{"id":3504,"date":"2017-12-26T08:02:56","date_gmt":"2017-12-26T16:02:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/?p=3504"},"modified":"2019-04-17T09:00:04","modified_gmt":"2019-04-17T16:00:04","slug":"a-year-of-unexpected-delights-and-frustrations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/2017\/uncategorized\/a-year-of-unexpected-delights-and-frustrations\/","title":{"rendered":"A Year of Unexpected Delights and Frustrations!"},"content":{"rendered":"

I love year-end reviews.\u00a0I look back at what I\u2019ve experienced, what I\u2019ve learned and what I\u2019m planning for the new year. The delights were many: travel, family visits, theatre, and writing, always writing.<\/p>\n

The frustrations had more to do with what happened outside our home: politics in the USA and the #metoo movement. The latter, I applaud, as there have been so many brave women and men needing to be heard. Feminism, which stands for equal rights, exploded as a result. My novel, A Rubber Fence<\/a><\/strong>,<\/span> set in the 1970s, shows what it was like at the start of that movement.<\/p>\n

A Busy Travel Year<\/h3>\n
\"a

\u00a9Diana Stevan\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Salton Sea, California<\/p><\/div>\n

2017 was an unusually busy year for Rob and me, travel-wise. We had three great trips.<\/p>\n

In April, we saw our grandson, Michael Stevantoni, who\u2019s taking film studies at Chapman U.He took us around Salton Sea, where he shot his first feature film. It’s called Desert Shores<\/a>.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>The release date is yet to be decided.<\/p>\n

We also saw Desert X<\/span>,<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0featuring amazing art installations in Palm Desert, and heard pianist Hunter Noack play some great arrangements on the grand lawn at Rancho Mirage.<\/p>\n

We also weathered extreme heat when we hiked Joshua National Park. The bonus was the fabulous display of desert flowers, unlike any we’d seen before.<\/p>\n

Then, in July, we spent 18 days in New York City, one of our favorite cities in the world. Our son-in-law, Diego Matamoros, was in three of eleven productions that Soulpepper theatre company of Toronto took to the Pershing Theatre on 42nd<\/sup> street.<\/p>\n

\"a

\u00a9 Diana Stevan\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Central Park, NYC<\/p><\/div>\n

Daughter Robyn and our two granddaughters Chloe and Mimi were in NYC as well, and together we went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Broadway for a play, and Central Park, where we cycled, rowed a boat and saw Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.<\/p>\n

I also re-visited Bryant Park where Catherine in my novel, A Cry From The Deep<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, had a momentous meeting.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"a

\u00a9Diana Stevan\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Open Mic Sidewalk Cafe, NYC<\/p><\/div>\n

A highlight in NYC was going with granddaughter Chloe Matamoros to an open mike night at Sidewalk Cafe to hear her sing one of her original songs.<\/p>\n

And in October, we visited Chloe in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she\u2019s studying opera and drama at Dalhousie U. After a week with her, we took in the Celtic Colours of Cape Breton Island and heard some amazing fiddling.<\/p>\n

I was so impressed and inspired that I bought a violin and started taking lessons again. I haven\u2019t played a fiddle since high school and even then I wasn\u2019t that good. Now Rob has to listen to my screeching. Good thing he wears hearing aids so he can take them out when I play.<\/p>\n

\"a

\u00a9Diana Stevan\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada<\/p><\/div>\n

While we were in the port city of Halifax, we visited Pier 21 and the Immigration Museum<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, to do some genealogy research and get more material for future stories.<\/p>\n

And we topped off the year with celebrations of Hanukkah with friends (Rob found out this year that one of his great-grandparents was Ashkenazi Jewish) and Christmas with family\u2014daughter Karen, son-in-law John and grandson Michael. The latter we celebrated with hearty meals, Christmas carols, readings from The Northern Nativity<\/strong><\/span> by William Kereluk and daughter Karen’s magnificent plum pudding.<\/p>\n

My Third Novel and More<\/h3>\n

As for my third novel, I’m still hemming and hawing as to how to get it out. It’s done and I’m polishing it. I may still indie publish it. My experience in self-publishing has been positive and I can apply what I\u2019ve learned from my last venture. It is very rewarding to have control over title and cover and when my \u201cbaby\u201d goes out to the public.<\/p>\n

And in the new year, I\u2019ll pick up where I left off on my book of short stories, and Along Came A Gardener<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, my inspirational book. As I also have a number of other writing projects, started and abandoned, I\u2019ll soon see what gets my attention first.<\/p>\n

My Wishlist<\/h3>\n

I\u2019m wishing for and praying for World Peace, nuclear disarmament, the wealthy to pay more in taxes\u2014fat chance of that in the USA\u2014so that the poor and the middle class don\u2019t carry the burden, affordable health care for all, fulfillment of the Paris Accord (respect for our environment), and respect and tolerance for one another regardless of race, religion and sexual orientation.<\/p>\n

I know that\u2019s a tall order, but I know that many want what I want. Through working together in our wonderful world and putting out positive energy into the universe, we can accomplish more than we think.<\/p>\n

Thank You Dear Reader<\/h3>\n

Thank you for visiting my website.My ongoing joy comes from connecting with you, the reader. If you’ve read any of my books, thank you and if you haven’t, more information is\u00a0available here<\/strong><\/a>. For\u00a0book news or any offers down the road, you can sign up for my newsletter.<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0I generally send one out quarterly. I promise not to flood your inbox.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If you have anything to add to my wishlist for 2018 or anything else, would love to hear it. You can leave a COMMENT<\/strong> below.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m wishing you all a Happy New Year, one full of Peace, Joy, and Love!<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I love year-end reviews.\u00a0I look back at what I\u2019ve experienced, what I\u2019ve learned and what I\u2019m planning for the new year. The delights were many: travel, family visits, theatre, and… <\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3512,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1,4],"tags":[609,903,78,104,812,986,5,985],"class_list":["post-3504","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-writing","tag-a-cry-from-the-deep","tag-along-came-a-gardener","tag-diana-stevan","tag-michael-stevantoni","tag-the-rubber-fence","tag-william-kereluk","tag-writing-2","tag-year-end-review"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/IMG_0739.jpg?fit=1600%2C703&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1LuVB-Uw","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2519,"url":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/2016\/therapy-2\/book-launch-of-the-rubber-fence\/","url_meta":{"origin":3504,"position":0},"title":"Book Launch of THE RUBBER FENCE","author":"Diana Stevan","date":"3 \u0411\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0437\u043d\u044f, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"It's official! The day has arrived for my book launch of \u00a0THE RUBBER FENCE\u00a0online. It's\u00a0now on sale on Amazon and will be available at other booksellers in time.\u00a0 Inspired by my work on a psychiatric ward in 1972, it covers a time when feminism was being born, shock treatment was\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0423 "Therapy"","block_context":{"text":"Therapy","link":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/category\/therapy-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Book Launch THE RUBBER FENCE","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/150-rubber-fence-ebook-cover.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3219,"url":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/2017\/writing\/upcoming-events-for-author-diana-stevan\/","url_meta":{"origin":3504,"position":1},"title":"Upcoming Events in Campbell River and Vancouver’s North Shore","author":"Diana Stevan","date":"26 \u041a\u0432\u0456\u0442\u043d\u044f, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Now that I'm back from our trip to California (photos to follow soon), I'm gearing up for a few upcoming events. One is at the end of this month and two are in early May. Authors for Indie Day First up is Authors for Indie Day at Coho Books in\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0423 "Books"","block_context":{"text":"Books","link":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/category\/books\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"upcoming events","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_2220-300x284.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4206,"url":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/2019\/writing\/amazons-surprise-discount-psychological-fiction\/","url_meta":{"origin":3504,"position":2},"title":"Amazon’s Surprise Discount","author":"Diana Stevan","date":"9 \u041a\u0432\u0456\u0442\u043d\u044f, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"This morning I checked the book categories of The Rubber Fence on Amazon and discovered that Amazon had given my novel a surprise discount. It was listed as $14.95 but was now on sale for $6.91. Confused, I phoned to enquire why. The agent told me that Amazon selects certain\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0423 "Writing"","block_context":{"text":"Writing","link":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/category\/writing\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Quote-from-The-Rubber-Fence.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Quote-from-The-Rubber-Fence.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Quote-from-The-Rubber-Fence.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Quote-from-The-Rubber-Fence.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2597,"url":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/2016\/writing\/book-cover-wins-gold-star\/","url_meta":{"origin":3504,"position":3},"title":"Book Cover Wins Gold Star","author":"Diana Stevan","date":"23 \u041a\u0432\u0456\u0442\u043d\u044f, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"The Winning Cover I'm thrilled that the book\u00a0cover for THE RUBBER FENCE has won a\u00a0\u00a0Gold Star from Joel Friedlander of the BOOK DESIGNER. When I submitted the cover for their monthly contest, I wrote, \u00a0\u201cAs this story takes place largely on a psychiatric ward, I thought that Jun Ares\u2019s book\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0423 "Books"","block_context":{"text":"Books","link":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/category\/books\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"writing world","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/TRF-OLD-POSTER.jpg?fit=417%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6263,"url":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/2023\/writing\/finding-your-voice\/","url_meta":{"origin":3504,"position":4},"title":"Finding Your Voice","author":"Diana Stevan","date":"13 \u041b\u0438\u043f\u043d\u044f, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Finding your voice is what our granddaughter Chloe Matamoros underlines in her one-woman show, VOICE: SONG and SCREAM for the Toronto Fringe Festival. Yesterday, she had a standing ovation. I\u2019ve done some acting in my time, but Chloe is something else. She sings selections from operas, a musical, and folk\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0423 "Theatre"","block_context":{"text":"Theatre","link":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/category\/theatre-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Finding Your Voice","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_607932622.jpg?fit=539%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_607932622.jpg?fit=539%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_607932622.jpg?fit=539%2C640&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3860,"url":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/2019\/writing\/writing-thoughts-and-plans-for-2019\/","url_meta":{"origin":3504,"position":5},"title":"Writing Thoughts and Plans for 2019","author":"Diana Stevan","date":"12 \u0421\u0456\u0447\u043d\u044f, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Before I get into my writing thoughts and plans for 2019, I wish you, my readers and fellow writers, a wonderful year. I hope you and your families are blessed with joy and good health. Heliobore in our garden Jan. 2019 I received a promising sign for the new year.\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0423 "Writing"","block_context":{"text":"Writing","link":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/category\/writing\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"writing thoughts and plans","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_bce7.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_bce7.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_bce7.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_bce7.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3504","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3504"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3504\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3512"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3504"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3504"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}