Saturday, December 15, 2012

December 15, 2012

I feel so much sadness for the twenty children and six teachers killed yesterday in Sandy Hook Elementary and all who loved them. These tragedies are senseless. Utterly senseless and horrific. I find it difficult this morning to blog with this sorrow I feel for these victims and their community.

As a society, we are witness to cruel and unspeakable acts. When we believe that nothing could ever be worse, something unthinkable happens to shake us again and to take away another piece of our collective innocence. Yesterday was such a day. We will grieve a long time for these young children and their teachers.

The two writing events that I took part in this week were chances to get together with old friends - in my mind, the best thing about this time of year.

The Capital Crime Writers dinner was held at KS on the Keys. We were about fifty people in a private room - good service and good food if you are ever looking for a place to hold an event. Tim Wynne-Jones, two-time Governor General award-winner and recent inductee into the Order of Canada, gave a funny, poignant and uplifting talk.

Tim Wynne-Jones
 
Good friends Katherine Hobbs and Darlene Cole
 
Tim and me
 
Thursday night, Books on Beechwood hosted six local mystery authors for what felt like a Christmas party. This community bookstore is closing in January so it was a bittersweet evening. I snapped a few pictures, which make for some good memories.
 
(left to right) Erika Chase (aka Linda Wiken), R.J. Harlick, Mary Jane Maffini, me, Barbara Fradkin and C.B. Forrest.

 
Barb Fradkin and R.J. Harlick
C.B. Forrest and Linda Wiken
 
A mystery fan with Mary Jane Maffini
 
We will miss the Books on Beechwood staff. Thanks for all your support and love of books. All the best in your future endeavours!


Jean Barton, owner of Books on Beechwood.
 
 



1 comment:

  1. It was a fun evening and I agree, Books on Beechwood will be missed. They were a great supporter of local mystery writers.

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