Because distraction

...seems to be an inevitable part of the writing process, as this post titled "How to avoid writing" over on Always Under Revision shows so well and in which, I'll happily add, this blog is mentioned, I would like to dedicate this post to L. Here's the book I received in the mail yesterday.

Killdeer by Phil Hall.

The cover goes well with the Evening Grosbeaks who were distracted by me as I took this pic and were much closer to the window than they appear. The edge of the cover isn't dark like that either. Perhaps the dark room and the bounce of light off the triple pane and a lack of planning and control over the conditions led to this. I might spend more time trying to capture an image that's closer to what I'd imagined, but this is the best I can do for now.   

Speaking of distractions, those of you who follow my culvert blog can likely imagine how the news of culvert thieves affected me. How on earth do you steal a culvert?

Rejection, acceptance and what it means

...to show up. All this in a post over on Poet Shoes.

In book news, I ordered a copy of Writer's Block by Robert Kroetsch, a newly released chapbook from Greenboathouse Press. Looks like a beauty.

As far as birds go, a flock of Evening Grosbeaks showed up yesterday morning. Pine Grosbeaks arrived in the afternoon. Snow is never far behind. Sure enough, Environment Canada is forecasting flurries for Saturday.
It's that time.

Finally, here's a great post on Blue Duets on happiness and the good life.

For years the SWG Conference and AGM

...has been held in mid October before winter sets in. Migration is still in full swing. Cranes, hawks, eagles. Geese by the thousands. Everything on the move. It's a beautiful time of year. The AGM wraps up at noon on Sunday. If it's in Saskatoon we might get home at dusk if we're lucky. When it's in Regina we must drive the last leg in the dark and that brings with it more hazards as deer, moose and caribou are on the move. The rock cuts can be slippery. But we choose to live where we do. Attending the conference and AGM is a matter of choice as well.

We had a great time at the conference. Hats off to the SWG staff, presenters and readers. The addition of the hospitality room was brilliant. I've never seen that kind of interaction at the conference before, but mingling in close quarters will do that. It was great to meet new people and catch up with old friends. Thanks to everyone for the fun. Here's what I bought at the book table:

Stripmalling by Jon Paul Fiorentino. 

Widening Embrace, a newly launched CD by Carolyn McDade & Friends, one of those friends being my friend Bernadette Wagner. All profits go to a good cause.

Because the conference was held in Regina this year, we had plenty of time to tally things up on the way home. The price of everything. Gas. Hotels. Meals. Conference fees. We also had plenty of time to talk about next year. With the conference likely moving to a later date, we're considering a different approach to deal with rural realities. The practical matter of travel and road conditions cannot be ignored. H was talking to another rural member who echoed the same concerns. Neither party is too keen on driving that far in winter conditions. Whether we start attending every other year, take in less of the conference, or simply choose not to go, I don't know. But things change and we'll have to change accordingly.

Stories about my time at the Mackie Lake House

...appeared in the Vernon Morning Star and the Penticton Western News. Thanks to the writers of both. 

Hard to believe we're already halfway through October. Here's a pic H took while I was working at the Mackie Lake House last month. In this case I had no idea a camera was aimed my way.

Hard to believe that's me sitting at the table.

Where

Over here. Well, here.

Thanks to recent conversations

...with writers who never fail to send me off in interesting directions, I ordered these books.

Steveston by Daphne Marlatt & Robert Minden, a book I should have ordered long ago.

When Tish Happens by Frank Davey, a book I was unaware of until last week when it was mentioned in an email exchange.

That chunk of wood they're sitting on is where I put my coffee when I'm reading outside. The top of the pic is east. That's where my chair is. Or was. It's stored away for the winter. I expect snow in the next couple weeks.