Terry Lynn Johnson's Blog, page 15
October 13, 2010
Winterdance Training Run
Fourteen seconds of passion.
Thought I'd post this quick, fun video to remind everyone we've got SNOW coming soon! Let's get excited!!!
is a large kennel of 150 huskies, in my hometown of Haliburton, Ontario. They plan to run the Yukon Quest this year! Also, their e-book Iditarod Dreamer is available to purchase on their site. Hop over and check out their other fun videos!
Thought I'd post this quick, fun video to remind everyone we've got SNOW coming soon! Let's get excited!!!
is a large kennel of 150 huskies, in my hometown of Haliburton, Ontario. They plan to run the Yukon Quest this year! Also, their e-book Iditarod Dreamer is available to purchase on their site. Hop over and check out their other fun videos!
October 9, 2010
Adventure post contest
This post is for the awesome contest going on at blog to win an ARC of her fabulous debut novel coming out ACROSS THE UNIVERSE. I'm pretty sure you've heard of it, but if you've missed it, check out the . It will blow your mind.
I normally write short, quick posts here. But this will break from tradition.
AÂ life lesson at a remote outpost camp
Working as a cook in a prospector camp north of Pickle Lake, Ontario in January comes with a few challenges. But I was 19 and ready for an adventure, though I didn't know how to cook.
I chopped wood, stoked woodstoves and hauled water. I also quickly learned how to feed a camp full of hungry guys. I was so good at all these jobs, the guys stopped mumbling about having some whimpy girl in camp and actually started saying things like, "you'd make a good trapper's wife there darlin'."
Which I took to be a compliment of sorts. They even made me my own private outhouse. This consisted of a hole, some logs nailed to the trees and a plastic see-through tarp stapled up to form a privacy screen that worked about as well as when you were in 6th grade and your friend held up her scarf in front of you to change behind in gym. Still, it was mine.
One morning I slept in. I'm not sure how since the average air temperature inside the walled canvas tent was possibly colder than the minus 40 degrees Celsius outside. I threw my legs over the side of my plywood platform bed and jumped into my boots. My squeaking steps to the cook tent sounded loud in the silent darkness. Normally I lit the woodstove quickly using a mixture of gas and oil. I'd sprinkle some on the kindling, light a match and toss it in. There'd be a little "poof" and the kindling would begin to cheerily crackle and spit out its warmth.
But there was a shortage of gas today. Only the guys cutting line with chainsaws could use it. I held up my Coleman lantern and stumbled around until I spotted the can of Naptha gas.
I wonder if that will work, I said to myself. Did I mention I was 19?
I grabbed the can with icy fingers and gingerly poured some on the kindling. I leaned over the woodstove, peering down the opening at the top. That doesn't look like enough. It probably needs more. I poured more. I straightened, shivered, and poured a little more on just to be sure.
I lit the match directly over top of the stove. And to ensure that the Naptha worked, I leaned over the yawning, dark hole and watched the match drop in.
Life lesson #132.
A large ball of rabid flame shot up towards my face. I was blown backwards by the force of the explosion. The stove pipe was launched through the tent wall like an evil black rocket. A deafening blast cut through the freezing air that was probably heard in the living rooms of the people in the next village.
"What was that Joe?"
"Don't know Martha, sounded like some lunatic white woman is testing the volatility of Naptha gas."
The commotion brought 12 men in long johns, running in to find me giggling on the ground. There was a melt hole across the chest of my Polypropylene shirt, some blisters already forming on the backs of my hands, and the distinct smell of burnt pig. I was to discover later that half my eyebrows were gone.
The rest of that month passed slowly for me. Stripped of my "trapper's wife" honorary title, I was now the camp joke. Guaranteed to bring a smile to any who glanced at me.
But I did learn how to cook, how to get along with a group of surly male prospectors, and some fire safety. The good thing is you only have to learn something like that once.
I normally write short, quick posts here. But this will break from tradition.
AÂ life lesson at a remote outpost camp
Working as a cook in a prospector camp north of Pickle Lake, Ontario in January comes with a few challenges. But I was 19 and ready for an adventure, though I didn't know how to cook.
I chopped wood, stoked woodstoves and hauled water. I also quickly learned how to feed a camp full of hungry guys. I was so good at all these jobs, the guys stopped mumbling about having some whimpy girl in camp and actually started saying things like, "you'd make a good trapper's wife there darlin'."
Which I took to be a compliment of sorts. They even made me my own private outhouse. This consisted of a hole, some logs nailed to the trees and a plastic see-through tarp stapled up to form a privacy screen that worked about as well as when you were in 6th grade and your friend held up her scarf in front of you to change behind in gym. Still, it was mine.
One morning I slept in. I'm not sure how since the average air temperature inside the walled canvas tent was possibly colder than the minus 40 degrees Celsius outside. I threw my legs over the side of my plywood platform bed and jumped into my boots. My squeaking steps to the cook tent sounded loud in the silent darkness. Normally I lit the woodstove quickly using a mixture of gas and oil. I'd sprinkle some on the kindling, light a match and toss it in. There'd be a little "poof" and the kindling would begin to cheerily crackle and spit out its warmth.
But there was a shortage of gas today. Only the guys cutting line with chainsaws could use it. I held up my Coleman lantern and stumbled around until I spotted the can of Naptha gas.
I wonder if that will work, I said to myself. Did I mention I was 19?
I grabbed the can with icy fingers and gingerly poured some on the kindling. I leaned over the woodstove, peering down the opening at the top. That doesn't look like enough. It probably needs more. I poured more. I straightened, shivered, and poured a little more on just to be sure.
I lit the match directly over top of the stove. And to ensure that the Naptha worked, I leaned over the yawning, dark hole and watched the match drop in.
Life lesson #132.
A large ball of rabid flame shot up towards my face. I was blown backwards by the force of the explosion. The stove pipe was launched through the tent wall like an evil black rocket. A deafening blast cut through the freezing air that was probably heard in the living rooms of the people in the next village.
"What was that Joe?"
"Don't know Martha, sounded like some lunatic white woman is testing the volatility of Naptha gas."
The commotion brought 12 men in long johns, running in to find me giggling on the ground. There was a melt hole across the chest of my Polypropylene shirt, some blisters already forming on the backs of my hands, and the distinct smell of burnt pig. I was to discover later that half my eyebrows were gone.
The rest of that month passed slowly for me. Stripped of my "trapper's wife" honorary title, I was now the camp joke. Guaranteed to bring a smile to any who glanced at me.
But I did learn how to cook, how to get along with a group of surly male prospectors, and some fire safety. The good thing is you only have to learn something like that once.
October 2, 2010
DOGSLED DREAMS book trailer
Today is the day.
For your viewing pleasure, I present the official trailer created by the most awesome of M2 Productions.
For your viewing pleasure, I present the official trailer created by the most awesome of M2 Productions.
September 30, 2010
End of summer adventure photo collage
One of the great things about blogging is I get to share some of my vacation photos without being that obnoxious friend that makes you sit through the two hour slide show of their trip to Disney World. This way, you can scroll through the ones that are boring. Here's a few I haven't posted already. Enjoy.
My man on his cell as a storm approaches
The fog monster approaches
cooking noodles. Yum.
paddling next to a deer
what's a slide show without the obligatory dog shot?
I've posted this one before - but it's just too cute not to repeatOutdoor Writers of Canada awards!
How to turn your book club into a spectacular event
New release alert!
by Myra Calvani is available now on Amazon. It's published by
The most amazing thing is that I'm listed in the book as a resource! I'm thrilled and honoured.
Here's what some people are saying
"How to Turn Your Book Club into a Spectacular Event, by Mayra Calvani, speaks directly to kids who love to read and who want to share their favorite books with friends." --The Story of a Writer
HOW TO TURN YOUR BOOK CLUB INTO A SPECTACULAR EVENT is packed with great ideas on making this happen. From ideas of what to call your book club to brainstorming questions to ask, this is a must have book if you're serious about having a successful club." --YABooks Central
For more info, check out Myra's .
by Myra Calvani is available now on Amazon. It's published by
The most amazing thing is that I'm listed in the book as a resource! I'm thrilled and honoured.
Here's what some people are saying
"How to Turn Your Book Club into a Spectacular Event, by Mayra Calvani, speaks directly to kids who love to read and who want to share their favorite books with friends." --The Story of a Writer
HOW TO TURN YOUR BOOK CLUB INTO A SPECTACULAR EVENT is packed with great ideas on making this happen. From ideas of what to call your book club to brainstorming questions to ask, this is a must have book if you're serious about having a successful club." --YABooks Central
For more info, check out Myra's .
September 27, 2010
I'm on Writer's Alley!
I can't believe it!! I've hit the big time and I'm featured on blog!!! Her graffiti wall features all sorts of amazing talented writers and I'm honoured to be chosen!
Check out the interview for how I feel about writing, dogsledding, agents, and dog breath. .
September 26, 2010
Advanced readers copies
Very busy week this week! Hiking, working, kayaking, ARC's arriving...
And just because it's too beautiful not to share, here's my dog waiting on the deck early morning last week. She wants to go for a hike around the lake! �
 
And just because it's too beautiful not to share, here's my dog waiting on the deck early morning last week. She wants to go for a hike around the lake! �
 
September 22, 2010
Ask an Elevensie!
Over on the debut author site the , is a new feature. Every Tuesday, a new question will be picked from our readers and any of the 80 + authors on the site will respond with answers!
This week - WHAT DO YOU WISH SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU WHEN YOU STARTED WRITING?
Go see what some of the Elevensies have to say! Check it out
September 20, 2010
Adventure blogs and book
 Meet my new blog crush.
is a great place to be inspired to get outside and enjoy life.
Her latest post whispers a secret of an upcoming memoir, THE NEXT FIFTEEN MINUTES. Her adventures as a ski patroller trying to find salvation after a terrible diagnosis. Congratulations Kim!
Other great blogs
is a great place to be inspired to get outside and enjoy life.
Her latest post whispers a secret of an upcoming memoir, THE NEXT FIFTEEN MINUTES. Her adventures as a ski patroller trying to find salvation after a terrible diagnosis. Congratulations Kim!
Other great blogs
September 12, 2010
Bookmarks and facebook fan page
front view
back viewJust wanted to mention I have my new fan page set up on Facebook for DOGSLED DREAMS.
There's a contest right now to win my new bookmarks. All you have to do is "like" it and comment! This will be a place to find dogsledding info, meet junior mushers (closer to the book launch date) and get book related updates.
Would love to get a few more fans!
back viewJust wanted to mention I have my new fan page set up on Facebook for DOGSLED DREAMS.
There's a contest right now to win my new bookmarks. All you have to do is "like" it and comment! This will be a place to find dogsledding info, meet junior mushers (closer to the book launch date) and get book related updates.
Would love to get a few more fans!
