💗💗💗💗💗💗💗 Louise Penny

Yesterday was, as I said in yesterday’s post, a shite day. It rained until mid-afternoon. As well, Regina’s cat, Seamus, passed and so did Dona’s cat, Chica. I am so smitten with animals that their loss was deeply felt. It was heartbreaking to read their goodbyes to their beloveds.

The rest of the day was spent in Three Pines and environs. I am addicted to Louise Penny and soon my dealer will have no more drugs. I’ll be moving on to the Inspector Bruno series. 

When I was ten years old, I moved into our basement. My purpose in life was to stay out of their hair. And in that basement room was a fireplace and two long bookshelves full of books. I never saw my parents read a book. There was a fabulous series called The Children’s Hour (I think). It was a large collection of literary masterpieces, abridged for children. I loved it. There were hardbound collections of Eugene Field, Ogden Nash and O’Henry, plus a collection of books about the second world war. I read everything. I learned about binging early.

I could not wish for better company that Louise Penny. I worship the fingers she types with, and the neurons that drive them. I really liked P. D. James, as well. I read every one of her books back-to-back, just as I’ve done with Ms Penny. But she is the best! She’s Canadian and the books are full of the flavour of Québec.

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April 16 was the six-year mark of my journey on FND. The onset of my condition drove me to move to this island paradise and to get some pets. So, the worst thing that’s ever happened to me provoked one of the best moves I ever made.

I hope I get onto the board of the clinic. I’d feel proud to be involved with it. We have a volunteer fire department, and they have decals on their cars. I respect the people who get involved with the many volunteer organizations that support our island residents. And maybe soon, I’ll be one of those people.

The arts council kind of flummoxed me. I worked with artists, both amateur and professional, all my life. I love them. I fit with them. But it’s not always easy to get along with them. It felt like I was trying to balance on a spinning top there.

I was a hard-working member of the PAL board after I retired. It was a fabulous, wonderful experience. We made a miracle happen, building 112 units of social housing for veterans of the performing arts. Right near Stanley Park and its seawall. It was great being part of that team and working on something so magnificently tangible.

I think the clinic board will be a lot like the PAL board. It’ll be Robert’s Rules land, where I feel comfortable. And they want to communicate more with island residents. I’d love to work on a clinic newsletter and community liaison, and that ties into fundraising—all areas I love working in and, in which I have experience.