Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Look What Was Delivered Today!


Debra Hamel had a contest at Book Blog and I was one of the winners! I'm absolutely thrilled. I can't remember the last time I won anything. Isn't free stuff wonderful?!

Thank you, Debra and thank you Hachette Books!

posted by Susan @ 11:30 PM 3 comments



Got a kick out of the company name posted on this van!

posted by Susan @ 7:11 PM 0 comments

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Sunday Salon with Sedaris



On a recent trip to Costco I came across When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris. My daughter Martha raved about his "Me Talk Pretty One Day" and so I bought "Engulfed" after just a quick glance at the inside of the dust jacket.


I didn't know anything at all about David Sedaris, so when he revealed his homosexuality within the first few pages, I thought "Oh, oh" and prepared to set the book aside. Understand, I don't have a problem with gays. I believe gays have every bit as much right to be as I do. I was simply worried about the content of the book. I've never felt the need to discuss my own sexual proclivities, and I certainly don't want to hear about anyone else's. I crept forward, a little fearfully, ready to bolt if the bedroom door suddenly swung open. I'm glad I persisted.


This book is funny! and David Sedaris is a nice man. His essential sweetness comes through in his writing. The book just got better and better as I developed a genuine affection for David and Hugh.


There are some wonderful, outrageous stories. "That's Amore" introduces us to a New York neighbour, Helen, who is a profane, vicious old bag and yet, somehow, Sedaris portrays her with understanding and affection.


One thing I didn't love was his bug story. I hope this falls into the category of "exaggeration in the interest of humour". I guess most people wouldn't be bothered, but I'm a bit of a Jainist. There were some coarse-ish parts too. O.K., I've led a very sheltered life. The average person wouldn't be troubled by the odd rude reference and it probably takes a major pill to complain. I confess -- I'm a major pill, a thin-lipped, prissy old sack. But I'm recommending this very funny book anyway. It was written by a person I really like.

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posted by Susan @ 12:02 AM 6 comments

Friday, May 23, 2008

Two Years of Stealth Blogging!

I was attempting to complete the previous post when Peter and Jon decided to chat. They took turns coming into the computer room, standing beside me and discussing whatever it was they were talking about. Actually, I have no idea what they were saying... I thought they'd never leave. I had heard footsteps approaching and did my usual trick, switching over to Spider Solitaire as each one arrived on scene. I swear, I must have played twenty sloppy games of Spider Solitaire. It's a decent enough game, but I really didn't want to be playing it that much. Somewhere around the fifteenth game it suddenly dawned on me, I've passed the TWO YEAR mark blogging without the family knowing. Two years I've been posting on this blog and those clods are still blissfully unaware!

posted by Susan @ 10:52 PM 9 comments







It was a very quiet birthday. Finally! I really don't like a lot of excitement. Just my three boys and Aunt Martha and Uncle David at teatime. I served mini quiches, egg rolls, a Pavlova and a hazelnut cream cake. Relaxed and easy -- exactly my cup of tea.



Peter gave me the new camera, Jon provided extra memory, Petie is fattening me up with chocolate. That's right, I'm not fat enough... He also gave me a native-style carving that I quite like (more on that in a minute). Auntie and David gave me some neon and a lovely bouquet. I suppose I shouldn't admit this, but I've loved neon since I was three years old. I remember travelling across Canada and the U.S. in a train when I was three and looking out the windows at night as we passed through various neon-lit cities. I was enchanted then and I'm still enchanted by coloured lights.




Now the carving... That's it, propped up on the bookshelf. Petie carved it himself under the tutelage of his native friend, Ty. Ty's a member of one of the Vancouver Island bands - such a nice young fellow! Anyway, Petie announced "I want you to understand, Mum, I was sitting beside an actual Indian when I carved this. He gave me advice on how to keep it authentic and touch up the fins, etc." Funny, cute and quite special. It's a salmon. Nice little notch in the tail, good gill representation. It's made of cedar (very authentic material). Really, it's not half bad and I'm thrilled with it.

posted by Susan @ 9:56 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Birthday Girl



Arrgh, it's an ugly birthday I'm celebrating tomorrow. Should I admit how hideously old I'll be? What the heck... I'm so old I've stopped caring. Sixty! Ach! How is it that I'm still the same person I was at ten? I see the world exactly the same way as I did then. Perhaps my political opinions are somewhat more liberal than that horrid little ten year old's, but other than that, no change. I even look the same. (Yes, I was quite a homely child.)



My sister Martha and her husband are coming over tomorrow to celebrate with us. I know Martha thinks we should be making more of a big deal of the day, but I prefer 'simple'. So I made a Pavlova, which I love, and I bought a nice little hazelnut-cream cake. We'll have that, I'll insist that they sing to me, and then they'll leave. I'm getting a new Canon digital camera from Peter. I like that. I've got two digital cameras already, a Hewlett-Packard and an Olympus, but I love the Canon cameras. They're wonderfully user-friendly and produce excellent pictures.

posted by Susan @ 10:15 PM 4 comments

Thursday, May 15, 2008




Do you remember how I said that soon the shade garden would be a mass of lovely blooms? Here's the view today.

posted by Susan @ 8:57 PM 1 comments

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

May 14


The Aunt (my sister, Martha) is off on a cruise today and Young Peter has just picked up his brand-new car (a Toyota Civic). I've suggested the name "Mr. Moto" but I suspect that's unacceptable. Males for some reason refuse to name their cars. Silly boys. Our Dodge Caravan is "Raj, the Dodge" and Peter's little Mercedes is "Silk". So, meet Mr. Moto!

posted by Susan @ 11:28 AM 0 comments

Friday, May 09, 2008

Kayaking off Vancouver Island

posted by Susan @ 10:09 PM 2 comments