I love Spring.
I love the external parts — warmer weather (in theory), budding trees, blooming flowers, robins hopping around my backyard — but I also love the internal signs of Spring: the newness, the attitude, the lightness — the feeling that things are just beginning; that the heaviness of winter is being shed and anything is possible.
I love the anticipation of smelling fresh-cut grass and walking in the park and reading out in the sun. I love that everyone’s mood is just a bit brighter and we all look at each other and nod as if to say, “We did it! We made it through another Saskatchewan winter! Now, let’s go have a beer on a patio.”
I remember one year, in one of the many cities I lived in, when I was going through a rough time. I’ve been through more than one rough time in my life, as all of us have, so my plan was just to ride it out like I always did, not really giving it much thought. I remember sitting in my living room looking out the patio doors at my gorgeous roof-top patio up in the trees, noting the blooming buds, briefly acknowledging that I didn’t feel my normal Spring-fuelled bubbly hope and excitement.
It wasn’t until a few days later that I realized that not feeling anything but apathy about the end of winter was a sign that things had gotten pretty bad. That the fact that I wasn’t excited about Spring meant things were much worse than I thought. That it was probably time to leave. Because if Spring couldn’t bring me out of my current slide into emotional quicksand, then nothing would.
So, I left. And things got better. And I learned to pay closer attention to how I feel at this time of year. And any time of year for that matter.
I tend to leave when things get bad. To leave instead of confront. To cut ties to avoid conflict. I’ve moved apartments and left cities and ended friendships because it was easier than dealing with something I didn’t want to. This is something I’m working on.
But I also leave when I know I have to. To save myself. To choose the path that is least likely to break me. And I’m proud of those times. Because, like life, Spring is fleeting. And what’s the point if you’re not going to enjoy it?
There’s a thin line between choosing and settling. And I will always choose.
Spring is here, my friends. Let’s enjoy the shit out of it.
Super fun contest!
Remember this?
No? You should read it.
Yes? I’m working on a new, free romance novella to help promote Love, Julie, and it features the same four, (spoiler alert) magical women that melted hearts (mine) in Running from Christmas!
This is where you come in. I need help with the title.
The premise: a lonely woman in her 50s decides to audition for a community theatre production, hoping to meet some friends or MAYBE the man of her dreams. While there, she meets and befriends four amazing women who, in a mind-blowing plot twist, are the same amazing women Charlotte met in Running from Christmas.
The contest: What do you think the title should be? Reply in the comments or via email with your idea for the title; I would love it if it could involve theatre in some way. You are welcome to enter as many times as you like, but you can only get the physical prize if you live in Canada. Shipping is EXPENSIVE, you guys. The non-physical prize is that you get credit for the title of my new, free novella, and that’s pretty cool too. If there are multiple entries of the same title, the first person to suggest that title wins.
What is the physical prize?
This (the bag):
I know, I should have been a model, but I decided to write instead, ok? No, the sweet pajama pants are not included.
The contest runs until May 22nd - I will post who won in the June newsletter and on social after that.
Good luck!
What I’m reading
I’m only about a quarter of the way through this but, so far, it’s pretty good. It’s slow-moving and a bit quieter than the novels I usually read, but I really like the writing. It’s about hockey and small towns and the secrets that bind them together. It’s described as “Friday Night Lights, but for hockey” and Friday Night Lights was one of my favourite shows of all time, so I have high expectations. Apparently, it’s also a series now on HBO. I’ll probably check that out after I’m done the book. Although if Tim Riggins isn’t in it, I don’t really see the point.
What I’ve read
I’ve never read anything by Ellery Lloyd (husband and wife duo) but I really enjoyed this. It’s a quick read, typical thriller about a club for famous people where murders happen and stuff. I thought the plot was great and the characters enjoyable. I found my attention wandering but that was only because I was trying to determine whether or not I will be able to actually write something like this because it seems very challenging. Ellery Lloyd, if either of you are reading this, I could use some tips. Thanks in advance.
Substack Reccos:
is a really good newsletter if you like reading about tech, specifically online stuff. Right now they're covering a lot about AI and Twitter turning into an (even bigger) toxic dumpster fire (my words). They also have a great podcast if you're into that sort of thing.
Thanks for reading!
What about the title being the plot thickens
Dianne Boisvert
dlaw2002@hotmail.com