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 n Friday, April 9^th, I set out on the open road (something I love to do…Thelma without Louise!) heading to Redmond WA. for the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators 19^th Annual Conference, STEP INTO THE STORY GARDEN.

The drive went by quickly; thanks to explicit directions, I found the Marriott Hotel inside Redmond Town Center.  After registration I met my roommate, Sharon.  We were matched up by the organizing committee solely on our need to share the cost of the room!  Little did we know that we’d discover we are twins, separated at birth, only to be reunited at the conference!  Talk about serendipity.  All kidding aside, I’ve never met someone whose life so parallels my own. It was spooky. Sharon and I connected immediately and had a great time together.  A friend for life.

Sharon and Rebecca, on a break

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Yukon River, usually frozen in February, meanders through Whitehorse

Once in awhile you come across a vacation deal that’s too good to pass up.  We’ve never been to the far North but when I read about a round-trip plus two nights in a hotel in Whitehorse, Yukon it didn’t take long to sign up.

Being the last weekend of the Olympics it seemed a good time to get out of the hoopla and enjoy the cold, snow, and sunshine of this northern city.  We were on a quest to see the northern lights;  we were happy to find wonderful people, great eateries, and a coffee shop that served gluten-free pastries/sandwiches! Read the rest of this entry »

It was tough but I think going cold turkey was the only way to beat Olympic withdrawal.  It’s been two weeks since I’ve seen ice dancing, curling, hockey, speed skating, downhill racing.  I turn on the television to find the same old-same old–news, talk shows…boring in comparison.  Where’s the thrill of speed skate racing?   The thrill of that “do-or-die” hockey game? Read the rest of this entry »

Takeshi--on fire!

2010 Olympic Baby

OLYMPIC MARATHON: Requirements? Ability to watch unlimited television on small TV screen, without beer or popcorn, day after day, in new recliner.  Check.  Hockey, curling, speed skating, figure skating, ski racing, moguls….I’ve lost track.  Time to get out of the recliner, on the bus, and into Vancouver to experience the biggest draw of all—trying to identify all the languages you hear while walking around! Read the rest of this entry »

With only days until the opening ceremonies for the Vancouver Winter Olympics, we’re basking in double digit temperatures and sunshine here on the west coast. Global warming you say?!

The organizing committee has assured us that there will be snow on the local mountains where some events will take place, even if they have to helicopter it in to cover the bare runs….and that’s exactly what they’re doing now!  Unbelievable.  In conrast, Whistler Mountain is pristine, white and quivering to welcome skis and snowboards. Read the rest of this entry »

 
   
By Kevin McKay
Posted: Friday, January 29th, 2010

Not every author gets their first book published at the age of 65, but neither do they receive inspiration from a remarkable orphaned cat named after their husband’s grandmother! Unlikely as it sounds, that is what happened to Rebecca Kool, though there were a number of other steps along the journey.
Perhaps the most important was Rebecca’s decision to move to Japan, a life-altering choice at the age of 50 that saw her land at the airport in Nagoya in October 1994 unable to read, write or speak Japanese. “My kids wondered if I had gone off the deep end!” she says. Read the rest of this entry »

In 1999, the Canadian painter, Robert Genn, started emailing personally addressed letters to some of his friends.  One by one, in the viral nature that is the Internet, these letters were copied, shared and generally passed around.  Gradually at first, Robert’s list grew until tens of thousands now go out in nanoseconds from a state-of-the-art dedicated server to creatively-minded people in 115 countries. Read the rest of this entry »

During my dog/house sitting days I’m enjoying some good books I’d like to share with you:

16 GUIDELINES FOR A HAPPY LIFE-the basics- by Alison Murdoch & Dekyi-Lee Oldershaw.  In this short but profound text you will find all the building blocks you need to create a happy life, both for yourself and those around you. Read the rest of this entry »