Community Bench Initiative: This initiative is near and dear to my heart.
Books by Audrey Austin
The theme of this blog is creative writing. Any writing on this blog by authors other than myself is by permission of the author. I've written many poems, short stories, novellas, novels, and more. I hope you will want to get to know me and, of course, I hope you will want to buy a book or two.
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Let's Make Elliot Lake Walkable for Everyone
Monday, April 15, 2024
Friday, April 12, 2024
Book Launch of Moose Road, a Canadian Tragedy
Sharing a happy memory here! This book launch took place 11 years ago and I remember the celebration like it was yesterday.
Thank you Elliot Lake! The book launch of my fourth novel Moose Road - a Canadian Tragedy was a wonderful success. Special thanks to Mayor Hamilton for drawing the names of the winners; special thanks to Dayeton Larson for his rendition of Old Moose Road and the wonderful music provided throughout the book signing; special thanks to Paul Kazulak for being there with his camera and a very special thanks to my daughter Susan Ruby K., not only for the beautiful cover design and illustrations throughout the book, but also for her wonderful emotional support and encouragement. I appreciate it very much and thank you everyone who attended.
To those of you who purchased a book, thank you and I hope you like the story. Thank you everyone for your support of Maplegate House for Women's proposed animal shelter. And thank you Naomi, for being there to explain to us what the project is all about. Oh, and thank you to Jessica from The Standard. I hope in all my excitement I made some sense in the interview.
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Community Market
This Sunday, April 7th, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. you will find me at the Moose Lodge, one of the vendors in the Community Marketplace.
With me, I will have copies of some of my books, a few paintings, and I will be available to offer the opportunity of Chakra Readings to anyone interested.
Hope to see you there. And for those of you who can't make it, you will find all my books exclusively on all Amazon sites. Visit my author's page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin
Thursday, March 28, 2024
What are my books about?
This is a bit long, but the reading will give you an idea as to what my books are all about. I will have copies of some of my books with me at The Moose Lodge on April 7th. All my books are available exclusively on all Amazon sites. My author's page is found at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin
Saturday, March 16, 2024
My Irish Connection
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!
The Dawson family who came to the area in the 17th century has been the main benefactor of the parish ever since. It was Richard Dawson, a banker and Dublin alderman, who in 1729 built the present (Church of Ireland) church on the Dartrey estate. It was established in its own separate parish of Ematris soon after.
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Dull Women's Club
It wasn't until today that I knew there is a Dull Women's Club. The name jumped out at me and invited me to join. Kudos to the individual(s) who started this club.
Monday, February 19, 2024
Family Day 2024
FAMILY DAY 2024
My sister, Linda, has done a lot of work on the genealogy of my maternal grandmother's family which was the Dawson family. I understand that this side of my family originated somewhere in France but that, at some point in history, they moved to Ireland where the name Dossine (sp) was changed to Dawson.
I met my maternal grandmother only once. She lived in her home on P.E.I. and that's where my mother, aunts and uncles were born. I was five years old when I traveled with my Mom and my sister to the little Village of Tryon.
I don't have a lot of memories of that visit but I do remember meeting my Grandma. Unfortunately she passed away when I was still a young child so I didn't have the opportunity to get to know her well. I never had the opportunity to meet my maternal grandfather.
My Mom was born in Tryon in 1906, and that is where she lived with her parents and siblings until the family later made a move to the City of Summerside. My Mom was living and working as a legal secretary in Summerside when she met my Dad.
My Dad was born in 1906. His mother, my paternal Grandmother, had passed away and my Grandfather later married for the second time.
My paternal grandfather was, as I remember, a big, tall man. He worked as the Jailer in the Springhill Jail, Nova Scotia.
I met him on the same trip when I was five years old. It was a thrilling experience as I recall that we kids were allowed to spend the night in a jail cell. So exciting! I'm thankful today to say that it is the only night I've ever spent in a jail.
I did not meet my paternal grandmother but I did meet my grandad's second wife, Florence. I was never close to her and, in fact, I didn't care for her much when I was a young child. She had been employed as pianist for the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, I was told. Yet, when I asked her if she would help me to learn how to play piano, she refused. That, in itself, was enough for me to dislike her.
My Mom and Dad met in Summerside, were married there in the Presbyterian Church. They made their home in Summerside, had two children, my big sister, Eleanor, and my big brother, Ken. Sadly both these siblings have passed away.
During the ugly depression days, in the dirty thirties, my Dad moved to Toronto leaving my Mom and siblings on P.E.I. with family members. Once he was employed and had found a home for the family, my parents reunited. In Toronto four more children were born to my parents. My big sister, Muriel, sadly passed away at too early an age, a victim of cancer.
I'm now the oldest of our three remaining siblings. My sister, Linda, is 4 years younger; my brother, Ray almost 3 years younger. Today we are all seniors, all with children and grandchildren.
My mother was blessed to become a grandmother, but my Dad, sadly passed away at the young age of 49. He did not survive to meet all the beautiful children that later joined our family.
Today, I am very proud mom to two beautiful daughters, grandmother to three handsome and intelligent grandsons; great-gram to one pretty, energetic three year old girl, and soon to be great-gram to another little girl this coming June.
Family means the world to me. I consider myself blessed to love and to be loved by so many.
There was no such thing as 'Family Day' when I was a young Mom raising my kids. I think it's a wonderful idea and, today, with both parents often working outside the home, the long weekend gives a family the time to relax together and to enjoy each other's company.
I wish everyone a very Happy Family Day, 2024!
Below is an AI picture that I put together to honour this occasion. When I was a child, our family spent many, many evenings gathered around the table playing board games, word games, all kinds of fun games. I don't know if families still do this today or not. Maybe everyone is off by himself, phone in hand. I know these family game times were an important part of my childhood and I hold them close in my happy memories of a long-ago childhood.
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Moose Road, a Canadian Tragedy FREE in the Kindle Store
This weekend, Friday, January 19th to Sunday, January 21st inclusive, Moose Road, a Canadian Tragedy is FREE in the Kindle Store for your reading enjoyment.
Thursday, January 4, 2024
MORE POartRY and PROSE
Look what arrived this morning! This may be my 26th publication, but the joy I feel holding
a new book in my hand is always exciting. I have just this one copy today ....... but I've ordered
five more so please tell me you want one.
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Sara, a Canadian Saga
https://www.amazon.ca/SARA.../dp/B00H0H33JG/ref=sr_1_1...
Friday, December 29, 2023
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Setting a Goal for 2024
Another Christmas is over. And we look ahead to a new year.
I also look ahead to a new year and pray that it will be a better one for our world than the one we are currently sharing. For too many of our neighbours, the gifts received during 2023 are hunger, poverty, illness, violence, hatred and war.
Yes, there are pockets of light in this dark world. We all need to let our light shine.
Setting a goal for the new year is always a good idea. Mine is to write THE Great Canadian Novel. I have my idea. I've begun my research and I plan to have my 26th publication available before Christmas of 2024. I don't have a title yet. Once I do, I'll let you know.
If setting a goal is too big a challenge in these difficult times, then having a direction is a good place to start. Take the first step and then the next. If there is the occasional backward step, that's okay. It's okay because you have your direction firmly in your mind and sometimes, surprisingly, what seems like a backward step is a necessity allowing you to see greater possibilities.
Despite personal losses, periods of illness, moments of indecision, 2023 has been good to me. I hope it has been good to you too.
I wish my readers all good things coming your way in 2024. Most of all, I wish you peace and love - just like the hippies back in the sixties. Loving one another! What a victory that would be for our world! To love our neighbour as we love ourselves sounds like a simple matter, doesn't it?
But most of us have learned the lesson. We have learned that it is not always easy to be simple.
To my fellow authors, keep that ink flowing! Don't be discouraged. Take the first step. Set your writing goal for 2024.
One of my favourite movies from back in the nineties, is The City of Joy. I think of Hasari's father who said to his son, "Remember, a man's journey to the end of his obligations is a very long road. It may not be what you expect."
When we set a goal, choose a direction, take the first step, we are demonstrating intention.
Having said that, I immediately think of my dear mother who often shared the cliche, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
Still we take the steps. Set your goal. Choose your direction. Mostly, I wish you peace as we look ahead with hope to a new year.
Thursday, December 21, 2023
MORE POartRY and PROSE
I am very excited to announce my new release exclusively on Amazon. MORE POartRY and PROSE is now available in both Paperback and Kindle formats.
In this book I celebrate the trinity of creative writing, painting, and poetry. The second book in a series, MORE POartRY and PROSE joins POartRY and PROSE for your reading and viewing pleasure.
Although these books come in both Kindle and Paperback formats I recommend you choose the Paperback to enjoy the artwork in colour. Kindle is okay but the paintings are presented in only black and white.
I hope you will enjoy both books and thank you to my readers for your continued encouragement and support.
My author's page is found at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Life is good and life goes on..........
My dear sister, Eleanor, passed away this morning, December 17, 2023. I'm one of six siblings. My elder brother, Ken, passed away in 2017. My lovely sister, Muriel, passed away in 2005. My husband, John, father of my children, died fairly recently. My dear Brian passed away August 29, 2017. My mother made her transition in 1990 and I was just a child of thirteen when my father died.
I have also lost grandparents, mother-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, many dear friends and many precious pets who have passed away.
I am well acquainted with grief and loss. There are many beautiful people I have been blessed to know and love.
Still, I believe that life is good and life goes on.
I believe in life after death - life everlasting.
Very recently I was quite ill with covid which, combined with COPD, gave me a very nasty month to endure. At one point prior to my trip to our local hospital's emergency department I seriously thought that perhaps it was my time to leave. Thankfully, I have survived.
I've always said that I am unafraid of death but I do fear pain and suffering. I know that fear is the opposite to love. I am trying to release myself from that fear because, for most humans, pain and suffering is the inevitable introduction to death.
Once we die, we are alive again, and we are able to leave all pain and suffering behind as we continue our life adventure.
I loved my dear sister and I have loved many who have passed. My love for them is alive and well.
Rest in peace, dear Eleanor. May you be peacefully reunited with all those you have loved who have passed before you. Life is good and life goes on. xoxoxox
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Covid
Today is Saturday, December 9, 2023. Here in Elliot Lake, it is a mild but rainy day.
Thankfully, my covid experience is on its way out. Symptoms like a cough, shortness of breath, and tiredness remain but each day I am feeling a little more like my healthier self.
Covid has given me a most undesirable, sometimes frightening, month. At one point, when I could not catch a breath, I was most grateful to my grandson who wasted no time getting me into the emergency department of our local hospital.
My underlying COPD condition assisted the nasty covid to do its best to stop me in my tracks. I truly thought maybe it was time for me to exit the planet.
Believing transition was a good possibility, my biggest concern was my little cat, Misty. Who would care for her? Who would love her as she deserves to be loved?
Today I know I need to do one of two things. I must outlive my adorable little Misty. Or I must find someone willing to share their home with her should I need to leave.
I found no pleasure in feeling unmotivated to paint, to write, to cook, to clean, to do anything. At the same time, I allowed myself to slip into the tiredness allowing it to be what it needed to be.
I do not like to take medication but I am very grateful for that received. Breathing became less a challenge in time.
Finally, I tested negative for covid. I wish it on no one and I pray I will never experience it again.
I am living in a complex, complicated world. It isn't always easy to remember to be in the world but not of the world. But I try. I'm told God loves a tryer and I know I must be found very trying.
I am an old lady, yet even this old lady can attest to the fact that life is very short. Monday, Friday, Monday, Friday over many years, many events, many discouragements, many successes, many memories have come and have gone.
I think of my friend, Jane, who asks why. Why do we have war? Why is there hunger? Why can't we all just get along?
When will we ever learn? Never? Too much time is squandered.
The most wise man said, "love one another". It sounds like a simple thing to do. But, I guess, it's not always easy to be simple.
In this world of darkness please keep your light shining.
Sing your songs, paint your pictures, write your stories, love your neighbour, and take good care of yourself and those you love.
Trust the power of love, the power of one. Do your best! That, I guess, is all any one of us can do.
And, since this is my books' blog, thanks for buying a book or two.
Thanks for listening.
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Moose Road, a Canadian Tragedy
Moose Road, a Canadian Tragedy has received many positive reviews. Let me
share one of them with you.
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2014
Austin is able to show us one tragedy from every point of view except the moose. The
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Sunday, November 5, 2023
My 24 paperback publications
These are the very first copies of my 24 paperback publications exclusively on Amazon.
Please check out my books at my author's page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin
POartRY and PROSE
Creative Writing is my passion. Creating paintings with oil or acrylic paints is also my passion. POartRY and PROSE is the marriage of the two.