I’ve been thinking of resolutions and accomplishments this past week. I don’t usually make resolutions. Studies show most resolutions break by January 17th. I came across a blog I’d written two years ago. It surprised me to see that I had accomplished what I had......
There’s something about releasing a book that seems to electrify the air, especially when it’s a hot and spicy romance. Today, I’m feeling the tingle as Forever Love is on sale at amazon.com for 99 cents. #bit.ly/99centsForeverLoveebook I first published Forever Love in 2013 when......
A Different Type of Christmas Treat I love Christmas treats. I’m not a baker. I buy cookies and various treats. I never thought about Christmas cookies for dogs until now. This Christmas, I’m helping a local girl by the name of Hailey fundraise to buy......
When was the last time you were on a plane? When did you last experience an incredible adventure, like falling in love? If you’re like me and living in the year 2020, chances are you haven’t been on a plane or travelled far from home......
Are You a Fan of Breakfast in Bed? Breakfast in bed. Does anyone have it anymore? Is it a romantic fantasy that we vaguely remember having once or twice many years ago? Is it something we enjoyed when our children thought it would be fun......
It’s the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. Regretfully, we will not be celebrating as we have done over the years. Because of COVID19, limitations have been placed on the number of people allowed to gather. In our area, households are asked to stay contained; guests are......
Every week, I share special moments with my mother. My mother is dying from cancer. A tumour is growing on her windpipe and is slowly suffocating her. She is almost 93 years of age and has lived a good life. She is tired and is......
This week I chose my top three dogs that made me smile. All three were chosen for different reasons. However, if you follow me, you know that I have a soft spot for service dogs, extra-large dogs, and little dogs with big hearts that pull......
I have rediscovered the benefits of #stayhome because of social-isolation or self-distancing during the COVID-19. Although they may seem trivial to you, for someone who has to leave the house on a somewhat regular basis, there are things I can enjoy now that I #stayhome.......
Singing while self-distancing. That’s what we are doing this Sunday. As a family, we’ve been fortunate. Since we work together we can still visit on a daily basis, still self-distancing. Our grandchildren drop by, and my grandson makes it clear that he’s here to stay......
I’m an author who benefits from being an introvert. I can socialize when I have to. I do like my friends and their company, but I also enjoy being alone without having conversations with myself. I’m not that introverted. However, I do talk to the......
I’ve compiled a list of my top five favourite dogs in movies. We’ve all seen them, the cute puppy or the gigantic dog that steals the scene in a movie. It doesn’t matter the genre, whether it’s a romance or action because if there’s a......
First of all, you should never have to explain why you read romance novels. However, you can use the following five reasons: Reading romance isn’t what it used to be If you don’t read romance novels, you probably think of the dime-store paperbacks that your......
Sharing with you Firstly, I want to share 5 things to know about service dogs, our four-legged heroes. They are not pets. Service dogs have a job to do. Do not distract them. Service dogs are expensive. It costs $1,500 to raise a puppy in......
Celebrating Rejection One of my writing groups awards chocolates for successes. We celebrate requests for manuscripts, getting an agent or publisher, publishing a book, finishing writing a book, finishing a chapter. We celebrate any success we can think of. There is also the downside of......
What’s on your bucket lists? Bucket lists. They can be for anything – travel, adventures, things to do on a weekend, chores (really?), movies to see, books to read, or concerts to attend. The list is endless and as varied as the person who makes......
I came across this happiness challenge today – every month write down 30 things that make you happy and every day do one of those things from the list. As a result, I’ve made up my list for April. Although I’m already eight days......
Yesterday, while I played with my grandson, I was instructed on the proper sound a dinosaur makes. I must admit it wasn’t the sound I imagined it to be. To be clear, my grandson, Montgomery, is 18 months old. He loves tractors, trucks, and dinosaurs.......
It’s a common mistake. We see it all the time, especially on Facebook posts. Posters write SHOULD OF instead of SHOULD HAVE or SHOULD’VE, COULD OF instead of COULD HAVE or COULD’VE. It’s an understandable mistake. Our ears hear the word OF instead of HAVE,......
Peony is one of my favourite flowers. I wished they bloomed all summer. My earliest memory of the Peony was at my grandparents’ house in Edmonton. Peonies grew alongside the walkway to the front door. As a child, I would spend visits with my grandfather watching......
Looking Deep Inside Yourself I helped my daughter work on her vision and mission statements. I know they are a part of business and charities. However, writing personal vision and mission statements was new to me. It was uncharted territory, putting goals to paper, and......
If you love to receive birthday cards on your birthday, this offer is for you. One of my book heroes will send you a signed birthday card made only for you. All you have to do is visit my Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/DeborahArmstrongAuthor/and click on......
Do you want to have a look into my stories and read unpublished scenes? Would you like to know more about the characters and what they are up to even though their story hasn’t been published yet? Would you like to......
It’s never easy saying good-bye, especially when it’s to a beloved pet. My beautiful calico fur baby, Chloe, took her last breath a few weeks ago. She let me know that it was time to go. I won’t go into the details. Suffice it to say......
I made a list of my resolutions. It is quite short and in no particular order. It has to do with caretaking of my books and myself: Finish my fifth book. Start my own publishing company. Reclaim my previously published books. Look after myself. Resolution......
I’m making New Year’s Resolutions for 2019. They are goals to deal with self-care and writing. The two are co-dependent. If I don’t feel well, I can’t write. When I feel healthy, my writing takes on a life of its own. There is harmony in......
It’s that time of year to share my five tips for spreading Christmas Cheer that will make you and your friends happy. Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Whichever greeting you prefer to use, it is the season for celebrating the special things in life: family, friends, good......
I’m making my Christmas list for Santa before I have breakfast with him this morning, It won’t be a long list. There won’t be outrageous or expensive items on it. Santa will read it and say, “Yes, that’s her.” No surprises. Something Warm & Fuzzy To......
It’s hard to make a list of ten tips for succeeding with Pinterest. I have found many helpful tips over the past few months that brought me success with this social media platform. Since September 2018, my monthly unique viewers have increased from 104.8k to 649.2.......
I consider myself a dog person. However, I have a calico cat who has wrapped her white paws around my heart and claimed me as her human. There are many things about Chloe, (that’s her name) that make her special. Here is a list of......
The following are the five tips I’ve come up with for getting through NaNoWriMo while avoiding the black hole of social media: Instagram Take multiple selfies before November and schedule the posts on Instagram throughout the month to let your friends & family know you’re......
It’s that time of year when many writers participate in NaNoWriMo. Only once have I earned the Winner Badge by writing 50,000 words. The following tips work for me: Tell Your Friends Don’t keep NaNoWriMo a secret. Announce to your friends and family that November......
I came across this quotation today, “Smell the roses. Smell the coffee. Whatever it is that makes you happy,” by Rita Moreno. It’s true. We must take the time to enjoy the things that make us happy. However, sometimes we lose sight of what those......
There are no spoilers in this book review. It seems like I waited for the release of Cross Breed for a very long time. Cassie’s love story is the one that kept all of us waiting, wondering who Lora Leigh would make her mate. My......
Bookmarks. They have become my new obsession. Bookmarks are used to mark a page in a book. They can be a digital bookmark as found on Kindle and Kobo devices, and they can be the physical kind made of paper, or any material that comes......
The List Do you make a “To-Do List”? Can you make a mental list of the tasks you need to perform, or do you write everything down, itemize each job, then cross them off the list with gusto once completed? However you make your list, the......
Romance Reading Summer is the best time to catch up on reading. At the moment, my TBR pile is six books high. I have three authors I am reading for the first time: Debbie Macomber (If Not for You), Jessica Lemmon (The Billionaire Next Door), and......
Quinn Thomas knows how to love a woman and how to make her love him. In five easy steps he can make you fall in love then he’ll own your heart. Quinn will seduce you and he does it easily, without you knowing that you’re......
In celebration of my birthday month, I thought I’d share a chapter I wrote a while ago for Love’s Embrace. Quinn called out to me, telling me that he had a story to tell. I haven’t quite figured out where we’re going. Please comment below......
It’s not always easy working from home. I have too many distractions, including a kitten called Lucky. As a result, I’ve come up with six tips to stay productive while working from home. Tip 1. Get dressed. It will put you in a work mindset.......
I never expected to be celebrating Sweater Sunday, especially in April. It’s the month where most of us expect to find daffodils, tulips, and other spring flowers debut their blooms. Trees begin to bud, promising lush foliage necessary for summer shade. Unfortunately, this year April......
L is for Lucky, Licking and Lovable Lucky has grown since I last posted his picture in September. My rescue barn kitty is now a 6 month-old, orange and white ball of energy. Lucky is the toddler who never stops. He’s the Everready battery bunny......
This summer I became a mom to four abandoned barn kittens. We think the mom cat went out hunting and became the prey of local coyotes; it’s not an uncommon occurrence out here in the country. These kittens weren’t old enough to look after themselves. We......
I have sharpened pencils, pens in every colour, notebooks aplenty, and a keyboard or two waiting to be used, and yet the page is still blank. It’s not writer’s block. I have plenty of ideas for stories. I have characters yelling at me to get......
Family Pictures is published! Family Pictures is Jack’s story. It’s a contemporary romance, funny and steamy. To celebrate, I thought I would share five facts about Family Pictures. I started to write Family Pictures in 2011 when my daughter, Tiegan, asked me to write her......
Every morning, before I sit at my desk and plan the day’s work, I make myself a pot of coffee, eat breakfast and sit outside and take in the sounds of the farm. I hear the birds chirping. We have barn swallows, robins, crows and......
When you choose a book for reading, how much does the book’s cover influence your decision? If you read romance novels, do you prefer to see a half-naked couple locked in a lovers’ embrace? Do you want to see them kissing or do you prefer......
While researching dragons, I came across various pictures, tattoos, and toys of the fearsome beasts. If you follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook, you will find the occasional picture or reference to the fantastic creature. One Saturday afternoon, after running a few errands, I......
I’m back! I didn’t know when the time would come that I could actually post these words. It’s been a very difficult year for me. Almost from the moment I last posted on this website, I was hit hard with severe migraines that were non-stop.......
February Freebies is in its second day. I’m celebrating my one year anniversary winning a Tim Horton’s car and I am giving away prizes. You don’t have to read Forever Love, Love’s Promises, and Love’s Games to win, although I hope you will. Follow the......
How would you like to win some fun prizes? It’s February Freebie month. I’m celebrating my winning a Tim Horton’s car one year ago (February 21, 2014) and I thought I would play some games with you. They aren’t hard to play and everyone......
In Forever Love, Love’s Promises and Love’s Games, you’ll read about my farm. I give you a tour of our barns and tell you about our cows, the Ladies. I am very proud of our family business, Armstrong Manor Farm. I am also proud of......
He remembered everything about Rene and what she liked – the smile that turned her on, the wink that promised her more later, and the kiss that made her drop to her knees willingly. The Writing Game Love’s Games is finally finished! I thought it......
This week I turned fifty five. I don’t feel much different from my last birthday or from quite a few that came before it. I still feel that my age is a frame of mind. If I didn’t see those around me aging, I......
While I’ve been putting the final touches on Love’s Games, I enrolled in a blog tour to promote my books. Blog tours are fun, stressful, time consuming, and educational. For one week, various bloggers will post my books by reviewing them or......
It’s here! I have my car from Tim Horton’s. It’s beautiful. I’d like to give it a name and yet I’m not sure if my car is female or male. I haven’t felt its vibe yet and found out what he or she is all......
I’ve been bad and I have to apologize for my absence. There are no excuses only reasons, if that makes any sense to you. After coming home from a wonderful holiday with my hubby, I have been thrown into a whirlwind of work, writing and......
Since I write hot and steamy romance, people either assume two things about me. One, that I have a very healthy sex life, I am knowledgeable in the sexual content about which I write and that I am very open minded. Two, I live a......
This past weekend I had the opportunity to share a booth with three amazing ladies at the National Women’s Show in Toronto where we promoted our very different but connected products. Marlene, a life and career coach, assists people in making life and career choices.......
I am thankful every day. I am thankful that I wake up and the aches and pains I feel are familiar and not new. I am thankful that my calico cat is happy to greet me every morning – even if it is to be......
It’s that time of year again. The Brampton Fall Fair is fast approaching. The weather forecast doesn’t look great (what’s new?), and the excitement in our household builds for the Demolition Derby. I’ll be there promoting my books. Last year, I debuted Forever Love. I was......
On Friday, we welcomed a new member to our family. Our son, Richard, married Bethany – a beautiful woman who brings a smile to our face and warms our hearts whenever we are with her. She is kind, considerate and loving. All of the guests......
I think that I suffer from some sort of attention deficit disorder. Not to make light of this, if any of you suffer from it, but on a daily basis my attention wanders. I make mental goals for myself – clear off my desk, finish......
Jessica is near and dear to my heart. She is one of my daughter Caitlin’s best friends. I have known Jessica since she became classmates with Caitlin in middle school. I have followed Jessica’s life through her school years, college, and now as she makes......
I am being hounded by my youngest daughter. Every day she looks at me with those expectant eyes as though I can magically produce the object of her desire. I can give her what she wants, however it will take time. Tiegan wants to read......
You would think that after 32 years of marriage, I would know how my husband Philip’s mind works and he mine. Every day we surprise each other and most of the time it’s worth a chuckle or two. Last night we were watching the latest......
I will be happy to see the end of April. I don’t usually like to see the days of the month pass by me. I like to hold on to every day as though it were my last. This year, April has been different. It......
I’m suffering from writer’s block and it’s not my fault. I blame my publisher for not being as quick and efficient as it showed itself to be with Forever Love. In a matter of weeks, I had my copy edit completed, my book galley designed......
Travelling with a baby to Vegas – easy as a walk in the park or a a trek up Mount Everest with one hi-tech stroller, one Super Mom armed with passport and signed permission form from daddy, and two strong Sherpas to pull four suitcases......
The other night I attended a Ladies’ Night where the guest speaker was Diane Mentiply, the National Sales Director (US) for Mary Kay Cosmetics. The purpose of the evening was to inspire all of us to set goals for ourselves and achieve them. It was......
Today is my mom’s birthday. She is 85 years old and is still going strong. My mom and I look nothing alike. She is a petite 5’4″ blonde now silver gray. I am 5’9″, brunette and XLovable in size. I attribute my height and colouring......
I enjoyed my Christmas holidays. I didn’t work. I didn’t sit at my computer and try to write the next chapter of Family Pictures. I didn’t even read a book! I indulged in a guilty pleasure and sat in front of the Philip’s seventy inch......
I’m almost there. Almost ready to say, “It’s finished. The book is done and is ready for publication.” I”m almost there. Almost ready to ask, “What’s next?” I’m almost there. Almost ready to ask, “Should I?” I’m almost there. Almost ready to say, “Yes, go......
My eldest daughter thinks I spend too much time on my computer. Actually, she says that I spend too much time on Facebook. I tell her it’s work related, but she doesn’t believe me when I share posts on her page regarding the Zombie Apocalypse.......
I was caught in a time warp and have lost the past two weeks. I looked at the date of my last blog – September 5th. Surely, I’ve posted something since then? Apparently not, so it must be the time warp.I’ve done the step to......
It’s just a jump to the left. And then a step to the right. With your hands on your hips. You bring you knees in tight. But it’s the pelvic thrust… That really drives you insane Let’s do the Time Warp again. I need to......
Once again, I looked at my last posting and saw that a month has passed. What can I say? I have been busy. For two weeks I worked my tail off to get my office work done – farm work, charity work and personal paperwork......
July is gone and we are almost half way through August. It isn’t fair. The weather was too hot to enjoy the summer days of July. I spent most of my time indoors trying to catch up on paper work with the goal to work......
I look forward to August with just as much anticipation a child would have for Christmas. Every day, I check off the calendar with my eyes focused on August. And like the child who wants to be on Santa’s nice list, I work hard to......
One of the first things I am asked about my book, Forever Love, is, “Is it like Fifty Shades of Grey?” Not having read the books and only knowing that it has bondage and domination it in, I would reply, “no, but it does have......
Today is Sir Paul McCartney’s biggest fan’s birthday – Paul S. Paul has been a fan of the Beatles and every member of the Beatles since I have known him. Paul knows everything about them – their songs, their relationships, the inspiration for a particular......
Today is the birthday of Paul McCartney’s biggest fan – Paul.Paul knows everything about the Beatles, John, Ringo, George and Sir Paul. He knows their songs inside and out. He knows the type of guitar played and why it was played for a particular song.......
Thirty one years ago, I took his name.Thirty one years ago, I made him promises. I kept them.Thirty one years ago, I told him I would love him forever. I still do.Thirty one years ago, the world was ours. Now we share it with three......
I was visiting with a friend today when I noticed that one of the two young men working in her front garden was someone I wanted to see – not as in visit, but really see. I knew this man had a tattoo and I......
Today is my birthday. I am 53 years young. I don’t feel old. Am I supposed to? I have a bit of arthritis in my hips and my left knee doesn’t always co-operate when I need to use the stairs. I color my hair, but......
Forget the health benefits. There is more to working out at the gym than you may realize. It’s a writer’s paradise, or at least it is to me. Let me explain. Warm up and cardio – the time to raise your heart beat and burn......
It is hard to believe that it has been almost a month since my last post. A few times I thought about logging on and writing something, but the something never came to me. My very friendly mail delivery man arrived with five large boxes......
I’ve come to the conclusion that renovations are very similar to book revisions. No matter how finished the project looks, there is always something left undone. There is always something that only one person knows is missing and accepts it for the time being until......
Gwen asked me today what the cats look like since I said that we were decorating in their colors. As you can see, Duchess, aka The Mouth, is on the grey couch. Chloe, aka The Tank, is on the chair. Both cats have tried out......
This is a belated Happy Birthday Blog to Alannah. I knew her birthday was on Friday, but I was too exhausted physically and mentally to function. Great excuse, eh? So – today is my day to blog for her. Alannah is growing up too fast.......
Wow! That’s all I can say. It took close to seven hours to put everything together. It’s not quite done, but I don’t think anyone would notice. Tiegan and I spent the day in Guelph to occupy our time while we had to be out......
This hasn’t been released yet. Just thought I’d share this with you. Another two or three weeks then I’ll have a real copy of the book. Thanks for your support!...
Sunday afternoon – the experts from FutureShop came to set up the television and all of the components.It took these experienced men 2 1/2 hours to get everything up and running. We shudder to think how long it would have taken us to do the......
There’s a reason why renovators don’t want the home owner to be around during the renovations. We’re not supposed to see the drama and the mistakes that happen between start to finish. The renovation is supposed to look like it was smooth sailing from start......
Today we have carpeting. It looks wonderful. It’s so nice to see something other than plywood. The room has that new house smell about it. Yes!I wish there was more to say. I don’t know if anything is happening tomorrow. Thursday is scheduled for the......
Alvin and his crew are amazing. They worked most of Saturday to finish painting, then spent today doing a final touch up and painting of the cupboard doors. They are meticulous in their work. When they are done, both the kitchen and family room were......
These pictures were taken Saturday morning before Alvin and Sean arrived to put on the final coats of paint in the family room and kitchen. The shelving and doors were painted Granite grey. The grey looks really sharp next to the brick. The walls are......
Due to it being Friday the 13th yesterday, my sense of actual time was messed up. I knew that Rachel’s birthday was the 14th, but I still posted on the 13th. I now have complete control of my senses (don’t argue with me) and I......
I have forgotten what day it is in the Renovation countdown. I took this picture this morning. I will take this afternoon’s pictures tomorrow morning because of lighting and I don’t want to interrupt the workers.The smell of the primer has left the house. Now......
Today is Caitlin’s 26th birthday. It’s also my 26th anniversary of being a Mom. From the moment I found out I was pregnant, I had no idea I was in for the adventure of a lifetime — being Caitlin’s Mom. I call her my guinea......
The Easter weekend cut into the renovation days. Philip wondered why the men couldn’t work on the Monday, since it really wasn’t a holiday. I think it’s the farmer in him – one good working day lost. Alvin and his two man crew showed up......
Today is my best friend Paula’s birthday. We met almost twenty-six years ago when her future husband decided it was time to introduce her to us, his friends from public school (Philip) and high school (me). She retells the story the same way every time......
What a noisy day! My head is pounding and my ears are ringing – perhaps a carry over from Saturday’s social events or last night’s sleeplessness, but nevertheless, everything above my shoulders is suffering. Kyle, the contractor, was not here when I returned from the......
Yesterday, I had my bi-annual check up with my optometrist. My complaint was that my right eye felt “goopy”.It felt like it was turning to jelly, but there was no discharge or visible sign of “goopiness”. It was just a feeling. Dr. Rick, my optometrist,......
It was a very noisy day today. My head was pounding – right along with every “zzzt” of the pressure hammer (if that is what it is called). I tried my various pain killers to try to ease the pain. Something kicked in, although I’m......
Today, John, the dry wall guy, made his last visit. He told me right away, “this is a dirty job – the worst of your renovation.” He was right. There is white dust everywhere. It’s down the stairs, on the banister, it’s all over the......
New Novel Blows Readers Away with a Whirlwind of Unlikely Romance Literally and figuratively a match made in heaven tickles hearts of romance fiction fans CALEDON, Ontario – (Release Date TBD) – Author Deborah Armstrong graces bookshelves with love and affection as she intertwines romance......
I’ve been waiting for something to happen. Finally, I have pictures. The floor was leveled between the entrance way between the family room and kitchen. The carpenters arrived to work on the shelving. I am told that Wenge will be used for the shelves. I......
For all of you who are waiting for your hot off the press copy of Forever Love, don’t despair. It’s getting closer. I have received the copy-edited manuscript for a final read through. I am rather impressed that there weren’t many errors – a few......
There isn’t much to report, but not to worry – WE’RE STILL ON SCHEDULE! Yesterday the electrician, Carlo, arrived to install plates on the switches. Only the outdoor switches were done. I don’t know why this was a priority, but it was. Now we can......
Nothing much happened. Kyle and his assistant tidied up the family room to have it ready for the dry waller. The electrician was scheduled to finish up something. The designer called to say she wanted to discuss shelving. Both were no shows. We’re still on......
I’m a day late in posting. By the time I arrived home to take pictures, it was too dark in the room. We have walls and a ceiling now. The dry waller can’t make it here until Wednesday, but I am assured that we are......
I wish I had a more exciting picture to show you, but I don’t. Today, the wiring was installed for Philip’s 70″ television and sound system. With over the phone advice from my amazing brother-in-law, Ross, the men were able to figure out the correct......
I had a very disturbing morning. Four fairly good looking young men worked endlessly in the family room with their electric drills, hammers and whatever else one needs to install electrical wires and fittings. The sound was deafening as it pulsated through the walls and......
A lot happened today. At first glance, one may not notice, but I heard it all day long. Bang. Bang. Bang. (The sound of hammers). Screeeeeew. (That’s the sound of an electric screwdriver). Crash! The sound of brick work falling down the stairs. Today the......
Our family room was built in 1972, replacing the wood shed that was attached to the century farmhouse. My in-laws built it and did a wonderful job. The room is a spacious 20 x20, with full windows on the north and south sides. We have......
she gets excited when she wins five doses of bull semen she says that size matters – with pickup trucks she’ll shovel shit but won’t clean out the cat’s litter box she’ll pick steak over salad every time...
I’ve been busy. That’s my only excuse for not blogging. I wish I had something original to tell you.Something like: – my husband whisked me off on a month’s cruise (me on a boat? – not a good idea) – our power has been out......
I’ve been home from vacation for four days now and everything seems to be back to normal. My feet and legs are no longer swollen. I can gaze down at my tender tootsies and marvel at their slenderness, despite their high arch and claw toes.......
Mr. Ingledale’s burn turned out to be more major than minor. He didn’t make his way back into the sun until our second last day on the island. Remember fellow travelers – do not apply spray sunscreen outdoors in the wind, unless you are trying......
Once again we have decided to holiday with the Ingledale family, but this time without kids in tow and once again we started off laughing and haven’t stopped. Mrs. Ingledale and I have both been caught wearing our clothing inside out. She wore her swimsuit......
Once again the Ingledales and Armstrongs have decided to vacation together. We have only been away from home for 36 hours and there is so much to tell....
It’s New Year’s Eve day. The house is clean, the kitchen cupboards and fridge are filled with food, the wine rack is full and the bank account is on the plus side. According to the Ingledales, you need to have a clean and orderly house......
One year ago today we lost Bryan. I remember the heartache, the tremendous sense of loss, the incredulity of someone so young dying so tragically. We all handled the news of his death in our own way. Some of us carried on, keeping our grief......
No – this isn’t what you think. I’m not posting about family photographs or family stuff or Christmas for that matter. An idea for a story hit me this week and I’ve been toying with it. Work has come to a standstill. Laundry is piling......
On Saturday, I voluntold (how I love that new word) my family that we would be attending a seniors’ Christmas Cabaret in Guelph. As we sat down at our table and saw the bowls of snacks and the two bottles of wine, we realized that......
Yesterday I learned that my blood pressure is high but not high enough to kill me right away. If I don’t do anything about it to lower it now, maybe in ten or fifteen years I may suffer the repercussions. Yesterday I learned that my......
I’ve been asked to tell my story in five minutes or less. If the story were about my actual book, I would have no problem telling you about it. Hopefully, by the end of the five minutes you’d want to read the story to find......
So here it is – my blog for the day. I sent my manuscript to my editor today. I think it’s the seventh revision. I have three printed editions on my bookshelf. The red binder reads VERY FIRST TRY. This is the version I wrote......
I don’t kiss and tell, but last night I had a wonderful time out with friends and family. It was at the annual SHARE dinner and dance, a fund raiser for a charity that was started by my father-in-law and other local farmers in the......
Fall is playful. It toys with us, pushing us to our limit and sometimes past it. The corn silage is the first to be harvested. A long week of fourteen hour days to get the corn harvested, packed and covered before the rain comes. And......
Awhile ago I had coffee with a friend in a local Second Cup. I saw Americano posted on the board. Immediately I thought of the strong coffee I had consumed in England while on holiday. I remember mistakenly believing the English were only good at......
Today is the first day of the NaNoWriMo – National November Writing Month Challenge. All of us who signed on have pledged to write something, no matter the topic or the medium – blog, manuscript, letter to the editor or a letter to a friend.......
Ten things I have learned over the years when hosting a family get together (listed in no particular order):1. Vacuum. Get as much cat hair out of the house before the allergy sufferers arrive. Nothing puts a damper on the festivities more than sniffling noses......
Today I had coffee with a friend I haven’t seen in close to a month. We have a friendship that started in the strangest of ways. We train with the same personal trainer at the gym and our conversation time would be in the crossover......
My father-in-law passed away suddenly just over a week ago. He was in his eighty first year. He was active but he suffered from respiratory problems. His health was gradually failing. We expected him to leave us but not so soon. We thought we had......
Today is the nineteenth birthday of my BFF, Sarah. I have known Sarah since the day she was born. She is an amazing young lady. She is smart, thoughtful, has a wicked sense of humor and she speaks her mind instantly. I get Sarah and......
This holiday weekend, my son, with the help of family and friends, hosted a Flip Cup Tournament (beer drinking party). Now, my husband and I are not heavy drinkers and we don’t believe that you should have to drink to have fun. In fact, if......
Chapter 2 Everything about him said, Don’t bother me. His seatbelt was fastened, his arms were crossed across his chest and his hood was pulled down over his forehead past his eyes. Davina knew there was no way he was going to acknowledge her. Fine,......
Chapter 1 Davina Stuart walked through Toronto Pearson International Airport Terminal 1 with a feeling of foreboding. What am I doing, she asked herself as she got in line for the Air Canada flight to Los Angeles. It’s not too late. I can just turn......
April showers bring May flowers but this year April flowers have brought May showers. It rains and rains and then rains again. Light showers, heavy showers and thunderstorms. We are soaked, drenched and water logged. The ground is soft, muddy and submerged. What a change......
My youngest daughter is attending a friend’s funeral today. There will be friends and family there to mourn his loss. He was twenty years old and died in his sleep – one of those things. No drugs, no alcohol, no driving over the speed limit......
As we grow older we’re bound to lose touch with loved ones. Friends move away. Family members may become distant and separate themselves from us. We have the telephone, Canada Post, and the internet to keep us connected. There’s always the holidays – Thanksgiving, Christmas......
It takes a lot of nerve to agree to holiday with friends. Being tied to another family for seven days without the possibility of escape is daunting. Family is different. Friendships can be broken over the silliest disagreement. Actually, families can be, too, so forget......
I am positive that my cat, Duchess, was a goldfish in her previous life and she has brought one of her goldfish traits with her to this life. I’m sure this is her third or fourth life because she lives on the edge. But I......
AS long as you have a map of the city that shows the bus and subway (underground) routes, you will have no problem navigating your way through the city. When you first arrive, buy an Oyster card. It offers unlimited travel for bus and subway......