Lazy Saturday

 And apparently not just for mere humans either.

I enjoyed watching the squirrels basking in the sun.  And unusual for them, it was a treat to see both black and grey squirrels sharing the same space. Normally there would be much chasing and chattering if these rodent cousins crossed paths!

Mid way through a three day weekend and not feeling much ambition for anything.  Maybe it’s the weather, because finally we have some sunshine today and the temperatures are much more spring like!

Seems I just want to enjoy having the windows open and feeling a relatively warm spring breeze sweep through the house. 

Some laundry has been on the agenda and putting together Easter baskets for the grandchildren for tomorrow – that’s been pretty much the extent of the day’s energy output! Body Perfect sits before me and I will try and get some more of the revised pages cleaned up.   But the supper hour beckons and that will need to be dealt with first.

Let’s see; what else is in the works right now.  The price of gas – disgusting, with promises to go even higher!  As well I need to have new brakes installed on my car within the next week or two...ouch $$$.   And our federal election heads into the home stretch; my mind is already decided so I’m not too bothered by the endless commercials and flyers.

Well that's too much brain commotion for now, so I'll just end by wishing all a very Happy Easter – whether its lazy or filled with activity.

Cheers!

Liz

Oh my God, Pam, you're looking good!

I did quite well for the first week of my new regime. I walked on four days out of the seven. My plans to stride out this morning were dashed by torrential rain. Drat’s, I really wanted to hit the trails! The big problem really is food and the continual snacking at work. Everywhere I turn someone if offering food. I just have to learn to say NO.

Reading the usual argie bargie from the election candidates in my weekend paper this morning, and might it be said, not a clear winner amongst them, I turned the page and started reading a book review that had the tears streaming down my face. This is an excerpt from a book of essays written by the Canadian actress Mary Walsh. Called, “No longer just acting”.

Here I am, a brassy bit of aging crumpet on the slippery slope side of fifty five and picking up speed, but because even as a young actress I played an endless series of big, loud, opinionated old bags, it didn’t really hit me that I had now become one. I thought that I was just still acting. But in a moment of stunning and, frankly, crushing clarity earlier this year, it struck me. I had reached the third stage of womanhood. You know the three stages: young, middle-aged and oh-my-God, Mary, you’re looking good.

The excerpt went on in that vein until I hurt laughing. That just may be the secret to accepting getting older; Keep on laughing. My writing this week has been mainly research as I search for agents that I hope are suitable. My list gets longer. This week I am starting on a synopsis of Body Perfect. I find synopsis really daunting but I will confer with my partner and discuss the fine points before attempting it.

Have a good week,
Slainte,
Pam

The next installment...of my life

I had a significant birthday three months ago that catapulted me into the stratosphere of “old age”. I prefer to think of it as the next instalment of my life. There are so many negative connotations to aging that if you believed all the hype I should be wearing arch supports, dentures, have thinning hair and a multitude of ailments along with my walker. I most definitely see the aging process at work on my face and body. Over the years I have always tried to eat right and exercise but for the last while it has been a chore to get me away from the fridge and the couch. So I only have myself to blame for the sagging body and face. I do keep my mind active by going to my job everyday and pretending I know what I am doing in this technological world. I read constantly and of course there are the Jamie Tremain books. So here is the plan and you heard it here first......Starting today I am on a 12 week training program that will take me to the first week in July. Just in time for my official retirement from my paid job. I started today by walking around the ravine that is situated behind my house. I doubt if it is a ½ km but I was sweating buckets. Just how out of shape am I??? I don’t plan on weighing myself as that just leads to disappointment and sabotage. So..lose a few pounds, have more energy to write after working all day, eat healthy foods and less meat and if the pundits are right, eat much less. I hope to walk everyday at least around the ravine until I can build up to a decent hike. I managed two half marathons nearly five years ago but I think my goal will be to walk up stairs and still be able to talk!! I may regret saying all this but what do I have to lose. If I am being a tad obsessive about this aging thing it’s because I have the white hair and the glasses ; oh and the hearing aids that are not age related I might add or at least they were. I have now cornered the market on poly-filla to fill in the grooves and with my new regime of walking and eating for one, not an army, I am good to go. Liz and I have a date for a get together at the end of the month to work on the last chapters of Body Perfect. This time she will make the trip to Oakville. I wonder if she will feel like a walk around the ravine. My reading material at the moment is the novel by Sarah Gruen, Water for Elephants. Just at chapter three and enjoying the era it been has written about. The movie is coming out soon. Talking of movies, my favourite author Louise Penny has negotiated to have her books made into television movies. I can’t wait to see Chief Inspector Armand Gamache on the screen. Talk soon, Slainte, Pam

Spring Has Arrived

And how wonderful to be able to open windows!   As I sit at my desk with my first coffee of the day and Body Perfect open to update our latest revisions, I can enjoy hearing robins, and children’s voices.  Sounds carry more clearly while trees are still leafless.  They may be bare for now, but outside my window I see branch tips bursting with buds.  Squirrels are trafficking up and down the trunks with treasures, or playing tag with each other.   We are promised a high of about 14c (58f) and that’s my kind of spring temperature.

The sky is cloudy, but enough sun is on hand to have the cats seeking out those sunny spots for snoozing. I think I can safely have my snow tires removed now!

A busy week at work, especially for Pam. Once again she pulled together an event for the centre to  enjoy. The focus was on World Health Day; we had displays from Canadian Mental Health, The Heart & Stroke Foundation, and the Canadian Hearing Society.  As well, some healthy snack alternatives were displayed, along with some demonstrations of yoga and hula-hooping. 

Its not quite noon, and I’ve managed to get some chores out of the way and am ready to get down to revision work.  Its peaceful and there is a gentle breeze drifting through my window – I’d better get to work or I’ll be dozing off instead.

Hope your weekend goes well and that the weather suits you wherever you are.

Cheers!

Liz

Sunday Musings

A  brilliantly sunny, but cold, Sunday here in southern Ontario…icicles are dripping, but once the sun disappears they’ll soon be solid once more.

As Pam mentioned, we had a productive day of revising yesterday.  Amazing how when you read something out loud, you catch errors missed previously.  But I also find that’s when I can really get into our characters and make them more real.  For me that’s especially true of Dorothy and her alter ego(s).  We’ve nearly made it to the end of this first revision and I have to get cracking on typing up what has been reviewed.

We’ve discussed putting more of a focus on Dorothy in this (first?) story; highlighting her strengths to have her as the central protagonist more so than what we have done to date.  Polish, revise, review and then start over again!   Writing truly is a craft and I can envy those who have made the jump from writing to being successfully published.  But for now patience and perseverance are called for. Oh, did I mention perfection also?   Or is that the unattainable?

Almost the end of March – unbelievable!  Having the daylight hours stretch ever longer is so welcome after winter’s darker days, but I don’t want to rush into the sweltering humidity that all too often seems to arrive just as spring is getting started.  The weather will never be perfect for all will it?

And with spring of course comes Income Tax Time….ugh!    Well I have just finished the dreaded task and can put it aside for another year thank goodness.  Numbers are not my strong point so I’m really grateful for electronic tax filing programs that I can breeze through and with the push of a button send off to the government’s tax reviewers.  Not that’s a job I know I would not want!   I much prefer words over numbers, although working in a financial institution has made me appreciate what numbers can do.

Monday is just a few hours away and the work week begins anew, but at least no snow is in the forecast and the driving should be “normal”.

Here’s to having a week with no disasters – big or small, across the globe or in your own home – and may we all appreciate the wonderful things we can enjoy from this life.

Cheers!

Liz

GPS!

I was wishing I had the GPS system I received for Christmas as I headed out to Liz’s place in Guelph this morning. I had general directions and was sure I would recognize the cut off but after a few attempts and making a couple of u-turns I phoned for help and arrived a few minutes later. It does not help when you don’t carry a phone as I had to find a call box and they are in short supply these days.

After a surprise snow storm on Wednesday that crippled traffic and covered up my tulip bulbs, today was brilliant sunshine but still very cold. Roads were dry though so it made it easier to travel around the different campuses at Guelph University when I was lost this morning. There are seven colleges in all; the main ones are agriculture and veterinary medicine. So all was not lost except for me!!! I did get to see some really diverse architectural buildings and residences. There was also the Arboretum that is frequented by horticulturists and botanists from around the province. This is all within 10 minutes of Liz’s place.

After I was introduced to the four cats again we settled down for some revising. With lots of coffee, chocolate covered almonds , yummy biscotti and a break for lunch we managed to read and revise six chapters before calling it a day at 4pm. We were very happy with what we had accomplished. I made the trip home by 5pm. No detours this time.

An election was called today for May 2nd. That’s all I will say on the subject today. Let’s see what they all have to say first before I make any comments. The back stabbing has started already.

I have mentioned Louise Penny many times before as one of my favourite authors. She has a new nomination today to add to her many accolades. This evening is the judging of the Dilys Award given out by the Independent Mystery Booksellers for the book they most enjoyed selling last year. Lots of great nominees but of course I am rooting for Louise. Good luck Louise.

I try and learn a new lesson every day. So what did I learn today.......
1. Do not go out of the house without a GPS system when you get lost at every turn. That is why my sons bought it for me!!!
2. This is not a new lesson but needs to be repeated often. If one continues to eat chocolate covered almonds as if your life depends on them one will most certainly always look like the Goodyear blimp!

Talk soon,
Slainte,
Pam

Vernal Equinox

It is the first day of spring or as it is known, the Vernal Equinox. The view from my window gives all indication that it is true. No snow in sight and green emerging everywhere. The creek is flowing quite fast as the snow has now melted. I really should take a walk around the ravine but it is still very muddy and the temperature hovers at 6 degrees. I will wait until it warms up some more.

I love Sunday’s. Hopefully I have finished the housework stuff and can have some peace and quiet in my office. Andre Bocelli is blaring from the stereo and I am settled at the computer ready to finish my short story. Just because it is short does not mean it takes a short while to write!!. I have been blocked for a few weeks and then my computer crashed last Thursday. Woe is me; I thought I had lost what I was working on. Liz will be proud of me as I had started to back up my work on those travel drives. For some reason the computer has recovered but it is stuck at July 2010. It is all a mystery to me. @#$%^

My problems are so very trivial compared to the people in Japan and Libya. As I watch the horror and listen to the news reports on TV I am continually astonished at the resiliency and courage they are all showing at their darkest moments.

It is my turn to go to Guelph next Saturday to do some revisions on Body Perfect. No, this is not the perfect way to write a book but it is the best we can do. I had to have Liz remind me where we left off as it has been ages since we had a session. This is a stage of the collaboration we have to do together. We have finished Chapter nine so on to ten and beyond. The one good thing about having a break between sessions is that you see the story with fresh eyes and notice either glaring holes or mistakes.

On a personal note I want to say Happy Birthday to Liz. Hope you had a good w/e JT.
The other congratulations due is my sister Caroline and husband James will be grandparents for the first time this year. Welcome to the club.

No more procrastinating. I am off to try and finish my story.

Talk soon,
Slainte,
Pam

What's in a Weekend?

How the world can change so quickly.  The devastation that has rocked Japan is mind boggling and will no doubt have world wide consequences.  Once again we are humbly reminded of our fragile existence and that life shouldn’t be wasted. 

Closer to home this has been a very busy weekend.  Came home from work Friday, had a very light supper and then went straight to bed. No, not sick, but trying to get some sleep in anticipation of heading to the airport, with a friend,  for a 2:00 a.m. pick up of friends returning from a mission trip.  Managed to sleep a couple of hours and then got up to get ready to leave at midnight.  Thankfully the flight wasn’t delayed and after dropping off our friends, I was back home in bed by 4:30.  They had an amazing time with countless stories to tell of their time spent with a medical team in the Dominican, and I look forward to seeing some photos soon.

Well, that’s not so bad, you’re thinking.  After all, a good party might not end until the wee hours and then one heads to bed to sleep in.  Except in my case, the party comes AFTER the sleeping.  Yesterday was a birthday party for two of my grandsons, Michael and Noah, whose birthdays are nine days apart.  No self respecting grandmother could NOT attend.   So after a few hours sleep (less than 5) it was time to shake off the cobwebs and get ready.   

I did receive a nice surprise once I was up – a floral delivery for my upcoming birthday from a special friend in Florida – thanks again Karen!  The flowers are so pretty to look at during these dreary last days of winter.

Poor Noah…his birthday celebration and not only has he been sick to his stomach most of the day, but he woke to find his much loved guinea pig “Hulkfish” (yes that was the name as could only be chosen by a not-quite three year old) had passed away.  He was quite the trooper for the party and would perk up for some gift opening but then have to go and lie down again or head off to the bathroom.

Left the party to come home to grab an hour’s rest, because my other two grandchildren, Makenna and Max were going to be coming for a sleepover.  So that’s been fun, but needless to say we didn’t make it a late night!  Both were sound asleep by 9 and half an hour later I joined them!

So now here it is 8:30 (daylight savings time – it had to be this weekend of course!) and they are still sound asleep.  Which brings me here, literally, to get caught up what’s been happening.

And now Makenna has just stumbled upon me at the computer, so its time to wrap up and see about breakfast and wonder what this week will bring.

Cheers!

Liz

The case of the missing socks...

I am having a hard time putting my fingers to the keyboard and posting a blog. I am stuck writing a short story and Liz and I can only get together about once a month to revise our books. The stories still rattle around in my head but it is the little nuances that come when you are writing that I am afraid I will have forgotten when I get back to the characters.

I think the problem started when I attempted a short story. I love reading short stories and my favourites are Alice Munro/ 2010 Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters and Mavis Gallant ,( she has too many awards to mention), is still writing in a garret or at least her home in Paris. Is this not every artist’s dream to swan around on the Left Bank? She left Canada in 1950 to pursue her need to write and earn a living.

Alice Munro will be 80 this year and Mavis gallant 86. So there is hope for me yet. I have been asked, “Why did you wait until now to start writing?” My answer to that is that there is no right time. This is the right time for me, at least to start putting my thoughts to paper instead of just letting them simmer on the back burner. I have been writing for years but mainly kept it all locked in my head. I have written essays, short stories, novels but mostly in my mind. Now I need to unlock those stories and share them.

My writer friends tell me I need to nap more often. They say nothing beats a 20 min nap to get the two sides of the brain working. I just woke up from an hour nap and I am just cranky and feel like going back to sleep.

If you are wondering about the title of this blog, it refers to something I hate to do. That is, match up a drawer full of black socks. Admit it; your sock drawer is the same unless you are like my husband who actually pins his socks together and even turns them right side out. He has never lost a sock!! So while I had my rejuvenating nap so that I could finish my short story, I handed him a bag of about 40 socks that needed to be matched. What else does a man have to do on a Sunday afternoon while watching “Dead Man’s Walk” by that wonderful novelist, Larry McMurtry? As my husband has seen this movie a few times before I did not feel at all guilty as my nap was a therapeutic necessity! I received back 16 pairs out of the 20 I was expecting. I must dig further for the other odd socks, but after I have finished my story.


Oscar night tonight. I have not seen any of the movies yet but will still offer my opinions and critique all the stars. The best dressed and the worst and "How could she wear her hair that way? etc. Love it. I will be so tired tomorrow as I always stay up until the end. They should start at 6pm.

Liz will be back tomorrow from her vacation so we will chat about when we next get together to finish the Great Canadian Novel.

Talk soon,
Slainte,
Pam

A Quick Note

I've just read Pam's post, and yes I can verify she has begun her retirement countdown! And not without a certain level of envy do I listen to her post-corporate world plans. But all being well, my time will come soon enough as well.


However I digress. Her post also noted that Caroline missed the Word Match up - so after some searching I found the site where I originally discovered this little gem (among others). The Free Dictionary has all manner of word games and research tools - do check it out. And Caroline - Word Match Up has been returned for your pleasure.


And now the best time of a Saturday afternoon beckons. Some reading and then a nap - bliss!


So on that (quick) note, I will just say


Cheers!


Liz

"This and That"

Thanks to Liz for the “new look” to the Jamie Tremain blog. It looks fresh and new and I hope we can justify it with the content. My sister Caroline has lamented that the word search was missing and I hope Liz attaches it back on for those who like to test their vocabulary. And of course that is what this is all about. Stringing together words and making some sense of them. Creating stories that you hope others will enjoy.

Liz and I will be meeting again in a few weeks to revise a few more chapters. It is a slow process but that’s the way it has to be. It’s my turn to go to Guelph and bring the treats for nibbling as we read and revise and get on the same page about the story. Sometimes we jump ahead of ourselves and can see where they (Dorothy and Paul) might go in the next book. Well, we have to get this one published first and then we can plot the next.

I promised myself I would not do this but...... the countdown to my retirement is 5 1/2 months. Goodbye corporate world with deadlines and productivity reports. Punctuality is not my strong suite so I relish the thought of just doing my own thing when and if I want. I have stopped wearing a watch. If I want to know the time there are clocks everywhere. I will eat when I am hungry and stay up after 9.30-10pm bedtime that I now need to get to work. That’s the plan. I look forward to writing during the day and going for long car rides that my husband and I enjoy. I want to spend more time with my grandsons but we will see about that as four of them will be here next weekend. I may change my mind!

The rest of today I will be writing the short story for our “Challenge”. You can find Liz’s at Jamietremainrememberthename FB page. I will forward my article to Liz to upload as I might sent it into cyberspace. I did one last month called “My love affair with the needles....and yarn”. Nobody dies, but I hope you enjoy the story anyway.

We are not going to “Bloody Words” conference this year as it is in Victoria, BC. Once we start to make some money... is that possible.. we will travel again. There are lots of festivals close by that we can attend so that will suffice. The Elora Writers Festival and Eden Mills to name but a few. I will publish more details nearer the time.
Talk soon,
Slainte,
Pam