Short post today, because I’m preparing for this afternoon’s Alistair MacLeod Mentorship Reading. I haven’t talked about it on the blog much, but I’m writing my very first novel – a fantasy adventure for ages 10-14. And I was incredibly fortunate ... Read More  

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Definite sign that spring has arrived? The return of migratory birds. We’ve got woodpeckers in the trees, robins pecking at the ground, and two loons paddling around the lake out back. Also spotted this beauty and three of his ... Read More  

My first batch of homemade granola, since every commercial breakfast cereal seems to contain the now forbidden sugar… It has 1/2 cup honey spread over two cookie sheets. Tech Support said it needed more sugar (he’s not always as ... Read More  

Some people hate the fact that scientists are always changing their minds about stuff. Eggs are healthy! Eggs are bad for you! No wait, not actually that bad after all! *facepalm* I have no problem with this kind of ... Read More  

If you’ve been hanging around this blog for a while, you’ll know that I: a) have a major sweet tooth b) have a lot of food allergies, both anaphylactic and digestive. The list includes gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, ... Read More  

What have you been up to lately? 🙂 I love hearing from you so share in the comments. Read More  

I’m still on the road but hope to resume regular posting next week. See you soon! Read More  

It’s a good thing my Alberta-based Sister of the Traveling Chocolate finished that swanky new hat the night before it did this, as I did not come prepared for winter… How’s the weather where you live? Read More  

…because I’ve just discovered a couple of great gifty websites. Have an author or other breed of book nut in your family? Buy them something from The Literary Gift Company. And for the university student, professor, or science geek? ... Read More  

By which I mean publicly discussing their kids’ bathroom habits as if said habits were as fascinating and hilarious as, say, watching Tech Support trying to unstick the jammed spatula in the utensil drawer without resorting to bad language. But at the risk ... Read More  

A grey whale named Vavara has just set a new migration record – she traveled from Russia to Mexico and back in 172 days, a total distance of 13,988 miles (22,511 km). A humpback whale was the previous record holder, ... Read More  

Actually, that’s totally untrue. I know exactly what happened. 1) I had company 2) I finished the first draft of my novel 3) I spent a full day talking about forensics at a local junior/senior high 4) I researched ... Read More  

Fellow children of the 80s, do you remember MacGyver? For anyone who doesn’t, MacGyver was about a scientist who routinely saved the world by (for example), diffusing bombs with nothing but some duct tape and a peanut M&M. I ... Read More  

A lot of authors who are smarter than I am have written some brilliant protests against the newly-launched Clean Reader – an app that replaces “naughty language” in books with “less objectionable” words and phrases. Introductions to the debate ... Read More  

I’m not actually vegan, but I’m allergic to dairy and eggs as well as gluten, which makes baking a significant challenge. This pumpkin orange cake turned out so well, though, I had to share. Sadly, I have no photograph – ... Read More  

I have become the biggest fan of David Attenborough’s nature documentaries. The science is always fascinating and the photography is better than anything I’ve ever seen, in both content and image quality. Conquest of the Skies takes these qualities ... Read More  

Never fear, science fans, I have several children’s nonfiction projects in the works. But I’ve also been working on my first high fantasy novel, for ages 10-14, and the process has got me thinking a lot about the intersection ... Read More