Designer's note

A silent protest

2009-07-03T08:09:00.000-07:00

Recently, across from the Miners Bay mall and in front of the library trees were cut down and blackberry bushes were ripped out of the ground. Now when we sit with our coffee we can see the sea.
but at what cost?....
Silently a knitter has protested. She (he) declared that the cost is too great.
Last night, when I attended the Mayne Island Trincomali Community Art Council group show, I found this...

No, it is not my work.

The group show runs the entire month of July. View it during library hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 11 am to 3 pm.

*Please excuse me. In this post, I referred to the Mayne Island reading centre as the "library". It is a reading centre not a library - to be accurate. Although, some Mayne Islanders, like myself, affectionately refer to it as a library.

What's the difference?

Good question. I will see if I can find an answer.

Further, I did a google search...because as you know, you can learn everything you need to know on google...and learned the difference. This difference can be summed up in one word: librarian. The Mayne Island reading centre doesn't employ anyone with this title. Instead what you will find are people like myself. Volunteers who work one or two shifts a month. These shifts are two hour long. So please be kind to us: we aren't trained professionals but we do have big hearts. : )

Happy Canada Day

2009-07-01T07:42:00.000-07:00

Canada Day has dawned sunny and bright on the bonnie isle of Mayne. Later today, just before noon, we Mayne Islanders will meet at Dinner Bay Park. You are invited to join us there. We will proudly sing of our love for our island and for our Canada.
In the shelter, there will be a fund raiser for Rest Q Animal Sanctuary http://www.restqsanctuary.org/About.html

Last night I watched Paul Gross' Passchendaele http://www.passchendaelethemovie.com/

Learn about the words we will sing: http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/symbl/anthem-eng.cfm#a0

Hug a Canadian
Leanne

This month's Authors' Den pick

2009-06-30T07:44:00.000-07:00

Do you remember when I use to report on my stories from Authors' Den?
No?
Well, what I did was this...
I posted stories on my authors' den web site: www.authorsden/leannedyck.com
You logged on to read what interested you.
There is a counter on that site and it recorded the number of unique visitors each piece received.
I then read these stats. I posted the story which received the most hits here.
It's been a long time since I did this.
On this site I posted the entire first chapter of Maynely a Mystery. It is not surprising, that this body of writing has received a lot of hits.
However, let's focus on the short story that received the most hits.
It was: A Crush.
I offer it for your reading pleasure.

When she looked at him, her heart melted. A simple greeting or a smile was all that was required to send her swooning. Her heart beat faster and still faster until it jumped from her chest to her throat. Her heart continued its journey as it flew out of her mouth and spun around three times in mid air finally landing back in her throat. Her face blushed bright red as she stuttered and stammered nonsensically. At night, she fell asleep arms wrapped tightly around what others saw as her pillow but what she knew was his chest. During the day between school and household tasks her lips smacked loudly against her palm as she practiced kissing him.
She met with other girls who shared her obsession. They discussed his broad shoulders, his deep blue eyes and his kissable lips.
"He's so cute!" They giggled.

(c) ldyck 2009

At 1 pm on Sunday, June 28th

2009-06-29T08:07:00.000-07:00

As a novelist, I firmly believe that pictures (sometimes) speak louder than words.

Mayne Island's drum group

Eloquent words from the creator

The honouring figure's beauty is revealed.

A fancy new web site for Mayne Island artists

2009-06-27T18:04:00.000-07:00

Check it out: www.artonmayne.com

Can you find me?

What is hidden will be revealed

2009-06-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

Be on Mayne Island on Sunday, June 28th at 1 pm.

Visit me at: www.maynelyamystery.blogspot.com

My trip to Salt Spring Island

2009-06-21T11:17:00.000-07:00

I spent an enjoyable weekend (Friday to Saturday) on beautiful Salt Spring Island.

ArtCraft opened with style and grace - a retrospective of potter Judy Weeden's beautiful work. Here are some fine examples...

And because after all this is a knitting blog, here is the knitting related offerings I have available at ArtCraft this year...

Sweaters for babies and children.

Kits for knitting sweaters for babies and toddlers.

Hats for babies.

On Salt Spring Island

2009-06-19T07:43:00.000-07:00

It will be a busy weekend on Salt Spring Island. ArtCraft (in Mahon Hall) is having its grand opening with an exhibit by a potter. Art Spring having an art show by 11 Salt Spring Island artisans.
Where will I be?
On Salt Spring Island, of course.
I will report back.
Have a happy weekend
Leanne

Maynely a Mystery events on Mayne Island

2009-06-18T08:40:00.001-07:00

Please log on to: www.maynelyamystery.blogspot.com for details.

The Honouring Figure

2009-06-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

For more information regarding the Honouring Figure, please read: http://www.mayneisland.com/honouringfigure.html

For a mystery solved, please read: www.maynelyamystery.blogspot.com

Happening on Mayne Island

2009-06-16T08:20:00.001-07:00

Mayne Islanders wait in eager anticipation for June 28th.

On that day, John Aitken, Mayne Island native craver, will erect his honouring figure. The large figure will welcome visitors to Mayne Island. The figure will honour the first peoples. It will be erected on Emma and Felix Jack Park.

Please join us on June 28th. It will be a fun day of celebration.

Please join me at the Maynely a Mystery blog (www.maynelyamystery.blogspot.com) for a Maynely a Mystery sighting. Thank you.

ArtCraft is open

2009-06-12T08:08:00.001-07:00

The gentle breeze that blows over the gulf islands stirs our creative minds. The sun shines and we are inspired by the beauty that engulfs us. The rain falls and our creations grow. See the bounty of our labour. Visit ArtCraft gallery on Salt Spring Island. Today the seasonal gallery opens for another year. ArtCraft is housed in Mahon Hall on Rainbow Road.

Weaving together the diverse collection of talent that abounds on the gulf islands is no easy feat. And yet each year the ArtCraft staff accomplish simply this with style and grace. It is my honour to lend a hand. Volunteering allows me to watch the magical transformation.

These pictures were taken on Wednesday, June 10th as the hall was under going its transformation.

The book section sadly minus Maynely a Mystery. However, fear not Maynely a Mystery will arrive...soon. Until then I would be thrilled if you cornered a ArtCraft staff member to pre-order your copy. It would be wonderful if I arrived at the hall with an armful of books only to be told that they were all sold. ...a girl can dream. ...especially this girl.

This is a side room. It is full of colour, full of natural beauty.

If you are able, travel to Salt Spring Island and witness the magic of this gallery in person. It is well worth a visit.

Sneak a peek

2009-06-10T08:28:00.001-07:00

I hope you are enjoying reading chapter one of Maynely a Mystery. I have just added page 33. To read this novel, please log on to: www.maynelyamystery.blogspot.com

This new design will soon appear in a Canadian knitting magazine...

Can you guess which one?

a new Mayne Island web site

2009-06-05T12:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, in the mail, the MayneLiner arrived. I flipped through the pages. The magazine pluses with island news. A full page ad announced the birth of a new Mayne Island web site.
Check it out: www.mayne.ca.
Visit me. Maynely a Mystery is listed on the writers page. (Go figure)
Stay tuned for more Maynely a Mystery news.
Leanne
P.S. Would you like to see some knitting on this blog? Let me know -- email: leanne@oknitting.com

Look who came back

2009-06-03T18:18:00.001-07:00

as promised I have returned.
I was over on Salt Spring Island setting up for ArtCraft (a seasonal art and craft gallery in Mahon Hall). While there I visited some bookstores and I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be seeing Maynely a Mystery in at least a few of them.
Which brings me to an interesting topic...if you would like to see Maynely a Mystery in your bookstore or if you own a bookstore and would like to sell Maynely a Mystery please email me: leanne@oknitting.com
Now please join me here: www.maynelyamystery.blogspot.com
I've added page 26 of Maynely a Mystery: Chapter one
Happy reading!

I'll proof the proof and you keep reading

2009-05-31T07:38:00.000-07:00

Exciting news!
I have received the...

proof.

I am pouring over it and hope to have everything (mistakes found and corrected) done and emailed to the printer today.

While I do that, please keep reading the first chapter. To access the Maynely a Mystery blog, please log on to: www.maynelyamystery.blogspot.com

Maynely a Mystery paperback update

2009-05-24T15:05:00.000-07:00

What did Burns' say about plans?
Well, the projected publication date for Maynely a Mystery was to be June 1st.
I'm waiting to receive the proof from the printer. It could come any time.
Well, not really any time because I live on a island. So unless the proof arrives by plane I will have to wait for the ferry. And as ferries only come at set periods during the day. Well, I'm sure you understand where I'm going with this.
So, anyway, like I was saying I'm looking forward to holding, pawing and gooking (is that a word. The spell check doesn't think so. But I do. Who's right? You decide) at the proof.
I'm so looking forward to this that I'm trying not to think about it. That's how excited I am about this occurrence.
Once I have the proof, I will search the text for flaws.
(Please don't do that with this post...there are undoubtedly many. I had a very skilled editor help me with the book. Right here, right now I'm on my own.)
This proofing the proof will -- I'm guessing -- take a couple of days.
Once done, I will give the printer the go-ahead.
Now, if this were May 19th I would be grinning. I would be content in the knowledge that everything was right on time.
However, this isn't May 19th. It is May24th. And so, instead of grinning, I'm writing this post to say that the new projected publication date is mid-June.
I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'm disappointed too.
But the sun will shine, the birds will sing and Maynely a Mystery will become a book.
And when that day comes you will be one of the first to know. I guarantee you that.
Keep the faith.
All the best
Leanne

The ebook is currently available.
To order, simply email: leanne@oknitting.com
I will send you a PayPal request for funds.
Once I receive payment, I will send you the Maynely a Mystery ebook.

Reading Maynely a Mystery

2009-05-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

Please join me at: http://maynelyamystery.blogspot.com/
We are reading my new cozy mystery novel.
Enjoy,
Leanne

Writing retreat on Mayne Island

2009-05-19T10:10:00.000-07:00

I will be attending an exciting writing retreat on Saturday,June 27th. The retreat organizator, Terrill Welch, sent me the following information that I would like to share with you:
http://terrill.gaia.com:80/blog/2009/5/dont_lets_wait_for_the_muses
Please forward this message.
Thank you,
Leanne

How we celebrate

2009-05-18T10:46:00.001-07:00

May 16th is an important date on Mayne Island. It is the weekend of the testier Farmers' Market. It is a taste of things yet to come. However, not only that, it is also the weekend of the Green Man parade.
Everything starts at the Ag Hall grounds right after the Farmers' Market at 1 pm.

They begin to dance.

Then there is a parade were the Green Man leads us all to the Miners' Bay Park.

The May Queen is crowned.

The maypole is delivered

and erected.

Then we dance.

Now let's play a game. Let's play "Where's Leanne?"

Here she is...

Can you find her here?

How about here?

Where is she?

How about here?

On she dances, can you find her?

On and on, she dances in and out of view...

Ah, finally she rests and you catch her...

And the maypole is complete

And on they dance...

Now, I ask you, "Do you think we had fun?"

Read more about the Green Man: http://www.endicott-studio.com/gal/galgreen.html

Life on Mayne

2009-05-17T08:12:00.001-07:00

I made this with a few friends....

Find out how later when I have more time to post.

Maynely A Mystery now signed

2009-05-13T16:34:00.000-07:00

You will be pleased.

I improved the Maynely A Mystery ebook.

How?

I increased the font size and...

now its signed.

Check it out...

http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/maynely-a-mystery-signed-copy/7151174

And we are continuing to read

http://maynelyamystery.blogspot.com/

Maynely A Mystery: chapter one, page five

2009-05-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

has been added to the Maynely A Mystery blog: http://maynelyamystery.blogspot.com/

You can read the whole thing. All 13 chapters. Order your copy today.
Simply email: leanne@oknitting.com

About Maynely A Mystery
"You have a delightfully wry humour that comes up unexpectedly and a talent for observing the more interesting characters of the world...There is also much joy in your writing.

-reader's comment

Maynely A Mystery: chapter one, page four

2009-05-11T11:47:00.000-07:00

has been added to the Maynely A Mystery blog: http://maynelyamystery.blogspot.com/

Maynely A Mystery: chapter one, page three

2009-05-10T07:34:00.000-07:00

has been added to the Maynely A Mystery blog: http://maynelyamystery.blogspot.com/

Happy mother's day
Leanne