“The playwright Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) was asked once what he thought about ethics. He replied, “Grub first, then ethics.” ... What Brecht was saying in a metaphorical sense was that survival comes before morality. You eat first, then pray for the soul of the man you just murdered for his pot roast.” (Google Chrome)

So: grocery order first then blog. Anon, anon…

I had a lot to do yesterday and I ended up with time for only one more task before bed. My choice was between my grocery order, to be delivered Saturday morning, or my daily (?) blog. Groceries came first.

It had been a busy day. I had a long-awaited visit to a Pain Clinic. I’ve been working at it myself (pain) with swimming and exercise but I needed to know how to get off the final drug I had been prescribed and how long it will take. I had read the warnings online that the drug (to dull the receptors and ease the nerve pain) could be addictive. I don’t like the thought of that. I have to be careful. So I got a prognosis and a plan of action with a timeline, which I have already begun. If all goes well, if I can tough it out with any unpleasant withdrawal reactions, I should be able to have champagne for Thanksgiving—something to look forward to. I haven’t been drinking at all, with all the painkillers and nerve drug I’ve been taking.

Now if could just regain some energy. I have work to do.

Deliver Your News, Your Way. ( I should have read this five years ago.) Now we are being told how to turn our (my) blog into an online book marketing machine. (I wish.) “Announce your activities, events you’re going to attend, new titles (?), awards you’ve won, media coverage —all your book-related activities.” Well, a friend in Winnipeg sent me a clipping from a June issue of the Winnipeg Free Press. In celebration of 150 years of Manitoba history, they’re running articles from past issues over the years . The clipping my friend sent is a piece i wrote about The Boy With a Boot, a much-loved fountain in Assiniboine Park. I remember I did a lot of research for it and today I am impressed with the knowledge of facts i had forgotten and also with The Manitoba Historical Society that preserved my article. Nice to be remembered. The events I will be attending this fall are virtual events: a reading in October at the University Women’s Club of Toronto (It might even be live?), about my new book, Endings. Another October date has been arranged by a new swimming friend with her book club, discussing one of my favourite books, Reading between The Lines: The Diaries of Women. I hope they can find copies; it’s been long since remaindered. In November I will talk some more about my new book, Endings, to the book club in the ICCT (Icelandic Canadian Club of Toronto.), of which I am a member. They had to ask me and I’m grateful. Otherwise, my book-related activities are limited to my reading, which I report.
Share your Journey: “A blog can be part personal diary, part “making of”documentary—reporting on my “adventures “ in writing and, I might add, in research, which I thoroughly enjoy and i like to share discoveries.
Post Often. I have told you, I launched my blog intending it to be a daily record of my Round the World Cruise. It wasn’t round the world, just the southern hemisphere, but it was a daily travelblog.
Report On Your Topic. Well. duh.
Extend Link Love. Cross-referencing is explained. I don’t do that.
Make Your Blog Post Titles Sizzle. Grab attention when you can. I try.
Promote New books As You Write Them. I’m not sure about this. Will it create buzz or boredom? I don’t want it to go flat in me.

That’s it, other than finding your services. I’m just a babe in the woods. You tell me more.