As I Was Saying...

Bradley Harbour

2008-07-16T06:33:27Z

The cottage we rented turned out to be really nice. Not huge but big enough for the five of us. We spent most of our time outside anyway, on the large wrap-around deck.

I didn't warn the kids in advance about the wildlife so they were a little freaked out after reading this warning on the bulletin board inside the cottage.

We went swimming almost every day, Ice took the kids canoeing a few times, we played games at night, and had a couple of campfires and made s'mores. The weather was mostly beautiful.

We went to bed early and got up early every day. That seems backwards to me.

We went to Lion's Head a few times (for groceries mostly) and it was smaller than I remembered. We went to Tobermory a few times and it was busy and also smaller than I remembered.

I read three and a half books.

We went to the Visitor Centre for Bruce Peninsula National Park because I really wanted to climb the tower. The "see through" stairs were a bit of challenge for me (stupid vertigo) but the view was definitely worth it.

We went on a glass bottom boat tour of Fathom Five National Marine Park and saw a couple of shipwrecks, some lighthouses, and a bunch of islands covered in trees and rocks. They (the islands) looked just like the ones we saw on the boat tour we took last year, just not as many.

We brought Abby along with us and she was really well behaved. She spent most of the first night wandering around the cottage, checking on everyone constantly, but after that, she slept nicely beside our bed. We had to keep her tied up or leashed the entire time, which she isn't used to, but she didn't complain.

We all agreed that it was a great vacation.

More photos. (To see the photos that include my children, email me.)

The 2nd Canadian Book Challenge, Eh?

2008-07-02T03:31:41Z

Since my reading habits haven't changed and since I enjoyed the first one so much, I signed on for the next round of the Canadian Book Challenge. Same straightforward rules but a full year in which to complete it this time.

Starting July 1st, 2008 and running to July 1st, 2009, I challenge you to read (and write about) 13 Canadian books (by Canadians and/or about Canadians). [From The Book Mine Set]

Last time, I chose my books based on where they were set, one for each province and territory. This time, I'm choosing thirteen new-to-me authors from these MySpace friends. I have a preliminary list of seven women and six men but since the list is subject to change, I'm not going to post it in advance.

I will be keeping track of my progress on this post. Linked titles point to my review. Unlinked titles mean I've read the book but haven't reviewed it yet.

Finished

The Killing Circle – Andrew Pyper (my library) (C)
Indigenous Beasts – Nathan Sellyn (my library) (C)

Finished!

2008-06-30T20:24:50Z

The final three reviews to complete the 1st Canadian Book Challenge. I actually read 21 books by Canadian authors during the allotted time but haven't reviewed all of them yet.

The 2nd challenge starts tomorrow! Join us!

A Bird in the House by Margaret Laurence

About: Eight connected short stories, featuring Vanessa MacLeod and set in Manawaka, Manitoba.

Vanessa was interesting, each of the stories was moving, and the book as a whole was remarkable. Full review: A Bird in the House by Margaret Laurence.

This book was my choice for Manitoba.

The Devil is Loose! by Antonine Maillet

About: A young Acadian woman takes on a powerful rum-runner.

I can't recommend this book, or at least this translation of it, because I didn't like it at all. Hopefully it's much better in the original French. Full review: The Devil Is Loose! by Antonine Maillet.

This book was my choice for New Brunswick.

The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery, Volume I: 1889-1910

About: Personal journal entries, covering Montgomery's life from age 14 to 36.

Absolutely fascinating reading, whether or not you're a fan of Montgomery and/or Anne, and I recommend it. Full review: The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery, Volume I: 1889-1910.

This book was my choice for Prince Edward Island.

The middle of June

2008-06-17T21:54:27Z

We found a cottage to rent up on the Bruce between Lion's Head and Tobermory. It's not big so hopefully it won't rain much that week. I'm not sure what we'll do for entertainment besides going to the beach. I spent a lot of time up there at various cottages when I was kid but there were always other families (and therefore, other kids) with us. Personally, I would be fine with doing nothing but reading and staring at the water for the week but I'm not so sure that would make the kids happy. Ah well, I'm sure we'll figure it out.

Ice is actually taking the entire week off. The kids aren't sure what to make of that.

Friends of ours had a baby this morning. The new grandmother was very excited when she called me.

The best thing about the local fair (held earlier this month)? Fresh-cut fries.

Went grad dress shopping for K. My mom came along to keep me sane. Ice also came along for the same reason. As a result, things went reasonably well. Dress, shoes, jewelry bought.

There is an outdoor shower at the cottage. I had to reassure L that there was also an indoor shower.

My younger two were in a play put on by their drama club at their school earlier in the month. Entertaining but there seemed to be a higher than normal number of fussy little kids with inconsiderate parents in the audience.

K went to JUMP last week. She was very tired when she came home but she had a good time.

I have a lot to do between now and when we leave for vacation.

Next week is K's graduation and the last day of school. Can't wait.

Spider's Song by Anita Daher

2008-05-28T21:55:54Z

About Spider's Song: AJ, stuck in Yellowknife with her grandmother, meets a man from her mother's past.

An intense story with a prickly yet sensitive main character and the added feature of a lesson for parents. I enjoyed it. Full review: Spider's Song by Anita Daher

This book was my choice for the Northwest Territories for the Canadian Book Challenge. Status: 11 books read, 10 reviewed (ohhh yeah)

May

2008-05-26T23:15:27Z

So I need some balance here. I've been trying to catch up on the backlog of book reviews and I'm probably boring the hell out of anyone who knows me personally and still bothers to read this blog. Or not. I really don't know.

May has been a busy month.

All three kids participated in a murder mystery dinner at their church (or dinner drama, if you prefer) at the beginning of the month. As it turned out, K was the murderer and J, as a cop, led her off to jail. Obviously, I'm doing a fine job of parenting.

L and I went to an opening at an art gallery. We felt very sophisticated.

K turned 14. The same weekend, she was confirmed at her church. Because that Sunday was also Mother's Day, and I obviously wasn't going to relax with a houseful of in-laws milling about, the kids and Ice gave me Saturday off in exchange. Which meant I didn't have to do any of the cleaning! I liked that part very much. The visiting-with-the-relatives part wasn't so bad either.

The following weekend we went to a chicken barbecue. Well, we went and picked up the food and brought it home to eat because it was bloody freezing that day.

This coming weekend is J's piano recital. I'm not overly thrilled that it's on a Saturday morning but the kids were really disappointed when they realized that meant we wouldn't be able to go to the community-wide yard sale in our former town.

And one note from last month: J tied for second at the Kiwanis festival. The adjudicator had some really flattering things to say about his playing and his mark was higher than last year. When we got in the car after, I said to J, "I bet that girl practices EVERY day." And he replied, "That's what you said last year, Mom." Just tryin' to make a point.

The Curse of the Shaman by Michael Kusugak

2008-05-26T21:39:59Z

About The Curse of the Shaman: Instead of agreeing to an arranged marriage for his daughter, a short-tempered shaman cursed young Wolverine, much to the delight of the shaman's grumpy animal spirit.

This was a fascinating book that I really enjoyed. And I learned how to count to three in Inuktitut! Full review: The Curse of the Shaman by Michael Kusugak.

This book was my choice for Nunavut for the Canadian Book Challenge. Status: 11 books read, 9 reviewed (the gap is smaller!)

A Killing Spring by Gail Bowen

2008-05-24T09:04:43Z

About A Killing Spring: The head of the School of Journalism at Joanne Kilbourn's university is found dead in a scandalous position. Meanwhile, one of Joanne's students is missing and her friend Jill is not acting like herself. The fifth book in the series.

The mystery was good, the non-recurring characters were interesting, and the writing was down-to-earth. Many things happened in Joanne's personal life too, of course. Some of which made me sad. Full review: A Killing Spring by Gail Bowen

This book was my choice for Saskatchewan for the Canadian Book Challenge. Status: 11 books read, 8 reviewed

Also, K contributed reviews of Last Chance by Norah McClintock and Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

A non-review post is coming soon. No, really.

After River by Donna Milner

2008-05-14T22:28:40Z

About After River: Hiring an American draft dodger to help out on the farm has long-lasting effects for a close-knit British Columbia family.

Fans of Crow Lake, especially those who liked the feel of the story, will most likely enjoy this book, too. I certainly did. Full review: After River by Donna Milner

Sointula by Bill Gaston

2008-05-13T21:55:59Z

About Sointula: A woman sets out in a stolen kayak to find her estranged son with an incompetent travel writer as her companion.

I don't know that I would want to spend time with any of the characters but I was cheering for each of them to find some kind of peace. Full review: Sointula by Bill Gaston

This book was my choice for British Columbia for the Canadian Book Challenge. Status: 10 books read, 7 reviewed

Sign of the Cross by Anne Emery (and other stuff)

2008-04-16T23:39:56Z

About Sign of the Cross: A young woman has been murdered and all of the evidence points to Father Brennan Burke.

An entertaining fast-paced mystery with a good cast of characters. I will definitely be reading everything in this series. Full review: Sign of the Cross by Anne Emery

This book was my pick for Nova Scotia for the Canadian Book Challenge.

Canadian Book Challenge update: 9 books read, 6 reviews done. That gap isn't getting any smaller, unfortunately.

So I have been doing more than just reading, although, judging by this blog, it doesn't seem like it.

Again to keep him happy, here's J's latest news:

He didn't win the spelling bee. Some of the words that were marked wrong were, in fact, right, just not clearly printed.

He went to a birthday party last Saturday for a friend who lives in a different town. This involved me GETTING UP EARLY ON A SATURDAY to drive him there. I think he appreciated that but I'm not sure.

Like last year, he will be competing at the Kiwanis Festival of the Performing Arts at the end of the month.

Enough about the kid already.

An old friend dropped by unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago. We haven't seen him in years (since he got married, pretty much) and I'm still not sure how he knew we lived here. Ice wasn't home but I had an entertaining visit with him anyway. Although it's killing me that I can't figure out the name of the guy he brought along. This guy knew me and asked about all of Ice's siblings and I'm pretty sure I'm going to feel like a complete idiot when I finally figure out his identity.

My parents are coming home from Florida at the end of the month. I haven't seen them since early November so I'm looking forward to that.

The girls are doing another murder mystery dinner at their church at the beginning of May.

We're trying to make plans for Ice's vacation this summer. We'd like to rent a cottage if we can find one that won't break the bank (ha!). If that doesn't work out, we'll probably do day trips to various places. That won't be quite the same though.

The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Lawson

2008-04-11T21:23:46Z

About The Other Side of the Bridge: Arthur Dunn and Ian Christopherson live in a small community in Northern Ontario and their lives intertwine when Ian asks for a job on Arthur's farm.

Even better than Crow Lake and I wasn't sure that was possible. Full review: The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Lawson

Icefields by Thomas Wharton

2008-04-09T19:15:54Z

About Icefields: On a climbing expedition in 1898, Dr. Ned Byrne slipped into a crevasse in the Arcturus Glacier. What he saw while he waited for rescue would haunt him for the next 25 years.

Quiet, understated, well-written, and different. I'm glad I read it. Full review: Icefields by Thomas Wharton.

This book was my pick for Alberta for the Canadian book challenge.

Canadian book challenge update: 8 books read, 5 reviews done

On an unrelated and annoying note: Songs were being scrobbled to my Last.fm account that I did not listen to. So now I've got a skinhead band in my weekly top artists. :-(

So he'll stop searching for his name

2008-04-02T03:22:54Z

Someone in my house has been complaining about my lack of posts about certain events. So here goes....

J'S BIRTHDAY

J turned 11 this year (or is it 9? I always forget). He had a couple of friends here for a sleepover and they made lots of noise and stayed up too late and messed up the living room. Oh, and he got some cool presents too.

J'S SPELLING BEE

J is in a spelling bee this weekend, competing against other kids from area schools. K did this a couple of years ago so she's been quizzing him on words like "colonel" and "whimsical" and "xenon". A typical conversation in our house these days might go like this:

K: Do you want cream cheese on your bagel, Mom?
R: No, I think I'll have cheddar.
J: Cheddar! C-H-E-D-D-E-R!
R: A-R
J: Darn!

J IN THE TALENT SHOW

On Saturday night, J and his father will be performing in a talent show at their church. I think it's supposed to be for all members of the congregation but, from what I hear, it's sounding more like "The Ice's Family Talent Show". J will be performing F�r Elise on the piano. Ice will be singing with his siblings.

Ok, I think that's it. Happy now, kiddo?

Blyth Festival 2008

2008-03-22T09:22:11Z

Against the Grain* by Carolyn Hay
June 18 - August 16

"After a lifetime of hard work, Henry Jamieson has built himself an empire of Manitoba grain. But who will take the reins of the family business if his son David doesn’t wake up and seize the opportunity?"

Harvest by Ken Cameron
June 25 - August 16

Retired farmers rent their house to "a nice young man" who disappears, leaving behind a less-than-legal crop. Based on a true story.

Courting Johanna* by Marcia Johnson
July 23 - September 6

Based on the story, "Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage", by Alice Munro.

Innocence Lost* by Beverley Cooper
July 30 - September 6

"In Clinton, Ontario, on June 12, 1959, [fourteen-year-old] Steven Truscott was arrested for the murder of Lynne Harper, a twelve-year-old child." This is on my Absolutely Must See list, for obvious reasons.

And we can't forget the Young Company, September 9-13 in the Garage Studio. Also on my Absolutely Must See list.

* world premiere