Not really… but I kind of like the effect of snow falling on the Royal Clipper – this is an additional extra available to my blog until Jan. 4th, courtesy of the good folks at Word Press. You can think of this as “sympathy snow,” without the frostbiting temperatures, for all my friends I left behind in Canada.

Dennis surprised me last night with a brilliant new recipe he discovered on the internet. The Fish Tacos were superb, and here are a few pics to prove that:

Of course, the inclusion of yellowfin tuna in this dish didn’t hurt in the least… Yum! And don’t even think to ask for the recipe – it will only be passed on to very special people.

There’s been a feeding frenzy around the bird feeder since before sunrise. The industrious hummingbirds know enough to get there early, because once the bananaquits are awake, there’s little room left for anyone else at the four feeding holes.

Emme is making every attempt to become invisible next to the railing directly below the feeder. She’s intent on catching something today, probably to make up for the fact that she hasn’t gifted me yet since I’ve been back. Griz has already delivered two mice at my feet, and he’s a boy. The boy-cats I’ve known usually aren’t all that great in the hunting department, and have seemed surprised whenever they’ve managed to catch anything at all. The older girls, BG and Zoom, aren’t really into rewarding me any more – thank goodness, as both are great ratters!

The birds are taunting Emme though. It’s like they have this death wish, but I know they’re only flying ever closer because they’ve drained the feeder again, in less than a day. It’s costing a fortune to keep these little addicts supplied with sugar. Still, they do give hours of amusement to one cat, and the sound of their constant chirping and scolding is definitely a major part of the early morning sounds of Bequia every day, throughout the year. And is certainly better, and more soothing, than the noise of incessant barking coming from Princess Margaret Beach!

An update: Emme did finally manage to catch a bird. She brought it right to me just now, but ran away when I tried to take it from her. Fortunately, when she did drop the bird (outside), it flew away. She was certainly very proud of herself, though. I hope she doesn’t have the idea now that I need another one.

Later this afternoon…

Birds at feeder - with a view

Click here for information and details on the Coffee Shop Author writing contest! If you’re not a writer, you may still follow the progress of those who have registered through their personal blogs they’ll be posting on the website. Great prizes are available to the winners. This is intended to be a fun, original concept for writers who don’t mind writing in a public space. But, most importantly, the contest was developed to encourage writers to just write! And it is hoped that a new writing community, stretching across Canada, will be developed.

So, whether you choose to participate, or want to just cheer on your favourite writer, visit the website, and follow us on Facebook by becoming a fan. We have a challenge to increase our fan base to 500 by Dec. 31st, so please sign up, and then consider entering the contest. You’ll be most welcome to join the rest of us for a coffee at Coffee Shop Author!

After a more-than-a-year hiatus, I’m back in the blogging seat, and hope to add to this site a little more often than I have been doing. I’m on Bequia now for a month, having escaped some rather nasty winter weather that hit Calgary just before I left. I have much work to do here – getting to know the cats again, sorting and cleaning up my books, trying a few new recipes, visiting with friends who are returning for the holiday season, writing, reading, swimming, eating… enjoying, and rediscovering joyfulness.

I also plan to create a brand new blog to go along with my brand new company. Watch for it!

So, the weather here is sunny and calm, the blustery winds of this past week having died down overnight. People are beginning to arrive on Bequia for tourist season, but it’s still deliciously quiet and private up here at The View. The cats are all sprawled and sleeping in their various chosen cozy locatons. Dennis is off somewhere, working, and I have the task before me to clean the house, bake some sticky buns for an ailing Tommy Cantina, and prepare notes for a board meeting via Skype. (See, it is possible to work long distance if you have a computer and wireless connection…)

Oh, and I should begin sorting through my writing files, and at least think about editing and revising, if not writing something new altogether. Must remember – I AM A WRITER! And a reader. I’m rereading Stegner, and loving every word the man wrote.