First Lake Swim of 2011

I am one happy writer or should I say swimmer. I just took my first lake swim of the season. I was planting the last of the beans and feeling the afternoon heat, (wearing long pants and a bug jacket will heat you up) and thought it was time to get in the lake. I love my numerous trips a day to the lake in the summer time  and have been looking forward to them since my last swim in September. Last year our first swim was on the May long weekend but this spring has been much colder. I headed to the lake hoping that my desire would win over and that I wouldn't chicken out when  I felt the frigid water temperature.I waded out past my knees and after a few minutes my exposed flesh got used to the water. "I can do this" I kept telling myself. If Burton had been with me he would have  jumped right  in letting out a holler that would send  the pair of loons that were swimming quite close by ,to the other side of the lake.I just took my time hoping that I would finally take the plunge. I did! It was beautiful. Let the swimming begin. Next step is to get my kayak in the lake and get myself out each morning to enjoy what that has to offer. I am one lucky duck! Chickens, loons and ducks oh, and the two Canada Geese that are considering making our pond their new home. Maybe my post should have been titled "For the Birds".

June Has Arrived

Garden time! After lots of wet and cool weather some sunny days have arrived and we are in the garden. Hope to have our third of an acre planted before I go to Meg's on the 13th. I am planting corn this morning and looking ahead to the time I will pick the large cobs off the stalks in August. The miracle of a tiny seed . I am still trying to grasp that miracle that took a tiny seed of an idea and turned it in to a book that I hold in my hands . I also look forward to seeing my second book take shape. Have arrived at a tiitle that  I am pleased with and in the fall will begin the editing process. I will let it simmer over the summer while I put my energies in to weeding, hoeing , mowing, swimming and kyaking  and enjoying every day of the summer ahead.

Signing at Benjamin Books

Yesterday I read at Benjamin Books in Rothesay. My publisher Terrilee Bulger drove from PEI to attend while her two dogs waited patiently in her car. The crowd was small but warm and very receptive. I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely couple (The Laskey Collective) and they shared their own stories of loss and healing. Rickie, Waylon. Eva and Sunny were part of the attentive listeners. ( actually Sunny fell asleep). Eva asked a very thought provoking question and brought tears to her Nanny Sue's eyes. My wonderful former principal arrived and recieved words of praise for the support he offered " Mrs Montague " in the year she cried. I signed a few books and had the pleasure of seeing my books stacked amongst the vast selection of children's  books in Mary Ann Gallagher's delightful book store. Thank you Mary Ann and Benjamin Books!

The Book Launch Every Author Dreams Of

WOW ! It was amazing. On Thursday evening May 19th I launched my novel The Year Mrs. Montague Cried. It was held in my home community on the beautiful Kingston Peninsula at the Farmer's Market in a great room filled with 200 of my closest friends and family. I was introduced so sensitively by my dear friend Ruth.My daughter and her husband and my granddaughter flew in from Alberta to surprise me and joined my son ,his wife , my other son , his girlfriend and my husband surrounding me  with love and support. My Mom and Dad , a favorite aunt , two special  cousins and their  spouses  and all the in laws in the area were there as well. Friends,neighbors  former collegues and many former students made the night complete. I signed loads of books and received a lot of hugs and warm words . Afterwards I unwound at home with a group of the people I love most in the world.People are holding and reading my book , a book hard written and deeply felt. Zac was right there with me and I couldn't be more thankful for the book's  launching and the manner in which it was recieved.

May 15,2011 Another wet day. Waiting for the sun to come out so we can start the gardening season of 2011. I expect this will be a busy week getting ready for the launch on Thursday. Perhaps it will not be as emotional as last week was when I finally received my books in the mail. I will continue to prepare to share something that is so personal and meaningful to me as I let the book out . I am so pleased with the finished product and so thankful for the entire experience. What ever the launch turns out to be I will be happy.

It is in the warehouse !

My publisher has recieved my book . I should have ten copies in my hands Monday or Tuesday. I can hardly wait. It has come together and there is now a book called The Year Mrs. Montague Cried written by Susan White. From the first thought to it's finished form has been a journey. I am so thankful for how that journey has evolved. Now I put it out there and it will take it's own trajectory.

May is here

May is here which means I am that much closer to holding my book in my hands. It should be back from the printer by the 10th. Launch on the 19th. In many ways I still don't believe it is happening. I have been trying since I won the AWC in August to get my head around the fact that after all the hours of writing and revising and all the teatrs that were cried the book  that took form over the years since we lost Zac is going to be a reality. I am so thankful for all the people that assisted in giving it life. I look forward to the celebration of  "The Year Mrs. Montague Cried"  this month and in the months that follow. Now I need to get my head around letting it go just like a parent lets a child out in to the world not knowing what lies ahead.