Northern Lights Southern Cross is a Canadian immigrant’s journal. My spouse and I have been living in Alberta for twelve years now, and this rugged landscape has become our home. These entries describe our journey through the days...our random thoughts, our lofty dreams, our faltering steps, our bright hopes. Please join us for a brief sojourn or an entire season.
18 November 2010
11 November 2010
Eleven eleven
Perhaps I will start a new book every Nov. 11. I certainly enjoyed starting my new book tonight! :)
"There are many ways to die in Africa."
My book begins (as did my recent CBC literary awards contribution):
“There are many ways to die in Africa.”
There. My first line is written! Time for bed on this special day of Remembering.
“There are many ways to die in Africa.”
There. My first line is written! Time for bed on this special day of Remembering.
Nostalgia: Not What It Used To Be
Nostalgia: Not What It Used To Be
That’s the working title of my new book, officially started tonight. I’ve done much brainstorming and have divided it onto three sections, based on beloved Canadian author Peter Gzowski’s Morningside chapter headings: “Friends,” “Moments,” and “Countryside.”
My hope is to write about the special people and places it was my privilege to visit this past winter. What I have in mind is a photo-travel-journal format.
Between late May and early July I spent six splendid weeks in my homeland … and realised anew how much I love the voices and languages of South Africa. I also became aware (and was made aware by others!) just how Canadian I’ve become, eh? It’s true. I am now a foreigner in my native land. But I love being there and will return as often as possible in future. I do not take for granted my frequent flyer status: I’ve been back to Africa half a dozen times in a dozen years: an absolute privilege in today’s economy.
That’s the working title of my new book, officially started tonight. I’ve done much brainstorming and have divided it onto three sections, based on beloved Canadian author Peter Gzowski’s Morningside chapter headings: “Friends,” “Moments,” and “Countryside.”
My hope is to write about the special people and places it was my privilege to visit this past winter. What I have in mind is a photo-travel-journal format.
Between late May and early July I spent six splendid weeks in my homeland … and realised anew how much I love the voices and languages of South Africa. I also became aware (and was made aware by others!) just how Canadian I’ve become, eh? It’s true. I am now a foreigner in my native land. But I love being there and will return as often as possible in future. I do not take for granted my frequent flyer status: I’ve been back to Africa half a dozen times in a dozen years: an absolute privilege in today’s economy.
Memorial Drive photos
Earier this week I said I'd post my Memorial Drive photos today, and here they are:
I'll also post a couple of entries my students wrote for Remembrance Day (with their permission) later this month.
I worked today but developed a rather miserable migraine, and so had to quit halfway through the day. I'm feeling marginally better now. As Robin reminds me, "We'll try again tomorrow." Every day is a fresh start, workwise, healthwise, soulwise.
I'll also post a couple of entries my students wrote for Remembrance Day (with their permission) later this month.
I worked today but developed a rather miserable migraine, and so had to quit halfway through the day. I'm feeling marginally better now. As Robin reminds me, "We'll try again tomorrow." Every day is a fresh start, workwise, healthwise, soulwise.
Lots happening this weekend. We have company ... and other comings and goings; details to follow after Sunday.
11/11 is a special day for me, beyond Remembrance Day (which I celebrate each year with gratitude and reverence for our veterans). 11:11 is also my magical minute. It's the time of day, 7 years ago now, that I began writing my very first book (which I eventually co-authored and published in 2007). Tonight I plan on officially starting a new book (I already have two underway: one is being co-authored with a new writing companion--we're at least halway!--and the other has been on my heart for years).
Tonight I will begin writing a mini-memoir of my recent trip to South Africa. Working title? See my 11:11 post, as I begin writing the first lines...
09 November 2010
And now: November
That about covers October, folks. 31 entries should suffice, although 100 wouldn't be enough to share all that happened last month. October was rich and full and sweet from the first to the 31st.
November is proving to be quieter, people-wise, but every bit as full. Tomorrow I'll share the first of this month's joys and jubilations. On Thursday I'll post some photos I took on Memorial Drive in honour of Remembrance Day.
Until then, wishing you all a sacred week and a memorable month.
November is proving to be quieter, people-wise, but every bit as full. Tomorrow I'll share the first of this month's joys and jubilations. On Thursday I'll post some photos I took on Memorial Drive in honour of Remembrance Day.
Until then, wishing you all a sacred week and a memorable month.
31. Avis & Julia
See entry for November 3: "Penpals meet at last".
Bee & EP in Banff.
First photo, taken by a complete stranger at the airport.
Sniff. Bee flies east.
30. Barb Glennie heads west
October 28, Thursday
On the last Thursday of the month, I finally met singer/songwriter, Barb Glennie, from Ontario; we attended the Covenant Awards in Calgary and were delighted to hear Barb sing three of her original compositions, including her new song, Firefly. (I was moved to tears by the power of Barb's voice and the beauty of her message.)
How did we first connect? I interviewed Barb (HoneyB) over the phone for an article I wrote in the spring; we'd been hoping to meet face to face for months already.
The next day I met her sister and my kindred correspondent, Bee Baker. The extended Baker/Glennie family has adopted me, and I am well pleased....
29. There's a chef in the kitchen
October 25, Monday
On the Monday night after our return to Alberta, my adopted nephew-chef cooked dinner for his family (a rare treat: tasty cod with garlic, butter and red pepper; lemon rice with a dash of sea salt and black pepper; broccholini; for dessert, my favourite: creme brulee with a caramel crust...superb).
28. Alberta snow
In BC during our October week away, fall had hardly made its presence known; in Alberta we returned to a crisp week of cool mornings and fresh snow on the morning after we came home.
26. Misty mountain view
24. Wildlife warning
the previous one) are of mountain goats ambling along the main road.
23. Mountain goats
20. Window view
at the kitchen table during Reading Week in October.
08 November 2010
17. Walk in the woods
towards a little waterfall.
15. Walking on sunshine
tempting though it was to stay cosily ensconced in my silent
sanctuary; this day was particularly sunny and I hiked quite a
distance before returning home, hot and happy.
11. Bridge over (un)troubled water
...and of water.
And bridges.
And of beautiful BC in fall.
Whenever possible, I position myself near running water. I listen. And
breathe deeply.
10. Unit D2
I come here to s-l-o-w down each year, to reconnect with my quiet(er)
self and to rest—and write—in peace.
('Tis so slow-paced a life that moss grows on the roof.)
07 November 2010
9. It's a sign
gladden my heart, even if I'm merely passing through.
8. White on green
...a steady supply of snow satisfies the senses.
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