As my first child went off to university this fall, I became more aware of athletic opportunities at universities with, of course, a particular interest in equestrian clubs / teams. When I went to university I was: a) Lucky that there actually was an equestrian club at my university….
Closing paragraph: “Through the window I saw Tom Wells come out of his bungalow, staring first up at the circling fighters and then down at the D.C.4. He shrugged his arms into his old sheepskin jacket and began to run towards me over the grass.” If you’ve read my other…
We need to talk about him, her, us, you … we need to talk about pronouns (and collective nouns, too). Words are important to me. They’re my play, my pleasure, and my profession. My author tagline is “Stories to make you smile” – obviously I don’t want my words to…
It was a gorgeous, amazing, perfect fall day in Ottawa and it was also the day of the season’s second Horse Trials (HT) held at the stable where I ride … and I got to jump judge. It occurs to me that not everybody knows what it’s like to be…
We’ve been through some change lately. You’re probably nodding – or shaking your head at the obviousness of that statement – “Of course we’ve been through some change – the whole world has changed.” So, yes, I acknowledge that. But I’m counting the pandemic as a given at this point,…
First line: “The Earl of October drove into my life in a pale blue Holden which had seen better days, and danger and death tagged along for the ride.” Last time, when I reviewed Nerve, I said “I think this might be my favourite Dick Francis book.” Which is why…
First line: “Art Matthews shot himself, loudly and messily, in the centre of the parade ring at Dunstable races.” (I think my final post in this series is just going to be a list of all the first lines of all the books, because they’re that good …) OK, this…
“The mingled smells of hot horse and cold river mist filled my nostrils.” – First line of Dead Cert, by Dick Francis (first published 1962) And that is why I’m re-reading Dick Francis. Because I read that sentence, and I want to read the next one, and the next one,…
It’s been colder than cold in Ottawa … in Ontario … in most of Canada, this holiday season. But it’s also been very, very sunny, and pretty, and definitely fresh. I’ve been able to get outside with my favourite people. And that makes me feel happy, and hopeful, and keen…