So the Olympics are over and it has taken me a little down time to get back to normal.  After being on the streets in Vancouver and at all the hockey games and feeling all the energy around me… to come home to a quiet house took some getting used to.  But, I’m back at my work and happy to be writing again.  I’m working on some new projects. 

I am researching and writing a new non-fiction hockey book.  It will be similiar to HOME ICE (by the way HOME ICE is now on the discount table at Chapters for like $10 and it made #2 on the Globe and Mail Bestselling List last week) in format but will be about the next up-and-coming young hockey players in Canada.  I’ve been contacting coaches and parents and I’m pretty excited about this project.  These players are so young but are so driven already and they are all driven by passion.  Passion is a big word and I think it is so important.  Passion keeps the juices flowing and keeps kids on a path towards success.  I’m honoured to be writing about such amazing young men. 

I’m also working on some Puckster books.  Puckster being the Hockey Canada mascot.  I’ve never written a picture book before but they are sooo fun.  Look for the Puckster books in the fall.  I think we’re going with, PUCKSTER’S FIRST SWEATER and PUCKSTER’S FIRST GAME.  I’ve got some fun characters in the book like Charlie the squirrel and Manny the Moose.  Plus others of course.  Yes, a girl named Sarah!  She is a fox.  But a great hockey player.  LOL.

And…I’m also writing a young adult series about a sports school.   I really want to branch into the young adult market because I think you readers of my middle grade fiction need some new material.  The sports school has different sports so…I’m excited to try my hand at something other than hockey.  I’m including synchro swimming, basketball, soccer and some other sports.  That said, the first book is about a hockey player who is 16. 

Okay, so I told you I was back at home writing.  My passion!!!   What’s your passion?

Okay, do not believe what you read in the British newspapers about how bad these Olympics are. They are great! The energy in the streets–Robson especially–is vibrating. There are droves of people just walking the streets, enjoying the sunshine, warm weather and ambiance of these 2010 Olympic games. You can line up for a zip-line thrill ride, watch a light show at night, pick up some Olympic gear at the Bay, Lululemon or Roots. And the hot dogs vendors are out in full force. They taste delicious!
Okay, so I went to the Canada/Switzerland Men’s hockey game and we will win and come 1 in our pool. I was also at the 2002 Salt Lake City games and our men’s hockey team had some adversity so let’s not get down yet. We need to stay positive for our men as they are staying positive. Honestly, they’re all okay and ready to play the States on Sunday. Our management team picked the best players in Canada and we need to have faith that they will get the job done. What a game that will be on Sunday!!
The women are playing amazingly well. I talked to Cassie Campbell last night and she is convinced our team is playing hockey at a high level and have a real good shot for that gold medal. Coach Mel Davidson thought her team played the best period they’ve ever played in their game against Sweden.
So onwards.
I’ve got tickets for speed skating today and I’m so excited. I usually only watch hockey.

The games have begun!! I managed to scoop a ticket for the Opening Ceremonies from my good friends, Jim and Sandi Treliving. Jim used to be an RCMP officer in the Edmonton area then opened the first Boston Pizza. They are generous and kind and offered me a seat in their suite. Okay, so what did everyone think of the Opening Ceremonies? I thought they were absolutely brilliant! Congratulations Vancouver. I loved the east coast tribute, K.D Lang was unbelievable, shivers ran up and down my arms when she sang, as was Sarah McLachlan. I cried when she sang, honestly cried. I was told the dancers came from Alberta Ballet and that made me proud as I’m from…Alberta. Now, here’s something you should know–a friend of mine was sitting beside someone from the NY Times and when the poet started talking they were a bit confused. A poet?? I mean, really, who has a poet at something like an Opening Ceremonies. Could this be something they could write about as…weird, controversial. But as our “poet” continued they warmed and warmed until finally they thought this was amazing that “Canada” would do this. Congrats Canada for being different and daring and providing the world with something literary as well as entertaining.
Okay, so that was Opening Ceremonies.
On to my first game. Yes, the Canadian women whooped Slovakia 18-0 but…it was so great at the end of the game because the fans were amazing and so respectful. The game was over and the Slovakian woman were in the middle of the ice. They held up their sticks and we all stood and cheered and cheered and cheered. Red and white flags flew all around the rink and we cheered so loud for the gals who had just lost. They stayed on the ice and just kept waving to us and smiling and laughing and we just kept cheering. I cried, of course. But that’s me, I’m a sap. This was a proud moment and I was so proud that I was CANADIAN.

Okay, I’m here, in Vancouver, and I promise to blog about the Olympics. Yeah! Okay, so I’m a positive person when it comes to the Olympics. I know some people are saying they shouldn’t happen but…I think it’s wonderful to celebrate those who have worked hard at something. Why should we hold people back from being successful? Anyway, I don’t really want to talk about that now because if you read my blog you will only get the positive spin on the Olympics and tidbits of info about the Games.
I’m going to the Opening Ceremonies tonight and will tell you all about them tomorrow. Who is singing, who will light the cauldron?? I also managed to have a drink (red wine) with Wayne Gretzky the other night and he was thrilled to be “one” of the few in the running to light the cauldron. He totally enjoyed meeting Barbara Ann Scott and said she is absolutely beautiful, and at the age of eighty she didn’t have a wrinkle on her face. What a classy woman! She won a medal in 1948! The energy in the city of Vancouver is buzzing and the excitement is mounting for the games to begin. I walked down the Sea Wall with a volunteer the other day and she was animated and excited to be helping and, really, these events do work because of the volunteers!
So…tomorrow, I’ll tell you about the Opening Ceremonies and…Molson’s Hockey House.

Okay, so I’ve attended two torch ceremonies in the past few days and what a way to get the excitement geared up for the Olympics.
My first one was in Chestermere, Alberta on January 19th. I was invited to attend the Chestermere Library to talk about my book, HOME ICE. So kids, all dressed in winter clothes and many wearing their team hockey jackets, visited my after the Torch went throught Chestermere. I want to say thanks to everyone who came in to chat to me. What fun! I got to talk about hockey and my books and, yes, the Olympics!!!!
Then yesterday, I drove into Banff to watch my good friend Karen Percy-Lowe run with the Olympic Torch. The entire evening event was outstanding! Karen spoke as did hockey player Ryan Smyth. I managed to find Ryan’s wife, Stacey, in the crowd to say hello and they had just flown in for the day, with their three young children. She said Ryan was really thrilled to be back in Banff as he doesn’t get home all that often. (He is in LA now playing for the Kings and…their little guy who is 18 months didn’t want to wear mitts or a hat!! LOL) I have featured Ryan in my book, HOME ICE, because he was invited to the Orientation camp in August. No, Ryan, didn’t make Canada’s Olympic Team this time but…I’m thrilled that I featured him and proud that my book talks about all 46 players invited to the camp because a guy like Ryan deserves to be recognized. Karen Percy-Lowe spoke with great heart about the community of Banff and growing up in such a wonderful community that supported her Olympic endeavours. The other highlight of the event was when they brought out other Banffites who had in some way contributed to the Olympics and they were escorted by youngsters from the community, some in their little skating dresses. So cute.
All in all, a fantastic event. I went with my sis-in-law, Linda and her friend Barb and we proudly wore Hockey Canada jerseys. They also had some great music!
After the outdoor event was over, I headed over to the Banff Springs for a little after-party and I think the general mood was that the event had been a huge success. I ran into an old friend, Bruce Henry, and he “used” to be a ski coach, although he did say he was still doing a “little” coaching. He now calls himself “The Old Banff Coach.” And he’s not that old.
Folks, just being at these Torch ceremonies makes me realize that…the Olympics are close!!
I promise to blog.
I can’t wait for the Games to begin.