Bullwinkle sighted!

In mid September, I was treated to sightings of a mama moose and her two calves browsing in the ravine behind my condo complex. Of course, I’ve seen moose (plural: moose, not meece) a number of times here in the city, but I am always amazed that they can exist in the narrow green belts and along the river, navigating busy roads, dogs, and people who approach far too closely.

It was too dark for me to get a good photo, so just in case you need reminding what a moose looks like, I’ve copied a photo, courtesy of www.factanimal.com.

If you’re outside of North America, you may call them “elk”, but here, our elk are a different animal species entirely.

These magnificent animals, so much larger than you first think, look ungainly, but move with incredible grace. I’ve watched them step over five-foot fences. No, not jump. Step. They seem to float over the ground with each stride of their long legs.  And though you might find it hard to believe, this huge animal can simply disappear into aspens. They often appear simply as a dark void.

Amazing though they are, they are a danger to motorists. For example, in Newfoundland, with an estimated population of 117,000 ranging the province (working out to about one moose per square kilometre), the province logged an average of 539 moose-vehicle collisions per year — almost six percent of all accidents. (2012-2020).

Moose are among the top ten fastest land mammals, easily reaching 60 kmph when they want to get some place in a hurry. They are excellent swimmers, too, and often choose to browse on aquatic plants.

I haven’t had a close call with one (yet) on the roads within the city, but I’m keeping my eyes open.

Other than being on moose-watch, what’s coming up in October?

I’m going to try to get out for a final camping trip of the year, weather permitting, of course. I will tag along with my sister- and brother-in-law — they have a trailer that I can flee to in case snow starts to fly. Tentative plans are to go to St. Mary Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area before they close for the season at the beginning of the month.

And what else? Well, Bouchercon 2026, of course! I’ve mentioned it before, but it bears repeating. On October 21 – 27, this reader-oriented literary festival features an international roster of authors, fans, and special guests. Come meet Louise Penny, Kathy Reichs, Abir Mukherjee, Mark Greaney, Jennifer Hillier, Vicki Delany, Kevin Sands, and Toastmaster P.J. VERNON.

There are five days of panels covering everything from “Walking on the Gritty Side (Complex and Resilient Characters Surviving Tough Times) to “What happens when a writer changes genres”, to “Fire Behavior and Arson Investigations for Writers”. I’ve been pouring over the event schedule trying to whittle down the sessions I want to attend, either because the topic sounds so intriguing or because I MUST hear the speaker.

There is a Pub Trivia Night (co-sponsored by Crime Writers of Canada and Sisters in Crime (Canada West Chapter), a Cocktails & Cozies reception, books signings, and (whew) so much more! I’ll be hosting a 20-minute meet-and-greet on October 22 from 1:40-2:00 with other BWL authors. We’ll be discussing how to write when the ink in our pens freezes and other writing conundrums.

Registration for Bouchercon 2026 closed on September 30, but next year it is being held in Washington DC., and you have plenty of time to think about attending.

In one of my next blogs, I’ll mention some of the other fantastic opportunities to attend literary festivals. Some I have already attended; others are on my list.

I can’t end this month’s blog without mentioning it’s trademark event – Hallowe’en.

For many, Hallowe’en is a major cause for celebration, marked by the over-consumption of candy, dressing in costumes, and falling prey to outlandish myths of zombies, vampires, and witches riding broomsticks.

Aside from the commercial and frivolous celebrations. for those who honour pagan traditions, it coincides with Samhain, one of the most important holidays of the year. It marks the final harvest and the beginning of winter. For Wiccans, it is the New Year, a time to honour the dead, to let go of habits and things that no longer have purpose in their life, and to step into the darker, colder half of the year with the help of powerful rituals.

Whatever you’re up to this month, the time when we relish the wonders of fall, I hope you find joy in the colours, breathe deeply of the crisp fall air, and celebrate!