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

Olympics are Over

Has the last 17 days ever flew by so fast. It was just yesterday that I was preparing myself to watch lots of TV and, thereby, the Olympics. I love sports; always have. It helped having a Phys. Ed. teacher for a mother and an avid sport follower for a father. While growing up, if there was a baseball, football or hockey game on TV, that is what we watched. My mother got us out at an early age learning every sport that she could teach my brother and I. We swam, we skied, we hiked, we canoed and anything else that came our way. Both my brother and I were avid athletes in high school.

Back to the Olympics. It was sure great that no one was blown up as we all thought might be possible before the games began. It was a very uneventful Olympics as far as security is concerned. So glad the Olympics went off without a hitch in that regard. We were informed about the extreme security rules in force. It was obvious that no bad person could get through that.

Well congratulations Russia. You put on a good show. And thanks to all the athletes who succeeded to the Olympics. Canada did really well. 25 medals and 10 gold. In total, about 75 Canadians, who went to the Olympics, come home with a medal because of all the team sport wins such as curling and hockey. Not bad eh? Was sure great getting up at 7:00 a.m. this morning to watch the gold medal hockey game between Canada and Sweden. It was a great game especially since we won 3-0. Canada played their best which is always important in any challenge. I wish the whole Canadian hockey team played for the Toronto Maple Leafs. We would win the Stanley Cup every year.

Well, it's sad that the Olympics are over. They were so much fun. Everyone participated honestly and respectful of other athletes. Did you hear about that Canadian coach who gave a Russian cross country skier a new ski after he had broken his and the athlete was able to finish the race? Or that Canadian short track skater who gave up his spot in the finals to a teammate who fell in his heat and then won silver? That is the true Olympics.

It's wonderful isn't it that there is something as momentous as the Olympics which can bring people from all over the world together in peace.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser

How do you sleep?

As far as my sleeping is concerned, my life has changed dramatically. Ever since I was young, sleeping was a very difficult feat. I would dread nighttime and having to go to sleep because I knew what lay ahead of me which was being constantly restless in bed, thinking and moving around, while waiting to fall into unconsciousness. For me, it was hell.

Every morning was impossible too. I would wake up and sleep until 11:30 a.m. or later. It was dreadful pushing myself to finally roll out of bed. I felt rubbery, fogged and confused. I was completely frustrated by this horrible morning feeling every morning. I woke up feeling exhausted.

Then, last September, I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. What a shock! I knew something must be wrong but I didn't know what. The documents recorded that I woke up at least 28 times an hour. No wonder I woke up exhausted. I didn't sleep all night.

As ordered by the doctor, I was placed on a CPAC machine which blows air into a small mask over my nose while I sleep. Such a simple procedure which cures my problem perfectly with no side effects like the many sleeping medications I was prescribed during my whole life. It is absolutely amazing how well it works. For the first time in my life, I wake up ready and excited to start a new day.

What is now absolutely incredible is that I'm tired each night. I reach a point when I have to go to bed and sleep. Lately, it has been between 10:30 and 11:00 p.m. I actually go to bed and fall asleep within a few minutes. No longer am I lying in bed waiting to fall asleep. I quickly fall asleep which to me is a miracle.

The second miracle occurring is that I sleep for ten hours and then I wake up around 8:00 a.m. It is so amazing that I can wake like this at an early hour and am able to get out of bed immediately. Last night, I went to bed at 9:30 p.m. because I was unable to keep my eyes open and my mind was dead. It was a little restless sleep but got out of bed at 7:15 a.m. I have never risen at such an early hour before in my life! And I woke up feeling rested, inspired and happy.

Such a change in my life and what a wonderful change. I am alive again.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser

Review of Locker Rooms

Thought maybe you'd like to read a review of Locker Rooms from Palmetto Review:

Locker Rooms by author Patty Lesser, inducts readers into the phantasmagorical world of
central character Alida; she is the good hearted but worldly, heroine of this
fascinating paranormal romance. Alida is a well -devised character , she is
generous natured, resilient and compassionate, readers will find themselves
interested in her as a character and wanting to follow her adventures to the
end.

Alida would seemingly make her a good catch for any man however, she is also no spring
chicken, and suffers from an illness that keeps her somewhat aloof when it comes
to being in any loving relationship. Nevertheless, a sudden change of luck
brings her unexpected wealth, which leads to her being able to achieve some of
her life-long dreams especially ownership of her dream house, which she seems to
beckon her to buy it.  Not long after Alida obtains her dream house she finds
that there is something special, strange, and mysterious about the house.

Once Alida moves into her dream house, her unfettered explorations bring her to a
peculiar hidden room containing lockers, where she makes a surprising discovery
that brings her face to face with a host of lost souls, the purest of evil,
death, life after death and eventually  a different kind of love. 

I enjoyed reading Locker Rooms it is an adventure-filled novel steeped in the
paranormal that was an easy and enjoyable read. However, there is Just one minor
point of contention it does have some minor editing issues but that aside this
is a good adult themed read.
have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser

Down to Reality

Well, I had my first major shock working in the book business. The reading for Locker Rooms was held last night at the Terryberry Library in Hamilton. Five women showed up. My mother came along for support but ended leaving my reading for another room to read the newspaper. The other women listened and seemed to enjoy what I read. They asked some good questions which I enjoyed answering. Two promised to buy Locker Rooms from the Chapters bookstore as they had no cash. Sold one copy.

Disappointment and rude shock has totally brought me into the stark reality of how difficult this business is. I was so happy the way the signing went at the Chapters store in Ancaster. I couldn't but hope to believe I might possibly get a good showing for this library reading. I did hope for at least 10 people who would also all buy my book. Well, didn't end up that way.

Of course, the whole affair was not a total disaster. It was a first new adventure. A good experience which brought me down to reality. One woman at the reading offered other opportunities for more readings and I made notes. I am following up with those places. She was lovely and I appreciated her advice.

I should mention that the library said they ordered a copy from online. Sophie, the woman who organized the event, presented me with a lovely pen and designed cloth as a thank you which was just lovely.

Just received this message from my publicist, Judy Boswell, which I have to copy it here concerning my library reading:

                      Well…. that doesn't sound like a disaster at all.

                      That sounds like a captive audience! A freezing cold night in February
                      and somebody liked your reading enough to buy your book :D
                      I'd say that's a WIN!

Wow. Does that ever change my mood. What a wonderful message! Just what I needed to hear. Isn't she just great?

I have received some great reviews from people who have read Locker Rooms. A "good read" is mentioned every time. It is a good read and I'm sure you would enjoy it. Please go to my website and order a copy. I guarantee you a good ride.

Hope you are all enjoying this long winter. Just think how much more we will enjoy spring when it arrives.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser

Soupfest

What a wonderful event I attended today. In Hamilton, Ontario, Living Rock (a charity assisting youth in trouble) hosted a Soupfest which offers an opportunity to taste different types of soup from various restaurants in the Hamilton area. The Convention Centre, where it was held, was packed. You couldn't find a parking spot. (Luckily we passed someone leaving so grabbed their spot. We were lucky.)

Twenty-five restaurants participated from a variety of backgrounds. A Greek soup was featured at one stand, another was Jamaican and they offered Jerk Chicken soup. One booth boosted two trophies and gave out a delicious lobster soup. There were Vietnamese and Thai soups which were equally delicious. I can't describe every soup but they were all wonderful especially on such a cold day which we suffered today.

The enormous room in the Convention Centre offered little room for movement. It was impossible to  manoeuver yourself quickly through the crowd but, at least, everyone was generous knowing that you and they were holding little bowls of soup which we wouldn't want to drop or spill. It is so wonderful to see such an outpouring of support from the community for such an affair.

The event only cost $12.00 for which you received four tickets for soups. My mother and I shared a few so we were able to taste a great variety. One kind man offered me two extra free tickets and so my mother and I were able to try ten different soups. It was a terrific treat.

I can't believe Groundhog Day is already upon us. I'm a little superstitious so looking forward to the groundhog's report. I love the excitement it causes and, of course, love the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray and Andie McDowell.

Hope you are enjoying the cold!

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser

Success at First Signing

Yesterday, Saturday, January 25, I held my first signing for Locker Rooms. It was a grand success. I sold all the 30 books I brought. The staff at the Chapters store couldn't have been nicer. It was a wonderful experience which I hope will be repeated.

I feel invigorated from the signing experience. It is so wonderful watching people buy my work, my novel, my thoughts. But don't remember any of them. The day is a blur with people coming in and out of my focus. Luckily, I was set up by the front doors so I would attack every person who walked through Chapters' doors. Most were interested though, of course, a few were not. But usually, if I was able to get them to read the back cover and hear my spiel, they bought it. What a great feeling!

If you haven't bought Locker Rooms yet, you still can. You can buy it through Amazon.ca or Amazon.com

Hopefully, you will check out my new novel, The Nuts. The first three chapters have been posted there. Please have a look and then vote and comment. Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Check out the photo below taken from my signing.

have fun,
www.pattylesser.com
@PattyLesser