Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

from Seamus,

and Silas Ermineskin

and me (the only one of the three of us who can actually type.)

May your every wish come true.

~kc

Ye'll Never Collar Me, Copper....

The remains...

Mr. Innocent models his new collar. (Actually a hand-me-down from Seamus...)








~kc

Speaking of Pound Puppies...

Okay, so Silas (aka the Devil's Loinfruit) Ermineskin Dyer was once a pound puppy, rescued by the SPCA. Allow me to point out that not all animals rescued by the SPCA and hitherto adopted into loving families show the same proclivity for evil as does my Black WolfSpawn.

In fact, most of them don't.

I just had word from Melissa Balfour, SPCA Biscuit Fund coordinator, that the recent Biscuit Fund Book Tour was a success -- raising more than $3500 for animals in need. (And I believe today was the cross-Canada 'Paws For a Cause' SPCA Dog Walk, as well). 100% of the biscuit funds raised go to medical care and rehabilitation of animals in need.

The stories and poetry contributed by BC authors are now gone, but the need continues, so if you'd like to learn more or contribute in any way, click here and all will become clear:

SPCA Bicuit Fund

~kc

Silas' Post

My dear friend Jenn told me she was interested in a Silas update.

"He's been so good lately," sez I. "Hardly anything worthy of a blog post."

But as those words left my lips, I thought of my welcome home....






So happy to see you!












See? I've brought you your favourite oven mitt!













And you were mentioning a post? Have I got a post for you!







Let's take a closer look at that, shall we?



Next week -- Silas learns how to sand...

~kc

Spark Returns

SPARK, the CBC technology show hosted by Nora Young, has returned to the airwaves for the fall season. The Spark blog this week features a photo of the (nearing world-famous) Silas Erminskin with canine brother Seamus in hot pursuit for their chase segment. An apt choice, I'd say!

Check it out here: Spark Blog.

~kc

On the Road Again

Blogging from Calgary here, on a quick stop en route to take my loin-spawn (credit the hilarious Janet Reid for _that_ one ) off to university. It will be a circuitous journey, involving a trip to New York and Toronto before we alight in the land of Parent-Free-Post-Secondary. She's celebrating, I'm not yet openly weepy, so all is well. I'm hoping to connect with the aforementioned clever and talented Janet when I hit the big city, as well as jamming in enough touristy endeavours to last me until my next visit. No sleep for four days!

I heart New York.

But in a quick look home, I thought I might post a few pix that my son, He-Who-Is-Revelling-In-The-Absence-Of-His-Sister, found last night when researching the possible heritage of our youngest canine family member. I can't see any resemblence myself...

The bad dog.

The BC Black Wolf.

The BC Black Wolf in winter.

The BC Black Wolf eats his wading pool.

No resemblance at all....

~kc

Dog Days of Summer...

Or...

Silas eats his pool.

A Triptych

~kc

One of those days...

...where a big, sudden project leaps up and bites away the entire day from all the other things that were supposed to get done. But now, all the information is in place for the programming of the new SiWC registration system, so that is a good thing. And my girl has sorted through the morass of registration for university in the fall, and is ready to throw herself on the mercy of the on-line registration system in the morning. Also a good thing.

The writing, editing and promoting that was supposed to happen today, however -- well, they just didn't.

However, tomorrow is the first day that both my offspring are officially done school for the year. Here's hoping the sun shines and the writing (etc.) time stays open while the teenagers sleep in!

And in honour of the Trickster's 9 month birthday which occurs this week sometime...here he is, in all his glory.



It amazes me how he can keep all four feet, tongue and ears in the air with so little apparant effort.

Silas has taken very fondly to his new jail cell, but still managed to get into the garbage twice this week, chew up his new ball AND Meaghan's just cracked HARDCOVER copy of Stephanie Meyer's new novel (the title of which escapes me at the moment, as it is 12:25 am and I have not yet kicked into my post-meridian second wind). Anyway, the book is beyond repair, and Silas is back in the hoosgow.

For those who might like to see what is new on the SiWC front, blog posts are here.

A demain...

~kc

The Creature from the Black Blog...

...or perhaps the Black Creature from the Blog?



Whatever his current alias, he is presently chewing cowhide on the floor beside me. He ate a bit of my best rug today, which upset me so much I couldn't even photograph it. He also broke a glass yesterday, so is holding the puppy behaviour up to his usual high standards.

I like this shot of him, mostly because he is standing still.

This is not the norm.










It's kinda like photographing a whirlwind, actually. Most of the shots I take are useless -- blurry and painfully out of focus.




It's so hard to know where the thing will land next.







Or what kind of damage it will do when it does finally come down.







Silas Ermineskin and his reluctant brother Seamus missed out on a walk today with their canine companion Molly (and her mother, Meg). We're hoping the rains pull back tomorrow, long enough to let us traverse the paths of our favourite woodland park. Molly is the only dog I've met who can give Silas a run for his money -- time with her is pure gold.

***

In other news...


Planning for the upcoming July Chocolate & Chat Tour is well underway. As soon as all the locations are set, I'll put the itinerary up here. We're crossing the Rockies, baby!

***

And...

I've put up a new post on the subject of success stories on the SiWC blog, and a newsletter is going out this evening, too.

You know where to find 'em.

~kc

Clean Running Water

I've just had a shower. Pure luxury. Warm water, shampoo, shaved legs -- the whole bit. I've been without running water for 26 hours, due to a little problem re-routing the pipes on my street. Now, as is the case with these little problems, nobody knew about it before it happened, and thus I didn't leap into the shower in anticipation before-hand. Let's just say that at 9 am yesterday morning, after my exercise class with the incredible Stan -- I really needed a shower, but water was nowhere to be found.

In my little village on the side of the mountain, we've had our share of boil-water advisories, so dealing with bottled water is nothing new. But this time, I had no water at all, meaning that to flush a toilet, I had to go out to my rain barrel (which I thankfully didn't drain last week -- even though I intended to, as it was looking pretty grungy) and fill a couple of buckets to dump into the toilet tank.

But the pipes are now hooked up, the water is flowing and all is well. Even the toilets are merrily flushable, with clean water (and no leaves) shushing down the drain.

All I can think about are the people in Burma (Myanmar) post-cyclone and the others in China post-earthquake. Not many hot showers or flushing toilets being enjoyed there.

If you haven't made a donation yet, I'd like to make it easy for you. Here's a link to the Canadian Red Cross site.

https://www.paypaq.com/redcross/new/

From this single link you can direct your funds toward the campaigns they have for Burma, China and other areas in need around the world.

Another choice is Medecins Sans Frontieres, and once again from this Canadian site, you can direct your donated funds as you choose.

Enjoy your next shower!


***

While I was in the shower, I very sweetly left my dogs in the kitchen, since it is raining outside. They have lots of shelter outside, but heck, thought I, let 'em stay in. Now, as you, my cherished readers well know, I've learned my lesson with puppy Silas. I cleaned everything off the counters before heading upstairs. Both dogs were lying contentedly on their respective beds.

I came back down to this:





You will note Silas is still contentedly on a bed -- only it is Seamus's bed, since his own is now eaten. This is bed number 4 consumed by Silas.




Oh -- and I forgot my toothbrush, by the sink. Rather than lugging the water upstairs to my bathroom this morning, I brought the toothbrush down to the kitchen sink.

I call this shot 'Toothbrush Reconstructed'.





My dogs are now outside.

~kc

Re-Writes...

...are so hard, man.



Objectivity is impossible.

But, trying to see the positive... I am more than half-way done. I have a full day tomorrow to work.

Oh, and Mad Boris just got himself elected as Lord Mayor of London.

I think that alone warrants a return trip!







And since I haven't mentioned the Trickster for a few posts, here is a shot of him sleeping. You'll notice he sleeps with his eyes open.

Always thinking, this boy.






~kc

Pee Ess -- these are supposed to be MY eyes, at the top, not those of Mad Boris. I'm quite sure he uses Visene.

The Trickster

My puppy is what these days is charitably known as a 'rescue' dog. (Read: stray) He came from the Alkalai Lake Reserve, in the Cariboo area of the province. I called him Silas Ermineskin, after a character in a series of WP Kinsella stories that I love. Apart from a little initial shyness (now a distant memory) he has been a happy puppy.

But I should have called him Raven.

Apart from the giant black ears like soft raven wings that he has not yet managed to grow into, he is a trickster of the first water.

Today was an easy day -- all he stole was a loaf of bread, and since the bread had first been first stolen by Seamus (his complicit canine companion), really -- how can he be held to blame?

Yesterday he ate a large section of trellis that had been erected to prevent his escape from the deck. I would have documented it, but he left it lying all over in pieces, sharp staples facing up, as he and Shameless wrestled amongst the debris. I needed to pick it up fast before any paws were punctured. No time for photography at a moment like that.

I like this picture of him. I took it while I was on the roof a week or so ago, and he was not quite sure how I got up there. So he sat down to watch me and figure it out.

I expect to find him up there one day soon.

***

A couple of notable events on the local literary scene....

First, I got a note from Alan Twigg today. Alan publishes BC Book World and keeps an on-line directory of all BC writers. He is also a prolific author, and his latest book FULL TIME: A PRIVATE INVESTIGATION OF SOCCER is launching shortly. This looks like a great story -- among other things, Alan recounts his experiences playing on an over-50 soccer team from Vancouver as they travel to the south of Spain to play a team of ex-professionals. The book is published by McClelland & Stewart.


Also heard from the Victoria School of Writing today. They have opened registration for their summer session, to be held July 20-25th, 2008. Instructors this year include Steven Galloway, Sarah Leavitt, Curtis Gillespie, Rita Moir, Rosemary Neering, Kathy Page, and Susan Stenson.

The only one of this illustrious crew with whom I have personal acquaintance is Steven Galloway. He has been a presenter at the Surrey International Writers' Conference for the past couple of years. He teaches creative writing at UBC and has just published his third novel, THE CELLIST OF SARAJEVO. Based on the true story of a cellist in the Sarajevo orchestra who played Adagio in G minor for 22 consecutive days in the crater where a mortar shell killed 22 of his neighbours in front of his home, Galloway weaves the story of fictional characters living through the terrible fall of their city. The novel sounds fantastic. He'll be a marvellous addition to the Victoria group.


~kc

Peanuts (though not Purple), Perambulations and Poetry*

(*with aPologies to Peggy Atwood....)



Silas found the Stellers Jays' peanuts last week.





He liked them. Apparently peanuts taste very good with a side serving of yellow duck boot.







As a result, I put him outside on the deck with his partner in crime. He felt the need to protest.








Please note these windows had been washed the day before by my dear friend Johnny, who loves washing windows and does a Very Good Job.


However, Silas likes to leave his mark.




When the howling didn'twork, he tried a fetching smile.
















And when that didn't work....











he ate a chair.






Does this expression look apologetic to you?








Silas is thinking of taking up acting.
In addition to mournful expressions, I believe he'll be a natural at chewing the scenery...

***

Had lunch in Bellingham yesterday with the SiWC Contest Assistants Rose Holck and Kathy Chung. (Rosie has another blog here, too. A blog-a-minute, that girl!)

The business part of our meeting went like this:
"You in this year?"
"Of course."
"Oh, yeah."
"Great!"
Not much standing on ceremony, I admit. But the contest is coming again, naturally, and the deadline will be September 5th this year. Check out the SiWC site for details.

The non-business part of our meeting was pretty fun, too. But since my camera was sitting on the kitchen counter, ready for dog-crime-scene documentation, I forgot it for the trip to Bellingham, so you'll just have to take my word for it.

***

And finally...





I just had word that Vancouver's Poet Laureate is launching his latest book. I met George McWhirter at SiWC last year, and he is a charming and highly accomplished writer. I LOVE the cover for his new book THE ANACHRONICLES, published by Ronsdale Press. If you are able to wish him well, you may do so at the Our Town Cafe (245 East Broadway, Vancouver), on Tuesday, April 22, from 7:00–9:00 p.m. This event is being held in conjunction with BC Book and Magazine Week.

Congratulations, George!

~kc

This and That

Ah -- spring time in Canada!

Today on the Wet Coast, we've had sleet, snow, freezing rain and brilliant sunshine.

And yet, we must count ourselves lucky for a mere 3500 km away, the weather has a more tenuous hold on the denizens of the east.

For my dear friend the Novel Woman, I post an update of my neighbour's cherry tree, in response to her Easter weekend cottage photo, which you can find here:

http://anovelwoman.blogspot.com/2008/03/romantic-easter-weekend.html

Spring will come again to Montreal, dear NW, I promise!

I am in the middle of finalizing the SiWC roster for this year, and simultaneously trying to set up the brochure for publication. I also find myself amidst another rewrite of DEADLINE, tightening the focus and removing the many extraneous plot complications that somehow (without my cooperation) manage to insinuate themselves into my work. (In my defense, this may well be a reflection of the extraneous plot complications of my life...). AND, I am expecting to receive the edits for my new book any day now, adding extreme urgency to these other tasks.

Yet, somehow, I am stricken by the need to post the following ...







Step one -- find decent mud puddle. Drink contents.












Step Two -- launch sneak attack on unsuspecting sibling, previously relaxing and minding his own business. Note aggressive ear positioning.









Step Three -- savage sibling mercilessly, to mutual delight.












Step Four -- pause to catch breath.
















Step Five -- leap back in to finish the job.













Step Six -- ensure photographer is still paying attention.










Step Seven -- one down, who's next?








~kc, back to work....

Spring!

Fresh greenery in the woods above my house!

The happiest of vernal equinoxes to you all. The day is grey, so I think it unlikely that we (on the west coast anyway) will have any hope of equal daylight to night. But behind those clouds, the sun is there somewhere, doing its thing -- let's hope to some good effect.

My yoga class has been cancelled for spring break. I miss it...

A few musings. Yesterday was five years to the day of the Iraqui invasion. I marched for peace before-hand to no effect, beyond leaving me with the feeling I had at least the opportunity to air my views publically. Things continue to heat up in Tibet and the debate of to boycott or not to boycott rages over the Olympics. I remember the boycott of the Moscow Olympics -- the disappointment of the athletes who were forbidden to go, but I understand the idea of trying to make one's voice (no matter how small or distant) heard.

And yet -- whenever I think of these giant, unsolvable, insurmountable issues, I am reminded that they are merely standard human fare, writ large. When someone stomps off from an argument, it so often results in little more than the drawing of lines in the sand. I like the idea of keeping communication open, somehow. And I think how easy it is to see the faults in others without taking the time for a closer examination of self. I read an interesting article this week in the New Yorker on the history of the use of water boarding (often referred to as "the Water Cure") by American forces back to their engagement in the Phillipines in the 19th C.

Spring is a time of new beginnings, and the optimist in me still holds out hope we can, as a species, if not correct the wrongs we have committed, at least look deep into ourselves before we repeat our mistakes.


And after that small aberration into the current contemplative state of my soul, I leave you with a shot I took last night of my puppy Silas, having just (with great relish) consumed his own bed.

Namaste.

~kc

Uh-Oh...

Had a momentary lapse in judgement this weekend...

His name is Silas.

He has ears like the Flying Nun.

Fur like a golden retreiver (crimped behind the ears and soft and wavy down the spine).

A freckled front paw.

A white tuft on his tail.

A slightly startled canine brother.

And a pretty cushy new life.

~kc