We are taking a bit of a break from our winter trip to catch up with some local news in our The Chronicles of Sarnia – Spring edition. There is a lot going on here and we thought we would share some of it with you. This post is short and sweet and we have some exciting accomplishments.
Baby is almost here! Any day now those formerly known as hostages will be parents, which by default will make us grandparents and by definition make them hostages again.
We are getting bigger!
We celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary about a week ago. Crazy to think about it, but it’s real!
There are a few exciting writing- related news that we wanted to share with you.
To begin, I submitted on a whim a poem to the Carmen Ziolkowski Annual Poetry Competition. I was shocked to find out that I won first place!!! This is such an encouragement for me to write more and to try and get my writing out there.
Here is a picture of me getting my award and looking very smug.
Then, I was asked to contribute a chapter to a book about King Township history, where I conducted several archaeological projects. I was happy to do so and hopefully the book will be out this year. King Township is in York Region in Ontario and has a very rich history. What an honour to be part of an initiative that tells this story.
Finally, we filled up the last page in our trip journal, which was just a big notebook. Instead of buying a new blank notebook, we decided to design one that has several forms and lists that we felt may be useful. We published it on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. This allowed us to buy our own road trip journal. If you need one, or know someone about to embark on a road trip, here is a link.
Here are some photos of our proof copy. It was so much fun
We celebrated all of the above with sushi, but we were too busy eating and we forgot to take a photo. It was delicious though!
It is a beautiful spring here in Sarnia and we have a few shots from around town to share with you. The Wisteria was stunning.
No, this is not snow in June, but rather large pools of cottonwood fluff. Fun fact: the fluff spreads after pollination is over. My teary eyes leading up to the spread of fluff were caused by the more invisible pollination of the cottonwood.
We foresee in our future a bit less travel and more family-time. Perhaps with a sprinkle of poetry to spice things up a little.
Or we can spend more time watching the big ships go under the Blue Water Bridge.
And here is a sunset to entice us to stay here more.
Congratulations on the poem and future grandchild! I know your neck of the woods very well.
Thank you! Ontario or Sarnia? We just recently moved here and we love it!
Sarnia itself, Ontario, and across the bridge. I have some cousins in your vicinity I visit. We have had some family reunions at Canatara? Park on the lake.
Oh, cool! Yeah, Canatara is the name of the park. Let me know if you are here again!
So many exciting things happening for you. The beginning of a new chapter for sure. Poetry and grandchildren are going to be an interesting combination. Congrats again on winning the contest.
Thank you, Jenn! Perhaps writing for grandchildren may be the answer 🙂
Sounds like a good plan.
Congrats, and happy grand-parenting!
Haha, thank you!
Oh my, what a joyful post! Such great news to celebrate. Congratulations on winning first place, becoming grandparents, and all the rest! Brava 💜
Thank you! Such fun times!
Congratulations on both accounts!! Can we see a book coming? …and you can illustrate as well.
We got our new truck camper (1999), doing some tweaking for our long journey. I lost my lead dog (colourful character) MooMoo a few weeks back, now we’re down to two …they are old …soon no more, as losing them is crippling.
We’ll keep reading about your new “Grand” adventures.
Now that’s a good idea! (the book). It is so hard losing our little friends 😢
I love your definition of hostages. Congrats on the impending new arrival and also on your recent 43rd anniversary, both great accomplishments. Looks like some nice scenes around Sarnia. Have a great day. Allan
Thank you so much! I hope all is well with you.
Congratulations on your wedding anniversary and first place in the poetry contest! I look forward to hearing about your grandchild.
Thank you, Julia. We are impatiently waiting!
Congrats on your 43 Anniversaey.
Thank you!
I love Sarnia, haven’t been there in years but I have good memories of the city. I lived in Michigan at the time.
It’s a really neat place. I am so glad we moved here!
Congratulations on your poetry win and for the upcoming addition to your family!
A writer and a poet. You have grand puppies and soon a grand baby! What a great life 🥰
Thank you, Linda, it really is!
Thank you kindly. Exciting times!
Exciting times—congratulations
THank you! Very exciting 🙂
Congrats on the poem, Margie, and the invitation to write the chapter too. Such fun! And hope you enjoyed a nice 43rd anniversary. So many great things to celebrate. Most of all, congrats and good luck with the incoming grandchild and enjoy every moment together!
Thank you, Ab! Lots of fun and I am sure that I will try and implement some of the things that I learnt from you!
Congratulations 🎊 you are wonderful Grandparents Anita
Thanks, Anita!
Lots of nice things to say but instead just the one for now – I followed the link to you poem. The joining of two worlds! Really quite magical.
it means a lot coming from you!
One day I’d love to know the back story.
But I live too far away to sit and have coffee.
I don’t know that there is a backstory. Words just fall out of my brain, but I would love to have a coffee.
There have certainly been a lot of things worth celebrating! Congrats on your wedding anniversary, that your family is growing, and about all your writing and publishing accomplishments! These are some really nice family photos. And Sarnia looks beautiful in the spring.
Thank you! It’s been a whirlwind of events here.
Thank you for sharing all these positive moments and news, congratulations on your accomplishments.
Thank you! It’s so nice to be able to share good news with friends!
Wow lots of fantastic news Margie!!! Congratulations on all fronts, grand parenthood, your long marriage, winning first place in poetry, contributing to a history book, and publishing a road trip journal. All amazing. I’ll look forward to a change in your writing now that you’ll be staying home a bit more. And of course, the wisteria is stunning. 🌸
Thank you so much! There will definitely be a lot more local focus in the future!
Congratulations on your accomplishments! Being grandparents is a big one.
Thank you! And yes, it is!
Congratulations on winning first prize for your poem! As a writer, I know how challenging it can be to get recognized. The spring blossoms are lovely.
Thank you! It is a challenge and once it happens it is such a wonderful encouragement!
Congrats on your win…keep writing!
Thank you! I am definitely encouraged to write more!