Ninth born.

"I love these new poems and find the writing irresistibly energetic and imaginative. It's a beautiful, bountiful piece of work." -Barry Dempster


Wretched Beast
by Shelley A. Leedahl


BuschekBooks
ISBN 978-1-894543-71-2
17.95


The latest poetry collection by multi-genre writer Shelley A. Leedahl is a visceral and imagistic sojourn documenting a poet’s walk through prairie woodlands and forests (“moose tracks on the moose tracks”), urban Canadian streets and foreign country lanes, and across significant life transitions.

The poems in Wretched Beast bridge signpost personalities, destinations, intense phases of self-imposed solitude, and sometimes raw experiences , leaving a never-before map in their emotional wake. Ripe with birds and garter snakes, with awe for the unlikely (“skates slung over shoulders in the old way”), with whimsy, praise, and with poems unafraid to ring in the minor key, Leedahl meticulously delivers her passionate art of walking, of listening inward and out, and of rising when it is no small thing.


Leedahl frequently presents her work and leads writing workshops across Canada. She was born and raised in SK, recently lived in Edmonton, and is currently based in Wilson Creek on BC’s Sunshine Coast.


Contact her at shelleyaleedahl@gmail.com to have a signed copy mailed to your address. ($25, includes shipping\handling)   Books can also be ordered directly from the publisher: http://www.buschekbooks.com/buy.html
Book launch and tour details are forthcoming. Please stay tuned.

Saskatchewan retreat house (for writers, visual artists, and other creators).

Making art.

Sometimes it requires solitude.

And listening to the quiet voice that's your own.

Imagine an extended retreat with inspiration drawn from walking

through woodland trails, interacting with gentle wildlife,

and circumnavigating a quiet prairie lake.

Enjoy the luxury of time and space ... for your art, and for yourself.

Literary writer Shelley A. Leedahl is offering her home in the scenic village of Middle Lake, Saskatchewan (1.5 hours NE of Saskatoon) for creative or contemplative retreats. Individual or two-person residencies preferred, and two month minimum requested. Dog companions welcome.

The two bedroom plus study, perfectly private house with large garden and two-car garage is on the village edge. The home floods with light. The broad western sky provides a dramatic backdrop to your creative work. A postcard ten-minute walk through the woods leads to the quiet lakeshore. Birds and nature are abundant.

Retreat rate is $800\month (single) or $1200\month (double),

wirelss internet and utilities included. 

Better rates negotiable for longer retreats. 

Your view (woods just to the left of image).

Dining room with window toward the sunset.

House is furnished and includes upright grand piano.

Lucien Lake.

One corner of the large private garden.

Please contact Shelley A. Leedahl shelleyaleedahl@gmail.com

or 604-989-4959 for more information

or to reserve your private retreat now.

Son: A Thanksgiving Photo Essay in Three Parts \ Part Three

Pender Hill: the top.

The tradition of adding a stone to the cairn.

Or beginning a new one, as it were.

Pender Harbour spreads out below.

Son: "We better go check the crab trap."

Shelley: "But it's so peaceful here."

Garden Bay.

Shelley: "I'm going to miss you like crazy."
(In Gibsons Landing, moments before boarding the ferry at Langdale."

Son: A Thanksgiving Photo Essay in Three Parts \ Part Two

Greg: "It's so much better to get in a boat and out to the deep water."

Son: "This feels like a big one!"

Son: "There's a sunstar on top of the trap!"

Son: "That's a big sucker."

Hauling the trap in for another check.

Son: "Yep, it's a male, and not a bad size."

Son: "Mom, take a picture of me."

Greg: "Not a bad haul."

Son: "This big boy gets his own pail."

Son: "We need more saltwater in those containers."

Greg: "There's nothing like dungeness crab."

Greg: "This is going to be delicious, and I'll dance to that!"

Logan: "I can eat another one. Can you?"

Crab: "We're gonna need a bigger plate!"

The fine art of eating crab.

Greg: "Pass me the cracker, please."

Shelley: "This has been a fantastic day."

Son: A Thanksgiving Photo Essay in Three Parts \ Part One

Mother to son text: "I c u."

Son: "That's me standing at the bow."

Son: "We have to cross this creek."

Son: "Let's go a little further."

Mother: "Can you believe this is where I live?"

Son: "This is the best garage sale ever."
(note ... purchased two crab traps for $10
and crabbed all weekend).

Greg: "We'll just repair this net and throw the traps off the Davis Bay wharf."

Beautiful.

Greg: "Give it a good chuck."



Logan: "First catch of the day."



Cliff Gilker Park.

                     ``Oh, what a beautiful morning.``

             h
outstanding                  
             k
             in Cliff Gilker park  (about 7 minutes from home)
             n 
             g

Sunshine Coast Police Blotter (no joke!)

One of the highlights of every Friday is receiving the local newspaper, the Coast Reporter. Below are a few items from the Weekly Police Report.
_________________________________________________________

On October 5, a resident in the 900 block of Gower Point Road reported a suspicious incident after witnessing a small ball of fire descend rapidly from the sky and land in her hedges. Police attended and found the remains of a paper lantern, which is believed to have become airborne once the candle inside had warmed the air inside. Due to recent rains, the hedge did not catch fire. It is unknown where the lantern came from.

Overnight on Oct. 10, a thief gained entry into two unlocked vehicles in the 1200 block of Grandview Road. The vehicle was rifled through, but nothing was stolen. [Shell`s note: no theft = no thief]

Overnight on Oct. 10, a thief gained entry into an unlocked vehicle in the 1200 blck of Sunnyside Road and rifled through the contents and stole a watermelon. The thief appears to have had a knife as slices of watermelon were found on the driveway.