Life, the Universe and Everything


Jagular taking a nap

Please Send Naps

I have just submitted my second manuscript of the week and I’m completely knackered. Proper posting will resume on Saturday! Hope you’re all hanging in there. 🙂 Read More  

dried up Christmas tree

Yet Another Thing That Didn’t Happen Today, Due to Deadline

How about you? Are your decorations still hanging on like the Ghost of Christmas Past? I hope I’m not the only one!  Read More  

Sue the T-Rex

Now the Circle is Complete -or- A Belated Dinosaur Christmas Gift

Today’s post isn’t mine – it belongs to paleontologist Dr. Matt Bonnan, who graciously gave me permission to share it here. There is a ton of very cool stuff on his blog The Evolving Paleontologist, and you should definitely ... Read More  

skull reflected in cornea

Crime-Fighting Corneas

So you know how when you take a picture of someone, you (or someone standing close to you) is sometimes reflected in their eyes? Forensic scientists are working on a technique for identifying bystanders based on this reflection. The ... Read More  

Living With Scoliosis by L.E. Carmichael - Front Cover

Coming This Year to a Bookstore Near You – Stuff I Wrote!

First – apologies for the weirdness over the previous week. Hackers hit the site December 29, but since the back end was working, I didn’t realize there was a problem until I tried to post Thursday. Fortunately, I had ... Read More  

fireworks

Happy 2014, Apparently!

Things have been pretty lame quiet around here, due to a looming January 13th deadline, although I did treat myself to two whole days off over Christmas and Boxing Day. Though I’m not sure it counts as time off ... Read More  

Merry Christmas from cats

See You in 2014!

In the spirit of cutting myself a break at this hectic time of year, I’m stepping away from the internet for a couple of days. Regular posting schedule resumes January 2. Thank you so much to everyone who supported ... Read More  

sunset over a lake

Turning Towards the Light

It’s the winter solstice today – the shortest day of the year – a day of transition and rebirth. The earth is turning from darkness back into the light, and so it’s a day of hope. A promise that, ... Read More  

book pages forming a heart

Amy’s Marathon of Books

A couple weeks ago I got an email from the Canadian Children’s Book Centre about Amy’s Marathon of Books. Inspired by Canadian icons Terry Fox and Rick Hansen, Amy plans to read 356 young adult books by Canadian authors ... Read More  

sunset

The World is Just Awesome…

…and I really wish this commercial was still on TV, because every time I see it, I fill up with both laughter and tears. At this hectic time of year, take a moment to slow down and look at ... Read More  

Beary Christmoose album cover

We Wish You a Beary Christmoose… and a Happy Reindeer!

Last week I talked about my enduring Christmasy love for the Muppets – today I want to share a lesser-known but equally-brilliant Christmas album: Beary Christmoose. I will never forget the day I discovered this Christmas fruitcake of a ... Read More  

bookstore shelves

The Final Piece of Evidence

So I’m browsing through the kid’s section at Chapters today, and I see a man, mid-thirties, staring at the shelves with the kind of panic I well remember from my former life as a bookmonger. Naturally, I eavesdropped: Salesperson: ... Read More  

Humpback Whale Migration by L.E. Carmichael - Front Cover

Blackfish

I’ve loved orcas ever since I first read Kilroy and the Gull, by Nathaniel Benchley. It’s about a young killer whale who’s captured and taken to an aquarium. He makes friends with a seagull named Morris, and together they ... Read More  

John Denver and the Muppets album cover

Because It’s Not Christmas Without Muppets

We bought our Christmas tree last weekend, and it’s been standing around in its altogether ever since, as Tech Support was out of town. But Alfie’s about to get dressed up in his best, and so we’re blasting this ... Read More  

Pete's Dragon movie poster

You Know You’ve Been Friends a Long Time When…

…you have this conversation in texting: Me: How are things? Sister of the Traveling Chocolate: Sitting in the pediatrician’s office with the kidlet. Since when is Elliot a girl’s name? Me: Um. Elliot is a dragon’s name, actually. STC: ... Read More  

stuffed beaver

The Beaver Always Gives a Dam

I live on a forested lot on the edge of a swamp wetland, and a few days back, Tech Support ran into my office in full-on muppet flail shouting, “There’s a beaver swimming up the creek!” So we put our rubber ... Read More  

bath and body works collection

Is There a 12-Step Program for Bath and Body Works Addiction?

There are certain types of shops that I’m not allowed to enter unsupervised. Bookstores, of course – I have absolutely no resistance to shiny new books, despite the fact that I’ve got a year’s worth of unread tomes already ... Read More  

Fox Talk event listing

Book Launch Tomorrow!

If you’re in the Halifax area, it’s a PD day for the schools, so bring your kids! There will be snacks and a special guest dog to help me do communication demos. Should be a blast. Read More