Hello Sleevers, t’s been a while since we’ve talked. Life has been interfering with my blog.
I hope you are doing well. I thought a nice way to ease in back here is to share what I’m currently reading, doing and anticipating this Spring. We’re half way through spring, that’s true but it’s not too late to share what’s happening mid-season.
First, let’s talk books.
Joseph Campbell’s Hero With a Thousand Faces. I’m sure you’ve all heard of it. I found this gem at a used bookstore last year but have only begun reading it about a month ago. I’ve put it down in the last few weeks to take up a library book and a lighter read for our recent vacation. The book is fascinating especially the historic folklore and mythology. Campbell takes you through the hero’s journey from Departure (some do not answer the call), Initiation (the perils they must overcome), Return (some do not return) and the Keys (I haven’t gotten to this part of the book yet). In any case, the theme is that we are all on a journey that looks similar to the hero’s. It’s interesting to note that our modern day tropes in fiction and film are also based on the premise of hero’s journey.
After the Funeral and Other Stories by British author, Tessa Hadley. This is a new release from a debut author who has been compared to Alice Munro. I had to check her out as Munro is one of my all time favourite authors and not just because she is Canadian.
I loved the first story which is the title story of the collection. However, so far each successive story has become more grim, the characters less enchanting. I hate to say it because this author’s style is typically the kind of writing I like to dig into. However, some of her similes are simply ridiculously over written. There’s nothing worse than a writer who shows off their finessing of words to the point of distraction. I’m still reading it though, so I am not reviewing it, just sharing my thoughts on it so far.
Cedar Cove #6 Ranier Drive by Debbie Macomber. I picked this up at the drugstore to take on my vacation because Macomber’s books have always satisfied my need for a cozy, laid back read. Turns out this book is one of the Cedar Cove series. It’s a popular television series on the W Network although I have never watched it. It was a slow start as there are so many characters my head was spinning and it wasn’t from the Mai Tais. Now that I’ve gotten halfway through, I am getting to know the characters and enjoying the stories of each one. She writes child characters very well, too.
Taking one last go through of my manuscript, Daughter of the Moon, before sending it to the editor in May. I’m very excited to take the next step and get the editor’s eyes on it. As for the cover, I have done some mockups but I’m not satisfied with any of them. I’m considering having no image on the cover.
As a reader and buyer of books, what do you think of a cover with simply a nice colour and the title like the After the Funeral book cover pictured above? Let me know in the comments what you think.
Packing. We are moving again. I’m very excited as we are moving to a larger space and will have a yard for the first time in years. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed where we are living now. The apartment itself was perfection, the location also perfection. City life was lots of fun and convenient for my husband’s work. I’ve enjoyed a space of my own here for painting and writing, with windows facing the Northshore mountains. Walking distance to amazing restaurants, the seawall and popular beaches. Sigh. I will miss it but of course, we won’t be too far away and will still call the city home.
A road trip with my daughter! This should be adventurous. What could go wrong? A mother and daughter in a car together for two days…well, she has promised my playlist. She has also asked me for my favorite podcasts because “We can’t listen to Abba the whole way.” Haha! Absolutely true. We are driving from Vancouver to Edmonton, Alberta. One night’s stay in Jasper. I haven’t been to Jasper in over a decade so it will be lovely to see again. It really is beautiful there with the majestic Rockies and ice blue lakes.
Packing, packing, packing. Moving and setting up house. These will be taking up most of my month of May.
Closing arguments. Last week of May I will be attending court to listen to closing arguments of my trial that took place January 29-February 28. Here is a pic my husband took of me about to begin day 7 (day four of cross examination) on the witness stand.
Me about to begin my last day of cross examination. I’m certainly relieved that’s behind me now.
So lots going on this spring. Lots of change and perhaps some closure along with a little adventure.
Please tell me, what are you reading currently? What are you up to this spring? Don’t forget to let me know what you think of book covers without images.
Challenge: If you can guess the Christmas song that the following lyric excerpts belong to, then you win a free copy of my upcoming book I Don’t Drink Alone and Other Lies.
Simply write the song to which the lyric belongs (in order) in the comments section.
Challenge closes December 24th at midnight, moments before Santa comes clattering down your chimney.
Here goes:
“…I’m gonna make a lot of money and quit this crazy scene…”
“…Now we are tall and Christmas trees are small…”
“…folks dressed up like Eskimos…”
“…how many people are crying, people are dying, people are asking for love?…”
“…door bells and sleigh bells and warm schnitzel with noodles…”
“…bells on a wintry night with a friendly fire burning warm and bright,,,”
“…Once bitten twice shy, I keep my distance but you still catch my eye…”
“…you will get a sentimental feeling, when you hear voices singing let’s be jolly…”
“…someday soon we all will be together if the fates allow…”
“…a long time ago in Bethlehem the holy piper said…”
Good luck, everyone and have yourself a Merry little Christmas.
December 26: Winner-Kevin Shaw 🙂
My last mail out I had asked my subscribers which upcoming book they would like to read of mine, given a choice of the three works currently in progress. The results are listed below in order of popularity:
I Don’t Drink Alone and Other Lies-a hilarious essay collection
Draft Book Cover
Between Midnight and the Moon-Poetry Collection
Daughter of the Moon-a Novel
So I did have a set back with editing my novel. But I am getting back on track with that and I Don’t Drink Alone is pretty much ready to format. So looks like I will have a few new releases in early 2024.
In other topics; The strangest thing has been happening to me. I come up with an idea to write about here on the blog and then moments later, I forget what my brilliant idea was. What the heck?! Also, I re-read my post on “Ten things Covid Made Me Do”. I looked for it on the blog because there was a Leonard Cohen special on HBO which triggered my memory. I thought of the time during Covid that I tied my Beau to the kitchen chair. You know what came next.
Are you feeling the Magic of the season? For me, it comes and goes. I have days where I’m meh about it all. Whatever, Santa’s no big deal.
And it’s just so damn dark all the time. Even though it’s been short days for almost two months, I’m still surprised when I look out the window to see that my day has been stolen. Like I have lost a sense of time for a split second. It could be either 5:30 pm or 8:30 pm because it’s pitch black outside. Thank goodness for mini twinkle lights, right?
And baby, it’s cold outside.
We’re approaching the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year. Do you celebrate the solstice more so than Christmas day? Winter solstice is beginning to hold more meaning for me as the years pass. Meanwhile, the importance of December 25th seems to be diminishing as I get older.
If you feel like me, you may be tired of the Christmas carols. Enough already. One more Jingle Bells and I’ll have to jingle away somewhere warm. So to make it fun I’ve interpreted the “hidden meaning” in a few of these time honored Christmas Carols we’ve all come to love.
I wrote this little poem as a challenge: Choose one element and write about it. I chose AIR and VERSE.
What element attracts you? Water, fire, earth or air? I tend toward water but Air is my birth sign…so I chose her.
Air is breath of life, our souls. It is the power harnessed to create energy. It is also the ‘mother of thought’ and corresponds to communication and the colors yellow and white.
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