Counting my Blessings, Writing and Otherwise
Only ten days before Christmas and I’m counting my blessings. I feel organized. Presents wrapped, cards sent, and baking done. I even managed to re-do my banner on my Facebook Author page. The quote is from one of the judges of the Whistler Independent Book Awards, for which my novel was a finalist.
Robert and I are off to Toronto to spend Christmas with our daughter Robyn and family. Typically, they spend it with us on Vancouver Island, but this year, our son-in-law is in rehearsal for the play Julius Caesar, Crow’s theatre, in Toronto, so they weren’t able to come. Instead, we’re flying out to be with them.
We”ll be home in time for a Hannukah party with good friends and New Year’s with our other daughter, Karen, and family. We also plan to celebrate Ukrainian Christmas Eve on Jan. 6th and Ukrainian Christmas Day on Jan. 7th. If any of you have read Sunflowers Under Fire, you’ll know some of the traditions and foods associated with these dates.
2019 Recapped
2019 was a wonderful year! We spent the first two months in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where I attended the San Miguel Writers Festival and then several days in Guanajauto. I published my baba’s story and learned it was up for a number of awards.
Then, in August, Robert and I went to Mississippi, where I performed a supporting role in our grandson’s second feature film, The Banality. And since we were so close to New Orleans, a city I’ve wanted to go to for a long time, we drove down there as well
Plans for 2020
We were so thrilled with our experience in Mexico, that we pre-booked San Miguel de Allende for January 15-March 15, 2020. However, in November, we learned that friends had cancelled their return visit. To find out why, I phoned them and discovered they’d cancelled because two drug cartels had moved into San Miguel de Allende. To date, there have been over 70 homocides. As well, a number of bars and restaurants closed after their owners were threatened to pay up for unasked-for cocaine. We were disappointed, but fearing discomfort and possibly danger, we cancelled as well
Though we love travelling, we also like being at home. I will continue working on my sequel to Sunflowers Under Fire.
And there are writer events to look forward to. I have a couple of reading events in March at the West Vancouver library and for the Comox Valley Writing Society. A granddaughter’s high school graduation back east in June. And possibly participation on a writers’ panel about writing in the digital world in September.
Peace on Earth
Thinking ahead, we pray for peace and harmony on this beautiful globe we all share. Robert and I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, or whatever else you’re celebrating and a wonderful New Year!
Comments
If you have time to comment, let me know what you’re planning for 2020. More writing and reading? More trips?
It seems 2019 was a very good year for you! Wishing you all the best in 2020! I hate to hear that you had to cancel your stay in Mexico but I understand. There are some border towns on the Texas-Mexico border that we no longer go to because it is not safe. Enjoy the holidays with your family and the Ukrainian Christmas with the special foods! Cheers!
Thank you, Jo. It is sad about what’s happened in Mexico. When I was at the San Miguel de Allende Writer Festival, there was a wonderful keynote speaker, author Jennifer Clement, who wrote Gun Love, a book I want to read. She lives in Mexico and has a lot to say about the guns that are coming across the border from the USA, and how they are fuelling the drug wars. Anyway, Jo, that’s a huge topic, as you know.
Wishing you and your family, peace, love, a Merry Christmas and Happy 2020!
So sorry to hear that you’ve had to cancel your Mexican travel plans. Such a shame what’s happening there. Have a wonderful holiday, Diana and all the best in 2020.
And you too, Jo-Anne. Wishing you and John a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Diana, Your trip to the Deep South in the U.S. didn’t come up when we met today; I guess there were so many other topics of conversation. Next time, I’d like to hear more about that little adventure with Robert. I’ve not been to Mississippi, but a few years ago I was at a conference in New Orleans that just happened to coincide with Mardi Gras. It was not long after Katrina and some parts of the city still exuded a sense of desolation. Probably perkier now?
It must have been fun acting again for the camera. What was it like to be working on the film? Is there a projected release date yet? Let’s know. Great to see you both again.
Max, Robert and I have travelled a fair amount in the USA, but had never been to Mississippi, a state that boasts a large black population. We loved the state and the people, warm and hospitable. Some of my scenes were shot in a grand home in a gated community. The owner had a plantation, one that used robots. Times have changed but there’s still a great divide.
New Orleans was wonderful. It had been on my bucket list so when the opportunity came to work on the film, we jumped on it and took a side trip to NOLA. It was still hairy in the French Quarter with tourists juggling exotic drinks as they walked from bar to bar, but I’m sure it was tame compared to what you saw.
Working on the film was a delight as it was directed by our grandson and his friend Strack Azar. I hadn’t acted in years so it was wonderful getting into the supporting role of a bereaved woman. As for the release date, the co-directors are hoping to get the film ready for film festivals in the fall of 2020 and general public release in 2021. Lots to do until then with editing, music, colour correction, etc.
And yes, it was so great seeing you and Cathy again. ‘Till next time.