This month Susan is revising two children’s stories for submission. The full-length manuscript of Kindergarten Mafia is now in the hands of the kind editor who requested it.

In the closing weeks of 2009 (my new yardstick for anni horribilis) people griped about the difficulty of moving from the double-zero decade to ‘2010’. Metaphor alert: a new year is a fresh page. We will all adapt – guaranteed.

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Speaking of complaints, at the moment I have none. The impact of my trip to Scottsdale, Sedona, Maui, and Monterey lives on. Here’s a quick re-cap:

In Scottsdale I learned about numerology from Glynis McCants (I’m a 9). I had my toes read (I have 10). And thanks to James Van Praagh my late grandmother stopped by to say hello which was most kind. With the kind assistance of Elizabeth Lesser I also died, came back to life and wrote myself a letter from the altered state that ensued. I should receive that letter later this year. There’s not enough room in cyberspace to explain any of this but if you have ever attended a Celebrate Your Life weekend you would understand. (And if you ever have a chance to see Iyanla Vanzant go!)

In Sedona – along with spirit sisters Judi, Carol and Rebecca – I had a delightful meditation experience in a vortex beside a creek at the base of Cathedral Rock. Apparently a bunch of chakras opened up and a colourful show unfolded: vivid red followed by pumpkin orange, warm gold, cool greens and blues plus a smattering of bursting black stars. Carol told me it meant I was ready to be creative again.

And so, with open chakras, I headed for Maui. I am possibly the only weirdo who thinks it’s a good idea to go to Maui alone, close myself indoors for two weeks and write. The outcome was worth the effort, however; Kindergarten Mafia is now complete and I’m ready to move on to the next project.

I did manage to get out and play on the valley isle. I met delightful people from Kihei to Kahana. Among them was a pirate, or more properly, The Pirate, who opened his heart when I emerged from my writer cave. I am grateful to him for the insider’s tour of Maui plus the personal insights and inspiration that emerged from our conversations. I also met a bright spark of a woman whose story I will tell next month.

Onward toward Monterey for a short but blessedly productive weekend at Andrea Brown’s Children’s Writing Workshops (see www.henrymiller.org/CWW.html). Cece Meng (www.cecemeng.com) was especially brilliant as a critique group leader. By the way, watch for this name in the future: Margie Lavender. Her illustrations took my breath away and caught the attention of industry insiders.

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Upon my return to Vancouver I almost immediately moved to Whistler. It was supposed to be a temporary move but I have decided to make it my permanent home. I am now a mountain woman in an International Olympic Ski Resort kind of way. In celebration, I ordered a half cord of wood and bought an axe. My friend Barbara called out words of encouragement as I chopped away at the cedar logs. I split two pieces and called it a day.

Last month I promised a random primer on Whistler. First of all, if you’re planning a visit avoid staying right in the heart of the village – it’s where the tourists party and they do like a party. Avoid hotel tax by booking an owner rental through websites like www.ownerdirect.ca and www.alluradirect.com .

Stereotypes don’t work here. For instance, in the week before Christmas I volunteered for a local fundraising effort. I noticed the friendliness and generosity of visitors and locals of all ages. Young tattooed and pierced people were just as likely to donate and offer a smile as the older and more straight-laced types.

Here’s a quick list of people, places and things I can recommend:

-Lunch Anyone? The Gone Bakery and Soup Company is tucked into the back of the book store in Village Square near the base of Whistler. Or try one of the two Wildflower Restaurants — at Function Junction or at the Whistler Racquet Club (Racquet Club closed until post-Olympics).

-Where the Locals Hang: Citta’s in Village Square or Roland’s Creekside Pub.

-When You Dine Fine: Try La Rua, Bearfoot Bistro or Rimrock restaurants. Book well in advance during peak season or, better yet, take advantage of off-season specials. Next on my fine dining places to try list is the Edgewater Restaurant. The lakeside mountain-view setting is sensational.

-Grunt, Sweat, Glide, Baby: Meadow Park Recreation Centre includes a fitness centre, a family-friendly pool and indoor ice arena.

-Ski Free! Woof! Cross-country skiers can take advantage of the Valley Trail just outside the Meadow Park Recreation Centre and ski to their heart’s content. The trail is groomed semi-regularly and it’s dog friendly.

-Something’s Fishy: I haven’t done this yet but when Alta Lake is frozen solid you can not only skate on it, you can see into the depths.

-In This Economy? If you’re thinking of buying now’s the time to kick some tires. 2010 Games or not, Whistler’s real estate market has been depressed for some time and is not expected to rebound anytime soon. (Best realtor in Whistler from my own experience is Jill Jacques. Honest, strategic, smart and personable.)

-Curtain Time: Check out all performances around town in The Pique newsmagazine.

-Go Local: In fact, read The Pique each Thursday to get the latest on entertainment, politics, culture and social happenings. You just might get a flair for the attitude du jour, too – which is decidedly off-program.

Life is meant to be lived. Seize the day – or at the very least, your pen. Happy New Year!