Surrey International Writers’ Conference
I always look forward to the 3rd week of October and this year it’s from the 21st to the 23rd of October for the Surrey International Writer’s Conference. Even though I’ve been there several times now I always combine it with Thursday evening at Chapter’s Book Store in Strawberry Hill, Surrey for an evening listening to several authors read their work. I try to sit front row center. I’m also the first one with their hand up to ask a question or two. Diana Gabaldon, one of my VERY favorite authors, is always on hand. I have attended a couple of her classes at the SIWC. I have listened to her reading at Chapters every year and was absolutely stunned recently when I looked at her website. I really thought that once you make...
October News and Views
O ctober definitely has shaped up to be a winner. Although the Surrey Arts Council craft show turned out to be a bust I did make my booth money back and for this neighborhood that’s all I can really expect. I won’t be doing many events in Newton. I did hear again from Chicken Soup for the Soul and I should be receiving the 10 copies of O Canada within the next 2 weeks. I can also purchase case lots (20 in a case) at half price but I’ll pass that. I am so excited and I think I have finally realized WHY it is so exciting. Normally I write the book, get it edited, contact my computer guru Brion from www.bookcreatives.com for the cover. Then I print, bind and flog. It’s non stop work, work, work. Chicken Soup for the Soul...
Welcome to October
H ard to believe that the summer is over and from August to yesterday I was delighted to be home, keeping myself busy with writing, beading, selling and enjoying my friends. October is going to be a busy month and that started yesterday – although I must confess it started with a whimper rather than a roar. Yesterday was day 1 at the Surrey Art’s Council craft show and for me, and most of the other vendors – except for the hot dog guy outside – it was a bust. We had non-stop (and way too loud) entertainment that was (except for a couple of acts) mediocre at best. We couldn’t talk to our potential customers without screaming. They promised it would be lower today with 10 to 15 minute intermissions. Today it is only 4 hours...
Leavenworth Washington Camping Rally
W ell, my first camping rally in over 5 years is over and I have a few thoughts on the subject. I’ll start with the end result. Normally I head south for the winter and north for the summer. This was the first time EVER that I loaded up for a 4 day jaunt and discovered that it is as exhausting going for 4 days as it is going someplace for the winter or summer. That said – it was a great experience. I left Thursday morning, stayed overnight at the Wal Mart in Marysville, Washington (right on highway 5 and 6 miles before Highway 2 and my turnoff to Leavenworth). Friday morning I drove the last hundred miles to the Icicle River Campground. The first ladies that I was introduced to were (1) bead makers and (2) potters. We immediately started...
September Update
W e are in the second week of September and the weather remains spectacular – have to admit I’m a little tired of the heat. Jumping into the pool every afternoon is rather pleasant but I have no energy for anything else and I want to start moving around without water around me. Edith and I have done our fair share to keep the bead companies in business. Last week we went out to Michael’s in Langley, had a good look around and decided that they were DEFINITELY much to expensive. Left empty-handed, went to Boston Pizza for lunch and just as we were pulling into the parking lot I spotted a Fabric Land in the middle of the parking lot. I asked if they had beads and we decided to take a few minutes, walk over and have a look. To make a long...
September
O kay – who stole August. If truth were known I would be the last person to complain about August, 2011. I came home from Smithers, BC five or six weeks early because the weather had me down….and finally out. The day I left the sun came out and I had a lovely ride home stopping at various Wal Marts and Michael’s Craft Store to do some bead shopping. The weather here in Surrey for the month of August was spectacular. I had never been home during the summer months but I’m told that this was unusual and I spent most hot days at the pool and cool days doing lots of walking….either way…..got myself back in shape. Yes, I know, round is also a shape but not one that I’m happy with. Got back to my writing group and even...
Update from Home
I t’s been close to 2 weeks since I arrived back from Smithers and I must say I’ve been enjoying it. After 28 days of rain in Smithers I haven’t seen another drop – the weather hasn’t always been warm and sunny all the time but there has been absolutely NO rain whatsoever and I have enjoyed the change. After 28 days of absolutely NO exercise since the campground was right on the main highway, I have been out and about every day. When I’m not walking to the grocery store, bank, coffee shop to meet friends, library or the new Surrey Arts Council building or just up and down the 4 flights of stairs in the building I have been in our swimming pool with a minute or two in the hot tub. I feel that I did my body a GREAT disservice...