Dancer & Vixen

Two of Santa's reindeer have arrived at Grouse Mt. to hang out until Christmas. I had the great pleasure of meeting them today, and taking Dancer for a walk around the mountain. They are beautiful, gentle creatures, and so well adapted for the cold weather.

We walked past the bear den where Coola and Grinder are hibernating for the winter. It was odd to think of them in there, sleeping, day after day, without eating anything. There are times when I think that might be a nice way to pass the winter, when the days are short, dark and wet. And what a great way to shed a few pounds! But then I think about what I'd miss: the cozy fires, the beauty of the snow on the mountains and how the Christmas season is so full of sparkle and goodwill and I realize that I wouldn't really want to sleep the winter away after all.

And now I have a couple new furry friends to hang out with one day a week. It makes the short days/long nights more 'bear'able.

Coola and Grinder

For the past few months I have had the pleasure of volunteering at the Grouse Mt. Wildlife Refuge Center. Most of my time has been spent helping the rangers care for the two orphaned Grizzly bears, Coola and Grinder, who have just gone into hibernation. Am I ever going to miss 'my boys'! Each week it was such a thrill to see them lumber out of the forest to splash in the ponds or search out the food we scattered in their forest home. I watched them pack on weight as they prepared for hibernation and then saw them drag boughs from  trees into their winter den to use as bedding. They are amazing, beautiful beasts and how I look forward to their reappearance in the spring!

When you give a Canadian-authored book this Christmas...

... you give a gift to all of Canada.

Okay, this may sound like shameless self-promotion, but as fellow Canadian author Steve Pitt points out, "Canadian books are written by Canadians for Canadians. Behind every Canadian writer is a MADE IN CANADA team of editors, graphic designers, layout artists, publicists, printers, warehouse staff, delivery drivers and book sellers. Every year the Canadian book industry pumps hundreds of millions of dollars into the the Canadian economy which creates jobs and pays taxes."  

So please, choose Canadian when purchasing books this Christmas.

Thank you.

Writing Retreat

There's nothing like a change of scenery to kick-start the writing muse. First, a new blog to keep the juices flowing and then back to work on the new novel.