Random Monday, the Halloween edition. Subtitled: my dog is a wussy

I’ve been blogging for years. Today is the first time in a long time I came very close to completely forgetting to do it. I blame my fall schedule. I’m packed full of conferences, classes, workshops, and doing minor things like revising an entire novel. I’m at the point where I wander around muttering about random things on my to-do list.

I spoke at the Burnaby library this past Saturday doing a workshop for teen writers and it was fantastic. I have another talk scheduled with four other YA writers for this coming Saturday so if you are in the Greater Vancouver area come check it out. It’s going to be great – we’ve got David’s teas coming, Kidsbooks, and of course a whack of fun writers talking about writing and publishing. You never know what humiliating stories we may share so hope to see you there.

In other writing/publishing/tooting my own horn news – my book USED TO BE, is on sale $4.99 for the ebook. Get thee to an online retailer.

Halloween this week. We get a lot of kids stopping by Chez Cook. Last year the count was just under 200. I’m quite certain in the Vancouver area there is a map with our neighbourhood marked as “good candy given out here.” No single wrapped carmel or cheap penny candy. No sir, we go all fun size chocolate. One of our neighbours gives out full sized candy bars. Kids come by the van load. Another neighbour was agitated saying she thinks the kids should have to show ID because she knows lots of kids that come are not from our neighbourhood. Really? Now we have the candy immigration police? How about you just turn off your light and skip the fun. When you begrudge little kids dressed up in cute outfits a sugar high, I declare you officially to be a Mrs. McCranky-pants and most likely to find your trees decorated with toilet paper. Lighten up.

Our dog Cairo is not a fan of Halloween. He dislikes when people come to the door. He’s also not crazy about all of the following, not in any particular order: the vacuum, squirrels, pine cones that fall from the tree, grapes, having his teeth brushed, skunks, strange sounds from the other side of the fence, babies crying, the dog that lives next door, and the remote control. I have the only dog in the world who is spooked by a TV remote. If he drank I’d get him liquored up on bourbon and let him sleep off the night, but alas this is not an option.

Hope everyone has a great Halloween!

October 29th, 2012