Home renovations = more wine, by J.C. Kavanagh

Voted Best Young Adult Book!

Today, the weather in southern Ontario is dreary, wet and cold. I myself, am feeling sluggish and unwell. I hope it's just a 'cold,' and so I apologize in advance for perhaps being a wee less witty than I like. But please read on while I grab another box of tissue 😟 Despite the illness, there is work to be done and a blog to write!

'Work' right now involves a complete renovation of our basement. We are renovating our walk-out basement to contain a two-bedroom apartment, complete with one full bathroom, living room, foyer and 13'x26' kitchen, to rent out in the Spring. The bedrooms, bathroom and living room are complete. So our project this winter is to design and build a kitchen, install flooring in the foyer and kitchen, cut out a new 'entrance' door, and box in the upper stairs to separate the basement unit. The fun begins.

Lower level apartment has walk-out to terrace

My partner and I are still in the design phase for the kitchen layout, but we do know where to put the new window. It will overlook the terrace and take in the morning sun.

It took us all day to build the frame and support structure. We only had 5 or 6 deliberate misses (!)  with the Skilsaw and hammer so we had to pour ourselves a congratulatory glass of wine at the end of the day.

The window cut out. Behind Ian is our winter firewood. 

All fingers accounted for.

And, the install. Shims can be seen here in place and all that's needed is the foam spray, caulking and screws. 

Exterior and interior trim can be tomorrow's job.

Now I need a glass of wine. 

If you need a break from the world, I would strongly suggest immersing yourself in the dream-world / other-world-reality facing Jayden, Connor, Max and Dick in my award-winning Twisted Climb series. You won't be disappointed.

Stay safe everyone.

J.C. Kavanagh, author of

The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends (Book 2)

voted BEST Young Adult Book 2018, Critters Readers Poll and Best YA Book FINALIST at The Word Guild, Canada

AND

The Twisted Climb,

voted BEST Young Adult Book 2016, P&E Readers Poll

Novels for teens, young adults and adults young at heart

Email: author.j.c.kavanagh@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/J.C.Kavanagh

www.amazon.com/author/jckavanagh

Twitter @JCKavanagh1 (Author J.C. Kavanagh)

National Boss Day - good or bad? by J.C. Kavanagh

 

The Twisted Climb 

Book 1 of the award-winning Twisted Climb series

I read on my calendar that today is National Boss Day. I live in Canada and have never heard of this 'national' day, promoted by Hallmark and of course, bosses. I had to chuckle. Boss Day?

And then I had to wonder...  how did National Boss Day come about? I found the answer courtesy of Google and Wikipedia. 

In 1958, a woman by the name of Patricia Bays Haroski from Deerfield, Illinois, wanted to show appreciation for her boss in a special way. It just happens that Patricia's boss was her father and his birthday was October 16, thus Boss Day. Being his daughter and aware of the trials and tribulations of being boss-man and perhaps, a maligned boss-man, she wanted her colleagues to better understand and appreciate the work, dedication and challenges faced by her dad - their boss. The idea must have gone over well because it slowly gained butt-kissing traction, and in 1962, the Illinois Governor officially proclaimed October 16 as National Boss Day.

Now I'm all for a national day - more so when it's a national 'holiday' - but Boss Day? Truly, isn't every day 'Boss Day' when the employee does their job and makes their boss, and therefore the company, look good? Greeting card company Hallmark encourages workers to buy a National Boss Day card (which Hallmark started printing in 1979) so the worker can extol the generosity and fairness of their boss, via the honey-tones of the adjective-laden, bleeding-heart cards.

Let's not destroy the concept, though. Perhaps a reversal? Instead of the employee thanking the boss for being kind and fair, the boss should thank the employee for making his/her job less challenging. I mean, what goes around, comes around - right?

Here's what Mark Stevens, president of the marketing firm MSCO and author of Your Marketing Sucks, says about National Boss Day.

"The dumbest idea I have ever heard of."

Uh huh. I've been my own 'boss' as an author since 2014 when I lost my career job due to business restructuring. Say no more? 

Question for readers: is being bossy the same as being 'bully?' Check out Jayden's character from the award-winning Twisted Climb series and decide if her view of life and her sassy approach to all things not going her way, is bully or bossy. 

Cheers... Happy National Boss Day to me!

J.C. Kavanagh, author of

The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends (Book 2)

voted BEST Young Adult Book 2018, Critters Readers Poll and Best YA Book FINALIST at The Word Guild, Canada

AND

The Twisted Climb,

voted BEST Young Adult Book 2016, P&E Readers Poll

Novels for teens, young adults and adults young at heart

Email: author.j.c.kavanagh@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/J.C.Kavanagh

www.amazon.com/author/jckavanagh

Twitter @JCKavanagh1 (Author J.C. Kavanagh)

The Big Cheese, by J.C. Kavanagh

 

Darkness Descends
Book 2 of the Award-winning Twisted Climb series

Regular BWL blog readers will know that I have a great love of nature, in all its forms. I also have a particular fondness for the moon, in all its eerie glory. I have binoculars that are strong enough for celestial viewing and I take full advantage of clear, night-time skies. Did you know that the moon was formed four and a half billion years ago, about 60 million years after the solar system? Yeah, me neither. 

Scientists hypothesize that the moon was formed when a Mars-sized object hit the earth and the impact was such that a chunk of both the object and the earth ricocheted back into space and began to orbit the earth. Supporting this theory is the fact that the 'dark' side of the moon is 50 km (31 miles) thicker than the 'bright' side, allegedly because the projectile objects fused together. 

Rising full moon from my backyard, winter 2019

I also learned, courtesy of Wikipedia, that approximately five tons of comet particles crash into the moon every 24 hours. Back in 1651, an astronomer named Giovanni Battista Riccioli believed that the flat plains between the moon's craters were water-filled seas. In Latin, they were called 'maria.' Some believed that the cratered surface meant the moon might be composed of a cheesy substance. Today, we know the moon is composed of mainly iron, no dairy. Clear observations of the craters and 'maria' can be seen with the naked eye, and in greater detail courtesy of a good set of binoculars.

Quick view of the moon phases

Astronomers have determined that there are millions of craters on the bright side of the moon, and of those, 300,000 have a diameter greater than 1 km (0.6 mile).

My fascination with the full moon is found in my Twisted Climb books. The three main characters, Jayden, Connor and Max, meet in a moon-lit dream world and embark on many action-filled adventures. Here's a few 'moon' excerpts from The Twisted Climb and Darkness Descends:

Jayden Nanjee looked up. The full moon shone like a ghostly yellow torch against the midnight black of the night sky. The pale, low-lying clouds seemed to hug the earth as the moon peeked in and out of their embrace. 

And...

Creamy puffs of clouds filled the sky, circling the moon in a slow dance. His gaze followed the milky orb as it appeared to slide behind a cloud, throwing the field into murky gloom. 

And...

The moon slid behind a gathering of heavy, bloated clouds, leaving only shadowy blackness. 

And...

The moon was unfolding itself through the parting clouds, creating shadowy figures behind every tree.

And one more...

A yellowish full moon shone brightly from the heavens, ghoulishly displaying its pock-marked face. 

So yes, the moon played a pivotal role in the spooky setting of The Twisted Climb's dream world. If you're looking for a book series that will take you on one crazy adventure after another, then you have to read The Twisted Climb series. Moon-gazing will never be the same.

J.C. Kavanagh, author of
The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends (Book 2)
voted BEST Young Adult Book 2018, Critters Readers Poll and Best YA Book FINALIST at The Word Guild, Canada
AND
The Twisted Climb,
voted BEST Young Adult Book 2016, P&E Readers Poll
Novels for teens, young adults and adults young at heart
Email: author.j.c.kavanagh@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/J.C.Kavanagh
www.amazon.com/author/jckavanagh
Twitter @JCKavanagh1 (Author J.C. Kavanagh)

2020 woes - throw in Shad fly swarm and Gypsy moth infestation, by J.C. Kavanagh

Book 2 of the Award-winning Twisted Climb series

Bugs. They're everywhere in Ontario, Canada.

In June, it started with the shad fly. A swarm of millions. We encountered the swarm near our home in south-central Ontario, and travelled several kilometres until we were clear of them. EW.

Driving into a swarm of shad flies

Smushed shad flies on my truck

... and on the antenna. What the heck?

Shad flies, also called May flies or fish flies (cuz they smell like fish when they're dead),
on the grill of my truck.

The next day, it took me a solid three hours of brush scrubbing and rinsing before the last of the critters were washed off my truck. Again I say - EW!

And then came the gypsy moth caterpillars...

First, they were crawling over trees, eating leaves, decimating forests.

Then, after 'hatching' from the pupae stage, the moths fly in your face, body-slam your back (can they see?), and lay eggs everywhere. Everywhere!

Mating moths (white-coloured female, brown-coloured male) beside tear-shaped pupae

The female gypsy moth and their egg patches

In Canada, duct tape is used for just about anything...
though this property owner forgot to put the 'sticky' side, out.

The gypsy moths (Latin name Lymantria dispar dispar), originated in Europe and were first detected in Ontario, Canada, in 1969. There have been multiple outbreaks over the years and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources staff agree that this infestation is the worst one since 1990. Gypsy moth caterpillars are voracious eaters and prefer oak, maple, basswood, beech and white pine. They will eat the leaves/needles of these trees, stripping them to bare branches. While defoliation won't kill the tree, the damage will cause a significant decrease in the tree's natural growth. Surprising fact: only the caterpillars eat - the adult moths survive for about two weeks with the sole purpose of mating / laying eggs. I was recently camping at Killbear Provincial Park near Parry Sound and I can say first-hand the infestation there is horrible. Gypsy moths were everywhere. EW!

Personally, moths, caterpillars and shad flies don't bother me. But spiders... oh they bother me a lot. So it was with great goose-bumps and shudders that I included big, black, hairy, hand-sized spiders in Book 2 of The Twisted Climb series, Darkness Descends. Uncovering a spiders' nest is just one of many adventures encountered by Jayden, Connor and Max. If you love action / adventure / suspense / drama and a hint of the paranormal, you'll love The Twisted Climb books. No EWs involved. Well, maybe a few. Enjoy!

J.C. Kavanagh, author of

The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends (Book 2)

voted BEST Young Adult Book 2018, Critters Readers Poll and Best YA Book FINALIST at The Word Guild, Canada

AND

The Twisted Climb,

voted BEST Young Adult Book 2016, P&E Readers Poll

Novels for teens, young adults and adults young at heart

Email: author.j.c.kavanagh@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/J.C.Kavanagh

www.amazon.com/author/jckavanagh

Twitter @JCKavanagh1 (Author J.C. Kavanagh)

My lost boy, by J.C. Kavanagh

The Twisted Climb, Book 1 of the award-winning Twisted Climb series

Covid has brought about many changes to family life. Routines have been upended, patience has been tested, relationships have become stronger, or in some cases, weaker. Physical limitations have strained many a family, including mine. However, even before Covid came about, I was slowly wilting under the estrangement of my oldest son who is in his 30s. I don’t know what I did but it doesn’t seem to matter. He just doesn’t want any part of me. I wither inside.

As many writers do to unlock the emotion within, I took pen to paper (literally), and wrote this poem.

My lost boy

The first breath

The first cry

The joy in my heart

I cannot lie

He was beauty and perfection

Wrapped in cotton so fine

My first-born son

Graced my life and my family

A wee little brother for a loving big sister

The years flew by

And my baby shed his baby

He became a young boy

A big talker

A better skater

Hockey was his fuel

His talent seemed limitless

Scouts came a-watching

Team Canada came a-calling

Until the slam

Until the bam

Until the snapped shoulder

Made his dreams a sham

There was no turning back

There is no ‘undo’

It is what it is

And life goes on

But bitter is the soul

Whose dream was so big

Smashed by a smash

A shoulder no longer seen

Just like the dream

It flitted so brightly

A star in the sky

Dreamt so mightily

The consolation continued, but

The bitterness grew

And became a cement stone

Taking root, growing bold.

Fingers pointed outward, never within

Blame took hold, and joy died within

Where is my boy, my handsome son so fine

He is lost in his darkness, hands over his eyes

My love can’t seem to reach him

Though I try and I try

I will not stop, no, I cannot stop

For a mother’s love and

God’s good grace

Remains unwavering... 

I’m waiting

* * * 

Stay safe everyone. This too, shall pass.

And, on a much lighter note, I do have a great suggestion to pass the time at home this summer - read my award-winning books. If you like action / adventure / suspense / drama and a dash of paranormal, then The Twisted Climb series will take you to all those places. Enjoy!

J.C. Kavanagh, author of

The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends (Book 2)

voted BEST Young Adult Book 2018, Critters Readers Poll and Best YA Book FINALIST at The Word Guild, Canada

AND

The Twisted Climb,

voted BEST Young Adult Book 2016, P&E Readers Poll

Novels for teens, young adults and adults young at heart

Email: author.j.c.kavanagh@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/J.C.Kavanagh

www.amazon.com/author/jckavanagh

Twitter @JCKavanagh1 (Author J.C. Kavanagh)

Hard pants, by J.C. Kavanagh

The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends 

Book 2 of the award-winning Twisted Climb series

In a world where there seems to be less and less humour and more and more hardship, the English language has - how would you say it - blown up. Indeed, it seems that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to life a linguistic creativity that unites us all. There are so many new terms / words developed in the last six months, and in many ways, these terms have broadened the way we live and cope through these troubling times.

I'd like to promote more humour so I've compiled a few terms I've made up, together with some I've learned and others researched on the web.

Hard Pants: when you have to leave the house and replace your sweat pants or flannel pyjamas (soft pants), with jeans. I have to wear my hard pants to the store. They're sooo tight.

Cornteen: the intentional misspelling of quarantine. I'm getting so fat during this cornteen.

Covidiot: a person who disregards social distancing and safety guidelines. Look at those people on the beach. Bunch of covidiots.

Moronavirus: another term/form of quarantine shaming for those not following health and safety guidelines. He speaks so moistly and without a face mask! What a moronavirus.

Quarantini: a slang term for day-drinking while under quarantine. It's after 2... time for a quarantini anyone?

WFH: the acronym for Working From Home. WTF, I can't take anymore of this WFH.

CovKilos: the weight gained during COVID-19 gym closures/restrictions and WFH. These CovKilos are making it impossible to wear my hard pants. Pour me another quarantini.

Coronials: They're on their way. A reference to the generation of children conceived during the pandemic. Yeah, I'm a coronial. Want my autograph?

Skunk-Stripe: the natural, un-tinted white stripe at the top of your head and hairline. I'm desperate for my hairdresser! This skunk-stripe is making me look like a granny. 

Sheepdog: a person's hairstyle after four months without a hairdresser/barber. Hey sheepdog! You'd win a sheep-shearing contest with that hairdo.

Stay safe everyone. This too, shall pass. And, I do have a great suggestion to pass the time at home - read my award-winning books. If you like action / adventure / suspense / drama and a dash of paranormal, then The Twisted Climb books will take you to all those places. Enjoy!

J.C. Kavanagh, author of

The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends (Book 2)

voted BEST Young Adult Book 2018, Critters Readers Poll and Best YA Book FINALIST at The Word Guild, Canada

AND

The Twisted Climb,

voted BEST Young Adult Book 2016, P&E Readers Poll

Novels for teens, young adults and adults young at heart

Email: author.j.c.kavanagh@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/J.C.Kavanagh

www.amazon.com/author/jckavanagh

Twitter @JCKavanagh1 (Author J.C. Kavanagh)

Nature can be so cruel, by J.C. Kavanagh

  

The Twisted Climb - DarknessDescends 

Book 2 of the award-winning Twisted Climb series

The animal kingdom often reveals that life is a test of survival of the fittest. Or sometimes, being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Case in point: my neighbour has a mini-farm housing a good variety of birds. She's got Guinea Hens (think bread box with a clown face), swans, chickens, geese and a pen full of peacocks. All these birds make noise. And eggs. Lots of eggs. Who doesn't love fresh eggs, straight from the chicken? Actually, what doesn't like eggs is more the question. Weasels love eggs, fishers love eggs, racoons love eggs, snakes love eggs, and so does the sly fox.

Clown-faced bread box aka the Guinea Hen

My neighbour's geese occasionally come to visit

Newest adult male peacock visiting my home. I call him Turkwise.

Percy, the one-year-old male peacock, shaking his booty.
Note the still-developing tail feathers.

Percy and his brother, Snickety. 

My Ian feeding the peacock brothers

Percy and Snickety are peacock brothers, approximately one year old in the pictures above, which were taken a couple of weeks ago. Their 'human,' my neighbour, gives them free rein of her property and since her Guinea Hens come to visit me, the peacock brothers have decided that our home is also worthy of a daily visit. The young peacocks are quite domesticated and will run to me the moment I'm in view. If I'm inside, they'll peck on the windows for my attention and my endless supply of bread.

Alas, this is the part where nature can be cruel.

A fox has been seen wandering about our properties. It has a lame front paw and is often seen during the day. My neighbour notices that chicken eggs and goose eggs are disappearing. She reinforces the metal fencing surrounding the pens, ensuring an animal cannot easily dig its way in. Then she lets the peacock brothers out of their pen - the parents and one sibling prefer to stay in the pen but the brothers love their freedom. Out they go and are immediately joined by the newest peacock, a blue and white new fellow who came out of the woods and adopted them. I named him Turkwise, due to his turquoise colour and the fact that my granddaughter pronounces the colour as 'Turkwise.'
Shortly after they are released, the sound of shrieking peacocks fill the air. Peacock feathers drift down. My neighbour runs out in time to see a fox slinking away with one of the peacocks in its mouth. She chases it to one of her outbuildings where she discovers two young fox kits. Mother fox has caught their dinner.

Nature giveth and nature taketh away. Poor Percy.

Stay safe everyone.

J.C. Kavanagh, author of

The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends (Book 2)

voted BEST Young Adult Book 2018, Critters Readers Poll and Best YA Book FINALIST at The Word Guild, Canada

AND

The Twisted Climb,

voted BEST Young Adult Book 2016, P&E Readers Poll

Novels for teens, young adults and adults young at heart

Email: author.j.c.kavanagh@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/J.C.Kavanagh

www.amazon.com/author/jckavanagh

Twitter @JCKavanagh1 (Author J.C. Kavanagh)