Griffin and Sabine postcard by Nick Bantock

Hi friends,

I’ve been blogging on this here ‘ol site for a good six years now. I started on xanga and made the switch to wordpress a while back. In xanga-land we had an awesome community feel, with comments reaching upwards of 10-20 per post. These days this blog is silent, save for comments from blog-reader-and-now-dear-friend Julia and my stepmom. (Thanks guys!) I think part of the reason is that I am uploading the site to facebook so a lot of you are commenting there instead of here.

I guess, what I am trying to say is: “I miss you!!” I miss your comments right here on “The Poetry of Life” — christinacrook.com.

I want to know my readers, ‘talk’ with you and interact with your feedback and comments. I want to know what parts of this site you love — confessions? poetry? words for thought? pictures? recipes? snapshots of life? Please share your thoughts… 

Here’s how I hope to get you to say “Hi!” –

Comment below (here, on the blog, not on facebook) and include your mailing address (if you prefer not to write it on the site, leave your e-mail address and I will send you a message to get it.)

Within the week I will mail you a postcard with a type-written quote! I have a vast collection of postcards — Griffin and Sabine, CBC Radio 3, vintage ones collected at garage sales… Request one, or wait and be surprised! I’ll feature the cards and quotes here in the weeks to come.

Hoping to hear from you…

xo Christina

I need to publicly thank Heather B. Armstrong for showing me that Twitter is good for something.

Dooce it up people. It will make you smile smile smile. Thanks to Meg for introducing me. (Hope your road trip is going swimmingly, Miss W.) ;)  

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ps. no bebe yet.

This week, my friend Jen shared her thoughts on writing on her fabulous blog, Champagne Wednesdays. I’ve included her post and my response below. I’d also love to hear your thoughts — fellow writers, bloggers — please take a moment and share them.

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Jen @ Champagne Wednesdays

“I come out of my blogernation (that’s the words blogging and hiberation conjoined like wiggly newborn twins) to bring you this article.

Is writing for the rich?

To me, it often seems  like more of a luxury than I can afford (whether that be with the riches of time, energy, currency, etc). My fellow blogger Christina, on the other hand, meets the sacrifice with devotion, and makes it all look very glamourous in the meantime (yes, even in a green barista apron). Her practice works - and career-wise, seems to be working very well for her. That is not to say, however, that writing isn’t still a huge struggle even for the successful - and living off of it a whole different story.  I write without expectation of pay. Mostly in private, but sometimes (here) very publicly. I can only imagine that if you were willing to fundraise for my employer for free, I would be ousted in no time at all.  

So I ask then is writing now purely for the hobbyists? Do I dillute the efforts of the truly brilliant with my on-air ramblings?

I wonder. I wonder. I wonder…out loud.

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My response:

Jen. Your post took me by surprise. Sent me into a bit of an afternoon tailspin.

I write for a living. It’s true.

It isn’t glamorous. Even without the green apron (which I tossed for good last September.) Writing is a lonely pursuit and requires a self-discipline that evades me all too often. But it is worth the effort in the end because, after all, we writers must write because we must.

All the same, writing for a living is an incredible gift. Your post, more than anything, reminded me of this. And I want to thank you.

Many writers will turn a phrase for free. I won’t, but I will write copy. We, the trust-fund free, must write for love and for milk.

I have much to be grateful for. Thank you for the reminder.

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What are your thoughts? Is writing just for the rich?

One of the more exciting projects I am working on at the moment is developing a blog for Billy Graham Canada. It’s called Soul Chat.

It’s based on a simple concept: Run a one-minute radio or TV spot on stations across Canada. (Similar to the WonderCafe print campaign.) Use the space to cut through the noisy clutter and offer thoughts on the deep questions that every person has. Who am I? Is there more to life than what I see with my eyes? Who is God? Then provide a place online where these ideas can be explored further, where conversations can begin, and where a community can be built.

You can view the site here: www.soulchatcanada.blogspot.com.

I have about 10 posts up to date. The topics are broad and I’m having a lot of fun with it. I’ll be sharing some of posts on here from time to time, to get your thoughts. Also, I’m looking for bloggers to contribute content, so if you’re interested please drop me an e-mail at christina[at]thewordstudio.ca.

We’ve just gone LIVE with the site and I’d love to hear your thoughts here, in the comments, on the concept and the content.

Also, we’re trying to spread the word about the blog — so, if you’re inclined, please share it with your friends, blog about it, tell your hairdresser. We want to get Canadians talking.

Love, Christina

This Sunday my brother James and his wife Jocelyn came to visit. Michael and I spent the morning prepping for brunch and enjoying a brisk walk around Killarney Lake before picking J&J up from the ferry. While Michael and I cooked up bacon, omelets, bagels and a bodum of coffee, they explored the property. James loved the mini-orchard complete with leaning ladders, the stone fireplace, wooden bridge, brushed stainless and rough counter tops of the Cowper kitchen — a chef’s dream, he said.

After brunch we played Settlers and then went in search of Sicilian donkeys (!!) claimed to be raised at the farm up the road. We found some stray cats, but no donkeys.

Later James whipped us up a pot of butternut squash soup, flank steak, baked squash and risotto — topping it all off with home-canned peaches and vanilla ice cream. Oh the blessing of a brother/chef. ;)

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Jesse Fin Groot.

Yesterday I decided to cut out early, take advantage of the gorgeous Fall weather and my proximity to Whistler, and sped up the bumpy Sea-to-Sky to spend the afternoon with my adorable nephews, Jesse and Reuben. We picked out (what turned out to be a baking) pumpkin and played in the park while mom and dad got a mini-break.

I just adore my nephews. They are growing up far too fast.

Jesse, Reuben, and my big brother Mike.

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In other news,

• I may have landed a gig live-blogging for the JUNOS in Vancouver, March 26-29.
• And Michael is considering the Next Great Prime Ministership. Send him encouragement here.