Sheryl McFarlane

1.Mr. Bruce Springsteen doesn’t need an opening act because he plays a seriously full, and I mean full, concert…3 hours plus a 5 song encore!

2.  With Bruce, the show isn’t about lights and pyrotechnics, it’s about the love of music

3.Bruce’s seemingly inexhaustible energy is catching.

4. His music, even the stuff written years ago, speaks an emotional truth that is as important today as it was when it was written.

5. Every one of the E Street Band is an incredible musician and they are all front and centre on several occasions during the show.

6. Bruce loves his job and it so shows.

7. The E Street Band members love their jobs and it so shows.

8. Mr. Springsteen invited a little old lady from the audience up to dance with him when he sang Dancing in the Dark…It was awesome.

9. Springsteen takes the time to connect with the community  he’s playing in; telling us how widely our food bank is being used and reminding us that those of us who have may want to think about helping those who do not.

10.The last note of every song is the beginning of the next.

I know I said 10 things, but there are just so many…

11. He plucked a young girl out of the audience to help him sing “Waitin’ on a Sunny Day” and boy could she sing.

12. He likes to get close to his audience and even does a little crowd surfing…but really, even when he was on stage, he exuded this kind of “we” as opposed to us and them kind of vibe.

13. He sings to all of his fans, even the ones who could only afford the cheap seats behind the stage.

14. The Boss sang “Santa Clause is Coming to Town” with a fan dressed up in a Santa suit.  Do you know any other rockers who are cool enough to do that and not seem schmaltzy?

15. Songs like “My City’s in Ruins” have the power to make you want to “rise up” and make the world a better place.

16. Bruce Springsteen is one of the best storytellers I know of.

There are lots of other things I loved about the Bruce Springsteen Wrecking Ball concert…and, if you ever get a chance to hear him live, I’m pretty sure that you’ll come up with an even longer list.

Thanks for an incredible evening Mr. Springsteen. You and the E Street Band will continue rockin’ my house long after you are back home.

Visiting two of my girls tomorrow.   Dinner and then the Bruce Springsteen concert.  Can’t wait!  Love my girls!  Love Bruce!

Nice to get a bit of local publicity for Island Santa. Peninsula News Review – Book benefits foundation.

 Thanks to Coles Books for hosting me this afternoon and thanks to those who stopped by.  Coles has a few signed copies for those who missed me. It was pretty quiet at the mall, but on the bright side, this gorgeous rainbow greeted me when just outside.  I’ll be at Talisman Books for my Pender Island launch of Island Santa next Saturday Dec. 1 from 1-3.

If you’re in Victoria today, drop by Coles Books at Tilicum Mall (lower level).  I’ll be signing copies of Island Santa as well as some of my classics like Waiting for the Whales and A Pod of Orcas.  Hope to see you there.  🙂  Oops.  I almost forgot.  I’ll be there from 1-3.

Tilicum Mall is having a 30 year celebration! I’ll be signing copies of my new book at Coles Books from 1-3 on Saturday November 24. If you’re in Victoria, don’t miss this chance to get an autographed copy. It makes a perfect children’s Christmas gift and proceeds go to support Jeneece Place, a home away from home for island families with children in need hospital care.  Coles will have some of my other books too so drop by.  It’s in the lower level of the mall.  Hope to see you there.

Spent a wonderful day over on Pender Island with dear friends Andrea and David Spalding who were launching their new cookbook, Seasonings: Flavours Of The Southern Gulf Islands.  It was a perfect day.  We picked up friend and fellow author Ann Walsh and headed off to the ferry where we had an quick bite before boarding beautiful BC ferries on the ship we fondly call “The Queen of Cucumber,” aka The Queen of Cumberland.  Blustery winds were whipping the waters of the strait into a frothy frenzy and canceling the Vancouver-bound ferry. But fortunately, our significantly smaller ferry would be staying in waters sheltered by various gulf islands, so our trip was not delayed.  The Cucumber did a wee bit of pitching but nothing too serious. We arrived at our friends’ place on Pender, welcomed by Andrea’s delightful labyrinth, stunning views of the water, and the delicious aroma of home made squash soup.

Andrea and Dave are such  wonderful hosts.  Despite getting ready for their book launch, they hosted ten or so of us for lunch…and it was Andrea’s birthday to boot!

Sharon, a old friend, had thoughtfully brought a delicious birthday cake along.  We did our best to polish it off before rushing off to Andrea and Dave’s champagne and H’ordserves book launch at Poet’s Cove on the far end of the Island.  Of course this isn’t an ordinary cookbook, it’s packed with as many island stories as it is recipes.  Andrea read one about blackberries and it had nothing to do with pies or jams, but a shop vac did  figure did prominently in the story.  And  Dave read another another about Tattoos and fennel.  Does this have you wondering?  Well it should, but you’ll have to buy the book and read the stories for yourself.  It was such fun, and I’m delighted to say that Talisman Books totally sold out of this wonderful new cook book.

What a treat it was to be invited. Thank you so much Andrea and Dave.  What a precious gift the day was, and what a wonderful gift Seasonings will be in the years to come.  Be sure to buy your copy for someone you love today!