Peace.....

Hello,

Thanks for checking in.  I'm just coming off a wonderful run of author visits throughout Saskatchewan.  I met so many wonderful teachers and so many amazing students.  I've been to small towns and a few city schools and at every place I was warmly received.  At one of the schools there was a six year old boy who flew into the library kind of like the Fonze from Happy Days used to enter a room.  He was excited to see what was about to take place.  He took one look at me and said, "Hey, what's your name?  You're pretty.  What's your name?  Where are you from?"  He was so cute and really boosted my ego - well, only for a short time.  When I was almost at the end of my presentation he couldn't contain himself any more and he blurted out, "Blah, blah, blah!"  I had to laugh.  Sometimes those little ones have short attention spans and sometimes those little ones are brutally honest.  Regardless, the room was full of laughter and I will never forget that experience.

At Raymore School, the K-6 students performed my song, Who's That Man?, for me.  Wow!  They were amazing and I'm still trying to verbalize exactly how that felt for me - over the top.  They are performing the song again today for their Remembrance Day service at the school.  I'm honoured that my work fits in with Remembrance Day. 

Yesterday I visited Jack Mackenzie school in Regina where I was invited to read my book, Who's That Man?, at their Remembrance Day service.  Another fantastic experience.  First, the staff and students were extremely welcoming, second, their Remembrance Day service was absolutely lovely and peace based and third, I actually got to meet thee Jack Mackenzie who the school is named after. 

I want to say thank you again to every school that invited me to visit this fall and thanks in advance to every school that will invite me in the future.  Sharing my work at schools is my favourite gig.  I really feel "plugged in"  when I'm doing that.

So, tomorrow is Remembrance Day.  I'm going to take time to remember my grandpa who served for the Canadian Military in WWII.  I'm going to think about my grandma who was left alone for four years with five little boys while her husband was serving.  I'm going to think about my dad and his brothers and how it might have been for them to have their dad away for so long.  I'm going to think about the families today that are separated because of war and I'm going to pray for peace. 

I'd love to hear from you.  Take care.

Peace,

Marny

Linger A Little Longer

Hello There,

I hope this letter finds you well.  It's been a few years since Linger the book was released and a few more years since I wrote the song Linger (if you aren't familiar with Linger, it's about my feelings of loss and pride on my youngest daughter's first day of school).  I relived the feelings behind that song ten fold this fall as I watched my 18 year old daughter, Mae, pack most of her things into her jeep and drive away to start a new segment in her life out west.  Wow!  Wait a minute!  Where the heck did the last 18 years go?  She should still be getting on the school bus all proud wearing her new, first day of school outfit.  I should have packed her a lunch and I should have fresh cookies waiting for her when she gets off the bus so we can sit and she can share the adventures of her day with me. 

Truthfully, to see her driving away with a smile on her face and maybe a couple tears in her eyes is really what her dad and I have been working toward all these years.  We want her to go and seek and adventure and fly.  We are so proud of her and so excited to watch as this new phase of her life unfolds.  But for the moment, I'm going to Linger a little longer.....

Drop me a line.  I'd love to hear from you.

Marny

South East Saskatchewan Tour

Good Morning!

I just returned from a wonderful author tour of South East Saskatchewan.  I had ten stops in all from Kipling to Kennedy, Carlyle (Regional Library as well as the school), Manor, Maryfield, Moosomin (Regional Library too), Wapella and Whitewood.  The tour was arranged by Pam Foy.  Pam is a newly retired teacher and she is part of the South East Regional Reading Council as well as the Saskatchewan Reading Council (I hope I have that correct).  She is a gem!  She's beautiful, fun, smart, organized, energetic and loving.  I'm thankful that she helped to introduce me and my work to so many new people.  Everywhere I went I was welcomed with open arms.  Thanks, Pam! 

Aside from the author visits, Pam took me to a tea house in Fairlight, Saskatchewan.  Amazing!  Fairlight is a small village, I don't even think there are a hundred people living there, but in the center of the town is the most fantastic tea house owned by the charasmatic Brenda. I loved her right away.  I had the best coffee at the tea house and was served delicious, fresh bisquits along with cheese and jam.  That was only the second time I had met Pam and I was really trying to mind my manners and there were other people sitting at tables around me enjoying huge, decadent deserts. But truthfully, those bisquits were so good, I just wanted to inhale them like the cookie monster eats cookies.  I controlled myself - well, I think I did.  The tea house is also full of beautiful giftware.  Paintings, kitchen gadgets, furniture, pottery and the list goes on.  I plan go back there before Christmas with my family.

Today I'm off to Southey School for another author visit.  I can't wait. 

I want to say thank you big time to the Saskatchewan Writer's Guild who helps to fund my author visits.  I appreciate what they do there and that they are helping me get my work out into the world.  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!

Time to go.  The girls are in the kitchen making breakfast and I love to visit with them before they go to school.

Have a great day.

Peace!

Marny

Hello!

Happy Fall!  It's a beautiful Sunday morning in my tiny corner of the world this day of October 17, 2010.  The sun is shining high in the sky and the wind is calm.  My darling dog, Jett, took me on a wonderful walk this morning.  Her enthusiasm when the leash comes out is infectious.  She jumps up on all fours and spins around several times showing her appreciation.  How would it look if I used her techniqe to show my gratitude and love?  I think I'll try it. 

Thank you for visiting my website.  It's been almost a year since the launch of "Who's That Man?".   The book is finding its way into the world.  I've received several emails from schools asking permission to use the DVD from the book in classrooms.  I'm happy to grant that permission.  It's my goal to get the book in every school library and public library in North America.  Thank you for helping me with that. 

Last week, I received news that "Who's That Man?" won a Silver Medal in the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards out of the states.  How exciting for my publisher (Your Nickel's Worth), my illustrator (Megan Mansbridge) and me.  We are so thankful!  I will use this medal to help me continue moving the book into every school and public library in North America.  I'm thinking I will travel to Traverse City, Michigan for the medal ceremony in November.  I'll keep you posted.

This week I'll be in South East Saskatchewan on an author tour.  I love travelling and meeting new people.  I'll be sharing the stories behind my books, "Linger" and "Who's That Man?" as well as talking about my new book, "Rockstar!". 

Thanks again for visiting my website.  I'd love to hear from you. 

Love and light,

Marny

What's Your Story?

Hey There! 

I'm happy to report that Who's That Man? has been successfully launched.  We held two official launches.  One at the Book & Brier in Regina and the other at the Lumsden Library in Lumsden.  Both places were gracious hosts and I'm so happy that they were so accomodating.  We had many friends, fans and lots of family out to support us.

On my agenda these days is getting the book into every school library across Canada.  I'm starting with Saskatchewan and I'll move east and west one province at a time.  Also, I'm working on an author tour.  I was able to get to a couple schools prior to Remembrance Day with the book.  I was well recieved and really enjoyed my visits.  I love connecting with the staff and students.

The picture on the left is of Megan Mansbridge, my illustrator (on the left), me and Heather Nickel, my publisher (on the right). 

My dad, Gerry Duncan, is with me in this picture.  He is one of the main charcters of Who's That Man?  I don't think he thought he'd ever have a book written about him.  It makes me wonder how many more stories and songs I can write about my family.  It makes me wonder how many amazing stories every family has that remain untold.  What's your story?

Take care and thanks for checking in.  I'd love to hear from you.

Marny