A little bit about everything! - Elaine Bosvik Ciarnau

I am a published author of The Adventures of Cardigan.  I wrote this book because I wanted to share my life growing up in the Bush Camps. My friends were animals. This book contains 5 stories of what happened. I hope you will take a look. It is available for sale at Amazon, Chapters/Indigo, Barnes and Noble. Here are a few pages to get an idea of what the books about.

World Suicide Prevention Day I'm sure all of us know someone who has, or tried to commit suicide. I know I have seen it many times, from the time I was 2 until now. While living in the Bush Camps my Dad would take me to the bunk houses while he checked on everyone. Nothing like the shock of seeing someone hanging from the rafters. We would go berry picking and find men with their heads under the exhaust of their cars, blackened and maggots on them. My son had to go through that while in school. Friends he had known since JK were hanging themselves. It had become like an epidemic there were so many. It leaves scars on everyone they knew. It never goes away. Why would anyone even consider it? Depression is a main reason. No one listens or shrugs off what a person is saying. A feeling of hopelessness. There are clues but people have to be willing to see them. A little kindness will go a long way; say hello and talk to them. Let them know you care and are will...

I decided at 14 I was going to write a novel. My Dad thought that was a great idea and bought me a typewriter. I typed all night for weeks and sure enough, I had a novel.  I didn't have the courage to try to have it published so in the cupboard it went. A month ago my son came to me holding the folder containing what I wrote.  Since I have my children's book published, it's time for me to revise that old story. Who ever thought that old typewriter would actually make my dream of being an Author come true.

Labor Day is the one day of the year that depresses me and I am sad all day.  I don't know why but it's lonely. I remember as a child being so down everytime it rolled around.  Maybe because school started the next day?  But I am far from my school days and it still feels like I'm at a funeral. My Mom used to wake me up on the first day of school singing, School days, school days Dear old Golden Rule days 'Reading and 'riting and 'rithmetic Taught to the tune of the hick'ry stick You were my queen in calico I was your bashful, barefoot beau And you wrote on my slate, "I Love You, Joe" When we were a couple o' kids I hated that song! But as a parent I thought it necessary to sing it to my son, who in turn hated it as well.

What is a Quokka you ask? It is the cutest animal in Australia.  It is found only on two Islands in Southern Australia.  They are the size of house cats and always wear a smile. They actually LIKE people and will come up to you looking for any food you have left.  They are marsupials like their cousin the kangaroo.  Needless to say I want one. I would take any and every animal. But these are just adorable. I should write a book using the cutest animals.

Remember way back when, when we would ride in the back of a pickup truck. I don't remember there being seatbelts in a car.  Now you have to have certified car seats. Child safety is a priority in everything you buy. Can you imagine being restrained like they were in the 60's. I really don't think that would be a safe choice.

I'm sure almost everyone remembers the book, "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford. It was a book about 3 animals, Luath, a labrador retriever. Bodger and English Bull Terrier and Tao a siamese cat that went in search of their owners, the Hunters who went to England.  The story took place in Northwestern Ontario, where there many many lakes, forest, and much farm land and small communities. The three animals were devoted to each other and stuck together through their journey.  It was later turned into a movie. The great thing about it is that it premiered in Port Arthur, Ontario, the very place the book was set in.  It also happens to be my hometown. They actually lived here, (originally from Scotland and her husband from England). Her husband was a Pediatrician until he moved to California. They have both passed but Sheila left a life long legacy with her  book.