Happy Canada Day!

Hi and Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canucks!



Well folks, tomorrow we are embarking on a bit of an adventure. We will be making quick stops in nine different communities to sell and sign books. So, if you are interested in meeting us to pick up a copy of Once Broken, or any of my other books, or just to say hi, feel free check out my event on Facebook for all of the times and places.  #OnceBroken Canada Day Turbo Tour Road Trip 


It'll be a fun day that, I'm sure, will go by way too fast.


When you look at the world, the countries, the cultures, and the turmoil that seems to relentlessly torment some, celebrating Canada Day and how lucky we are to live here, takes on a bit more meaning.

We are free to love who we choose, live where we choose, vote for whomever we choose, believe in whatever we choose to believe, or not. We are free to go camping, take in concerts, visit museums, visit each other, play, work and live in a place where almost all of us move through each day knowing we are safe.

I say almost all because we are not perfect. Far from it. We have too many who are homeless, too many that live in poverty, too many that live under the threat of some kind of violence, too many. Any, is too many.

Do we have things to fix about how our country works? Yup. Are the issues fixable? Absolutely! At 150 years old, as countries go, we are barely a toddler. We'll get it figured out.

In the meantime, we are a country where there are more lakes than all other countries combined. We are a country where we have room to run, as we have fewer people than the state of California, and more room than everywhere except Russia. We are a country of many cultures, all of which are important in weaving the fabric of our flag. We are a country that can handle the deep cold, in fact, we seem to find new ways to play in it all the time. We are a country that is uniquely.....us.

Even with our faults, quirks, and incessant need to apologize, we are a country that's pretty awesome. I, for one, feel pretty lucky to call myself a Canadian.

So, tomorrow, wherever on this planet you call home, if you come across a Canadian, be sure to say hi, and wish them a Happy Canada Day!


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So these ramblings are hitting a  bit early because of the aforementioned road trip.

The past few days were filled with a shits and giggles day with the hubby, last weekend, working the shop, working at home, an unexpected visit with a nephew and his munchkins, and the obligatory laundry, and dust bunny massacre.

After tomorrow, the rest of the weekend is up in the air... I kinda like those.

Then, it will be back to the shop, month end, and whatever gets thrown our way!


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Well folks, that about does it, for now......

With our nation's birthday on my mind, I'll leave you with wish.......


Dear Canada,

May we find a way to care for you, helping you flourish, grow and thrive.
May we find a way to care for each and every citizen, allowing them to shine, not just survive.

May we find a way to harness your gifts, without damaging you at your core.
May we find a way to share these gifts, for they surpass our needs, and could provide for many more.

May we continue to be reminded that we are mere stewards of this land, we own nothing, we are but brief trespassers, here for but a blink.
May we do our best to be a beacon of kindness in the world, humanity is a chain, we must strive to be a strong link.

May we always remember, in this world that can easily fill with fear and hate, that is not who we are.
May we always remember we are Canada, tough, funny, kind, courageous, a fierce and loyal friend, with a warrior's scars.


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Until next time......


www.margyreidbooks.com

Who I Am.....

Hi!



Well folks, it's been another crazy week full of all kinds of excitement!

First, our grandson graduated from pre-k, now ready to begin his journey in the 'big kid' school.

The ceremony was priceless. These little faces took full advantage of the occasion to showcase their impressive new skills in sign language, learning to write their names without assistance, and tackling new songs, performing all of it with a level of adorability that was almost intolerable.


Toward the end, one of the teachers shared with the gathered family and friends, the littles answers to some questions they were given at the end of the year. A couple of which were as follows....

1) What did you like most about preschool?

The answers to this one were fairly unanimous..."playing with my friends/blocks/toys"

2) What to you want to be when you grow up?

The answer to this, on the other hand, varied significantly. Some want to be firefighters and police officers, others fairies, one, wants to be the red power ranger.

The answer, though, that struck a cord, resounding in a universal reaction of "awwwwwww" was the one uttered by our very own grandbaby, Jakey.

His answer to "What do you want to be when you grow up?"........"Who I am."


The majority of what we need to learn in this life can be learned from those under 6 years old. Truth.


Another bit of excitement came in a message via Facebook.

I'm tickled to pieces to be able to tell you that 'Once Broken' has been selected as part of a 10 book summer reading list for one of, if not the biggest, book clubs in Saskatchewan, and, has become part of a big contest on the radio station that sponsors said book club.

Pretty crazy.....


Another bit of excitement.....

Through the course of the last few weeks, it has been brought to my attention that there were some people that want a copy of 'Once Broken', who have been unable to attend any of the events, so far. So, on July 1st, which happens to be Canada Day, my hubby and I are embarking on the "#OnceBroken Canada Day Turbo Tour Road Trip"!

We will be making quick stops in 9 towns that day, meeting as many people as possible.

It's a kind of 'out of the box' approach, but, I'm kinda allergic to fitting into boxes. It's who I am.

 Besides, the absolute worst case scenario is that we cruise the countryside, stopping 9 times, in great communities, for pee breaks and snacks! I can live with that!



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As for the upcoming days........


Working the shop. prepping for the turbo tour, some accounting, some laundry, some errands....


Who knows what kind of surprises will come to pass?

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Well, 'tis the season for graduations, pre-k, middle school, high school, university and probably others I'm not aware of. Wth these in mind, I'll leave you with wish....




May you see the road ahead as one filled with adventure, it's yours, be fierce, be brave.
May you always make choices that bring you closer to becoming the person you crave.

May you see that not all future steps are predictable, there are hazards, detours, potholes, and storms.
May you know that you are strong enough to weather any of it, all of it, regardless of its form.

May you know there will be days filled with doubt, feeling like you don't know what you're doing, which turn to take, which path to follow, what decision to make.
May you also know, that doesn't go away, it's all any of us do, figuring it out as we go, along the way gaining skills and tools, yet still having times we feel like a fake.

May you just remember what's important, be kind, do no harm, listen more than you speak.
May you just remember, power doesn't make you strong, tears don't make you weak.

May you carry with you always, compassion, empathy, gratitude, humour, and the ability to dream big, dream far.
May you carry with you always, a piece of where you come from, good or bad, it's helped shape who you are.



www.margryreidbooks.com

Happy Daddy Day!

Hi!


Life around here is never dull, but the past few weeks have been particularly exciting.

"Once Broken" has had a pretty great start. It's been two full weeks since the release date and copies, hardcopy, and ebook, have found their way to a bunch of different homes in four different provinces, in three different countries, on two different continents.

Another moment in time that, when I was elbow-deep in dirty diapers living on love and caffeine, seemed impossible.

There was a time when sleep was a luxury and making pennies stretch was my only hobby. When even allowing myself to entertain any kind of dream that remotely resembled what I am living today seemed a waste of time I simply didn't have. It seemed too far, too big, too much, I couldn't see a road from there to here.

That road has been a long one, with plenty of bumps, curves, detours, potholes, thrilling hills and sharp turns. I look forward to whatever is around the next bend, nothing seems too far anymore.

Do you see the guy in the top photo? The one at the head of the table, by the window? None of any of this happens without him.

He gave me our girls, this life, this adventure.

He is the guy our girls get to call daddy. He's the guy that would walk to the ends of the earth for his girls, pulling cars out of snowbanks, holding purses and coats during countless shopping expeditions, fixing bikes, cars, boyfriends attitudes, always willing to answer the call for a ride, no matter the time.

He is the guy that was their jungle gym, self-defense coach, teacher of changing oil and flat tires. He is the guy who will never let them forget that they are loved, he is proud, and they are worth everything because they are here, selling themselves short is not an option.

He is the guy that has been, and always will be, their protector, their biggest fan, their soft place to fall, always there with a hand up and a hug when they do.

He is the guy.

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The past week has been pretty great, a tradeshow in Kindersley, time with some great people, working the shop. Pretty Great.


The upcoming days will be filled with another trade show, Father's Day, working on some book promoting, and working the shop. Just keep swimming....................



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Now to my Dad..............

May you know that even though some time has passed since last we spoke, I haven't forgotten how you sound.
May you know that even though you've been gone a while, at the most important times, I know you're still around.

May you know we see you, feel you, every time a prank is pulled, a joke is skillfully told, or when "nin-nins" come out to play.
May you know you left the best of yourself behind, I see it in my own eyes,  those of my kids, and my grandbabies, in sooo many ways.

May you continue to watch over us with that glint in your eye and tongue planted firmly in your cheek
May you know we miss you, really miss you, always miss you, but it hits hardest, this day, this week.

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www.margyreidbooks.com   margy_mel@yahoo.ca on Twitter : @mugwatt

Some Beautiful Faces..............

Just a few of the beautiful faces that have taken home a copy of 'Once Broken.'  !!!


Well, it's been about a week and a half since the release of 'Once Broken', and it's been kind of a surreal experience. I work hard not to attach any kind of expectation to a project, although I always hope that at least a few people get some sort of entertainment out of what I do. I have had to get comfortable promoting and marketing my books, but, after I've put everything I can into a book, the rest is out of my hands, so there's really no point worrying about it.

The amount of support and positive feedback since the release day has been pretty amazing. At some point, in the near future, I plan on taking a minute, a few deep breaths, and let it all soak in. Maybe then, it will feel a little more real.

For right now, I want to say thank you. Thank you to those who have sent notes of congratulations, purchased books, and have been so supportive throughout this project, the ones that preceded it, and, I'm hoping, the ones that follow.

I know how lucky I am, how privileged I have been, and continue to be. Living in a country where,  growing up, I never knew real hunger, in a place in which I could actually complain about having to go to school to get an education, a community where if someone needed help, there was never a question of 'if' neighbours will pitch in, it was understood. Living in a country where we drink the water without worry, breathe clean air without exception, where the skies are bigger and bluer than anything you can imagine, where we are more likely to run into by a moose than a mugger, where we have parks bigger than some countries, the freedom to enjoy every inch of the playground in which we live, and where medical care is a right.

There are too many places in the world where there are way too many people that would view what I just described as a lavish fairy tale. Farfetched, unreachable, complete fantasy.

Maybe, just maybe, someday, we will figure out a way so that every single person, can have a happily ever after.........



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Soooooooo.....

In the past week....

Worked at the shop, signed and sent some books off to some people with really good taste in books, made a run into the city to replenish McNally Robinson with copies of 'Once Broken'. (Was so excited when they called and said they were sold out!), played hooky with a good friend and went to a movie......in the afternoon.....on a Thursday......shhhhh don't tell anybody..............


As for the upcoming days............

I will be selling and signing books at an event at Kindersley Mall tomorrow from 10-4

More working at the shop........

Prepping for Art in the Park....

Promote..promote...promote....


Well, that about does it for now.....

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The world lost a very special lady yesterday,  with her in mind.......

For Cathy...

May you know how special you were, your kindness, your heart, your grace.
May you know how amazing you were, the warmth and beauty of fine French lace.

May you know that without you, the world has lost a gentle point of light.
May you know how much you will be missed, our world simply won't be as bright.

May those you held closest, those who feel this loss the most, be given strength, given hope.
May you stand by their sides, letting them know that they will be okay, they will cope.

May the world understand, although not many knew your name, you were an absolute star.
May the world understand, the absence of your loving soul will leave a vivid, permanent scar.



www.margyreidbooks.com

Once Broken.....A Novel.....What?!?!?!?!?

Hi!

Well, it's been a whirlwind kind of week!

Copies of 'Once Broken' were safely delivered allowing me to get it in the hands of readers!

Yup, the release date was June 1st, then, today we had the official launch in my home town at their Spring Fling event.  Kinda crazy, and a bit surreal.

Along with the release comes a bit of the running around that comes with it, getting it, physically, into McNally Robinson, filling out all of the appropriate paperwork that goes with it. Getting a poster made for upcoming events, getting the first copies shipped off to different parts of the continent, getting the word out on social media, etc.


Thankfully, my hubby is always supportive and pretty dang forgiving about me having to play hooky at the shop through it all.

It's been exciting, a bit nerve-wracking, and, in the best possible way, exhausting. Please forgive me if these ramblings are a bit short and maybe, lack a bit of luster.

The upcoming week will include some shop time, (month end and such) working on the next steps of marketing  "Once Broken", which will include an event in the Kindersley Mall on the 10th.

For those on different continents, that are so kindly interested in purchasing a copy, I would encourage the ebook version available on Amazon and Kobo if at all possible, as the cost of shipping to some of these places is pretty crazy.

I hate to write and run, but I'm functioning on fumes and if I keep writing, the gibberish will be unbearable.

Thank you all so much for your ongoing support. It means more than I can express.

Until next time................


May to find it within, to take the steps you need to take, to hold a dream in your hand.
May you see it through, bring it to fruition, eliminate the 'what ifs', put your footprints in the sand.

May you enter the adventure without expectation of outcome, it will be what it should be, without your consent.
May you see that the greatest part of the reward lives within the journey, leave your guts on the floor, every effort spent.

May you see that there is power in the vulnerability required in the baring of your soul.
May you see that, even under the microscopic eyes of those who don't approve, you remain completely whole.

May you find it within, to take the steps you need to take to hold a dream in your hand.
My you see it through, bring it to fruition, eliminate the 'what ifs', put your footprints in the sand.



www.margyreidbooks.com