garden Hill has changed little since I was there last - over 60 years ago. The vistas of rolling hills nourished me – something I don’t experience in the Ottawa Valley that stretches long and flat.

            Once in Oshawa, I gathered up my elderly relatives and drove to Port Perry and beyond. The fall leaves eluded us, there were yellows but few reds, but I did capture one or two decent shots. The next day we drove along the lakeshore to Port Hope. Even though I’ve been in Ottawa for more years then I was ever in the Port Hope/Cobourg area, I still miss the big lake. This drive was my Lake Ontario fix.

            The drive back to Ottawa presented more fall colours than I’d seen since leaving Michigan. However, I drove and did not stop to take pictures. I arrived home to learn that the Chicken Soup for the Soul O Canada was due to launch on November 1 (I will keep you posted) and my story On The Hill is being featured. Also, the new children’s book Snow Business has gone to print. Yea! I can hardly wait to see them. This was truly a celebration for Thanksgiving.

On the road again

I escaped! With a packed suitcase and books I wandered away from the confines of my healing couch (it did a good job) and headed down the road to Port Hope where I was scheduled to do a workshop. The drive was uneventful and I arrived with enough time to spare to get myself organized and greet the enthusiastic participants. They were a delightful group of storytellers and I have no doubt several will set themselves to writing their memoir. The time flew and I headed west to Michigan arriving well over an hour ahead of schedule. I had plenty of time to think about the workshop and realized that a weekend retreat workshop with that group of people would be productive and fun. I’ve never done a retreat but maybe ….

So here I am in Michigan peering out at heavy frost covering the ground. On my return journey, I’ll be stopping off in Oshawa for a few days and will head to the hills with my camera to catch the fall colour. It’s so good to be wandering again. Yahoo!