I was delighted when Pat Goyeche told me that You Could Live a Long Time: Are You Ready? will be part of the Abbotsford Salon this summer. Abbotsford is run out of the Glebe Centre in Ottawa and you’ll appreciate the extent of the compliment when you understand Abbotsford goals. Pat is the program facilitator and, as she says, “We try to be the place where those 55+ find a community, self actualize, keep fit, and keep laughing!” This photo of the staff participating in a fund-raiser as the “Fabulous Flapper’s” of the 1920’s is proof that they’re up to the challenge. They run fitness classes, host clubs (mah jongg, snooker), offer workshops (pottery, stained glass) and run a speaker’s program. One project that really speaks to me is “Bees and Bears” where seniors are teaching a group of high school students how to create teddy bears, and the young people are getting some special attention from surrogate grandmas in the bargain. You can find out more on the Glebe Centre website.

I am happy to tell you that my latest book Teens Gone Wired: Are You Ready? will be released in September and is already available for pre-order. The book is about raising teens in a digital world and looks at the totality of the teen experience – mind, body and soul. Stories from parents and post-teens are interwoven with tips from teenagers themselves. I combined these honest, real-life accounts with research findings, tips and resources. My hope is that parents will be forewarned, forearmed, and can actually relax and have some fun. I am delighted that the book has been receiving terrific endorsements from the experts.

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking to the Warner–Lambert / Pfizer Retirees’ Association (Toronto). They’re a terrific organization and fit into that emotional circle so highly recommended by the role models. About three decades ago, the company set up the group along with interested employees. Today there are 373 members. The primary goal is keeping alive the spirit of fellowship and camaraderie the retirees developed while working together. They hold regular meetings and special events – both educational and entertaining. Their latest newsletter has details of trips to the Shaw Festival and Herongate Farm, a talk by a nutritionist and a train trip to see the Fall colours. The group has been receiving some funding from the company, which seems like smart policy since the members are such goodwill ambassadors. Hugh Moses won a draw for a copy of the book and that’s the two of us in the photo below.

It’s been great fun being part of Shari Graydon’s book “I Feel Great About My Hands… And Other Unexpected Joys of Aging”. Shari asked some very good writers and very funny women to write about beauty and aging and the result is a rollicking good read about getting old. My piece is entitled “Turkey Flap Wisdom’ and I was honoured to be included in such august company. We’ve given several book readings and the audiences have roared with laughter. The photo above is from the launch at Ben McNally’s in Toronto. After our NAC performance in Ottawa, Shari was approached by a 30-year old woman who wailed, “I wish I could be 50!” All proceeds from the book support Media Action and the Informed Opinions project. Read more on Shari’s blog.

For me, the highlight of this busy fall has been the talk I gave with Sydney Bacon at the Toronto Reference Library. Sydney (pictured above) is 100 years old and is one of the book’s role models. There were over 80 people in the audience and Sydney’s wise and witty take on life had them spellbound. Here are some questions he was asked:

You have to love Montreal. Spring arrives and the streets and parks blossom with people as joyful and colourful as the city’s signature Profusion crabapple flowers. I had the pleasure of speaking on Sunday at Paragraphe’s Books and Breakfast at the Hotel Sheraton. This event has been one of the highlights of the literary scene in Montreal for many years and is attended by droves of devoted readers. Two of my role models, Warren and Muriel, were able to join us, as well as several Montreal friends.

London was a chance to reconnect with family and friends, and two of my own role models. Art Fidler was my English teacher at Oakridge High School and his praise for the book has been that “A” I was always chasing! Art is living the advice of the elders. After he retired from teaching he launched a new career as head of marketing for Original Kids Theatre Company. Dr. Ben Singer (see photo below) was my sociology professor at Western and, throughout my career, has been a source of advice and encouragement. When I worked for Ben as a research assistant he red-lined all my sociological jargon and taught me to write clearly. Ben was one of the two dozen experts who reviewed the manuscript and the book has been graced with his insights and ideas – not to mention his sense of humour! A big thank you to my wonderful family and friends, and friends of friends, who came out to the London launch to support me.

Friends – old and new – joined us on a Sunday afternoon at Novel Idea, the bookstore beloved by Kingston readers. This was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate both my role model, John Meisel, and others. (See photo above. To view more photos click on the blue square on the right hand side of the page.) Our canoeing buddies - Peter Milliken (Speaker of the House of Commons) and Ned Franks took time from more pressing matters of state to grace the event with their style and charm.

A big THANK YOU to family and friends who came out in droves to support the “home team.” There are many ties that bind us to Ottawa. We lived there for a dozen years. It is the birthplace of our elder daughter, and the home of my parents, brother and some of our closest and dearest friends. The welcome began with a beautiful bouquet of flowers awaiting us at the book launch. Thank you Judith and John! Then about 70 people poured into the elegant Nicolas Hoare bookstore and quickly stripped the store of copies of the book. There were many role models to celebrate. Three of my role models - Laurier, Ricardo and Blair were there - looking very dashing – as was my father. (See photo above.) Several friends of my parents (also role models) came to support me, and some friends brought their own role models. All in all - a most celebratory crowd!

It may not be spring yet in the Maritimes but the Halifax welcome we received cut right through the chilly air! It began with the bouquets of tulips in the beautiful suite we received as an upgrade for the visiting author – thank you Simon, Linda and the Marriott! Several dozen people braved the sleet and icy roads to get to the book launch. And some of them attempted to buy their body weight in books! (See photo below) My feisty role models, Richard, Ruth and Mary were undaunted by the conditions and came out to launch the book in dashing style. (See photos on flickr link.) People took home buttons and certificates to give to their role models and generally got into the spirit of the event. It was a pleasure to meet new role models like the dynamic 87-year old Emmeline. As her son says, “She is full of energy, has a sharp, brilliant mind and a real zest for life.” A special thank you to Linda, Barrie and the rest of the Black clan who made sure we wanted for nothing.

WOW! We received the royal Vancouver welcome from every corner – spectacular spring days - everywhere you look a feast for the eyes - bowers of pink cherry blossoms –herons nest-building in Stanley Park - men in business suits and helmets biking along Kits Beach - and sunbathers making a striking contrast to the ski-runs still snow-covered on Cypress.