Fair play

            For you followers of my blog, this not one of my best shots but it does tell you that Autumn is wandering this way – a month early! One of the harbingers of summer’s end is the country Fair. Seeing as I cannot yet wander around comfortably I did only a quick stop at the Richmond Fair yesterday.

            The smells, sights and sounds have changed little since I first attended with my children in 1975. Pungent BBQ’d dogs made my mouth-water. Sweet cotton candy being mouthed by blue lips of a toddler made me grab my camera (his father gave me permission). A child with his face painted as Spiderman clutched fuzzy prizes as he stumbled toward the exit tired and happy.

            This country Fair became a family tradition - not just to attend but to enter in the various competitions. My children have shown cattle, sheep and rabbits. They crafted art and cooked delicious offerings. Tucked away in our albums are the Richmond Fair ribbons and pictures with trophies. We didn’t win them all, of course, but what a great way to teach children that by simply participating they won our respect. I’m glad to say that the tradition carries on and yesterday I proudly accompanied my grandson to collect his picture with the First Prize ribbon attached. Mom’s cookies didn’t fare as well but as far as we were concerned they did and we devoured them on the way home. With my camera at the ready, I tried for that shot that might be the one to win a ribbon in 2012.

Oh Canada

Well here we have it! I just sold another story to Chicken Soup For The Soul for their next anthology to come out on November 1st called Oh Canada. I will have it available at the Ottawa Independent Writers Book Fair on November 20. The story On The Hill is about taking friends to Parliament Hill on Canada Day. Watch for it.

In the meantime I will be wandering off to Port Hope to give a seminar on writing memoirs and to speak with a book club. I will continue on to Michigan to spend some time with my daughter then return to visit with friends in Peterborough.

When I themed this blog, I had no idea I wandered so much. Even a trip to my favourite restaurant the Black Dog in Manotick to share food and gossip with dear friend(s) could be considered wandering. So I guess I can say that my direction was aptly named. I hear from many of you that you read my blog – why don’t you sign on as a follower? It will lead you to other great blogs.

So I’m going to wander off to the kitchen and devour gingerbread with applesauce. Then I should probably wander back to write, write, write.

Camera ready

For the first time since my fall, I grabbed my camera and headed to the pond to catch a shot or two of our new young heron. He’s very shy and I had not been able to venture near before. Quite the contrary this time - he was as interested in me as I was him. My injuries seemed to disappear as I concentrated on getting the best shot. A movement across the pond caught my eye - two turtles were watching my slow dance to get closer to the big bird. Of course they became subjects as did a lonely water lily in a crowd of leaves. Happy with my little foray, I headed back toward the house, stepped into the garden to take a photo (not showing you this one) of my one decent rose this year when a beautiful garden snake lifted its head from dozing quietly to see just what and who was disturbing it. One does not have to wander far to find those special moments and accommodating subjects.