Finding Albion

I just finished reading this fantastic book and it clarified some things about my relationship to the UK. Turns out I’m not the only one who has been seduced by myths and fantasies about England—the British have, too. I’m trying to insert some of these illusions into my novel but my main character is just eleven years old. She’s a PK (professor’s kid) but I can’t make her too precocious. I do have her mother quoting Stuart Hall…but mostly I’m trying to tell a good story. It may have a bit too much “Brum” flavor; as an outsider, everything I learn about the city and its residents is fascinating but that doesn’t mean it all has to go in the novel. I’ve already considered writing a short companion novel about the other main character’s teenage sister. It’s Halloween this weekend and I think I’ll end The Button in the Bog with All Saints Day. Maybe my character will build an altar for her brother. There are lots of possibilities…

It was my birthday on Monday and I had a nice low-key day. Got my Covid shot, wrote a little, went for a walk, got some cake. The weather has been pretty stormy but Tuesday was mild and sunny once more so I walked over to Winterbourne House & Garden on the U of B campus. I was early so I did a little research for the novel and then joined all the seniors waiting for the grounds to open. I knew within ten minutes that buying a membership was worthwhile and suspect I’ll be over there two or three times a month. The manicured gardens are lovely but there’s also a gate that leads to a much larger park with a lake. I’d walked fifteen thousand steps by the time I got home so will definitely need to work on my stamina or start stretching again. My hips are still aching. I miss my Montreal osteopath!

Today I went for a power walk and then slowed down to explore Moseley Bog for the sixth time. I was searching for the fen and I finally found it. Then I discovered a path I’d never taken before and it led to a corner of the bog I’d somehow missed on all those other visits. Now I can expand the two chapters that are set in the bog. I’ve been trying to unplug or at least watch less TV. I bought a BBC license and that gives me access to over four hundred channels. But I’ve also been puzzling and that keeps me away from screens. Just invited a friend to brunch this weekend and will try to get into the city more. I caught a matinee downtown last weekend and joined my local cinema. There was an interesting exhibit in the adjacent art center and they offer dozens of courses. I’m not a joiner but I need to plug into something. Right now I’m spending too much time at home, inside my head. The clocks fell back last weekend, which means winter is coming…