Pausing for a deep breath...a tribute to Oscar.

 

 

The past week in our household have been busy with manning a booth at the local Home & Lifestyle Show, work, school and then we had to pause in the middle of it all.

The photo above is of our two cats Oscar and Jazz. Early this past Saturday morning, Oscar passed away peacefully at home on his favourite chair with my husband at his side. One last breath and he left us. Needless to say, we were all devasted even though we had him for years longer than we expected. He seemed immortal. Ageless despite his nearly 19 human years.

 

His "little brother" Jazz is 6 years old. Like the rest of us, he's been out of sorts and roams the house looking for Oscar. He has benefitted from having me to himself in the mornings and extra snuggles with everyone.

 

For a cat, Oscar had an interesting life. He's moved with us from Calgary to Edmonton then flew out with us to Southern Ontario. When we moved homes several times over the past 18 years, he came with us for the ride. He has been lost and found several times. He has fallen down stairs, battled a thyroid condition and dealt with the arrivals of three children and Jazz. Through it all, or despite it all, he mellowed rather than became more crotchety. In the end, he loved his life and savoured every new taste and smell he could shove his face into!

 

I already miss my early morning coffees with him. My late nights curled on the couch with him.His incessant hollars for someone to get their butts out of bed to feed him.

 

As life moves on, I long to life my life as Oscar died:

Peaceful.

Open to the unknown.

Asking for what I want and need from others. 

 

 

A book with MY name on the cover!

Here it is!
After nine months of watching the e-novella reach over 575 downloads, I now have print copies of Murder on Manitou published by Wynterblue Publishing!

The box arrived via courier yesterday at noon and I sold my first copies at lunch with friends. After I did the happy dance all around the living room, scared three lives out of the cats with my shrieking and texted my husband who was in meetings.

The photo above was my first glimpse of the lovely books that I can't believe bear my name. The Murder in Ink contest took place in 2010 and now I have something to show for winning it. I paid for 100 copies to be printed and, after putting a few blurbs on facebook, I've already sold 30. Not to mention the handful I'm giving to family. My kids think it's cool that they can lie in their own beds and read the same book at the same time - and it was dedicated to THEM! My youngest even brought a copy to school today so he could brag!

Still can't believe that it's here! I posted a message to my fellow Blue Ridge Literary Writers about the book and have the strong belief that this is only the first of many to come. Not necessarily of the novella but of the other books I have written. My agent, Dawn, has two novels of mine to read right now and I'm working on a new one - with more from the Wild Blue Series waiting in the wings!

My boss and good friend, Angelo, gave me a copy of The Secret to watch the other day. I had to smile as I watched it. The Law of Attraction is exactly what I use day to day, thought to thought, to make my life more positive. (Sorry if I gave away "The Secret" to anyone!) I have used it to send out thoughts to find a publisher and win the contest with Wynterblue. I used it to find an agent and found one in a fun, roundabout way. I even used it to get the job I currently have at a karate studio.

After watching it, I decided I like one man's idea to imagine more cheques than bills coming in the mail. Guess what? After posting my book on facebook, I'll have just that! Coincidence???

Getting back into routine.

Inevitably, September brings school. My New Year. New routines, new writing supplies - they're not just for the kids! - and new challenges.

In two more days, I'll grade for my yellow belt in karate. It hasn't been an easy road but definitely an enjoyable one. I've made new friends and overcome some of the pain I've dealt with for the past two years.

My writing was put on hold for the summer due to company, kids underfoot 24-7 and me wanting to spend time with them. This fall, the excuses are gone. My agent is reading two of my novels and I'm working on a third one now. Several more lurk in the closet waiting for the first in the series, The Bookstore Lady, to find a home.

I am in "hurry up and wait mode." Some days it seems like I'll never get another book published even though my desk drawers are bursting at the seams with them. Other days, I get small incentives to keep going. My e-novella, Murder on Manitou, has had 576 downloads at last count and I have print copies coming soon.

Baby steps.
Several deep breaths.
Keep learning and don't give up.

That is the only way to get to where I want to be in my life.

 

Taking time to breathe

"When you notice that you are pushing yourself to complete a task, soften and be merciful with yourself. Inhale quietly and exhale gently, extending the very same kindness to yourself that you would to another in the same situation. Begin again."  --Judith Lasater, Ph.D., P.T. "Living Your Yoga"

I had the pleasure of attending a yoga class last Sunday that was supposed to run for 2 hours. It ended up going for 4pm and taking me, both physically and mentally, into places I never thought I would go. Who knew I could spread my legs apart and be able to lean forward and touch my belly to the floor? I certainly didn't. Our instuctor Charles Shiva Shankara certainly did. He and his lovely wife Ananda pushed us all past our limits and do things we thought were impossible.

I actually did a headstand - assisted - but now have the overwhelming urge to do one alone. To "prove" that I can. I tried poses that defied gravity yet were done by other members of the group whose feet I didn't have to hold up! I am still developing enough upper body strength for the more amazing feats.

What I did do was come home in a state of bliss. My body was strong, energized and my mind whirled at the speed of sound with all that was possible.

Over the past few months I have worked on changing perspective. I am strengthening both my mind and my body. Weights and running (I can run for almost 20 minutes straight now!) as well as writing and reading. I am listening to my body and my intuition. If it feels wrong, I don't do it. If it will benefit me, I dive in.

What a change. Physically, while I have lost about 10 pounds overall since June, I am stronger and leaner. Mentally, I am capable of taking on the world. My writing has changed. It reflects my strength. Even my reading has changed to include less fluff - well, except on those days that I really don't want to get off the couch but do anyway!

As I move into Fall and things settle back into routine, yoga and meditation will become part of that. Just sitting on the deck or anywhere comfortable to breathe and reconnect with my Self will be a huge part of my day even if it's only for 5 minutes.

Taking that small opportunity to sit and breathe will only help to make one stronger.

Now breathe....

Vacation's Nearly Over

Wow, this summer has gone by fast.
The kids have been home for vacation, my inlaws were here for 2 1/2 weeks and I've been at work. There have been some fun things going on: working out with my kids, karate training, walking around town finding the weird and wonderful. I even bought myself a sandcastle candle holder the other day. Something that reminds me of our trip to Florida a couple years ago.

The one thing I really haven't done this summer is write. Funny how that's starting to affect me. The dam that has held my creativity in check has finally burst. After a long walk today, I sat and did some editing and reading and...soon, writing. Once I get back on top of what I've already done. I have to say I'm looking forward to it.

I'm gearing up to grade in karate. I'm seriously trying not to let things that other people do or have done interfere with my own training and determination. Despite some people's stupidity, I haven't given up. The combination of training and workouts are building up the hip and knee that still cause problems but are getting stronger.

September, for me, has always been the start of a new year rather than January. Old leaves falling. New paper. New pens. New ideas. New routines. Time to start planning my new routine and stocking up for a great season of writing!

My Favourite Place to Write

In the summer, the place I write most often is out on my deck early in the morning with a cup of coffee in my right hand and a pen in my left. Back deck if it's cool, front deck if the sun is already at 36C like this morning! Today the sky is so blue I want to dive in and go for a swim. The sun so warm, my coffee stays hot. Birds twitter, coo and chirp and make sounds that have no words. Silvery spider zip lines, flimsy yet strong enough to stop a grown man in his tracks to brush them off, zigzag between benches, chairs and the barbecue.
It is a lovely place to lose one's mind. To delve into creativity and forget time and appointments.
It is a great place to wait.
     For books to find homes with publishers.
     For my new print copies of Murder on Manitou and the bookrack cards that go with them.
     For karate class.
     For lunch.
     For another cup of coffee.

But, as every other day, there is no time to sit and wait. Time to write. Time to soak in the peace.
Time to dash off into the many parts of my life that refuse to be patient.

Off to the next book....

I'm mellltttinnnngggggg.....

What a crazy hot summer this year and it's only the fifth of July! Friends in the US were without power for days, we're trying to stay out of the sun because it's been around 40C for the past few days. Great reason to hunker down in a little coffee shop and write - if only!

This next two weeks we have company from out of province. Where we should be wandering the province and sightseeing, everyone prefers to lie low and keep cool. Fine for me, I still have to be at work early in the afternoon anyway. And there's air-conditioning!

I did get Deja Vu finished and off to my agent. Just when I thought I'd take some time off from writing, along comes a whole new story. A story about samurai and poison and greed. If that doesn't get you, the protagonist washes her hands of the whole situation only to be dragged back in kicking and screaming. At least I have something to dabble with while I sit in a coffee shop to write. Still waiting for that chance.


I've enjoyed getting to read other people's query letters and first 3 chapters courtesy of Dawn. I also have the opportunity to read a new novel for a good friend of mine. Harry Posner has written a book of poetry, a great novel "Charivari" and books about writing. He is also a spoken-word poet who's voice is totally captivating! Check this You Tube video out for a look at Harry in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTfeBQSp1Bw  The short of my story is: I can't wait to read his new novel!

Still waiting for another round of edits or news about The Bookstore Lady and now Deja Vu.

I think I'll enjoy summer while I wait.