Daddy long legs

Things are normal in Muskoka. Normal this summer is rain in the morning and sun in the afternoons. Great days to read by the lake.

We've had some warm, humid weather, and great sheets of rain. I get up to take a photo and the cat takes my spot. Notice my fancy footstool!

Normal in Muskoka: 3 seasons of bugs, construction & snow, not mutually exclusive! But these days have been glorious. Every day is a gift!

The daddy long legs were having a three-way fight on the arm of the bench, oblivious to me. They all shook hands and went on their merry way. How like the animal world to NOT fight to the death! Sady-cat was no help at all.

Normal: construction: Port Carling is having a makeover of their sidewalks.

But, these days are nearly over. We shall have to bundle up for our afternoons by the lake. We've sat there in freezing temperatures, as my faithful readers have seen in my Ode to Spring. Wine by the lake in the snow is fun, too!

The blue heron sits in the sunset, anxious to fuel up for the long flight south. She is more tolerant of my presence,
The women in the canoe scared her off.

But she came back later in the evening.

Watery Wednesday #54 - a soft gray day

On a lovely water day, the clouds were low, the sun peeked in and out, but the fish were dancing for rain.
They know that their lake is shallow and water is low. Maybe they were celebrating the Autumn Equinox!

I took my antique tripod out and set it up.

The early morning fog is amazing! We drove into town the other day. Quiet cottages, but foggy water.


The w/e visitors were having a grand time. They are slowly bringing in their boats, though. Soon the birds & fish can have their lake back.

I have given up trying to take photos of fish jumping. I just never will be able to be quick enough! I started the camera running and edited out the spots when they were not jumping! Here is a video about the ones that got away!

Publishing a book

It is difficult getting a book published. There are a few success stories in the publishing world. Like the young hockey players in my elementary school classes, all of them think they are going to be another Wayne Gretzky!

You hope you can write that novel that will propel you onto the charts, like Margaret Atwood. In fact, few of us manage to find a publisher, fewer find an agent. It is a darned hard thing to do. Of course, there is a difference between fiction and non-fiction, but not too much.

My cyberfriend, Andrew, asked me about getting my book published. When I look at it, now, I think it was a big mistake. I spent a lot of money co-publishing. I did have a great editor, as part of the contract, and someone to design the cover.

The company has some contacts, and put out press releases, but to get myself any press is proving incredibly difficult, if not impossible. None of the media want to talk to me. Perhaps, it is my topic: cancer and dying. There are a boat load of books about those who beat cancer, few about dying with cancer.

Book launches you have to pay for by yourself. If you want press, you have to pay for ad space to announce a book launch or a book signing. There are amazingly brilliant stories, like Terry Fallis. His book podcast hit the big time and a book publisher approached him. From there, her found a book agent and it was all history. He sent 10 copies to the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour contest, and won. In his case, he had a great book, by all accounts, and he had industry contacts.

In many cases, your book may not be as good as you think it is. Ensure that you have developed writing skills, have friends read it, ask for feedback from people with education and experience in this area. Publishers do not want to spend a long time in the editing phase. Taking creative writing classes is a good use of your time. Read a lot in your genre. Read the good, the bad and the ugly. I recently read a novel that pretty much leaves out commas and apostrophes. You will see what I mean. It just jars. No one told him how much it needed editing.

There are several places for more information.

Book Proposal
The first thing to do is to prepare a book proposal. Surf around and look for dos and don'ts: FAQs.<= There is a guide on this link.

Find a publisher and/or literary agent
Finding a publisher will a difficult task. If you cannot find a literary agent (this site has much helpful advice), as does this post.

Know your rights as an author. There are many Canadian Author's Federations. Contact them if you need help: Canadian Author's Federations and provincial associations can help you, the Canadian Writer's Guide is good reading.

For many budding authors one is hard-pressed to find a publisher. One option is either self-publishing or co-publishing with a cost-sharing agreement. In this case you either carry, or share, the costs of the editing and printing. One must be careful, however. As there are companies out there with unethical practices. Beware of those advertising on the web, e.g., poetry books, as you risk losing much. It can cost as much or more than $8,000 to self-publish.

I could not find a publishing company at the time despite sending out many Book Proposals. These are the three options for a writer who thinks she has a story to tell. Margaret Reynolds, Executive Director of the Association of Book Publishers of B.C., says that self-publishing companies are actually 'publishing services companies', and are not covered by the ethics of book publishers. One source of info is Independent Authors & Illustrators of Canada.

• Research which companies publish the type of book you have written.
• Do self-publishing with Trafford, or others as a last resort!
  

These Google ads pop up everywhere, do not personally invest in your book if you can help it, or unless you are prepared NOT to get your money back!

Have You Written a Book?Professional Independent Publishing Easy & Fast. Get a Free Guide!AuthorHouse.com

Book Publishing GuideGet A Book Publishing Guide Mailed To Your doorstep At No Cost.www.Xlibris.com/BookPublishing

Book Publishing Made EasyGet Published Quickly. High Quality Books. Get Your Free Guide Today!www.Trafford.com

• BUT: Get an independent editor - Independent editors can show you books they have successfully edited and they have hourly or page rates. Always ask for names of 3 happy past customers!!

• Work with a writing circle for several drafts before submitting anywhere.

Pre-buy a few dozen copies which you will sell at your readings --and personally get the investment back.

• Try publishing chapters as articles or on blogs to build up readership first.
• Do a radio talk show or local cable series on your book.
• Build your audience, even with snippets on your blog.
• Send a query and sample chapter to a dozen companies-- after reading their submission guidelines.
• Meet other published writers--even if it means going to Toronto writing groups a few times.
• CAA's Canadian Writer's Guide--# 12 and # 13 (of course, find the American equivalent if in the US) chapters of basic advice.
• There is no short cut to getting a reliable publisher. But membership in national organizations can save you some grief.
• Research as much as you can: this blog, Nathan Bransford, has great ideas, as well as contact info. In Blogger, you can find other authors, who may have great links, or suggestions in your country.

"Statistics from BookNet Canada, which tracks book sales and publication, show almost 83,000 books were published in Canada in 2008, up more than 6,000 from 2007. There were also almost one million unique books on sale on bookshelves in the country. BookNet does not distinguish between mainstream and independent books."

Read more of the full article at The Financial Post: http://www.financialpost.com/news-sectors/story.html?id=1871009#ixzz0RxqqfmOY

Once you have a book in your hand
This story, which revolves around Terry Fallis' story, points out how important it is to be able to spend a lot of time flogging your book. [Financial Post story ] You always have a box full in your car. At one book signing, a friend only sold 3 books, but spent a lot of time talking about the book with others.

• Donate books to libraries, schools, universities, to put it into circulation and to ensure that it comes up in a search, especially if it is non-fiction.
• Donate books to conferences that feature your topic. Mine I have donated to palliative care conferences. I have tried, also, at these conferences to give the book to a key note speaker to review. You really need someone to endorse it.
• If you belong to a union, or a professional group send it there.
  
• Newspapers will not cover your story unless you have a contact. If you pay for an ad in a small paper, chances are they will, however.
• Develop a Press Kit - see the sidebar for mine. If you search this, as well, you will find many valuable samples, depending upon your genre!
  

Canadian complainers

I guess we do have things to complain about. We are a large country, with a small population. Our temperatures are extreme. Life is hard for many people: the working poor, single mothers, those who cannot find or who have lost work, those who fight physical or mental illness.

But there is a lot to laud. Our standard of living, our universal health care system, housing, infrastructure that supports the poorest of the poor.

My Muskoka, cottage country to Toronto, is a great place for R & R, and many retirees, like ourselves. The summer population increases exponentially with tourists. They boost the economy and, while they forget their manners and rural & lake etiquette, many residents find a good living here in Central Ontario. The wildlife are entertaining. The bear challenging! Duck tales, fun. The bear tales a bit worrisome, but we dealt with them!

But if you visit a local store what do you hear? COMPLAINTS!

I love the talk in the grocery store lineups: complaints about raking leaves.

"I had to rake leaves all day!"
Maybe the Cottageocracy rant is true! Maybe you have too much property? The leaves are an integral part of fall and traditions and rituals.

Fer gawd's sake, plant clover or another ground cover, or leave it natural, hire a company, but for Pete's sake: stop complaining. Some were complaining about bringing in the boats (for many = plural, more than one boat), our not-so-gently used canoe is a piece of work.

Now, this is shaping up to be a rant, if not a complaint...but really. They complained when it was too cool for them in July. I thought it perfect: rain in the morning, clearing up for a lovely afternoon of sun and fun. But it wasn't warm enough...

When you have a beautiful property and manage to cottage in the land of lakes, water and sun. We live here. We do not complain! Even in February, we do not complain when these folks can afford to go south and we play with the cats on the ice!

Mind you, it doesn't beat the citiot who stood in the grocery lineup one fin e summer weekend day and complained loudly about how 'the locals' shouldn't be shopping on a w/e, as it made the lines to long and slow. Oh my. Cottaging is about slowing down or planning ahead!

Someone hauled off and decked him, the cashier told us! Rightly so, although I am a non-violent person. Mostly.

What is it like in your neck of the woods? Are we the only country that takes this for granted?

Bracebridge Fair Photo video

I find it easier just to put them all in a video! You can pause, stop and go as you please. Everyone worked so hard to make it a great day.

Animals at the Bracebridge Fall Fair

Kids are are so much fun at the fair. His dad had some wipes, and shared them with a young woman who made a mess on HER face, too!


I am not sure that I like the petting zoo, I guess it gives the town kids an understanding of animals and the food we eat. I am still unsure about zoos in general.



The sign said, "Please wash your hands!" A great idea!

The goats gave me a look, as if wondering who on earth I was and where did I come from?

The cows gave the kids another opportunity to check out the animals.






In the video, the first few seconds are a hoot. The expression on this little kid's face was priceless as he faced a noisy couple of geese who were expressing their concerns.

(I took a screen shot -right.)
I am sure they expected food from him! His dad said some comforting words.

Bracebridge firefighter competition @ Fall Fair

What a hard job. Especially if you are a volunteer!
These men and women are phenomenal.

What was the best of the fair? Well, the firefighters, of course.

Young studs who were competing; their family members cheering them on. Hauling those heavy rolls that dispense water to burning building, up all those stairs. In full gear, with an oxygen tank on their backs.

The volunteers setting up the course each time one person ran through the course. Everyone working together. I remember working out in the gym in Ottawa. Because of my work hours I would meet the firefighters there. Dedication to keeping their bodies in shape to be able to do their jobs.

Discipline and dedication.

Brave young men and women in our region volunteer their time and services. They are fit fighters. They are the people who came to our door, when we called an ambulance as Mom lay dying. Yes, not just the ambulance arrives, but the dedicated firefighters.

As I decided which photos to post, I thought that they deserved the video, too.

Bracebridge Fall Fair - Horses!

What a beautiful day for it! Blue as far as the eye can see. Hubby wanted to see the horses and so we set the alarm and took off for the fairgrounds.













The morning temperature was only 6 C., and so I wore layers. Being still subject to hot flashes I need to be able to, er, um, strip as the moment calls for it! Eventually it settled into a lovely 20, or so, but I took my quilted Muskoka 'suit jacket' to the car, eventually unwrapped my pashmina from my neck, and tied my fleece around my waist. (Sometimes, hot flashes are preceded by cold spells. What can I say?)



These babies were about 6 mos. old, a bit worried about their first fair visit.

The massive Clydes were between 1900 and 2200 lbs. each, from M & M farms.


But, back to the fair. People are so friendly. As I sit and write this, some yahoos are tubing on the lake, and it must be the younger group, as the swearing as they fall off the tube and complain about losing their swim trunks, is painful to my ears. (Yes, I am an old f@rt!) The lake sounds like we are at the ocean, with waves crashing onto the shore. Why was it the people at the fair were so polite, calm and well-mannered? Oh, yes. They've been socialized! What a great thing in which to get your kids involved.


Some participants stand hanging onto the bridle, or sit atop their horse, with a grim look of fear. What powerful lessons they will learn. Discipline. Strength. How to deal with disappointment or failure. They are all lessons! I made sure I smiled at all. You have to take a risk to win, or you will never put yourself into the running and you will always lose!

I met someone who came from Orillia, Faye Rose, one obvious long-time horse show participant, although she told me she hasn't done a show herself in 12 years. She was coaching some of the well-appointed young folks. Like a den mother, I know the advice is appreciated and I fell in love with her right away. There is much to think about, harder still to keep it all in mind as the judge stares you down.

Perfectly willing to share tips with younger participants, we learned much. Even found a horse for sale. As if! Lovely young people dressed to the 9's, handing sun glasses to their mothers, since they knew it wasn't acceptable in the formality of the ring. I love the protocol. (Is that the right word?)

The culture of recreation and sports creates a standard, much celebrated on "What Not To Wear", I wrote a rant on that, too! Amazing how each generation tries to find a style of their own, and 40-somethings try to look as if they are 20-something. These young men and women looked terrific in their dark wash jeans, and rhinestone jackets. They knew what the judges expected.

There were the traditional baking and vegetable contests, quilting, photography and the petting zoo.

Lots to eat. The volunteers cooked up a smashing pancake breakfast. Don't you love those? So great to help out and contribute to their cause.

Fog

--dancing on the water
encouraging the colours
cheering on the change

Fall, fowl, & fog

What a joy! My geese came back.
It is officially here, IMHO. I woke to the sound of the honking this a.m., with a morning temperature of +6 C., I have begun to believe.
I threw them some cracked corn, and bid them farewell.

Light levels are so different, with the lakeshore in shade and the neighbour's dock and the far shore in sunlight.

The fog was dancing on the warm lake water in cool air temperatures. Yesterday, and for the previous few weeks, we have been able to read by the lake in the afternoon, after chores are complete! We'll need jackets.
Eva & her goslings came to visit once again. I heard them honking. I managed, finally, to get a fly by shooting of a true 'V' in formation. Eva & brood preferred to munch at our shore.

I love the talk in the grocery store lineups: complaints about raking leaves, mowing lawns, bringing in the boats (for many = plural). Fer gawd's sake, plant clover or another ground cover, or leave it natural. Hire a company but for Pete's sake: stop complaining when you have a beautiful property and manage to cottage in the land of lakes, water and sun. (We live here. We do not complain!)

Even the merganser has come back to visit. The perfect reflection of rock and bird pleased me!