Posts by Hyacinthe

2016 When Words Collide

Posted on August 11, 2016

Another 75 page book of workshop sessions, speakers and sponsors. There’s so much choice, I find it hard to figure out what to attend. My squirrel brain has gone into overdrive and the thing doesn’t start until Friday. I’m volunteering again this year to do the Av setup before the sessions I’m attending. Can you imagine – 700 readers and writers in one place for three days? I AM SO EXCITED!!! When Words Collide 2016 Schedule in Development(2) WordPress has been acting up today – something about blocking an IP address because of a ‘brute force attack’. So it’s ‘quick-quick to post’. My flight leaves at nine, which means we have to leave home around six, because the commuter traffic is so unpredictable. That’s…

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Categories: Modern life

Oh, Poop

Posted on August 4, 2016

The septic tank cleaner guy is here. As if a long August weekend wasn’t excitement enough. Can’t believe it’s been five years since the last tank enema, but considering we run the dishwasher almost every day, in addition to showers, hand washing, toilet flushing and laundry, I guess the thing does fill up. Last time, Hub (always the engineer) marked the relevant distances and depths and had an archeological-type map ready when it came time to shovel the dirt from the lid. Hell of a time to get it done, though, because of watering bans and the grass – always sparse over that large cement square, won’t recover until the fall because it’s too damned hot for re-seeding. It’s an unusual job and I’m…

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Categories: Modern life

Of World News, Books & Civic Holidays

Posted on July 29, 2016

Yes, I’ve relented somewhat and watch bits of the news after supper. I can’t help it – I want to know what’s going on. But I quickly realize I haven’t missed anything and retreat to my sewing/ironing room to putter and listen to another satisfying historical romance that makes me laugh or gasp or envy the heroine’s simple trajectory to finding ‘The One’. After listening to two or three a week, interspersed with more serious thrillers, I have my roster of favourite narrators. In fact, last week Audible had a sale on books narrated by a specific female narrator. Brilliant marketing, in fact, since it is the skill of the competent ‘reader’ who brings all of the characters – male and female and alien…

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Categories: Modern life

Aren’t Best Friend Visits the Best?

Posted on July 14, 2016

We met in 1961, in February as I recall. The glamorous, dark-haired young woman from Sorel and her beautiful blonde sister arrived at our sedate high school and nothing was ever the same again. My best friend then and now. We are so different, but so much similar. Scorpio and Libra. Hub and Jess share the same birthday, which was a tremendously good omen. Sure, she wore the dull grey pleated uniform and ugly maroon blazer that we had, but my God, I can still remember her style and confidence.She was one of the few people I know who could stare down the nuns. Her hair secured in that saucy French roll looked sexy instead of demure. Pale pink lipstick. Snapping dark eyes and…

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Categories: Emotions, Modern life

Creativity, like July, is Hot

Posted on July 6, 2016

Last week, I received an email telling me that I’d made it to the first round for the 2016 Catherine Contest sponsored by the Toronto Romance Writers. Boy, did that feel good, especially since most of the comments from judges were so positive. I had a few days to clean up my entry, so I hit the keyboard, edited, added more conflict then sent it off with a much shorter synopsis. Scary, but exciting. I also entered a contest sponsored by the New Jersey Romance Writers. Two weeks ago, I sent in a story to the Canadian Authors Association Vancouver 2016 Story Contest. My creative brain is on fire. I’m on a roll, but time is passing and I have to be. In June I…

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Categories: Argument, What I'm Doing, writing