Hi to All my faithful readers who had been following my Blog, and Web Site.
It has not been working properly in recent months, and I have had such a hectic March and April that I haven’t had the time to or the knowhow to find out what the problem was. Thank goodness for my son Mark who called me today to say he was updating my web site. Thank you so much Mark!
I like the new look and hopefully this article will publish – instead of crashing my computer… It will be wonderful to re-connect with my readers again.
I was extremely happy to find out that my book So few on Earth sold out at the University of Toronto Press:((UTP) in Toronto. I called to order another case of books and was told there were only 47 left! So I bought them all. Not knowing what that meant I inquired, They will have to go to print now! How wonderful is that? They are still available from other sources-I think. I don’t exactly know how the book business works, but I’m learning.Fear not; my friend Jane told me they are still available from Amazon and electronically.
Entertaining the guests at Bill Rompky’s Labrador Christmas Party on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Keith and I have been going for many years now. My school mate Ernie Davis on the guitar. Bill on the piano and I play my accordian, but we chose to sing a few Christmas Carols as well., I will miss it this year unless Tod has a party because Bill, or I should say Senator Rompkey has retired…We will miss you Bill! lots a hugs
Atlantic Book Awards-2011
Comments (0) Filed under: Uncategorized
New dress for the Awards , my kids wanted to see it… Need to lose a couple more pounds
On the flight to Halifax Keith had the book and the Awards announced on the plane! What a guy!
All dressed up for the big night! Holding up my book…Keith was very proud.
New Halifax friends…they all bought a book .
St, John’s-Arch Munn in red jacket. He’s in the book.I used to make his bed and clean his room…my first job…age 11! Phyllis in the black jacket is also in the book. It was great to see them!
Dale Hamel and Dana came to my reading in St. John;s Loved it!
I feel badly for not keeping touch with you my readers! It had been a hectic several months and it’s about to get a tad more hectic as we are renovating…again.; Things have slowed down in the terms of my personal promoting of my book “So Few on Earth” I trust it will do well on it’s own merit. I just checked on internet and it still has a four star rating! **** . I am working very hard at trying to get the next one written. People are waiting for the next 17 year segment.! Writing is all consuming which is the reason I have not worked on bookings or events to promote So Few- I have had a few events. a whole weekend in Port Dover here.and several coming up. I have an invitation to be a judge in a school here. How Kool is that! Love it! Looking forward to that challenge…Happy reading friends.
Hi friends and dedicated readers. I just checked on the internet in general by typing my name just to see what would come up. There are still several sites about my book on there plus the radio interview that CBC radio did last May. Kool An employee of my publisher , Dundurn , told me that ‘working on your book was very special for all of us at Dundurn- … it touched my heart. I have had a busy year and am now getting bookings for 2012. I enjoy immensely the opportunities to share with people of my homeland Labrador.
Canada geese swimming by our home on Lake Erie. there are thousands here. Hope this picture post OK.
First Book Signing and reading…Dunnville, .
I enjoy my new Job and meeting new people
Proudly displaying my Labrador Flag
Book Fair in Port Dover There were many, many more events throughout the year.
Some comments I’ve heard lately:
“You have to make a movie of this book,,,It’s amazing!”
"I’m reading it for the second time…I love it”
“You are a very gifted writer…When is the next one coming out?”
“ Hurry with the next one, I can’t wait.”
Wishing all my readers a Very Merry Christmas and A joyous new year!
It was a thrill for my family, humbling for me and I’m so grateful to Bill-
Senator Rompkey for doing this for me.
SIGNING MY BOOK THIS BEAUTIFUL MAN In his 90’s
My 1st.writing instr. Robert, MacMaster University- My nephew John Croucher
Mrs. Rompky was a lovely hostess My Cartwright school mate (Kate)
Busy signing all the politicians books they bought… Bill chatting with guests.
I will never forget this opportunity you gave me Bill. Sorry there will be no
Christmas party on the HILL THIS YEAR. I HOPE YOU ARE ENJOYING YOUR RETIREMENT….
Keith fishing from our deck he built on the lake, (Bass fish)
Our lakeside patio Rock Garden
Summer flowers from or property and the beach beyond.
My family taking it up for the winter….after Thanksgiving dinner!
All gone, safely stored for the winter.. hopefully we won’t have put it back down too early like we did this year, We lost 11 sections and had to replace them…expensive lesson learned. all ready for winter, lots of wood in the woos shed. Thank you Keith hugs….
Hi friends and loyal readers, My book so few on earth is still doing well, and I finally found the server of comments from my web site! I was not able to open them because I didn’t have the right password! To all who are or were enjoying my blog I will try to do better in keeping it going. So, thank you all so, so much for the kind words. I ‘m a tad slow to learn –at times, or maybe I won’t take the time to try to figure it all out. I am also busy writing the next book! Stay tuned for more…Hugs to you all! Josie
A few comments I didn’t know I had!
Comment: Bravo Josie! I feel so proud of you and all the things you have accomplished even before your book. Congratulations. I love the title and how you came to use it. I get that remark too whenever I tell where I am from. You are very kind to respond the way you do. See you soon! From my friend Katie:
Comment: Eldred Mesher December 8, Re: Book.No doubt Josie, writing about your home and about your past is the perfect way to inform your children about their roots. Your story is very detailed and touching and makes a wonderful read for anyone.
Comment: Paul W. Blake Hi Josie. Just to let you know I placed a comment on your website a couple days ago, but it has disappeared……any idea what happened there?
I am really enjoying your book…..I’m up to chapter 27 right now and there is never a dull moment. Great stuff.
Comment: Valuable information and excellent design you got here! I would like to thank you for sharing your thoughts and time into the stuff in your post!! Thumbs up!
Comment: Why didn’t I think about this? I hear exactly what you’re saying and I’m so happy that I came across your blog. You really know what you’re talking about, and you made me feel like I should learn more about this. Thanks for this; I’m officially a huge fan of your blog.
Comment: Hi Josie, Just a short note to let you know I am enjoying your book immensely. I read it when I get in bed simply because I want no distractions to take away from my savouring every word. The way you have interjected your constant youthful inquisitions upon whomever was near you, adds such innocent humour to an otherwise adverse existence portrayed in your story. Although I can relate to your kind of life as a youth to a smaller degree, it is soul-wrenching to know that this kind of life actually existed in our not too distant past. How times have changed! I applaud you for a well written and most interesting story of your life….you are indeed a true Labrador daughter, and this book will, hopefully, become mandatory reading for Labrador students as part of our history and heritage. A must for school libraries. My hats off to you on this book. Bravo!
Comment: hi Josie got your book, you and i could be sisters, our stories are so familiar. i am going to ns for Nov. 29, to promote my story "broken wings" thinking of continue on your way. if i miss your reading on parliament hill, will still contact you if i come on through and meet up with you and Keith, perhaps ill be able to attend your next reading. take care and so glad to see your book is doing so well Clarisse
Comment: Hello Josie, Just a note to say that I really enjoyed reading So Few On Earth. Even though I have never journeyed to "the land God gave to Cain", after reading your memoirs I felt as though I was there. I believe that many people will be able to identify with some of the hardships which you overcame. As an immigrant family, we left Europe in 1951, with virtually the clothes on our backs & struggled to make it in Canada. Isn’t it ironical that often the most challenging times in our lives form the happiest & fondest memories-a sense of ‘paradoxical unity’ if you will. Congratulations Josie, I wish you continued success! Remember the words of your instructor, "Write what you know & let the chips fall." Sincerely, Victor (Keith’s friend @ Different Strokes)
Comment: Comfortably, the post is in reality the greatest on this valuable topic. I fit in with your conclusions and will thirstily look forward to your upcoming updates. Saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the phenomenal clarity in your writing. I will directly grab your rss feed to stay abreast of any updates. Genuine work and much success in your business dealings
Comment: This is a really good read for me, Must admit that you are one of the best bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.
New E-mail address. josie@sofewonearth.com
Hi friends and family! I just wanted to touch base and fill you in to all who care that It has been a summer of great joy and much sorrow. It started out beautifully with Keith and I celebrating 50 years of marriage, For all the people I have hurt or offended I am truly sorry. I’m for making people happy, helping them out with feelings, emotions and freedom to love unconditionally! Something I didn’t recognize until a few years ago!
My beautiful children threw us a big 50th. anniversary party here on our property.
We then went to Labrador and reconnected with a bunch of people celebrating COME HOME YEAR.
I even got to spend a couple of glorious days salmon fishing with my family! Something I’d never done before. It was a joy to behold spending two whole day in Hare Harbour . Thank you Les. The only downer was Dora wasn’t with us. nor Linda or Rhoda, I was lucky enough to have spent some time with brother Eddy too this year. He was in from deep sea fishing. and brother Phil was still working at the fish plant in Cartwright.
We then went to visit what’s was left of Keith’s family in Newfoundland. There were only two siblings left from a family of nine. Just as we started to enjoy a relaxing couple days with Dora and Clifford in Main Brook, NL. we got a call form Pasadena that Keith’s sister Mable was very ill and we should go down right away! So we did. Mable was indeed gravely ill and on her way to meet her maker. I like to think she recognized us. As the family gathered round we could see it was only a matter of time . The following morning she passed away peacefully at age 90, Leaving three sons Rev. Keith Peterson
and brothers, Alton and Graham;
Keith and Rev Keith Peterson Alton and
Graham ,Sharon ,her brothers Adolph and Keith.
My heart cries for them as they are the only two left, I sure drives home the thoughts of mortality and immortality….
The only positive thing about this sad situation was that we saved the cost of having to fly out as we were already in the area. Dolph is 84…
Life’s like that isn’t it, full of joys and sorrows. and always learning to adapt and adjust to whatever comes your way.I really believe in the power of positive thinking. Keith had a difficult time after we arrived back in Ontario, but is doing much better now.
They are very close……… Cheers for now Josie
Hi to all my faithful readers. It’s coming up to 1 year of my book coming out. I will never forget that day. It had been 17 years to get it to this point. 10 years to write it, 2 years editing, a couple of years of rejections, and then Dundurn called. Wouldn’t you know – after reading the contract I rejected them. Michel from Dundurn e-mailed me and said we need to talk! I called him and he talked me through the whole contract! on the phone! wow–Talk about determination!
It’s been a labour of love for my children, and now that I’m starting back to promoting it, I’m feeling proud to be able to talk about my homeland Labrador. Keith has been such a great marketing man, and had a picture of the cover put on my car.
And yes I am writing again. I love writing so much and hopefully can get the next one out in a LOT less time then the first one. So many people love this book and are waiting for the rest of the story!
The first shipment to come from the publisher Dundurn in Toronto. September 17th ,2010.
I’m staring in disbelief…and shedding a few tears of joy as well.
So, so proud! I’m even happier that so may people are enjoying it!