You CAN go home again

I recently had a sentimental journey to my old home town.


We descended on Parry Sound, Ontario aka Seguin Sound, that fictitious small town in The Year of the Rabbit.

My siblings, their significant others and offspring were scheduled to gather for our family reunion.  My oldest son and I prepared well with a day on each side of the weekend to allow for and recover from travel.

Sadly, the passenger trains don't stop there as much anymore.  We took the train from Ottawa to Toronto then connected by bus. 

We played tourist in my old home town. A lot has changed in 30 years. I reacquainted myself with some of the sites that inspired settings in the Novel. We also got in a visit with a dear, old friend. 

I captured many photographs of my childhood neighbourhood, the nearby Seguin River and that famous CPR train trestle. If you read the novel, you will know that trains played a major role. They passed by many times a day and night blowing their loud whistles, sometimes stopping to bring visitors and at other times, taking people away. 

We walked to many places within good distance of the lovely Bed and Breakfast on the rich side of town. As you can see from this building mural beside the Seguin River, logging was a big part of Parry Sound's beginnings.

After a rainy Sunday walking tour to tower hill and around the old neighbourhood, we ate a warm lunch in the restaurant that inspired the Red Hare.

I was compelled to have a bowl of chicken wonton soup - for old time's sake.

 
The soup, the river and the passing trains wrapped me in the good, fuzzy memories of my old town. Thankfully, I didn't bump into any old flames or undesirable characters while I was there.  

As stated in the opening pages of the Novel, the reference to any characters that resemble people living or dead is purely coincidental.  Some characters may be a blend of individuals I encountered in my early life.

I haven't heard any complaints via email or in the reader feedback comments.  Maybe enough people haven't read the novel yet. So until they do, there is no worry of going home again.


Thanks for dropping by.  

If you're curious to read the novel, you can visit Smashwords to download a sample or purchase an ebook copy. It's only 99 cents or you can pay what you feel is a fair price. It's okay, I didn't write it to make money, only to share a story. If you enjoyed it, mention it to others. Please post a rating and/or a review on Smashwords, or on Goodreads if you already have an avid reader account. 

Otherwise, stick around for a few years as we work on a shiny new print edition, due out by 2023.

If you're curious to see more Georgian Bay vacation pictures, drop by my Deep Blonde Thoughts blog.  I'll be posting more soon.

Have a nice summer.

T

What it takes

This post is in recognition of Father's Day.

Due to my own Father passing away many years ago and the lack of a Father figure in my little family, this day no longer holds much significance. 

I can imagine how it must feel for some families to celebrate Mother’s Day or Father’s Day in a home divided or where one parent has passed away. 

I admire families with dedicated, responsible fathers. I envy women who have had the good fortune to find a man, a mate who is faithful, kind and supportive, and who sticks around to help raise their children. 

In the novel The Year of the Rabbit, we are introduced to Matthew Fletcher, father of Sera and her older siblings.  Only a handful of people had been aware of Sera’s true paternity.   

After Marie passes away, her hidden letter of confession reaches Matthew via an unlikely  messenger. 
 
I like to think of Matthew Fletcher as an ideal husband and a good father.  He was gentle and loving with his children.  He was forgiving of his wife’s wild behavior.  He performed honest work as a carpenter and cabinet maker.  Read more here. 

Here's wishing all the good fathers out there a wonderful Fathers’ Day.  Enjoy the time with your family.  Rock that colourful tie.

I invite you to read more excerpts from The Year of The Rabbit, a Novel About Fate, Family and Forgiveness. 

Join others who enjoyed this unpolished gem of Canadian fiction.  Download the first few chapters of the eBook for free from Smashwords.  If you like what you have read, you can then purchase the entire book for 99 cents or more (you set the price). 

Thanks for dropping by.

T

 

Being alone on Mother's Day

It's Mother's Day 2015. I am alone.

My kids are away and have forgotten to gift me with flowers.  As a consolation, they have been sending me instant messages, cute stickers and Tweets.  


Welcome to the next generation, the new age of sentimental expression.
 
The cats seem apathetic but helped me express some former-Catholic, Motherly guilt.

That writing session took a lot out of me so I'm going to trim this bittersweet post by recycling some previous ones about Mothers Day and Motherly references in the Novel.

Thanks for dropping by.


Call your Mom.

T

Lion or Lamb?

Hello there, March!

So glad to see you and say farewell to frosty February!

February Haiku 2 For the shortest month Also coldest and bitter Bidding you farewell! FTL
— Florence T Lyon (@FloTLyon) February 26, 2015

So far this Sunday morning, you seem calm and dull.  Are you a gentle lamb or a lion in sheep's clothing?  Ah, weather lore and folksy interpretations, I love ya! 

I shall celebrate this new month, a chance to do some pre-spring cleaning and celebrate birth as we ease into the Year of the Sheep.

T