Grounded

For those of you who follow my blog on a regular basis, I apologize for not posting anything lately. That would be because I haven’t done much wandering. This nasty break in my leg refuses to heal and has literally grounded me. I have managed to get out a few times to celebrate birthdays with friends and to attend a book fair but other than that – between my temperamental car and my leg I’m not too mobile. Every now and again one has one of those years and 2011 has thrown me several nasty curves. Frankly, I cannot wait for this one to end and start fresh in 2012. I have great expectations for that one as I have definitely paid my dues this year.

I can hear you thoughts grinding away thinking that I should have written volumes as I sit here with my laptop – some, but not as much as I should. I have finished the first draft of a novel and need to aggressively seek a publisher. It’s a different direction for me as I grow my writing skills. I am venturing into the General Novel field with a story written for a female audience (18-30) that leads the reader on adventures across Canada and solves a mystery. It has taken me 2 years to bring it to this point. Hopefully I find a publisher that thinks it worthy of print.

In the meantime, I have returned to writing some children’s books and have published Snow Business. Way back in the 60’s and 70s when my children were babies, I wrote a lot for children. It’s fun to realize I can still findd that inner child. 

            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!

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.