When a New Book Comes

A mix of dark and white fluffy clouds, sunshine streaming through after a day of rain, a truck racing between stop signs on  Sydney Street, folks walking by my windows; a Friday early evening and a good time to write a blog entry. July is winding down quickly and yesterday I opened the first box filled with copies of Skyward. I am always excited to hold a finished book and do not tire of the thrill. I remember opening the first box of The Year Mrs. Montague Cried. I sat in the Shopper's Drug Mart parking lot and sobbed holding the first book as I pulled it out of the box. I still fill with emotion when I really think of the journey that brought that book in to existence. I would have to search my writing journals to determine exactly when the existence of Skyward began but I know the work that took it from the seed of an idea to the book I placed in the book ends last night. I have announced Skyward's arrival, posted proud pictures and had lots of congratulatory comments. Tomorrow I will take it to the market and send it out into the world. So far only Burton and Megan have received copies. I had some copies ordered for a school by a teacher friend and will be pleased to do a follow up visit when school starts. My online launch will be Aug 12th at 7:00. Check out the event on my author Facebook page. I may even at sometime later in the fall have an in person gathering to celebrate book ten. I really want Mitchell Barr to make chocolate cakes with boiled icing so we can eat cake and celebrate. 

A Writing, Healing Residency

 The summer of 2021, a much different summer. A summer in the city. A summer where I walk a different route and rest my head at the end of the day in a different place. I gaze out different windows at a different landscape. Somehow in my weariness, confusion and fear I finally realized that  I needed to take care of myself before I could take care of anyone else. I had reached the end of a taut and fraying rope. I am writing this summer which is not the norm. I usually spend long hours in a garden, make several daily trips to my lake and put writing on hold until a later date. But this summer I am writing, I am resting and allowing myself a reprieve. I am stepping back from the normal and finding my way toward peace and healing. And  I am allowing the people in my life to find their way toward that for themselves without my daily worry and obsession with their well being as if by doing all I did I could fix or prevent their  hurt and struggle. I am on a writing /healing residency of my own choosing. Today I wrote the last lines of a book I'd been running from. Today hopefully Skyward left the printer and is on it's way to my waiting hands and heart. Today I walked on city sidewalks with a friend who'd come in to have lunch with me. Later I walked the same sidewalks to meet Meg and the girls at the library and spent some time in their company. I was a well Monkey, a happy Monkey and what better Monkey do I want for them. I walked back to my small space and sat to write the last chapter of Jasper's Road, the third book following Amelia's story. Walton Lake Road, a road in my heart and the road I drove away from several weeks ago. One healing day at a time is the gift I embrace today and as the street lights come on I am thankful for this day.

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A Walk around the Block

This is a glorious morning. Before I settled down to work I took a quick walk around the block. Except for the blister on my right heel the walk was wonderful. I love the architecture, the color and the feel of the city. I love the trees, the flowers , the people and the mix of old and new. A friend was here yesterday and said 'who knew that my friend Sue would be living in the city?' Who knew indeed? But for me right now it is exactly where I want to be. I am writing this summer and instead of weeding and tending to a large garden I am tending to myself. This does not come easy as a wife, mother and grandmother who has been in the habit of taking care of everyone else. I will walk every day and still look up to the sky. The beautiful sky that was above me on every wood road walk and every time I swam in my beloved lake is still the sky above me . The people , place and purpose that guided me still guides but for now I check my own well being first. My publicist on our Zoom meeting this morning noticed right away I was in a different room. A different room and a much different mind set. But all good I said and for now I do believe it. Let's all look out for our own well being in whatever we are given in this life. And let's all look to the sky.

 

There Will Always be Flowers

 For those of you who read my blog regularly you may have noticed I've been absent. Busy, I might say. Away. I might tell you. All true but so much more. Life has taken a turn I didn't see coming but on some level I always knew it was a possibility. I will not go in to any detail as the upheaval is personal and complex. I have relocated and in the emotional turmoil of decision ,planning and processing I stated that I would always have fresh flowers. On day one I bought myself a bouquet and my wonderful friend who was helping with the move brought me a lovely purple and yellow arrangement. On the morning of the day in which I would actually sleep in my new small space, a kind woman gifted me a sweet bouquet of her garden grown flowers. So on this day when I finally feel able to write a blog entry I am surrounded by fresh flowers as I gaze out at city streets not rolling hills, pasture, cows, chickens and  my country normal. Strange but good when normal isn't working. I am fine, as fine as can be expected. My people will be fine and on this day I cling to love and hope. The challenges ahead will not be easy. Hearts are broken and healing will not come without effort and intention. But there will always be flowers!