Kim Neville

I can’t believe that in all the years I’ve lived in Vancouver I’ve never been to Pacific Spirit Regional Park. Last night was my first visit, and now that I know how beautiful it is, I’ll be back soon. I love how the sounds of the city fall away so completely there.

We were drawn to Pacific Spirit by Forest Symphony, an evening event hosted by Metro Vancouver. Singers, guitarists, violinists and harpists were tucked into clearings along the park’s paths, filling the forest with music. Gorgeous.

One of the many wonderful ways that having a child has changed me is introducing a wider range of experience into my life. Before Cassandra, our Vancouver outings fell mostly into four categories: dinner, movies, shopping, visiting friends.

Now that Cass is in our lives, we get outside a lot more.  I search out new parks to visit and free events to attend. Since we moved back to Vancouver in December, I’ve had so many city firsts: taking the Aquabus, visiting the Bloedel Conservatory, riding the Stanley Park Train, communing with bunnies at Jericho Beach, jumping in the fountain at Queen Elizabeth Park, and now, walking trails at Pacific Spirit Park.

All these moments were designed to add variety, richness and beauty to my daughter’s life. I never anticipated the joy they would bring to my own.

Kim Family life, Vancouver goodness Family life, Forest Symphony, gratitude, I love Vancouver, Pacific Spirit Regional Park

This blog is now one year old. I’m celebrating with a new WordPress theme. Feel free to tell me what you think.

It was also my birthday last week. Cassandra chose the wording on the cake. I think she did a fine job.

Kim Family life birthdays, Family life, Hey Mommy you're awesome, love my kid, new theme

You may think, based on my last post, that I’m spending the next two months hiding in a dark room with my laptop. I *may* have exaggerated. A little.

I am working hard but the work is fun. Also, I’m beginning to see the fruits of my labour, and that’s gratifying. I received the proofs for Meriel’s Brownie from Leading Edge this week. Complete with illustrations! Seeing the print version with my name at the top — that felt good. Issue #59 of Leading Edge will be available soon. I will keep you posted.

I’m still having a summer. There’s still time to play at the Granville Island Water Park. There’s time to stop by the Market for fresh local raspberries to put on my cereal and Maui ribs to put on my BBQ. There are, occasionally, long lunches with old friends. There are evening walks on the beach.

And I may not be swinging in a hammock, but I did just spend half an hour rocking in a chair while my child’s head grew heavy against my chest. Which is at least as good as a hammock session. Probably better.

Kim Family life, Vancouver goodness, Writing life better than a hammock, exaggeration, Granville Island, I love Vancouver, Jericho Beach, Leading Edge, Meriel's Brownie, summer

When did that happen? Wish I were spending the next two months doing the above. But I’m behind in my work, so instead I’m calling on grandmas and aunties for babysitting help and putting in more writing hours than ever.

June, wow, June. It passed in a blur of exhaustion. In my last post I wrote about illness. Well, after I nursed my family back to health it was two more weeks of sick for me. I did not get much done this month.

My goal is to have The Glass Doll ready for beta readers by the end of August. I’ve got a ton of work ahead of me, but I REALLY want to finish this novel before the year is over. So, no summer for me. Good thing I got all that awesome lazy beach living out of my system last year.

Kim Writing life Illness, summer, The Glass Doll

It’s been a long, gooey-eyed, feverish, sleepy week. Cass came down with viral conjunctivitis (aka the dreaded pink eye) which morphed into a vile sinus infection/flu thingy, variations of which have now assaulted the rest of us. Other than the grocery store and four trips to three different medical clinics, I don’t think I’ve gone anywhere.

Lots of inside time has its advantages. I got reacquainted with my novel, for one. Finally, forward motion. Progress! I also dove back into some earlier chapters. It’s amazing how one small change in a character’s motivation can change the entire direction of a story.

And Cass made her own leap forward this week. She learned how to draw. This is the cat she made last night.

This picture fascinates me to no end. Because until yesterday, she had only ever scribbled. If you asked her, she’d draw a circle, or a line, but that’s it. And a day later, she’s making actual pictures. As I type this she’s back at the chalkboard drawing birds at a bird feeder. Kids are awesome.

Kim Family life, Writing life Family life, Illness, kids are awesome, The Glass Doll