I was reminded today of how humans learn and process things differently, how everyone has talents, if we just look for them. Some come to mind in surprising ways, whether it be by a quick understanding of math concepts, which Gordon Gill had, despite his lack of reading skills. Another was how our friend Jim DeLancey didn't learn anything in his business classes until he actually started doing bookkeeping, or how he couldn't stand to listen in school but could read a book and understand computer programming. He also told us about Inuit people he worked with in the Arctic who could, apparently instinctively, do so much mechanically without having any experience with machinery.  We all had stories of people being brilliant in their own ways, even if teachers despaired of them..

Many thanks to the Ceyana Canoe Club for warmly welcoming me to make a presentation about my book "Blue Sky, Red Canoe" last night. It was fun, and a great evening.

Thanks to Sylvia Lee, Vicky Wirth and Mark Lund! We shared photos, laughs, experiences and reasons for paddling, generally, and for paddling the Red Deer River specifically. I loved how members of the club freely explored their special feelings about being on the river.

It is with heavy heart that I tell you Gordon's son Trent passed away in early February.  Gordon and other members of his family were with Trent. I had coffee with Gordon on February 20th and we got to discussing all those who we have lost recently. I was feeling quite down. Gordon said two things to me, twice: "You just have to keep going" was one of them. The other, pure Gordon: "You just have to think of how bad some other people have it, and your problems don't seem so big."

Reminder! A Métis Man's Dream is available on Amazon (paperback and audiobook).

​Neil will be presenting on "Blue Sky, Red Canoe" and Reflecting on the Red Deer River - nature, pioneers, prairies, and paddling the badlands - on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 7:00 pm to Ceyano and Northwest Voyageurs Canoe clubs at Lendrum Community Hall, 11335 57 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB.

Blue Sky, Red Canoe is now available on Kindle (eBook) and Amazon (Paperback).
If you like it, please leave a review on Amazon.

A friend asked me why anyone would want to read a memoir of someone they don't know, about paddling a river they won't experience.

The answer, I think, (because I love well-done memoirs, often of people I don't know!) lies in the writing, the description, the sheer enjoyment of exploring something new, something outside our normal day to day. Properly revealed, a memoir connects us.

In this case, a mountain/prairie canoeing memoir will, I hope,  bring out our shared history and latent memories.  I think it takes us beyond ourselves. 

I do hope to interest people in Blue Sky, Red Canoe, which observes pioneer life, and paddling the Red Deer River over the past 40 years.  

Thanks to you who have emailed me. One of the best was the compliment about enjoying the reflective style and  personal stories found in Blue Sky, Red Canoe.

Many thanks for giving it a try. 

Now on Amazon/Kindle E-book and very soon in paperback there too.