Halfway to Heaven

I’ve just begun watching DVD’s of the PBS Brother Cadfael series. Rewatching, actually, since I’ve seen them all at least once. And read the books.

I can’t quite figure out why I like the character of Cadfael so much. Or why fiction set in the Middle Ages has such appeal for me. Perhaps it’s the cathedral at Shrewsbury itself, intended as it was to rise up half-way to heaven.

Of course the sky is considerably higher now than it was then. Higher even than in the days of Chicken Little. And human aspiration are much lower. (I’m thinking of recent events in Arizona.) All of which draws me to a character of wisdom and good intentions like the good Brother. I guess I’m not tired of that narrative yet.

Getting Reel

Let’s face it. I’ll never make a blogger, in the regular, dedicated sense of the word. Too much to do outside – I am an urban farmer, after all. And too much to distract – like volunteering at the fringe. And fringe hold-overs. Which brings up a question.

What’s the difference between seeing a play and watching a film? I mean, I know the obvious stuff. Like more close ups in film. Acting can be more subtle. Locations can be more graphically described. And there is a certain excitement in waiting for a film to begin. But it doesn’t compare with the anticipation I feel before a play begins. A play can be more symbolic – more sparse, and yet feel realer in a way than a film. Which is probably why I keep going to live theatre, even though it’s sometimes disappointing. Doesn’t get to the magic place I want it to go.

Someone once told me, “You’re very critical of theatre, but you watch anything on film. ” True to a point. I can be a movie junky. Why is that, I wonder? Why do we [we, possibly] expect more of a play than a movie? Or am I the only one who feels that way?

Wining, not Whining

On Friday night, April 30, I joined 14 other Alberta writers in a joint reading/wine tasting at 100 Wines in Calgary. The reading was in celebration of the nominees for this year’s Alberta Book Awards.

Each book was paired with a wine: Shimmerdogs with a Spanish wine called Celeste. The label is dark blue with constellations on it in silver. I haven’t tasted it yet, but the label was worth the purchase.

Whether you are a wine drinker or not, please join me in a toast to the arts and artists  in Alberta. Long may we continue!

Whoops!

Celebrating My Birthday - Cheers!

Sorry. I’ve been away for a while. Quite a while, it looks like. But I’m intending to do better. And better.

I hope you’ll join me in Edmonton at Greenwoods on Wednesday, April 28 at 7 PM. I’ll be reading with other finalists for Alberta Literary Awards. Did I forget to mention that Shimmerdogs is in the running for the R. Ross Annett Award for Childrens’ Literature?

I’ll also be in Calgary on Friday, April 30 at 100 Wines, 1109 Olympic Way at 7 PM doing the same thing. Look forward to seeing you.

Thank You!

In the past few months I’ve read my new book,

Shimmerdogs to over 600 young adults. I’ve

received great letters from students at Windsor

Park,  Kirkness  and Duggan Schools in Edmonton.

And students from McCauley, Riverdale

and Calder Schools were great audiences when they

came to hear me read at Edmonton libraries.

Thenthere are students at Goldstream, Millstream,

McCauley and Lockside schools in Victoria who

listened with enthusiasm and made me feel very

welcome.

Thanks to all of you. I hope you’re enjoying

a wonderful Christmas season.

Cheers!

Dianne Linden

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