Blog
Celebrating chocolate…and my readers
If you follow my Facebook author page, you know that I usually post there daily. It's a happy place and virtual front porch where I chat with readers about things that bring us together including pets, books, food, family and community life. Last week, I asked my...
“You’ve Got a Friend”
The popular song, “You’ve Got a Friend,” written by Carole King and first recorded in 1971, has been on my mind lately. Owing to stresses in both my family and writing spheres, I’ve needed friends more than ever in the past few weeks—and just when I needed them most,...
Moving adventures
From 2015 until now, much of my life has been spent in some form of transit—moving from England to Canada, several moves related to my elderly cousin both before and after her passing, and moving things from my late mother’s home across Canada. Tech Guy has moved...
New book news & paperbacks of “A Wish in Irish Falls”
While much of the writing life is like any other job with daily tasks, deadlines and a variety of projects big and small, there are also special moments to celebrate. I have two of those to share with you this week—news about a new book and the paperback release of A...
“Try February:” A month of reading books by new-to-me authors
Some of you will be familiar with “Dry January,” a public health campaign in certain countries, including the UK, encouraging people not to drink alcohol for the first month of the year. “Try January” is different in that it can be a time to try something new. I heard...
Lockdown weary
When out for a walk with Floppy Ears this week (one of the few forms of exercise still allowed here), she spotted canine friend Arthur. Desperate to visit, she cried and tugged at her leash while I held her tight and waved at Arthur's owner across our small town’s...
Lessons from 2020 and a new word for the new year
In the past few weeks, I’ve read many posts celebrating the end of 2020. From celebrities to ordinary people, the last year was one that many of us were glad to see the end of. I too have been thinking about 2020 and, in looking ahead to 2021, how to take learning...
Holiday memories in music
Although I don’t usually start playing holiday music until December, 2020 has been such a grim year that I dug out my seasonal CDs and created a Spotify playlist in the middle of November. And from traditional carols to sacred music and popular festive tunes, now more...
Losing a loved one in the time of Covid
As some of you know, Tech Guy’s mother (English Rose’s grandma) passed peacefully in the first week of November. Although not unexpected—she had advanced dementia and other serious medical issues—this time of pandemic made a difficult situation even more so. It also...
Photo by Robin Spencer, Spencer Studio