In Canada We Skate!

I was walking through a sporting goods store yesterday when hidden behind the skating and hockey equipment section came a woman's voice. That voice had an accent that I first thought was German but then devolved to what might be eastern European. I say this because of what she said next... like skating was something new that must be experienced.

I'm fairly sure it wasn't figure skates this woman was after.

"In Canada we skate. Pick out some skates." 

The woman's voice was firm, no-nonsense, no argument in its tone. And, it got my attention, both the words and the inflection. Especially when followed by the childish voice hidden between racks of hockey equipment and skates. 

"No."

The no's of the child, the demands of the woman, went back and forth as I walked by; and as I tried not to look like I was eavesdropping when I obviously was. But it was a conversation like no other and one that made me smile. The woman was insistent that skates would be purchased and that the child would skate. Because - that's what you did here in Canada. She said that more than once. 

Interesting.

I didn't know that Canada was defined as a land full of skaters. But maybe from a different point of view, it was. After all, most communities in the city have at least one skating rink. There's stories of NHL stars of years gone by who skated on frozen dugouts. And, even I still have a pair of skates in the basement, gathering dust - just in case I get the urge to skate. I'm vowing this year. Of course, I also vowed last year.

My thoughts are broken by another even more empathetic no from the hidden child who is still clearly determined to dodge the skating issue.

"We skate," the woman said firmly as she emerged from between the aisles. She looked at me calmly and then disappeared again, I assume to coral the child and have him try on a pair of skates. 

If it's outdoor skating she's insisting on - she's going to be disappointed. It's so far been  rather snowless and too warm for good ice, at least outdoors. Right now, we should be in winter boots but the streets and sidewalks are still relatively clear of snow and ice. I don't know if that's good or bad for the invisible child. From his answers I'm guessing good unless the woman I'm guessing is his mother has plans of hauling him to an indoor rink.

"No. I don't want to," says the childish voice again - and now with even more determination.

Skating might or might not be as Canadian as toques but he's made it clear - that doesn't mean that he needs to be a stereotype.

The conversation wasn't over... yes - no - maybe....  I took the high road - the exit door and headed to my car, finally - minding my own business.

Winter - the good, the bad and the funny!

A mother’s tragic diagnosis.
A daughter’s life on hold.
An ending and a new beginning ...

If you haven't ordered your copy of The Tears We Never Cried - it might be perfect for curling up after a long day or for a gift for that illusive someone.


 Current contests:

Enter this contest and give me and other authors a follow on social media and be entered to win a gift card. Fessing up - there's a number of social medial links you can follow us on - I'd prefer Bookbub, just saying. But in the end - fingers crossed that you enter and win! 

Ryshia

www.ryshiakennie.com

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A New Release - The Christmas Countdown - It's Crazy!

The days are ticking away and Christmas is fast approaching...and I haven't done any Christmas shopping. In my defence, I have a book coming out on December 10 which has pretty much taken my attention. But we'll get back to that later. For now it's my abysmal lack of Christmas preparation that has me a bit frazzled. I admit I did have the "how are we doing Christmas supper" talk with my brother. This year is going to be a bit different as we've decided to split the cooking and meet in the middle - mom's. My mother has always hosted Christmas which sounds like an imposition on her. In reality, it's what she's always wanted. And we do the cleaning up - now we're doing the prepping up too. This year she's supplying the place and us the food. Although I did hear she's cooking turnips.

Sigh.

Don't know about you but I've never liked turnips. There's something about that root vegetable that just - well it's one of those things you eat so you don't starve.


Anyway, today I'm pushing that toe deeper into the waters of Christmas preparation and hauling out the Christmas decorations...  this evening. We'll see how that goes. But for now, with no ornaments out and about - I'll share a pic of my recent visitor looking suitably Canadian/Winter/Christmas with her touque.

Yes, another five second photo shoot - she was not much enamoured of the touque. And, I know, I'm pushing things here but my next post, I promise, will be festive.


In the meantime, we're counting down not just to Christmas but on December 10 The Tears We Never Cried is releasing. Have you pre-ordered your copy?

Here's an excerpt from The Tears We Never Cried:

Prologue
From the diary of Jessica Jane McDowall
I’d always thought that death should come quickly. There’s nothing humane about lingering. But nature is cruel and there’s no finer example than what happened to Mama.
Mama’s illness was the worst of a string of bad luck that only brightened once with the birth of my daughter, Cassandra Lynn. But life is a fickle thing. You give life and then you have life taken away.
Mama and Dad have been gone for almost a year, my husband, Tom for quite some months. It’s only me and Cassie now and that part feels right. What feels wrong is the fact that my parents are gone. I know I’m too old to feel like this. After all, I’m the mother of a nine- year-old, but I feel like an orphan. I have nothing left of Mama but the pearls she so loved.
I plan never to tell Cassandra what happened to Mama. I know it’s about as useful as collecting good luck charms. I feel if I don’t talk about it, then it has become rather like Pandora’s box, safe as long as it remains tucked away ... unseen ... unknown ...

Chapter One December 6
I remember the moment it happened. I had barely pulled away from the curb, done a quick shoulder check, and that’s when life broadsided me.
I was thirty-nine, coincidentally exactly forty weeks from my fortieth birthday. I’ve lived forever since that moment, or so it seemed. Even though it was really only a year and change out of my life, that day that began it all. It was a day like any other except ... I swear the ring on my phone was louder than normal. And Mother’s voice was strident and demanding.
“Cassie, you best get over here now. I’ve lost my best pen and they’ve taken my Christmas cards away.”
I had no idea what she was talking about, but the panic in her voice was real and like nothing I had heard before.
“Cassandra McDowall?” The disembodied voice was no longer my mother’s, but instead one that was male and full of authority.
“Yes.” Somehow my fingers were already knotting in trepidation of what he might want.
“This is Tod Rushinski, staff sergeant with the Regina City Police.”
My palms began to sweat.
“Your mother is Jessica Jane McDowell?”
“Yes.” Fortunately it was the only word required for it was the only word I could choke out. The police never phoned for a good reason.

“We have your mother here at the station.”
“My mother? Is she all right?” Images of my tiny mother, cuffed and chained, surrounded by burly police officers poised to pounce at her slightest move sent shock waves through me. I imagined the terror on her face, her usually neatly coiffed hair askew. Horror reels played through my mind. Mother hurt, injured, attacked by unknown thugs.
Elder abuse, rape, mugging.
Mother, her coral pink lipstick smeared across one crinkled cheek, swinging her purse and being taken down and left bruised and alone by a dumpster.

Who could have done this to her? What had happened? I couldn’t choke out the question. Instead I had a chokehold on the steering wheel....

So sit down with a glass of your favourite beverage and relax, enjoy the season and watch one of those Christmas movies or read your copy of The Tears We Never Cried a book that explores love in ways that go beyond romantic love - perfect for the season. Or, at least I hope... Get your copy and see for yourself.

If you're on bookbub - check out the contest that's running there. Give me and other authors a follow and be entered to win a gift card. Fessing up - there's a number of social medial links you can follow us on - I'd prefer Bookbub, just saying. But in the end - fingers crossed that you enter and win! 

Ryshia

www.ryshiakennie.com

Book news? - follow me on Bookbub                                                   

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