Joei Carlton

Quite a Week

and a most enjoyable busy one.

I have been editing my Morocco mini read and the first editing is almost finished.  Then it’s fine tuning, putting in all the funny bits that I love working on and Brion of www.bookcreatives.com already has ideas for the cover. If you’ve checked my website under mini read you know that he’s already turned me into a cartoon character and the little imp is making quite a name for herself.  He’s done a great job and I’m getting rave reviews on them.

Unfortunately on Wednesday I had to miss my newly-created writing group so I could go on the Langley Circle Farm Trip and it was fantastic.  I came home loaded down with gifts from each stop. Everyone enjoyed a fantastic pancake breakfast at Krause Berry Farms along with turkey sausage from JD Specialty Turkey Farms. I had never tasted turkey sausage and it was so DELICIOUS I might never eat pork sausage again.   During breakfast Erikson’s Daylily Gardens made a presentation.

We stopped at the Thunderbird Show Park but it was pouring rain and not much going on in the center ring but the farm certainly was impressive.  At Driediger Farms we were given a small presentation, never leaving the bus, and again we didn’t leave empty handed. Everyone on the bus got two gift-wrapped blueberry pies for home eating and sharing.  Sorry folks but they’ve been eaten - the first one with friends at my home, I froze the second one and brought it to a friend’s house who served a bunch of us Monday night dinner.  I sure am eating well these days and sadly, it really shows.

We continued on our tour to Fort Wine Company. It was another on-the-bus presentation but we left with a bottle on fruit wine and a ghost story.  I’ve got to head back there and hear more about the ghost that inhabits the building…..I LOVE those stories…..Spooky.

We stopped at Fort Langley National Historic Site and because of the rain nothing was going on although everyone was dressed in period-clothes.  We were given a pass to come back and hopefully with nice weather next week my friend Edith McCabe and I will head back there for a real tour and pictures.

We stopped at Ralphs Farm Market for another on the bus presentation - but I had to go and look around.  I love fresh fruit and vegetables and I’m in full support of buying local.

Lunch (please excuse me while I mop up the drool) was at a winery Domaine de Chaberton. FANTASTIC - definitely all in caps.  Crepes with Gruyere cheese and ham was my choice and the 2 other ladies at my table. The men ordered lamb shank with scalloped potatoes - YUM, YUM, YUM - I could go on all day and it was washed down with a glass of wine before we had a tour of the winery.  YUM, YUM, YUM - but I guess I already said that.

We stopped at Vista D’oro Farms and Winery.  We saw the new bedding plants before heading inside for a nibble of several varieties of artisanal preserves and we ate until the rain abated.  We each left with a jar of Rhubarb and Vanilla.

We stopped at the Langley Community Farmers Market and wandered around in the rain for a bit.  We didn’t have an opportunity of going to the Tuscan Farm Gardens but they felt we deserved a gift anyway…..We had the choice of several different hand and body lotions and I chose Lemon Grass.

Rain and all the day was fantastic. We were on the West Coast Sightseeing Tour bus with Carla Rich the Public Relations Manager and hats off to our driver who was sweet and funny and fabulous and even though he didn’t know the area managed to get us to all the places we needed to go.

That trip alone would have made the week terrific but there were a few other surprises in store for me.  I had a call from my friend Gillian Herbert, an expert on Baja, California. She and cameraman extraordinaire have put out a documentary DVD on the Baja and needed someone to interview Gillian for a Youtube introduction presentation.  I was chosen to do the interviewing.  It is now available on YouTube - Baja travel free RV video.  They did a great job and I have something new to put into my portfolio.  LUV IT.

As if that wasn’t enough - on Saturday I went down to Ikea and purchased a 3-seater couch to go along with my loveseat and chair.  A friend and I put it all together and came up one leg short - I’m waiting for it to be delivered by courier.  GREAT WEEK.  Can’t wait for the next great week.   Joei

Gearing Down

For the time being my memoir-writing class has been put on hold.  Only 3 people signed up and that’s not enough for a class so my second contract has been canceled.  I’ll resume teaching mid-September when I return from my book tour and will continue until a week or so before I leave for the winter mid-November.

I’ve been gathering all my bits and pieces for my camper and I’ll start loading within the next week or so. Since I won’t have television for the summer I’ll be bringing along lots of books to read and pass along.  I’m sure that my mini read on Morocco will be finished while I’m up there (and my graphic designer - Brion at www.bookcreatives.com already has the cover design in mind)  and have decided on another - probably about the Canary Islands.

Before I head for BC’s interior for my book signing and lecture tour, I have to head down to my storage unit in Blaine, Washington to import another load of books because I’m running out.  I have been putting it off, and putting it off because the people at the border have me intimidated….but I must get over it, bite the bullet and if they yell because I’m too slow on their computer, too bad. I need the books.

I have been invited on a FAM trip called the Langley Farm Circle Tour and it was so much fun last year I want to go again.  It’ll take place on June 2nd and if it’s anything like last year we stop at many farms, wineries, plant shops and take home a ton of stuff - and someone else chauffeurs us around.  Love it.

With the help of my Tuesday’s writing group, I have prepared a letter for ten of the (local) libraries.  I’ll be sending along my brochure and my press release with the covering letter in the hopes of getting lectures for Fall 2010 and/or Spring 2011.  I am so much happier doing an entertaining lecture on my travels or a class in publishing/promoting than sitting around a store doing a signing - although I do love talking to the people passing by…..most are very friendly especially in the smaller towns.   I recently did a travel lecture for a woman’s group in Maple Ridge called I Assist You and it’s been so long since I did a lecture that I actually forgot how much I enjoy it.

And so the days are passing - actually galloping.    Joei

A New Dawn

This new dawn brought me into allergy season and I’m having a terrible time even though I didn’t know that I had allergies beyond orange blossoms and there are no orange blossoms around here so I thought I was safe.  Apparently there’s lots of other stuff to bark and snort about and that’s what I’m doing.  BUT…..our swimming pool opens this weekend so that’s a good sign.

Today is my last Memoir-Writing class in this contract and I only have one person signed up for the next contract.  I’m hoping more will spring forth.  I have become totally hooked on this “teaching” thing and I’m being told by members of the group I have now that they are learning a lot - more than in other classes they have taken.

I have also been out on picture-taking events with my friend Edith and it is going swimmingly.  I’m becoming hooked but I think the secret for a successful picture-taking day you need a friend to make it complete and I love our day out.  I think tomorrow I want to make my picture-taking to be about ME.  I have very few good pictures of myself and I want a few good ones to use in my brochures.  Perhaps if I take a thousand or so I’ll get a good one or two.  Fair exchange I think.

I never liked working months and months in advance because I never knew where I would be or how I would feel about it but I think it has become essential now.  I want to start a library lectures series, either entertaining ones about my travels (like I did for the woman’s group last Thursday) or writing/publishing/promoting workshops for the writing groups.  I just learned that nothing really goes on during the summer months and I’m not in BC in the winter months so I’ll start sending out letters for spring or fall lectures. One lecture per week is my goal.

There is just so much to keep up with but I’m going to concentrate on the things that work and totally ignore the ones that don’t.  Wish me luck.      Joei

Half Way Through the Month

So far it has been a jammed packed month and we are only half-way through it.

The new writer’s group that my friend David and I started had its first meeting with four happy participants and we have a couple more people coming to this next meeting.  We would like to keep it to about 8 or 9 people so everyone can read and critique.

Next Thursday is my last memoir-writing teaching assignment for this contract and we have one person signed up for the next contract that will run for 4 weeks. I’m definitely enjoying the teaching and in this currently class there are some wonderful life stories being told.

My friend Edith and I have been on a weekly lunch and picture taking hunt for the last month or so. We had been to a couple of parks - one in White Rock and one in Whalley - and last week we went to the T&T market and all through the shopping center.  Great adventures and have taken some wonderful shots. So far my favorites have been of an airplane (in the sky) against black clouds. Looks almost black-and-white.

I’m moving right along with my next mini read about my travels to and through Morocco. Almost finished my draft and then the fun starts - the editing.

Had a busy couple of days. Last Thursday lectured at 7:00 in the morning in Maple Ridge to a woman’s group. Even though it had been a while since I told my “Adventures in World Travel” story it went very well. From there I went to my memoir-writing class and by the time I arrived home I was as sick as a dog. Spent the next 2 days sleeping  (on and off) most of the days.  Today I have a booksigning in North Vancouver and I’m not sure I should be going but I backed out the last time because of my move and exhaustion and I’m not sure I should be doing it again.  One loses their good name very quickly in any business so I’ll go even if it’s just for a few hours.  If anyone hears me cough they’ll be happy to see me leave.

The rest of the month should be equally as full and I’m waiting for my invitation on a Farm Tour for June 2nd so it’ll start off next month on a high note.   Joei

May Day - May Day

Gearing up for a very busy month starting today, May 1st.  Since I’m now teaching Memoir Writing at the Whalley, British Columbia senior center I’m required to take a course in First Aid. I tried to explain that in an emergency I would be the first one out the door calling 911 on my cell phone but they didn’t buy that and today is the day of the class. That takes care of my entire afternoon. 

Tonight I’m at a buffet dinner and dancing right here in our clubhouse. No matter what the weather or my condition I can walk home. It is an East Indian event so I’m looking forward to a delicious and different type of meal. Yum!!!!!

I have now given 3 classes in memoir writing (with oodles more to come) and I’ve been told by one in our group that she has learned more from me than in all the other classes she has taken.  Now that thrills me…..and we’ve had fun doing it.

I’m still going to my writing group - Pen and Inkling - every other Tuesday and my friend David (from the group) and I are starting another writing group every other Wednesday with some new participants.  I need the constant interaction with other writers so I’ll be going to both groups and doing a lot more writing. When my mini on Morocco is finished I’ll be taking another story out of Everyone’s Dream Everyone’s Nightmare.  I should be out of print on Everyone’s Dream (if I work hard enough) by the end of the year and it will NOT be reprinted.

I’ve also scheduled one book signing a week until I leave for the RV Owners Lifestyle Conference at Okanagan College in Kelowna mid-June where I will be teaching 2 classes - one in travel writing and one in solo RVing and, once again, I’m being booked as the after dinner speaker on Saturday night.  I’m now trying to schedule some library events for my trip north from Kelowna to Smithers where I’ll be spending the summer writing.

This month I’ll be speaking at a Woman’s Organization in Maple Ridge that was booked almost a year ago AND I have been meeting my friend Edith every week for lunch and then we head out to a park or city center or the beach or anyplace we feel like it for picture taking. Our cameras are really getting a workout and some pretty interesting pictures are coming out of it. 

Busy, busy, busy but all is well.  Joei

Down to Work - Finally

I finally feel like I’m back to being organized and have so much to do during the week that I have to stay that way.

On Monday and Tuesday I spent the morning on the phone to (finally) get some book signings on my calendar. Wasted 2 full mornings and only got 2 signings. Changed my tactics - decided that I would only arrange 1 signing per day. Called different Save On Foods until I was able to put 1 signing on the calendar - usually by the 2nd or 3rd call I had a signing so I would quit for the day and go on to something else. By the end of the week my calendar was full and I wasn’t burning a hole in my stomach from anxiety.  I have one more signing to go and I’ll fill that slot next week.  I’m doing 1 signing a week until I leave mid-June. 

Taught my second Memoir Writing class at the Whalley Senior Center and it was wonderful.  Seems to be one shorter this week than last but there were five very enthusiastic writers and everyone got to read and be critiqued - didn’t seem interested in doing any in-class writing but spent the last 1/2 hour on marketing.

In the evening I’ve been printing out my mini reads and covers. A few weeks ago I made the mistake of having one of my ink containers (each one contains a microchip) refilled. Fortunately he suggested that I try one before refilling them all because of that microchip.  Cost me $11.00 rather than $21.00 BUT it was awful.  It slowed my printer down to a glacier pace.  It took 1-1/2 hours to print 64 pages when it would normally print out a mini in 18 - 20 minutes and now the ink was thick - and VERY dark black. The ink ran out after printing 1 mini plus a few extra pages and 2 covers.  I really thought I had ruined the printer.  Last night I installed an official (brand-new) cartridge and it was right back on top of its game.  Needless to say I won’t do that again.  Besides now that I have my own Costco Membership - got it yesterday - after my class and after wolfing down a hot dog) and the same ink cartridge is much, much cheaper.  So I’m back in biz.

Today I’ll be organizing my downstairs locker with boxes and boxes (and boxes) of my books bringing many of the boxes upstairs to put in an empty closet and leaving one box of each in storage for easy grabbing without shuffling.  I’ve organized oodles of signings and I have the Royal City Book Festival tomorrow so I’ll be loading my truck as well.

So I’ll repeat - I’m finally down to work and enjoying being busy.  Oh - and I’m working on Chapter 7 of my new mini read on Morocco.  Everything is coming together nicely.    Joei

On A Roll……

My RV problems, if you’ve been following them, have now (mostly) been cleared up.  I haven’t moved into my new spot because someone else needs it for a short time longer but everything has been arranged so I’m feeling much, much better.  I also received an apology from the “the person who gave my spot away” and because of serious problems in his own life just couldn’t handle my problems…..unfortunately that’s where the “bully” came from and he still hasn’t said a word to me and I won’t be talking to him anytime soon without an apology.

Because that has cleared up I am feeling so much better I actually got down to some serious writing.  My travel story about Chemainus, British Columbia was finished and sent out to 2 magazines along with a bunch of pictures.  I had wanted to do that story for a long time…..as a matter of fact…..since last summer when I was actually in Chemainus.  It is a small town on Vancouver Island with more than 41 murals.  After twenty-six years of traditional historic murals, they are heading in a new direction. The latest murals feature five of Emily Carr’s (Canadian author and painter) paintings.

I’m also back to work on a new mini about my travels to Morocco. The story is from my soon-to-be out-of-print Everyone’s Dream Everyone’s Nightmare. In that book you get a taste of the story - in the new mini read you get the full shot and it is definitely one of my favorites.  I frequently do an entertaining lecture on that trip. I have my diaries available and it seems to be writing itself.  I’m loving it.  I also have ideas for the cover so it shouldn’t take me more than a few weeks to finish it cover-to-cover. 

All is well that ends well - my new motto - for this month anyway.  

On my Facebook page is my last motto:

God grant me the SERENITY to accept the things I cannot change. The COURAGE to change the things I can and the WISDOM to hide the bodies of the people I had to kill because they just pissed me off.  

Have a great day everyone.     Joei

On More Laugh…..

I promise just one more laugh and I’ll get back to work -

Five surgeons were talking:

The first, an Ontario surgeon, says:  I like to see accountants on my operating table, because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered.

The second, a Quebec surgeon, responds: Yeah, but you should try electricians. Everything inside of them is color coded.

The third, a Saskatchewan surgeon says: No - I really think librarians are the best - everything inside of them is in alphabetical order.

The fourth, An Alberta surgeon chimes in: You know I like construction workers - these guys always understand when you have a few parts left over.

But, the fifth, a BC surgeon, shut them all up when he observed: You’re all wrong. Politicians are the easiest to operate on. There’s no guts, no heart, no balls, no brains and no spine…..and the head and ass are interchangeable.

Ain’t that the truth.    Joei

Everyone Needs a Good Laugh

A group of 40 year old buddies discussed where they should meet for dinner.  Finally, it was agreed upon that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the waitresses there were very young and very hot.

10 years later at 50 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the food there was very good and the wine selection was excellent.

10 years later at 60 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they could eat there in peace and quiet and the restaurant had a beautiful view of the ocean.

10 years later, at 70 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the restaurant was wheel chair accessible and they even had an elevator.

10 years later, at 80 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed that they should meet at teh Ocean View restaurant because they had never been there before.

Ha Ha Ha.      Joei

Battle Ground

I’ve been home now for a few weeks and I’m living in the middle of a battle ground with me at the center of it and it SUCKS. 

Here are the facts:  While I was in California the powers that be that have taken over running our RV lot decided to give the spot that I’ve had for about a year to new people who just moved in. (I’ve had a camper in our RV lot - and paid for - for the four years that I’ve lived here) They needed a large spot and apparently they took mine.  I e-mailed back and said that that was okay as long as I was near a power pole. (I have a truck camper that requires my batteries to be fully charged so I can get my camper on or off the back of the truck).  I was told “no” and that I was about 100 feet away.  I said that was NOT acceptable and I would be home in about 6 weeks and  would need a spot with electricity.

I returned home - needing dental attention - and nothing was done about a spot with electric.  I stayed in the new spot for a couple of days after e-mailing the powers that be that if I didn’t hear back within a day or two I would be moving my camper into any “currently” available spot.  Apparently “telling them that I would be moving into any “currently” available spot” was viewed as a threat.

To make a long story short - I acted on that “threat” and moved my camper into a spot with electricity, plugged it in for an hour, and then removed my camper from the back of the truck.  My first drive was to a dentist.

I am now being hounded and harrassed everytime I see one of the powers that be.  I have been accosted during pub night and Wednesday morning two of them were there at coffee. They were the last 2 men to leave the coffee room and waited for me in the hall.   

I have told them that when they find me a spot WITH electricity AND put it in writing I will happy to move. 

I am angry, I am depressed, I haven’t slept in a couple of days and I cannot remember the last time I have been BULLIED this way.  I am the only solo woman RV in our lot.  If this isn’t straightened out I will be getting in touch with a lawyer.   Joei