Nicky Bond's Blog

Do you want to know the problem with today?
Sure you do. Settle in. The problem with today is that even though autumn's only just begun and you've barely started to relax into your pumpkin candles and maple lattes, it's suddenly November. And in November, there's the inevitable slide into the thing that no one wants to mention yet. And even though no one wants to mention it yet, it's one payday away, and shit needs to get sorted. 
This blog is not about Christmas. Nope, this blog is about clinging...

It's been a few weeks since my travelling shenanigans, and my mojo has finally returned. 
Being 'back to normal' externally doesn't automatically translate to the way I feel inside. Being home, knowing I have a book to write and a timeframe in which to write it, makes zero difference when I'm still wishing I were in Canada. No matter, my mojo has finally returned! So what does that mean?
Well, it means that I'm back in the zone. I'm immersing myself in the world of Leeza McAuliffe again, and I'm e...

Do you remember the Schlegel sisters from Howards End? 
If you're not familiar with the book you might remember Emma Thompson and Helena Bonham Carter from the 1992 film, or if you saw the 2017 mini-series, Hayley Atwell and Phillipa Coulthard? The Schlegels are described as 'intellectual and idealistic' on Wikipedia, and 'left-leaning, concerned with equality, feminism, and women's suffrage but also profoundly attached to culture and the arts, and the world of ideas and intellect' on the blog li...

I'm not saying it's because I was in Canada, recently, but that's definitely part of it. 
Morning! There's a teaser for you. What is it that Canada may or may not be responsible for? Why, it's the fact I'm full of the joys of autumn now. I was almost in the zone before I left, but now I'm fully immersed.
The reason it's Canada's fault is clear. They do it so much better. Pumpkins on doorsteps, golden-leafed wreaths, pumpkin ale served in bars, apples and cinnamon flavours all over the place, and y...

Hey, you're back! After last week's half-assed offering, I wasn't sure. Thank you! I promise this week will be better.
I'm currently heading to the airport. At least if you read this the moment it drops online, I am. Any time after that, I could be doing anything. Exciting! But back to the point. It's Monday morning, I'm about to get on a plane, and if this is scheduled correctly, you'll be reading it as I head home from my adventures. 
I've been in Canada. Largely because I love Canada. That's al...

I know, I know, this is a MASSIVE cop out. I'm sorry. 
I love writing how the past week has gone and sharing it every Monday. Honestly, I do. But today I'm a million miles away (well, 5000ish) and getting out a weekly update is just too tricky. Hang on one moment though. All is not lost, don't you worry. As if I'd leave you hanging. Below, for your reading pleasure, are the opening pages to Leeza McAuliffe is Branching Out - the most recent in all the Leeza McAuliffe series. Read, enjoy, and I'll...

I've cracked it. No, really, I have. I've finally taken a good photograph. Honestly, no one's more surprised than me.
If I was the insecure-about-my-photography-skills type, I'd be REALLY insecure. When I take a pic, I don't stop to stage it. I click the button at whatever is being presented to me. There's no thought about the background, the lighting, the shadow... no thought at all. I just snap. I'm not a professional, I've no exhibition coming up, it's simply my way of recording my memories.
Se...

The September Reset continues apace. Except! A curve ball has been thrown.
I have no idea if this is a curve ball
but it came up when I searched the term.A relative of mine has been selected for jury duty. That means I'm doing the school drop-off for a smaller relative of mine, for a few days coming up. This is perfect timing. For me, at least. Can you imagine if I'd had to be up at the absolute crack, during my extended mental break? If - post-Leeza McAuliffe Book  3 - I'd had to drag myself out ...

It's back! My brain, entering the chat.
Yes, the routine, the excitement over a new project, and the work ethic that's been MIA for months. It's back, baby! Leeza McAuliffe Book 4 has begun to be planned. I'm writing these words, thinking back over the past week, and feeling a sense of productivity and accomplishment. Not, I should add, that I've written a complete sentence yet. Nope, all that is still to come. But... I've had thoughts, noted down ideas, and arranged those ideas into bullet points...

A few weeks ago, I simply couldn't have imagined it. The heat had suffocated me for so long that the thought of cooler air was unimaginable. And now? It's raining baby! Woohoooo! 
Can you see the rain?As I type, the rain is literally lashing down. Bouncing off the patio, cutting through the clammy climate, and giving me untold pleasure. It's marvellous. I can feel the breeze coming through the back door, I can hear the pitter patter as it gets heavier, and I can smell the garden. What's that word...