Poor me

I'm so sad. I've come down with a cold/flu bug and had to miss Susan Juby's workshop. Ah well, at least I had the chance to catch one of them.

Pender Island

Had an fabulous few days on Pender Island with writer friends Andrea and David Spalding. We explored an ancient First Nation village site and midden which was pretty cool. Here I am with my sweetie Lloyd in front of the midden. And here is the view from Andrea and Dave's front window overlooking Mayne Island.









No wonder they are so inspired as writers! I also caught a snap of this piliated woodpecker raiding the bird feeder.

Cutest puppy ever!

Here's a picture of my puppy, the cutest puppy ever! I won't get to bring her home for another month, but I am so excited. Expect another dog story!

Ann Walsh and I attended a Susan Juby workshop

After spending the morning doing a Camino de Santiago de Compostela workshop, I rushed over to pick up fellow author Ann Walsh at her hotel. Then we drove over to the Emily Carr Library where we spent two fantastic hours listening to author Susan Juby talk about writing. It was exhausting, but an interesting take on writing to keep the reader interested. Susan covered voice, character, plot, and dialogue. She is a super teacher and if you get a chance to hear her speak, go for it. If not, you can always read her books or catch an episode of the TV series, Alice, I Think. After the workshop, I drove Ann Walsh back to her hotel (through the snow!) and had glass of wine and a visit with the resident hotel seagull who hangs out on her balcony hoping for a hand-out.

Lunch with Andrea and David Spalding

Had a wonderful visit with fellow authors and friends, Andrea and David Spalding. We brainstormed new novel possibilities while eating lunch and overlooking the Sidney harbour. What fun! After lunch, Andrea and I left David to browse the bookstores while we went off to a new lavender farm. It was wonderful, and the bonus was seeing a one day old duckling.

Who knew Rochelle Strauss was a fan

I received the loveliest email from my daughter who is a sales rep. in the book publishing business in Vancouver. She writes,

"Today I was driving Rochelle Strauss ( author of Tree of Life and One Well) around, and we were chatting and I mentioned that you were my mum. She freaked out, because, it turns out, you are the reason that she started writing books!...she was super-excited, because you're basically her hero."

Most authors don't often get many opportunities to hear that you have influenced someone's life decisions. This totally made my week.

Home for the weekend, and a great read...

So good to be home for a whole weekend. On Monday I'll be visiting Braefoot Elementary School here in Victoria. I'm looking forward to it since I don't often get a lot of time in local schools. No ferries or airplanes to catch...a treat.

I finished the most wonderful book the other day called Graceling by Kristin Cashore. It's an awesome fantasy. For those of you who are Ursula LeGuin fans, I can't recommend it enough. I know more is coming from this fine young author, and I just can't wait for the next installment.

Northern Voice Conference

I'll be in Vancouver at UBC this weekend for the 2009 Northern Voice Conference, a blogging and social media conference. I'll be on a panel called "Sick and tired of blogs." Anyone who blogs regularly will get it, but what you won't get, unless you show up, is the low down on blogger burn out, and how or if you can keep it fresh. It's an awesome event and it's cheap and full of creative awesomeness. Sadly, if you're just hearing about Northern Voice now, it's probably too late for this year cuz happily, it's sold out! See you there, and if not, be sure to catch up next year. Sheryl

Powell's Books

I love book stores and visit them in whatever city I happen to be in. A recent trip to Portland for the Portland Jazz festival obviously meant a trip to Powell's Books. Taking up a city block, they are several stories with an easy layout organized by room colour. My friend and I agreed that we would meet back by the front door in two hours. He made a beeline for history, and I headed straight for the Rose Room dedicated solely to kids books. Since it was a Sunday, I had to thread my way through crowds of kids and parents; something you don't see that often in book stores these days. It isn't hard to figure out why Powell's is so successful while so many of our independent booksellers are closing their doors. Powell's has struck gold when it comes to customer ratings, and here's how:

1. they have a great website with a newsletter, staff pics, etc.
   
2. they employ plenty of staff to help you find what you're looking for
3. they have special sections for award-winners
4. rooms are colour coded according to type of book such as Rose for kid's books with further designated sections with each room
   
5. every area has multiple shelf tags indicating staff picks, hot reviews, etc. making it easy to find great books no matter what section you're in
   
6. and they sell quality used books on the same shelf as new tiles, ensuring their customers get the biggest book bang for their buck (I bought 3 used books which were so inexpensive that I decided I could afford 8 new titles; by the way, I went in specifically looking for two books!)
   
7. they even have a coffee shop!

So, if you happen to be passing through Portland, run don't walk to Powell's Books. Hey, they even have a few of my titles, if you happen to be looking. Later. Sheryl

Puppy coming soon...

I'm so excited. I've been waiting for a puppy, and yesterday Nitty had her litter; 5 gorgeous balls of fluff and one of them will be mine in 2 months! I don't have pictures yet, but here is one the puppies from the last litter taken by her human family. Her name is Lucy, and her owner is a good friend. As you can see, Lucy is a reader, even if she isn't quite as literary as her owner. Of course my puppy will be a great reader too! Watch for puppy pictures; coming soon! Oh, and maybe even another dog book on the joys, or not, of puppy training! Sheryl

Happy February

It's true. I've been a total slacker in the blogging department, although, not in all things. Victoria's first white Xmas since the 1970's has come and gone, including all this snow in my front yard. With the holidays well behind me, I have begun reading stories for the Canadian Children's Book Centre's national writing contest. This year I'll be judging grade 4 stories, and so far I have read some real gems. I've kept busy with school visits to Ranch Park and Baker Drive Elementary Schools in Coquitlam, a visit organized by the wonderful Sandra Chan, the librarian of both schools. She and I manage to organized the visit while I was traveling in Spain last year. I also had the great pleasure of visiting James Bay Community School here in Victoria. Dedicated librarian Steve Marta organized the school's literacy week around my vist which included a new authographed book for every single student in the school. To top it all off, he was a super host.

Now that things have quieted down a little, I'm back to working on my next novel, and looking forward to picking out my new puppie from the litter of my friend's mixed miniature poodle cross. Right now I'm anxiously waiting for the pups to be born. Soon though I'll bet my new dog will give me plenty to write about. Until next time...Sheryl

Home sweet home

I can't believe how lovely it is to be home. I not only have wonderful memories and lots of new friends, but I'm bursting with story ideas! Unfortunately, while I was away, the one mouse who had found it's way into my house multiplied as mice tend to do, and I am battling the invasion heroically. Advice appreciated. Sheryl

Home Soon

It's been ages since I've posted, and now I'm almost ready to come back home sweet home, especially since it has been raining like all get out since I've been here in a small village near Barcelona. Yesterday we went into town to look at the Gowdy buildings which I had seen long ago, but they are even more impressive today, probably because I know better what I am looking at. The thing I am enjoying most though is visiting with my old writer friend Ellen. I have been missing the chance to talk books and writing, and am so looking forward to getting home and back to work. Last night we had a couple of bottles of the local champagne which was absolutely delicious. Wish I could bring a bottle home, but it is a little beyond my means! The next post will be from home! Yippee

Walking the Camino

Walking the last few hundred kilometers of the Camino de Santiago took about 10 days, and every one of those days was fabulous, even the one where I was sick as a dog. I love the rhythm you get into. I loved all the little villages and churches along the way. I loved the way everyone was so helpful and friendly, always wishing you a "Buen Camino." Locals would put you back on track if they happened to see you walking the wrong way. It was amazing. Once in Santiago, the trip to the cathedral to was equally awesome. I attended the pilgrim's mass, and was amazed at how much of the ceremony I remembered even thought it was done in Spanish. I won't be able to load pictures until my return as my little laptop has died. It is an experience I won't soon forget, and I'm pretty sure I'll be back here again.

Goodbye to La Alberca

It's been a while since I've had a chance to post, but teaching English in La Alberca has pretty much been a full time endeavor. The expectation is that you are always on task; either speaking English one on one to a Spaniard, having two on two conversations (two English speakers + two Spaniards), working on skits together, doing group activities, sharing meals, and even dancing together for the nightly parties that go on and on and on. It's exhausting but so much fun. The Spaniards don't even start dinner until after 9pm and they still get up early! Fortunately, there is a "siesta" during the afternoon. I never managed to actually sleep, but instead used the down time to walk into the nearby village to explore, or get to know some of the other Anglos who had come from as far away as Australia!


I met so many wonderful people and made a few friendships that I think will last for some time to come. I'm pretty sure I'd like to do this again, and perhaps next time I'll have a bit more Spanish under my belt and will tack on a bit more Spanish travel either before or after the week of teaching.




Right now I'm feeling exceedingly lazy in Leon, and am not even sure if I'll make it out for dinner! I'll have a few hours in the morning to putter about here and hopefully catch the cathedral which I understand is fabulous. Later. Sheryl

Who knew Madrid had TWO TRAIN STATIONS

Not much more to report. More touring, more sightseeing, more tapas eating and wine drinking. I did spend a pleasant hour in Plaza Mayor, reading my book, watching the human statues who were still the entire time, and listening to some wonderful music. It was exquisite, especially after having spent an hour & a half in line at Atocha train station to buy my ticket to Leon (with an accent) only to find that I want the OTHER train station! Who knew Madrid had two train stations! Of course I would have had I read the guide book which I did after the fact!



One of the things I have really liked about Spain was the high value put on art & architecture. There is art everywhere (old & recent) and even modern buildings are interesting.

The Prado

Ok, the whole getting lost thing is starting to get to me. Half the problem is that I can't actually see any of the little streets on my map; hence a lot of guess work that is not working out so well for me! Thus, the minute I'm back home, I'm making an appointment to get new reading glasses. On a positive note, while lost, I discovered the shopping area with stores like H&M. Mind you, everywhere seems to be the shopping area here, but this area was slightly less intimidating for those of us who are more casual in our appoach to dressing. Did I mention that Madridians ar very very very fashionable, even the guys! Really, I only went in the store for an umbrella because it was raining but...you guessed, I came out with two gorgeous tops, and a burning desire to buy a bigger suitcase. Having resisted the temptation (at least for the larger suitcase), I did get directions and proceeded to the Prado(see above picture which is not as good as it could be I admit). I managed to spend the better part of the rest of the day in there. I think my favourite painting of the entire day was Caravaggio's "David Victorius over Goliath" although there were some stunning Raphael's, Rubens', Goya's and Rembrant's. I also very much enjoyed seeing Velazquez's paintings (I know there should be an accent, but I'm not sure where to find it on my keyboard). Although I didn't really know him previously, I found I quite liked his work. There was a quality in the light which I really admired, especially given some of the more sombre Flemish and Italian pieces. I suppose that just shows my ignorance...sigh. Here I am, well past 50 and so much to learn.
On the way home I took a bus as I was rather beat and passed this very cool building with a living wall of green on the side. I took a quick picture, but didn't do it justice. It was absolutely spectacular, and was next to a modern building that was also quite interesting in that it had an elaborate rust coloured iron upper half that blended in with the roof

Not much more to report tonight, except for hearing that Ursula LeGuin will be in Vancouver for the Vancouver Writer's Festival while I'm away makes me homesick. I'm so sad that I WON'T GET TO SEE HER. Boo hoo. I love her books and if you haven't read her A Wizard of Earth Sea which was originally published in 1968 and is as good today as it was then, you have to do it immediately! In fact, read all of her books. You'll love her. She is beyond awesome. If you are in Vancouver, go and see her and then write me about it.

All for now. S.

More Madrid

Recuperating after wandering around old Madrid for the better part of the day. I did a bit of a walk about first thing just to locate things, which was good because of course I immediately got lost. Fortunately, there are plenty of plazas and open air cafes to sip a cup of cafe con leche while you reconnoiter! I located the Prado, and will go back tomorrow as it's closed on Mondays. Then I headed the opposite direction to the Palace which is quite stunning. The guide book insists it rivals the Place of Versailles in France, and I can't say that I'd argue.

The nearby gardens are gorgeous as is the little plaza just in front with it's walkways lined with statues of people whom I'm sure I should know but don't. Sigh...makes me wish I had a friend along who knew Spanish history as well as my friend Richard knows British history. Despite my ignorance though, it is a gorgeous and vivacious city.

Once I've recouped, I'll head out again for a bite, a glass of vino, a bit of people watching, especially the women who dress most elegantly, unlike me as you can see below.
But, best of all it was 24 degrees Celsius today. I wish I would have checked out the temperature before I left! Tomorrow I'll know better; tank top and sandals.

Sunny Spain

So here I am in sunny Spain. I can't believe how much I lucked out weather wise when in England, but the afternoon before I left, the skies opened up and it seriously poured with rain bouncing off the pavement and puddles everywhere. I had a great time, and especially appreciated my friend Richard driving here there and everywhere, including the airport which was an hour and a quarter away! After various flight delays, we finally took off, and a few hours later, here I am in Madrid. I treated myself to a cab into town despite the expense as I was pretty beat and still have the sniffles, but it will be walking and metro from here on in. I have a cute hotel on the forth floor of a bustling street, but sadly don't have a room that faces the street. I suppose it will be quieter though as I hear the Spanish are real night owls. All for now, time to unpack and find myself a bit of dinner.

Today is my last day in England and I am lucky enough to be having a lovely cup of tea in bed at the B&B I'm staying at. Looking out the window at the rain, I'm glad I'm cozy and warm and equally glad that I'll be in Spain later today. Mind you, I've had an absolutely wonderful time here in England, including mostly sunny weather. Yesterday, before the rain set in, Richard took me to Jane Austen's house which was quite a sweet place, although it now mainly has replicas with the real stuff being moved down the road to a manor house that unfortunately wasn't open. I did take a picture of her writing desk though. Here it is below.












Well, I'd better move along or I'll miss my plane. Next post from Spain. S.