It has been a  busy month for researching and writing.  I am at the early stages of a book where I am totally preoccupied with the thousand and one details that need to be verified which, while it is fascinating, takes time. As I get into a chapter, I try not to rush as I want to shape the chapter to fit into what I have already written and what I expect to happen next. Of course, sometimes I find a fact in my research that forces me to go back and change a previous chapter. As I say—time-consuming but sometimes thrilling. Naturally, this is the time that my service provider inexplicably lowered the speed of service (called mbps for some reason I haven’t figured out) and such a reduced speed restricts my ability to access big programs such as the British Museum. Telus is working on it, but in the meantime, I’m scheduling visits to my local library to use their computers when I get stymied.

I spent four days in Victoria at the Royal Museum Archives looking up old accounts, diaries and government reports. The staff was helpful and searched questions for me, so that was efficient. Their computers worked just fine.

This is the view Molly had from the hotel window. I took Moly my cat because she is too old and infirm to leave with anyone. She didn’t have a health crisis and enjoyed the view of the harbour from our hotel room. There was lots for her to see: seagulls flying, ferries coming and going, and float planes taking off and landing. She takes luggage: emergency medical supplies, food, litter, towels, and blankets. I forgot the toys and had to buy her one.

I dropped into Munro’s book store—that is one amazing bookstore—and met my publisher for lunch. My children went to high school in Victoria, so I know the city fairly well; it doesn’t seem to change much at least the downtown area. I managed to find my way around. Christmas decorations made Government Street appear very nineteenth century.

“It’s never too early for Christmas decorations,” my niece who lives in Victoria informed me. “People feel brighter and happier if they feel the spirit, so I say ‘Bring it on’”. Good point. I’ll get into the spirit myself.

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