Sunday, June 17, 2012

Writers Group

Had a chat with one of the members of my old writers group today.  We disbanded last fall, and I haven't written much since. Been messing around with short stories, but haven't touched either of my books. 

Hopefully we will get it going again this fall.  She is moving Labour Day weekend, and has offered her house for the meetings.  Fingers crossed that the old members are still interested.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Georgina Highland Gathering

Went to my first Highland event today. Saw the pipers, a little bit of sheep herding, and watched part of the stone throwing competition between the Fire Fighters and the Cops.  Don't know who won. Maybe the website will post later.

Might go to the Durham Highland event later this summer.  It's a 3-dayer, but I'll only go for 1 day, if I attend



My video of the pipers seems to be so large, it just took forever to upload, so I cancelled it.  Instead, here's 7 seconds of the caber toss sample during the opening ceremonies.  This little video took long enough to upload!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Turtle update

Emailed my pictures to Ontario Nature. Turns out they are snapping turtles, and they want to include them in their Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas.  Apparently snappers are being hunted, so Ontario Nature has a report about it here.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Turtles in Newmarket

Went on my daily walk this morning and was quite surprised to find out there are turtles in Newmarket. I guess it's not really surprising that there are turtles living near water, but it just never occurred to me that they would be in town.  Tons of birds, squirrels and chipmunks. Lots of geese and ducks - guess they fall under the bird category. :)  Even saw a muskrat, I think, and a few bunnies.

Not sure what type of turtles they are.  Saw one on the east trail, and another about 20 minutes later on the west trail. Possibly Wood Turtles???? They were at least 12-16" long.
Turtle on the east trail
Turtle on the west trail

Thursday, June 7, 2012

First Publication

After the Bloody Words conference was over I decided to follow up on a submission I made way back in February.  Was getting regular updates until March, then nothing.

Well, I got an email today saying it was accepted.  Don't know the publication date yet, but it's being published.  Keep me away from sharp objects as I may pop!

The only payment is publication, but who cares. It's my first fiction publication, and it's not a newsletter for a society.  Yippee - Happy Dance.


Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Diabetes update

Well, I've just passed my first month after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Fortunately I was not put on any medication, just have to exercise every day, and loose weight.

I've been walking almost every day after work for about 1 hr, and Saturday and Sunday mornings for 2 to 2-1/4 hrs. So far I've lost 13 pounds. Been eating properly too. Staying away from the vending machine at work, well most days anyway.

If I keep this up I should be in pretty good shape by the time I go on my cruise next  year.

Goal for September 2012 - almost there already.


Took this on one of my walks.




Sunday, June 3, 2012

Bloody Words Conference 2012

Well, my very first Bloody Words Conference has come and gone. I really enjoyed it.  I hate to admit it, but I don't read Canadian Authors. Had no clue there were so many that wrote mysteries and crime. Looking forward to reading the freebies that were in the bag they handed out to attendees. I now have a pretty long list of people to investigate.

During one of the workshops I came up with a new name for my historical novel. The current title was just a little too telling. Not really sure what triggered the title, but I thought of it during the "cozy" panel. It started out as William, simply because I needed a name to save the file. It went to Murder in Woodlands, and now it's Full Circle.  I haven't worked on it all all this year, so time to get the fingers moving.  Will also have to pay more attention to the blog.

Been busy working on a cemetery transcript for the Genealogical Society, and it was handed in for publication last week. Too bad those don't count as 'being published.'