The Junos

Did you watch the Junos last night? What a difference from a Hollywood affair and the Grammys! Everyone was dressed so comfortably and casually. No fancy expensive ball gowns here. Only the Olympic gold medal winning women's curling team was dressed up. They received a well-deserved standing ovation since they reside in Winnipeg where the Junos were held last night.

The people of Winnipeg put on a good show. I only listen to a classic rock radio program while driving in the car so I didn't know most of the entertainers. We have some great musical talent here in Canada and I should be paying more attention. Some of the popular songs, which I've heard over the last year, are by Canadian bands. I didn't know that and was very proud of them.

One big absence from the Junos was anyone thanking God for their win. I am so tired of hearing American winners thanking God for their award. I'm sure, if there is a God, he/she wouldn't care if they won an award. Canadians are very different from Americans and it shows brightly on Canadian shows like the Junos.

 A week today, I will be in New York City. I will be spending five days there and I hope to account for my time with a blog every night. Would be fun to share my excursions with you. I am very lucky and will be staying with my cousin who lives across from Central Park. Yes, she has a good job and does well for herself I'm sure. Looking forward to seeing her place.

My main reason for travelling to NYC is that my best friend from England will be there at that time and I will meet up with her. We met at the Tel Aviv University in Israel. She was studying music and I was an English Literature major. From the day we met, we became fast friends. With her parents' assistance, she bought an apartment and I moved in with her while studying. Eventually, I left Israel and she moved to England where she married a Brit. We have kept in touch over the years. I have flown to England many times and stayed with her while there. I also try and call her once a month to catch up.

I really need to get away. It has been five years since I have travelled anywhere which is an eternity for me. When I had money, I would visit two to four new places a year. And, I can't write. I just can't concentrate creatively when I'm feeling so out of sorts. A trip will solve that problem and I hope to come away rejuvenated.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser

Assorted Thoughts

Thank you, everyone, for your concern about my father. Yesterday, he was discharged from the hospital and is now at home. He had his first good sleep in two weeks. So wonderful to have him out of the hospital. No one likes to be in hospital and always around sick people.

Luckily, had a successful signing at the Oakville Chapters bookstore on Saturday, March 22, 2014. See the photo below. It was a very slow store and so, unfortunately, not many patrons entered. My table was situated right in front of the store's entry so I could accost everyone. Met some lovely people who bought Locker Rooms either because they were very interested or because they wanted to support a local author.

My next signing will be at the Mississauga Chapters store on Saturday, April 19, 2014, starting at 1:00 pm. I hope you will attend and have me autograph my novel for you.

Locker Rooms has received another wonderful review by Christopher Reeves (no not Superman).

I have such bad cabin fever. A trip to New York City has been planned for April 7th to 11th. I can't wait to get away from every form of responsibility. I will be staying with my cousin and visiting with my best friend from England. She will be in New York at the same time which is the main reason why I am going. Am so looking forward to seeing new things, feeling new things, smelling new things and hearing new things.

It is beginning to look more like spring. The temperatures are still too low for spring but it is supposed to warm up this weekend. I'll believe it when I feel it. Everything is still brown and I see no flowers yet but hopefully they will be along soon. Can't wait to see green everywhere which is my second favourite colour. My favourite colour is blue of every shade and tint.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser

Hospitals

Unfortunately, my father has been in the hospital for the last couple of weeks due to pneumonia and the poor amount of oxygen in his blood which causes him to become very tried. He is on oxygen now and will probably have to return home with it. He is not a young man so, of course, every illness is much more difficult and takes longer to become cured. He is improving well and we hope he will be able to come home soon.

Funnily enough, I pass by two hospitals on the way to where my father is hold up. It is across the city and up onto the mountain (or escarpment). It's an easy drive and luckily a friend lives near the hospital. I can park in her driveway while I visit my father. I don't know why, but there is never any parking available near a hospital. I wonder why there isn't more available places to park while attending at the hospital. Sure there is a parking garage but it costs a fortune to park there. Crazy eh?

Luckily, I have never had an illness requiring me to remain in hospital for long. And I have no idea how I would stand it if I had to stay in hospital. Today, I couldn't wait to leave when my father excused me. I had to get out. I was feeling claustrophobic and all that ill health made me sick. Felt so much better when I reached the cold spring air.

Well, its spring but it sure doesn't feel like it. We had spotted flurries today which didn't amount to anything, but it's still cold. I am now wearing my spring jacket in protest. Winter is over and I won't put on my winter coat again. It is spring so I will just sport a jacket from now on.

On Saturday, March 22nd, 2014, Chapters Oakville is hosting a signing for me. I hope anyone who lives in the area would attend and I would be happy to sign Locker Rooms for you.

have fun
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser

Never Ending Winter

Is this winter ever going to end? Last night, it started snowing again and it hasn't stopped all day. At least a foot by now. Yes, it is very pretty all fluffy and white covering everything in sight, but then you have to shovel it. Well, I should be honest and say that I don't have to shovel because I live in a townhouse complex and our shovelling is done for us by a company we've hired. And luckily, I can put my Ford Focus in the empty garage to save it from being drowned in snow.

Everyone you talk to will admit that they are sick of winter. It began rather early for us this year with a snow dump in November. Usually, we have a thaw before Christmas, but this year we didn't so everyone was happy to have a white Christmas. But, it didn't stop there. We had many snow days and freezing temperatures all during January and February and now March. Unfortunately, no thaw or reasonable temperatures arrived and we received no respite from this harsh winter.

Now if you snowmobile or ski, you will love this winter. The snow base on mountains in the area is deep at around 80 cm. Great for skiing. But I don't ski anymore nor do I have a snowmobile. Therefore, all I can do in winter is hibernate. It makes for many great days to stay inside and just write. Days like this, I get a lot of work done. Finished a short story which I will soon post on my website. I hope you will enjoy it.

Have you been to my website recently? There are a couple of new sections; such as, Patty's Appearances and Reviews. At the moment, four signings have been scheduled for Chapters' bookstores in the area. Check it out and come and meet me. I'll even autograph a book for you.

Also, a few reviews have been posted about Locker Rooms. They are all great and I hope they encourage you to buy my novel.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser