Archive for the ‘quotes’ Category
Just How Was 2025?
Posted on: January 1, 2026
- In: Amanda Travels | Dreams | quotes
- 124 Comments
Can you believe we are at the end of the first quarter of the twenty-first century? As is my habit, I like to reflect on the year that has just passed and review the list of goals I made at the end of the previous year. Not everything goes according to plan, but that’s life. For me, it’s essential that I set goals to keep me moving forward.
Here are the goals I set for 2025. Let’s see how I did.
- Finish writing Amanda in Ireland: The Body in the Bog and publish it.
Amanda in Ireland: The Body in the Bog was released on October 1, 2025. This is the third book I have self-published, and I am very pleased with it. The reviews have been wonderful. Knowing folks are reading and enjoying my books keeps me going.
2. Read some pages of Mom’s 5-year diary every day.
I read in Mom’s diary every day for the first few months and loved it. Then I got distracted and stopped. So I only get 1/2 a point for this one.
3. Blog about Mom’s diary
I wrote a blog post about Mom’s diary, which was well-received.
4. Go someplace I haven’t been to before.
I didn’t travel much this year, but I visited Alloway in Scotland, the birthplace of Robert Burns, a place I had never been before. It was a wonderful experience.
5. Clear out emails and files on my computer
I tried, but it seems the more I clear out, the more come in. I am not sure how to get on top of this. Sigh.
6. Sort out papers in my office
See above
7. Check out other marketing ideas like Book Funnel
I explored a few more marketing ideas, but didn’t find anything that worked. I organized a blog tour for Amanda in Ireland, which was a lot of work but successful. I have come to the conclusion that my blog is still my best marketing tool, thanks to my supportive followers.
8. Have the front of the house repaired and painted
This was done, and it looks so much better.
9. Read or listen to 58 books
I read/listened to 60 books this year, and I am so pleased. That is the most books I have read in one year!
10. Start book #12, Amanda in Thailand: The Ghost House (working title)
I have written the first chapter of this book and am ready to start working seriously on it in January, 2026
11. Don’t let other people influence how I feel
This is a work in progress, but I feel I have come a long way.
12. Keep in touch with family
This is important to me, and I think I do a pretty good job of it. Yesterday, I chatted with my 86-year-old Aunt in Canada on Messenger, and she commented on how much she appreciates that I keep in touch with her. Our family is quite spread out, but I’m happy that we can keep in touch via social media. We had a cousin and her husband from Canada visit us, which was wonderful. I love family and friend visits.
We lost a few people dear to us, but we are at that stage of life. All in all, it was a great year, and I’m happy with what I accomplished.
Wishing all of you a Happy New Year!!
I’ll be following up with goals for 2026 in the next few days!
Copyright ©2026 darlenefoster.wordpress.com – All rights reserved
Happy Birthday, Jane Austen
Posted on: December 21, 2025
- In: Books | History | quotes | Writing
- 81 Comments
One cannot have too large a party. ~ Jane Austen, Emma
On December 16th, we celebrated Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. I’m sure she never dreamt people would be reading and discussing her books two hundred and fifty years after she was born. She is one of my favourite authors, I have read her books many times over and have seen all the movie and TV adaptations. Hubby says I could speak along with the characters and I often laugh before the clever lines are spoken. Like this, one of my favourites.
An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do. ~ Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
I am a true Janeite and have been a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, attending interesting and informative conferences where we discuss her work and times. I’ve been fortunate to meet Joan Austen-Leigh, a great-great-grandniece of the famous writer. Visiting Jane’s cottage in Chawton and her grave in Winchester Cathedral have been among my highlights, and viewing her writing at the British Museum sent chills through me.
Besides her books, I’ve read many biographies of Jane Austen, her published letters, and her juvenilia. I don’t have a favourite Jane Austen novel as I love them all, for different reasons.
Rebecca Bud is running a series of posts on the gifts Jane has given us. Please check them out as they are excellent. https://rebeccasreadingroom.ca/2025/12/20/jane-austen-at-250-pride-prejudice-and-the-power-of-wit/
One of my favourite quotes: My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company. ~ Jane Austen, Persuasion
Do you enjoy reading Jane Austen? What is one of your favourite quotes? Why do we still enjoy her books?
Copyright ©2025 darlenefoster.wordpress.com – All rights reserved
- In: friends | quotes | Travel | Writing
- 67 Comments
“My idea of good company…is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.‘― Jane Austen, Persuasion
For the fourth consecutive year, I’ve been fortunate to participate in a writing retreat on the Isle of Arran with four amazing fellow authors. Thank you, Barb, Judith, Terry and Georgia, for once again making this a valuable experience.
We were delighted to find the new conservatory finished and ready for us. It is once again my favourite place in the house.
Eating in the new conservatory with my Arran buddies.
Although the focus is on having large amounts of uninterrupted writing time and attending informative workshops, we also stop and eat. We take turns providing dinner and I have to say, we eat well. Creative minds and bodies need to be fuelled!
The new conservatory is the perfect place to relax and discuss writing and life in general.
The cat likes the new conservatory too but does not like being disturbed.
We also spent time in the well-equipped kitchen as we took turns preparing meals, helped ourselves to delicious snacks and had a great deal of conversation.
Another treat is seeing our canine friend, Dusk. The dog, Bracken, in Amanda in Scotland is based on our dear Dusk. We fight over, I mean take turns, walking Dusk.
Dusk at the beach.
Dusk at the beach with Holy Island in the background.
The beach at Whiting Bay
Another view of the beach taken during an early morning walk with Dusk.
We went to the Cladach Beach House to listen to a talented young harpist play in front of a window with a lovely backdrop. She was followed by a dynamic storyteller reciting a folktale that got scarier as the night grew darker.
Another treat was a stop at the home and studio of Tim Pomeroy, an accomplished sculptor who has his artwork displayed in his extensive garden with an incredible view.
Amazing view from the home of Tim Pomeroy
I came home refreshed, inspired, full of ideas, and with a darling tea cosy made to order for me by Linda at Bay Wool & Crafts. A fabulous writers’ getaway!
Copyright ©2024 darlenefoster.wordpress.com – All rights reserved
What are my plans for 2024?
Posted on: January 2, 2024
- In: Books | quotes | Travel | Writing
- 102 Comments
Thank you so much for all the positive comments on achieving many of my goals in 2023. But I cannot rest on my laurels, so it is time to set new goals for the new year. Goals help me plan and I love planning! So here we go:
- Visit my brother in Thailand
- Publish Amanda in Scotland: The Standing Stones
- Create a cover for Amanda in Scotland
- Organize a launch for Amanda in Scotland
- Write Amanda in Ireland: The Bog Man
- Attend a family reunion in Canada
- Stay healthy
- Read 52 books
- Read Mom’s diary
- Listen to more podcasts and audiobooks
- Cut back on computer time
- Get back into a yoga routine
- Keep in touch with friends and family as we don’t know how long we will have them with us.
- Tell everyone dear to me that I love them on a regular basis (see above)
- Support other writers as much as possible.
Words of the Year, brought to you by the letter L
Live * Love * Laugh * Learn
- In: Christmas | Dot | quotes
- 95 Comments
Dot and Lia would like to wish all the wonderful followers of this blog a season of joy and happiness, however you celebrate. We are hoping for some nice treats in our stockings as we have been very good girls. (and maybe some turkey scraps)
Our stockings hung by the chimney with care.
Dot waiting for Santa!
Dot trying out for a job as one of Santa’s reindeer.
Lia with Dad at the coffeeshop on a chilly morning
This is one of Mom’s favourite Christmas songs.
Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas time. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder
- In: Books | Inspiration | quotes | Travel | Writing
- 86 Comments
One of the reasons I wanted to visit Dublin was to walk in the footsteps of James Joyce. He has often been called Dublin’s most esteemed author. I fell in love with his writing when I read The Dubliners. I was delighted to find much evidence of this prestigious author when I visited his city of birth.
Found in St. Stephen’s Green, a place he enjoyed.
I’m sure there were many places the author enjoyed a drink including Gogarty’s. I love the green doors.
This establishment was named after Oliver Joseph St. John Gogarty (17 August 1878 – 22 September 1957) who was an Irish poet, author, surgeon, athlete, politician, and well-known conversationalist. He was friends with James Joyce and served as the inspiration for Buck Mulligan in James Joyce‘s novel Ulysses.
The two writers having a discussion at the pub. Wouldn’t you have liked to be a fly on the wall?
I also visited The Museum of Literature of Ireland (MOLI), which holds a permanent collection of James Joyce-related material and revolving exhibitions of other Irish literary figures. This was a fascinating place.
The museum is housed in the Newman House, previously the University College of Dublin attended by James Joyce.
This was in a letter from James Joyce to a friend. For all struggling authors, it wasn’t easy for him either!
I was delighted to see “Copy No. 1” of Ulysses. So amazing!
As was his scribbles for Finnegans Wake
The lovely gardens of the museum where I had my lunch. I felt surrounded by greatness and left inspired.
An entire wall of Irish authors in the 20th and 21st Century. Many I recognized. James Joyce is said to have influenced many of today’s Irish writers. Such a creative country, the winner of 4 Nobel Prizes in Literature.
Whether you like his work or not, James Joyce was a wise man who made a huge impact in the world of literature. I was happy to have felt his presence. And I didn’t get to see everything related to him.
Thursday Doors is a weekly challenge featured on Dan Antion’s site No Facility for people who love doors and architecture to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos, drawings, or other images or stories from around the world. If you’d like to join us, simply create your own Thursday Doors post and then share a link to your post in the comments of Dan’s post.
Copyright ©2023 darlenefoster.wordpress.com – All rights reserved.
The Literary City of Dublin
Posted on: June 27, 2023
- In: History | quotes | Travel
- 62 Comments
I have always wanted to visit Dublin and walk the streets that James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, and so many more incredible authors have walked in the past. This dream came true recently when I visited Ireland for the first time. I spent two days in Dublin and loved every minute.
Found in the garden at the Museum of Literature. I have read and enjoyed all of Maeve Binchy’s books.
In Dublin’s fair city, Where the girls are so pretty, I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone, As she wheeled her wheelbarrow, Through streets broad and narrow, Crying, “Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!”
The grounds of Trinity College, where such notables as Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, Chris de Burgh, Jonathan Swift and Oliver Goldsmith attended. I could have spent all day there.
It is also where The Book of Kells is located. Seeing this ancient book was one of the highlights of my visit.
This manuscript dates back to around 800AD and contains the four Gospels of the New Testament in Latin. Most of its 680 pages feature hand-painted imagery of mythical creatures, wild and domestic animals, Christian iconography and Celtic symbols. The book is open to one page for viewing and the open page is changed every month. I was fortunate as the page open during my visit was an illustrated page.
We were not allowed to take pictures of the actual book, which was in its own room and awesome to view. The interpretive displays were excellent and included pictures of some of the printing, decorations and pictures in the book along with explanations.
I also visited the long room of the old library in the college. You know how I love libraries. Just look at that ceiling! You will notice some of the shelves are empty as they are in the process of cleaning all the thousands of vintage books stored in this library-a major operation.
And a kind student took my picture with Mr. Shakespeare, one of many busts of famous authors on display.
The harp has been a symbol of Ireland for a long time. This one is dated to the 14th or 15th century and is the oldest of three surviving medieval harps from the region. The harp was used as a model for the coat of arms of Ireland and for the trade mark of Guinness stout.
Dublin Castle was very interesting and filled with history. I wish I had had more time to explore it.
The back of Dublin Castle
I walked across the famous Ha’penny Bridge over the River Liffey. It is called this as it cost half a pence (penny) to cross it when it was built in 1816.
I walked around St. Stephen’s Green. A peaceful oasis in the middle of a busy city.
With a statue dedicated to one of Dublin’s most famous citizens.
I found this delightful statue in the gardens of the Museum of Literature. A place I will tell you more about in another post.
The streets of Dublin provided so many photo opportunities.
I met up with a good friend, who is no longer a ‘little’ friend, and we visited the fascinating Museum of Archaeology together.
I walked many steps, my mind was filled with much information, and my heart overflowed with happiness. I would gladly return to Dublin.
I also collected tons of ideas for a future Amanda story!
Copyright ©2023 darlenefoster.wordpress.com – All rights reserved.
It’s 2023, Time To Set New Goals
Posted on: January 3, 2023
- In: Books | Dreams | quotes | Writing
- 80 Comments
“Marilla, isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”
LM Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
That is how I always feel on New Year’s Day. A new year with no mistakes yet! I am always so excited to make a list of goals, not all of them new, some are brought over from the year before as they didn’t get met. And that’s OK. Some have been on the list for a few years already. Things happen when they are supposed to.
Here is my list for 2023
- Read Mom’s five-year diary by reading one page a day. It will be great to learn more about Mom as a teenager.
2. Finish Amanda in Scotland: The Standing Stones, book number ten in the Amanda Travels series.
3. Publish my collection of short stories based on my childhood growing up on the Canadian prairies.
4. Learn how to self-publish
5. Return to Canada and attend a family reunion
6. Create a newsletter.
7. Clean up and sort out my office.
8. Clean up my computer and tablet
9. Read and write more poetry
10. Eat out more often. Since the pandemic, we have gotten out of the habit and I’m getting tired of cooking all the time.
11. Read 48 books. I’m going to try for this reading goal again.
12. Work on reducing my TBR pile on my bookshelves and on my Kindle
13. Maintain my health; reduce my sugar intake
14. Visit Ireland
15. Continue marketing my books and looking for new ways to market
That should keep me busy enough so I don’t get bored.
My words for 2023 are Savour the Moment
Wishing everyone a super 2023: May many of your dreams come true!
Green Gables House
Posted on: November 19, 2022
Many of you know that Anne of Green Gables is my favourite children’s book. The opportunity to see the house in Prince Edward Island that inspired the author, Lucy Maude Montgomery, was indeed a dream come true!
Green Gables House, was originally a farmhouse that belonged to the Macneill family, cousins of L.M. Montgomery. The author spent a lot of time there as a child and later used it as the inspiration for the setting of her popular novel, Anne of Green Gables. It is now a heritage museum, done up as it is depicted in the book as the home of her characters, siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, Anne’s adoptive parents in the story. You can imagine my delight as I looked through the house. It was like stepping into the much-loved story.
The sitting room, as described in the book.
Anne Shirley’s room with her favourite dress hanging on the back of the closet door.
Marilla’s room with her shawl and the famous broach. (Sorry you can’t see it in the picture)
The property consists of a lovely garden that backs onto a wooded area, also depicted in the story.
The Haunted Wood where many of Anne’s adventures with Diana played out.
A cart similar to the one Matthew would have used to pick up Anne at the train station and take her to Green Gables to start her new life.
Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.”
– L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
On the site is also The Green Gables Visitor Centre with many interesting displays and information about PEI’s famous author.
Lucy Maude Montgomery, as a young writer.
The typewriter LM Montgomery most likely typed her famous novel.
Anne of Green Gables has been translated into 36 different languages. I loved this wall of some of the different covers.
The home of Lucy Maude Montgomery is situated close by. The house she lived in with her grandparents, who raised her, is no longer standing but the foundation is there. In her memories, the author mentions she lived a very happy life there as a girl.
On the old farm site is a cosy bookstore, which is very fitting. I bought a wonderful book there which I treasure.
“Were it not for those Cavendish years, I do not think Anne of Green Gables would ever have been written.” L.M. Montgomery, The Alpine Path.
My review of this book is here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5069965399
LM Montgomery is buried in the nearby Cavendish Community Cemetery. I was able to visit her grave and pay my respects to an author I have long admired and who inspired me to write.
A visit I will never forget.
First Day of Spring Cover Reveal
Posted on: March 21, 2022
- In: Books | quotes
- 82 Comments
“That is one good thing about this world…there are always sure to be more springs.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea
I hope everyone is enjoying the first day of spring if you live in the Northern Hemisphere. This is typically a time for new birth. So to celebrate, I am revealing the cover of my upcoming new birth, book #9 of the Amanda Travels series.
Amanda in France: Fire in the Cathedral
Amanda is in love! With Paris – the city of love. She’s in awe of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral. While there, she gets to work as a volunteer and stay in a famous bookstore, along with her bestie Leah and Leah’s eccentric Aunt Jenny. A dream come true for a book lover like Amanda.
Except, while she’s at the Paris Opera House there is a bomb threat. Then the lights go out during their visit to the Louvre. Worst of all, a devastating fire blazes in Notre Dame. Why does a mysterious man, who claims to be a busker, writer and artist, show up every time something bad happens?
Join Amanda as she explores the exciting streets of Paris, the fabulous Palace of Versailles and the colourful gardens of the painter Claude Monet, all the time looking for clues as to who would want to destroy such a beautiful, historic cathedral.
Comments from beta readers:
Children all over the world, impatiently waiting for this latest addition to the Amanda travel series, will not be disappointed! M. Iberg
I found the book compelling in the way a tragic news story has been woven into a mystery for children. Readers will want to explore more about the famous cathedral after reading this book. S. MacArthur
So, without further ado… Drum roll please… Here it is!
I hope you love it as much as I do.
The book is scheduled to be birthed, I mean released in September 2022.
“If people did not love one another, I really don’t see what use there would be in having any spring.”
― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables
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