tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445Wed, 09 Oct 2024 05:09:51 +0000Cheryl Cooke HarringtonwritingbooksreadingThe Write Spotauthor spotlightfamily storymemoriesromanceKindlewritersSam the CatauthorfamilyfictionhistoryCanadian authorTorontopetsaudiobooksauthorscozy mysteryhumormysterycatsflowerscountry lifeinterviewOverdriveToronto Public LibraryfarmnostalgiaClean Romance BooksSparks FlyWordless WednesdaymemoirspringBox GroveDadEtobicokeFriday ArkSweet RomancedogsCentennial GreenhouseMarkhamOntarioawesome naturebirdshistorical fictioninspirationphotographyChristmasJoanne GuidoccioMomRock SolidSandra Carey Codyday jobfeatureflowerfriendsgiveawaykidslovewordsAnimalsColonel Samuel Smith ParkCookie the DogFast FocusFran McNabbHeidi AshworthJillian DaggKaren McCulloughKathye QuickLake OntarioRebecca KertzRemembrance DaySheila SeabrookSusan McNicollautographsclean readsgardeningguest blogginghouseplantsmeditationnaturepeacefulresearchsquirreltravel19301940Anne CleelandAnnelies PoolAudibleBird-of-ParadiseBrenda ChapmanCOVID-19Canadian Irish RegimentCarnival of the CatsCathy AceCentre for DreamsChristmas cozy mysteryDonna FasanoDoreen PendgracsEasterHigh ParkKoboLest We ForgetLinda WikenLouisa TregerRebecca K. O'ConnorRegencySusan FoxSydell VoellerTracey J. LyonsVicki DelanyWWIIancestryarchivebirdblackbirdscollectablecollectingconnectionscreepy-crawlyducksflightfunny treehawkheronhorsesmallardnonfictionnot in my houseparanormalpromotionrecipered-necked grebered-tailed hawkretrorobinsschoolsummersurpriseswanstime traveltreesvideowalkingwildlifewinter#Canada150#stayhome#staysafe1010101800s1913AUTHORSdbAmishAnne of Green GablesAshton Corners Book ClubBetta splendensBisonBon EchoCapybaraCavendishCookieCooper's hawkCornwallCubaDavid SuzukiDawson CityDickensonDinner Club MysteryDorothy RichardsonEdwardianElle WildEncoreErika ChaseEva GatesGrenadier PondGrinchH.G. WellsHalloweenHighland CattleInspector RamirezIowaIrishItalyJazzJesse KetchumKannon's GardenKateKindle UnlimitedKlondikeLiftLlamasLondonLucy Maud MontgomeryMaggie Hope MysteryManhattanMerganserMichiganMontlake RomanceMuscantineMyrtle CottageNew YearNorbertNorthwest TerritoriesNorwichOne for Sorrow Two for JoyPeggy BlairPrince Edward IslandRick HansenRick MercerSADSakuraSecond ActsSilver BushSouth AfricaSquirrel Awareness MonthSt. Patrick's DayStapelia grandifloraStrange Things DoneSusan Elia MacNealSusan Lyons FoxSusanna MoodieThe Chocolate QueenThe LodgerThembiValentineValentinesVeniceVeteransVictorianWallabyYakYellowknifeYoung Adult RomanceYukonabilityaccuracyadventureanniversaryantiquesanxietyautumnbackyard birdsbadgersbalcony wallbird watchingbloggingblogging breakblue glassbook trailerbrown snakebulliesbungeecanoecapercaregivercarion plantcatcelebratecetephilecetephilistcherry blossomschickenschocolatecollectionscormorantcozycrimecrystal balldaffodilsdancingdaydreamsdisabilitydollsducke.e. cummingseggselephantseulogyfalconryfirst day of schoolfishflash fictionfloatplanesfoodfor most this amazing dayforest fireforsythiafruitflygangstersghostghost storygoldgratitudegrebesguest posthauntedhauntinghistorical romanceimaginationimmigrationinspirational romanceisolationjumplighthouselightninglilacslineolated parakeetliteracylong-tailed duckmaritimesmousemoviesmystery seriesneighbourhoodnoirorchidsparakeetparkpeacockpet lossphotographerpoison bottlespolice proceduralrainy dayrattlesnakered-winged blackbirdreviewsrobinromantic suspenseroosterscaryscienceseasonssettingsshamrocksmall planesnowsnuff boxesspruce stormstillpointstorysunshineteachersthanksgivingthrillertimetraditionstreasure chesttropicaltropical plantsturtleturtlesvegetableswallwheelchairwish listwomen in aviationwordplayzoozucchinimusings from Canadian author Cheryl Cooke Harrington ... home of The Write Spot http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)Blogger234125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-1021444466709816935Mon, 01 Jan 2024 21:03:00 +00002024-01-01T16:03:43.935-05:00audiobooksauthorbookscaregiverCheryl Cooke HarringtondisabilityfictionKindlemysteryOverdrivereadingromanceToronto Public LibraryMy 2022 and 2023 were years of highs and lows, days that sometimes flew by much too quickly and weeks that dragged their feet through endless muddy hours. In January of 2022, my adult son, J, was hospitalized for 12 days when he was suddenly and mysteriously unable to stand. Because he's non-verbal, I stayed with him 'round the clock, sleeping in chairs, taking bird baths in sinks, and http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2024/01/out-of-depths-at-last.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-2257957451851709312Sat, 01 Jan 2022 19:26:00 +00002022-01-01T14:26:44.491-05:00audiobooksauthorsbooksCheryl Cooke Harringtoncozy mysteryfictionhistorical fictionKindleOverdrivereadingromanceToronto Public LibraryI've definitely been letting the blog slide. I'll blame it on pandemic isolation and leave it at that... but I can't let the new year begin without a look back at the books I enjoyed in 2021. Follow that link to see them all. Meanwhile, here are a few of my top reads of last year.Grave Reservations by Cherie PriestThe Apollo Murders by Chris HadfieldThe Last Garden in England by Julia KellyThe http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2022/01/has-it-really-been-year.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-7734545124592941346Mon, 04 Jan 2021 00:39:00 +00002021-01-03T19:39:59.581-05:00audiobooksauthorsbooksCheryl Cooke HarringtonCOVID-19cozy mysteryfictionhistorical fictionKindleOverdrivereadingromanceToronto Public Library However you experienced it, I think we can agree: 2020 truly was a year like no other. For me, it began with six weeks of recovery from major surgery. Then, in late January, my son J and I were both miserably ill with sore throats, fevers, and respiratory problems. Was it Covid-19? Probably not, but we may never know. The two of us were just beginning to get our lives back to normal http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-strange-year-that-was-2020.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-2658092501089762831Fri, 10 Apr 2020 19:59:00 +00002020-04-21T22:36:15.590-04:00#stayhome#staysafecelebrateCOVID-19EasterfamilyflowersfoodisolationLake OntariospringsquirrelToronto On Tuesday, J and I left our apartment for the first time in more than a week – we really needed to breathe some fresh air and feel a little open space around us. It was unusually quiet in the park. We saw a few people walking dogs or jogging, all of them paying attention to the new rules of social distancing. We sat, enjoyed the fresh breeze, soaked up some sunshine, and http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2020/04/spring-at-home.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-4293057481105335933Thu, 02 Jan 2020 16:30:00 +00002020-01-02T11:30:46.887-05:00audiobooksauthorsbooksCheryl Cooke Harringtoncozy mysteryfictionhistorical fictionKindleOverdrivereadingromanceToronto Public Library I read a total of 95 books in 2019 and binged a few terrific new (to me) mystery series. You can check out the entire list over on Goodreads but these few were my five-star favourites, listed in order read with most recently finished first: The Dragon Lady by Louisa Treger The Other Windsor Girl by Georgie Blalock Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice Silent Night, Deadly Night http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2020/01/books-of-2019.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-8749742331566346765Fri, 09 Aug 2019 15:24:00 +00002019-08-09T11:24:37.088-04:00booksCheryl Cooke HarringtonFast FocusKindleKindle UnlimitedreadingreviewsRock SolidromanceSparks FlySweet Romance How to make an author happy: leave a review! I know...it can be a bit intimidating, but a book review doesn't need to be complicated - just a few words will do the trick. You'll make an author smile by letting them know someone is out there, reading their work. Even more important, your review will help other readers find books that you've enjoyed.  Here are just a few things readers http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2019/08/just-little-buzz.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-9199107252880385754Tue, 01 Jan 2019 19:37:00 +00002019-01-01T15:10:58.507-05:00audiobooksauthorsbooksCheryl Cooke Harringtoncozy mysteryfictionhistorical fictionKindleOverdrivereadingromanceToronto Public Library I read eighty-seven books in 2018, most of them e-books on my iPad.  These seventeen were my highest-rated (listed alphabetically, by author): A Tiding of Magpies by Steve Burrows  Bleeding Darkness by Brenda Chapman  The Cat of the Baskervilles by Vicki Delany A Scandal in Scarlet by Vicki Delany 'Twas the Knife Before Christmas by  Jacqueline Frost The Spook inhttp://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2019/01/books-of-2018.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-988939668888696772Sun, 22 Jul 2018 02:47:00 +00002018-07-21T22:47:27.201-04:00adventurebook trailerbooksCheryl Cooke HarringtonClean Romance BooksEncorefloatplanesforest fireKindleMontlake RomanceOntarioreadingretroromanceSparks FlySweet Romancevideo This excerpt from Sparks Fly really sets the scene for me from Logan's point of view:   "Beyond the window, across a narrow stretch of dark water, windswept white pines stood guard on a rocky islet. Home. Such a beautiful word. A beautiful place...rugged and wild."  I've tried to capture the feel of Logan's bittersweet wilderness homecoming for you in this short trailer. Enjoy! http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2018/07/sparks-fly-homecoming.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-5838894805594876215Mon, 01 Jan 2018 19:15:00 +00002018-01-01T14:16:22.713-05:00audiobooksauthorsbooksCheryl Cooke Harringtoncozy mysteryfictionhistorical fictionKindleOverdrivereadingromanceToronto Public Library Happy New Year and welcome to my seventh annual New Year's Day book list. I almost made it to one hundred books in 2017... but not quite. According to Goodreads, I missed the big number by four.  My five-star reads were a mix of mystery, historical fiction, and non-fiction and if there's an overarching theme, it must be books with a French connection. I binged on first two Brittany http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2018/01/books-of-2017.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-7602328803250076953Sun, 26 Nov 2017 04:32:00 +00002017-11-25T23:43:53.567-05:00bookscaperCheryl Cooke HarringtonClean Romance Bookscozy mysterydogsFast FocusKindleManhattanphotographerreadingretrovideo Are you ever nostalgic for the "good old days" before cell phones and digital-everything? Why not give Fast Focus a try? A retro caper set in Manhattan in the late 1990s, it's got romance, mystery, quirky characters, and a big, lovable dog. G-rated and a perfect holiday read.   Fast Focus by Cheryl Cooke Harrington and Anne Norman is available in hardcover, paperback, and for your http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2017/11/introducing-fast-focus.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-4087461894510192293Tue, 22 Aug 2017 15:27:00 +00002017-08-22T11:27:40.112-04:00#Canada150Anne of Green GablesCavendishLucy Maud MontgomerymaritimesPrince Edward IslandSilver Bushtravel This is a summer of celebration in Canada – we're 150 years old – so it seemed like a great time to hit the road with my friend Kate and discover new-to-us places in this great country. Our ultimate destination: Iles de la Madeleine, a remote and breathtakingly beautiful archipelago in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, five hours by boat from Prince Edward Island. But with so much to see alonghttp://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2017/08/green-gables.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-7425965820794938585Wed, 21 Jun 2017 16:57:00 +00002017-06-21T12:57:13.205-04:00birdsred-winged blackbirdsummerWordless Wednesday stillpoint... blog of Canadian author Cheryl Cooke Harringtonhttp://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2017/06/picture-says-it-all.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-3983528729096003598Wed, 07 Jun 2017 19:55:00 +00002017-06-07T15:55:58.233-04:00birdsblackbirdsbrown snakeColonel Samuel Smith ParkcormorantEtobicokeLake Ontariomallardnaturered-necked grebeswansTorontowalkingwildlife Today dawned gloriously sunny in Toronto so I packed up my camera and went for a walk by the lake. We've had a lot of rain and flooding in the last month and water levels are still higher than I ever remember seeing them at Colonel Samuel Smith Park. The swans were flooded out of their traditional nesting spot in the pond and have retreated to the wooded bank. Those trees in the foreground are http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2017/06/its-hard-being-grebe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-54977322043101032Wed, 24 May 2017 14:05:00 +00002017-05-24T10:05:14.870-04:00backyard birdsEtobicokenaturephotographyred-tailed hawkrobinsTorontoWordless Wednesday This handsome red-tailed hawk spent an entire morning hanging out on the fence behind my building. The neighbourhood robins were absolutely frantic but aside from an occasional imperious glance, the hawk ignored their scolding and even the occasional daring dive-bomber.   Permalink: hawk in the 'hood Click-to-Tweet this post! stillpoint...&http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2017/05/hawk-in-hood.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-3627005913796544856Wed, 10 May 2017 19:49:00 +00002017-05-10T15:49:34.912-04:00BisonCapybaraHigh ParkHighland CattleLlamaspeacockspringTorontoWallabyYakzoo A few weeks ago a friend and I spent a happy morning getting to know the two and four-footed residents of the High Park Zoo. A Toronto institution since 1893, the little zoo made news world-wide last year when its resident Capybaras escaped and went walkabout for most of the summer. The whole city seemed obsessed with finding the missing rodents. News reports regularly showed camo-clad people http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2017/05/babes-in-zooland.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-6233513473058067845Wed, 26 Apr 2017 04:02:00 +00002017-04-26T00:02:25.418-04:00cherry blossomsdaffodilsducksflowersforsythiaGrenadier PondHigh ParkMerganserSakuraspringToronto In the spring of 1959, the citizens of Tokyo, Japan made a gift of two thousand Sakura cherry trees to the people of Toronto as thanks for Canadian support of Japanese refugees after WWII. The little trees found a new home in High Park, thus beginning a springtime tradition in our city: cherry blossom time.  I'm a couple or few years older than those cherry trees, born and raised in http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2017/04/cherry-blossom-time.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-2942384774286496071Tue, 11 Apr 2017 23:40:00 +00002017-04-11T19:40:50.721-04:00Easterfamily storyfunny treehouseplantsspring The Easter Bunny stopped by our house a bit early this year and dropped off a special treat... for the Christmas tree. So, as promised, here's our wee Grinchy tree, sporting a cheerful new outfit for spring. [If you missed the fashion show, follow this link to see wee tree's post-Christmas costume changes.] Our little tree is incredibly patient and continues to thrive, but his humans http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2017/04/a-wee-tree-update.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-3957856608232885947Wed, 29 Mar 2017 21:08:00 +00002017-03-29T19:11:24.811-04:00bird watchingbirdsColonel Samuel Smith ParkLake Ontariolong-tailed duckmallardnaturered-necked greberobinspringwalkingwildlife I went walking at one of Toronto's finest waterfront parks this afternoon. Colonel Sam Smith Park in Etobicoke is a favourite with bird watchers and for the past few years I've enjoyed trying to spot new (to me) birds whenever I visit. Luck was with me today! I found a large group of long-tailed ducks in a sheltered bay. Most of them were too far away for a decent photo but this guy came close http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2017/03/birds-of-spring.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-7655275341191339693Wed, 15 Mar 2017 17:26:00 +00002017-03-15T13:28:57.035-04:00Christmasfamily storyfunny treeGrinchhouseplantsIrishNew YearshamrockSt. Patrick's DayValentine St. Patrick's Day arrives this Friday and I will definitely be wearin' the green. I can trace my Irish roots all the way back to the 17th century when my maternal grandmother's Dickenson forebears, Daniel and Elizabeth, settled in Edenderry to raise their family. This year, instead of green beer (yuck!) or a tipple of Irish whiskey (Writer's Tears?), I'll be celebrating with something new http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2017/03/a-wee-irish-tree.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-6411007289059980131Thu, 02 Feb 2017 00:12:00 +00002017-02-01T19:12:32.799-05:00catfamilylovepet losspetsSam the Cat RIP SamJanuary 24, 2001 - February 2, 2017 My sweet Sam passed quietly away this afternoon. He was the best and finest cat I've ever known and I will miss him terribly. The last few weeks were a great struggle for Sam - after sixteen years his mighty heart had begun to let him down - so I'm comforted to know he is finally at peace. I'll always be grateful for our time together, for all thehttp://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2017/02/goodbye-little-friend.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-7681208095152492671Wed, 25 Jan 2017 05:25:00 +00002017-01-25T00:25:33.183-05:00flowersSADsunshinetropicalturtleswinter As I publish this post, my countdown to spring stands at 53 days. That's nearly 1,272 more hours of shivers and gloom. I need me some sunshine! But since a trip to the tropics isn't in the cards this year, I did the (almost) next best thing and visited the Centennial Park Conservatory where just about everything is blooming and cheerful. Gorgeous Amaryllis Bird-of-Paradise Aloe Vera http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2017/01/wheres-sun.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-5892639500010820387Wed, 04 Jan 2017 16:40:00 +00002017-01-04T11:40:05.555-05:00AudibleaudiobooksauthorsbooksCheryl Cooke Harringtoncozy mysteryfictionKindleOverdrivereadingromanceToronto Public Library Welcome to my surprisingly fulsome sixth annual New Year's Book List! I read a lot in 2016, surpassing my original goal of 60 books in early summer when I upped my goal to 100. I blew past that in autumn and kept right on reading. Grand total: 134 books. I'm honestly not sure where I found the time… but I know I've enjoyed myself (and Sam has enjoyed the lap time). Here's the breakdown of http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2017/01/books-of-2016.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-8414894679562887548Wed, 07 Dec 2016 18:33:00 +00002016-12-07T13:33:02.351-05:00ChristmasfamilySam the Cattraditions The things I love best about this time of year are simple traditions that fill me with joy and put smiles on the faces of the people I love. Unpacking my snowman collection or wearing a pair (or two) of festive earrings is sure to kindle my Christmas spirit. My son J (that's him in the Santa hat) loves taking part in a local Santa Claus parade. He's been riding, walking and now http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2016/12/traditions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-493163012136958980Wed, 23 Nov 2016 05:16:00 +00002016-11-23T00:16:11.926-05:00e.e. cummingsfor most this amazing daygratitudethanksgiving Thanksgiving comes early in Canada, celebrated on the second Monday in October. But there can never be too many reminders to be thankful, especially now when good news seems hard to find. I am thankful for my family, for friends I love and who love me.  I'm thankful for quiet mornings with my cat, for the sometimes hectic busyness of life, and for the freedom to write and speak what I http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2016/11/being-thankful.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31100445.post-1694225555582323014Wed, 16 Nov 2016 18:12:00 +00002016-11-16T13:12:46.625-05:00imaginationmeditationneighbourhoodparkseasonsTorontotrees My window overlooks a park and junior school, meaning my quiet writing time is often punctuated by the sounds of children at play or by rowdy summer soccer games. I welcome those noisy moments, reminding me to get up, move around, breathe the fresh air! At quieter times, I often catch myself staring out the window, lost in thoughts about the little grove of trees across the park. Do trees have http://kannonsgarden.blogspot.com/2016/11/five-sisters-four-seasons.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl)4