Michelle’s World

 

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand-chocolate in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO—What a Ride!”

 

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                 Hard to believe summer is half over already!  It’s certainly been busy around here though there doesn’t seem to be much to show for it.  I planted over 60 lilac trees this spring and 40 poplars.  As we built our house in the middle of a pasture, we have nothing for windbreak.  Not that planting trees of  no more than 1 foot tall will provide much of a shelter anytime soon!

                 Also I got the brainwave of taking the planks we’d been using as a deck surface while our house settled and replacing them with brick pavers.  I thought it was a good idea and something I could do by myself.  Not! It’s far harder than I thought, my back is killing me and I haven’t laid one brick yet (but have done loads of shovelling!).  Anyhow I’m hoping to lay these 4500 bricks before snow fall.  We’ll  see.  First it has to stop raining long enough for my sand to dry.

                 Amidst the garden weeding, tree watering and gravel shovelling, I have had some fun too!  About an hour away from us is the town of Stettler and they have a steam train that goes from Stettler to Big Valley, Alberta.  It’s complete with live entertainment, wonderful food and a train robbery!  I had my purse stolen in Disneyland in November, and I much enjoyed this robbery!  All the money “stolen” goes to charity.  The robbers were great sports and put on a great show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                

                 Another great thing I had the chance to do this summer was go to Harry Potter World at Universal Studios Florida.  It was miserably hot and muggy for this Alberta girl (104F with the humidity) but worth it.  Inside the castle the portraits talked, moved.  I saw the sorting hat, the classroom, the fat lady portrait.  The ride itself was also worth the 90 minute wait, though I did get some motion sickness.  (Nothing a nice cold Pepsi didn’t fix!).

 

                 Part of going to Florida was to attend RWA’s yearly conference, which had to be moved from Nashville to Florida due to the severe flooding in Nashville.  Anyhow, as usual it was nice to re-connect with friends I only get to see at Nationals, as well as my lovely editor from Berkley.  I did manage to squeak in a few hours poolside on our last day there.  While Florida is certainly beautiful, I think I’d much prefer to go in January!

 

                 If you want to keep in touch with me, I am working much harder to keep my Facebook page updated, so you can get more daily news there. 

 

                 Until next time, take care and happy reading!

 

Michelle

“robber” coming alongside the train.

First view of Hogwarts Castle.  So gorgeous!

(left) Me and CC Coburn, lovely friend from Australia at the Literary Book Signing

(below) Me and my editor at Berkley, the lovely Wendy McCurdy

(left)  At the formal award ceremony for the Rita and Golden Hearts.  Me, CC Coburn and Kandy Shepherd, fellow Berkley author and also another lovely lady from Australia.