No Comfortable Apocalypse

View from the hilltop overlooking the communal farm operated by The Elect. At the bottom, in the flats near the trees, is the location of the greenhouse.

Before I start, a huge THANK-YOU to those who have read and encouraged me in my newest novel, River Faces North. I will be sharing some setting photos Shay and I took this morning with you, but first, I just have to vent!

BUT PLEASE KEEP READING. SHAY AND I WORKED HARD TO GET THESE PICTURES, THROUGH WATER AND SNOW AND OVER LOGS. WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO SEE THEM.

One afternoon some friends dropped by to explain that all the signs pointed to an approaching cataclysmic end to this system of things. God was about to step in and make everything over. Yes, I agreed to the first part, soon the beauty outside my place--hectares of wilderness, tranquility, clean water--would be overturned and there would be tents and shacks and refuse heaps filling the pastoral scene. No, they countered, God would never let it get that bad! I am not so sure about that part; I don't see a particular reason to spare our backyard.

The thing is, it is always easier to expect an easy Apocalypse, one in which others have endured unspeakable torment, but things are still okay for us.

And so, gentle reader, I decided to write River Faces North, and bring the Apocalypse home. I have been told that it is "not my usual writing!", "too depressing", and "who wants to read a horrible thing like that!" All true--this is my first dystopian writing, the destruction of the world is indeed depressing with all the suffering entailed, and no one should want to read about horrible things like child sexual abuse. Nevertheless, it was not that difficult to build a world which was essentially just a progression of my little world back here.

For you, my kind supporters, here are photos of the place that inspired Flo's swamp and the communal farm, in which Elders toil in the fields and young children lug water and toil in the sweltering (or freezing) greenhouse. These are winter photos, and I want you to imagine you are there, bundled in layers of thin rags, feet wound in rough socks and cracked rubber boots, no warm fire or central heating to go home to after your ten to twelve hour day, the damp invading your bones. 

And perhaps like me, you will be grateful for the Flo's of this world, the tough old rebel grandmothers, who will find hope and a little chuckle in the darkest times. They are the reason I know we will be all right.
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At the future communal farm, a place of beauty and relaxation. . .for now

A typical trail down to the river, well-cleared

Children, some as young as five, would be sent to the river.

​The path to the marsh and ice, quite steep

From the clearing, river below the ridge in background

1. A typical trail down to the river, well-cleared
​2. ​Children, some as young as five, would be sent to the river.
3. ​The path to the marsh and ice, quite steep
​4. From the clearing, river below the ridge in background

Clear trail, easy walking

Not an unusual blockage

Another example of blockage that must be cut through, climbed over, or circumvented

1. ​Clear trail, easy walking
2. ​Not an unusual blockage, typical for market trip
3. Another example of blockage that must be cut through, climbed over, or circumvented

Photographer's assistant senses approaching wildlife. That is why she is along! Besides her gracious presence as a model!