I’m back! Apologies for my unscheduled absence, but there simply haven’t been enough hours in the day for the last few weeks. It started with GenreCon and hasn’t let up since. If you missed out on GenreCon then put it in your diary for next year or 2015 as it’s a wonderful celebration of Genre Fiction in all its forms. Nothing against Literary Fiction, but I’m more of a Genre girl myself 🙂
I caught up with writing buddies and helped celebrate Bronwyn Parry’s birthday along with Anna Campbell, Cathyrn Hein, Kezia Hill, Amy Andrews, Rachael Johns at the gorgeous GOMA restaurant – sumptuous!! I’ve also joined Bron in her Frocktober quest to raise money for ovarian cancer research. (And that’s on-going so please give generously – find us at Romancing the Frock).
I managed to fit in coffee with one of my primary school classmates – and that’s longer ago than I care to think about. It was lovely to catch up – fascinating to see the similarities between the young boy I remember and the urbane man I spent a couple of hours chatting with over coffee in a spot called The Rabbit Hole. All great inspiration for the stories milling around in my head.
Work has been hectic, challenging, rewarding, and also confronting. Things don’t always have a silver lining and I’m such an optimist that always comes as a shock!
My sister, Bronwyn, has arrived from France to spend some time with Mum. It’s wonderful to have her home even if we’re all
dealing with the reality that at 91 Mum is reaching the point where it’s time to join Dad. We keep warning her she’s going to have to deal with Grandma Young when St Peter ushers her through the gate, but she doesn’t seem phased by it. I guess dealing with losing both her brothers in the second World War forged her into a resilient woman who’s endured long past when she thought she would. I don’t need to look any further for the source of my stubborn streak!
Editing on Safe Harbour has been scooting along and it’s wonderful to see it starting to emerge from its chrysalis. I will always be indebted to Ali Watts for her skill in peeling away the layers and grateful for all that she’s taught me.
Today Capt G, Zeus and I threw off the mooring lines and took Roobi out into the bay. It was magical to be back on the water on a day that delivered light winds and smooth sailing. Now, minus the two birds nests we shook from the sails and a few kilos worth of growth on the hulls, we’re moored back in Manly again wondering what this week will bring.
I know there will be loads of family time and it’s wonderful to have the support of so many cousins as well as the more immediate family. The one thing that I can rely on, though, is no matter what the world’s tossing around Capt G and Zeus will always make me smile.
I’m lucky that life’s like that.
Helene, my son got to GenreCom (he’s a scifi/horror freak) and posted this comment on his blog: GenreCon was amazing. The thing I look for (and indeed need) from a convention is a sense of belonging to a community, and GenreCon had that by the warm, giving bucketload, from the happy crowd of cheeky romance writers who went out of their way to make everyone feel welcome to the charming and hilarious group of horror writers …
Thought you’d like to know you were all appreciated!
Jean
It’s lovely having her here, Kerrie. Thanks for the hugs.
I’m glad your sister will be able to spend some time with your mum. It’ll be a tough time. HUGS.
Thanks, Gabrielle, those happy faces make all the difference.
Zeus send is most salubrious hails back to Nero and Bunson as well 🙂
What a lovely post, thanks m’lady…
Lovely to see happy faces with loved ones (family and friends).
VIVA LA CODUS CANIS SPIRITUS and for all other bioped matters as well.
Best regards
Gabrielle, Nero and Bunson
They do don’t, they Robyn 🙂
Nicky, we’re both walking around like a couple of old crocs this morning… I’d forgotten how many muscles are involved in scrubbing the boat… Zeus, on the other hand, is showing no ill effects from being on watch duty! (And thanks for your hugs, they are appreciated.)
Your life has certainly been more of a whirlwind than its usual pace. I’m so glad your sister is back and that you are all with each other during a not easy time. Hugs and support to you all during it. Good to see Zeus doing what he does best in that pick 😀 So, cleaning growth on hulls a new form of workout for G too 🙂
Helene, both the boys look so cute!!