DriverWorks Ink

09/05/2024

A sweet older man - in his 80s probably - smiled at me as he strolled with his walker past my food court table. "You look so inviting. A person could almost sit down and enjoy you," he said.
I thought he was talking about my food until I deconstructed his phrases. An unusual combination of words that I've never heard in that order before, and that made me smile.
Which made him smile even more.
I guess I should wear this blue colour more often. ☺️

09/03/2024

What's that phrase? Every day, do something that scares you?

This is my new neighbourhood. I took a look around. I don't care for heights and I have a bit of vertigo, but I walked onto this bridge over the Ring Road, and I didn't freak out or freeze or anything else except take photos and walk slowly off again.

Doing something different, which might scare me, reminds me that:
1. I am alive.
2. I should be grateful to be alive.
3. There is something happening outside myself and my own little world.
4. I can take a chance, a calculated risk at something that is ultimately safe.
5 I can do hard things.
6. I am strong.
7. I am never alone.
8. I just need to take a deep breath and give it a try. I'll probably be glad I did. ❤️

09/02/2024

Wow! Get your copy of Lisa Driver's award-winning first spiritual healing book today! It's a goodie.
Lisa Driver, a spiritual wellness author, a healer, and speaker, offers tools you can use to develop your intuition and work with your angels to live a happier, healthier life. Based on her work with clients and her own experiences, Lisa shares insights and details about her own journey from skeptic to believer to mentor for others, and provides exercises to help you shift your perception of the world around you and create more joy, peace and love in your daily life.

08/31/2024

My new, small office is starting to take shape. I should be able to return to my "normal" work life next week. For now, I'm listening to calming or familiar music, getting exercise away from my house, checking the weeds and other plants in my new backyard, checking in with loved ones, watching mindless TV, and getting as much rest as I can to help manage the stress and chaos that comes with purchasing a fixer upper. Only 3 major repair projects to go!

08/29/2024

Today's Gratitude: Another book award for author Mary Harelkin Bishop! Tunnels of Tyranny: Moose Jaw Time Travel Adventure #4 has received a Runner-up award in the Young Adult category from the 2024 Hollywood Book Festival!

This 4th book in our updated and republished series follows the adventures of Andrea and her brother Tony as they travel back in time to the dark tunnels under 1940s Moose Jaw. They encounter scary people wearing eerie hoods. Can the siblings complete the mission their grandfather sent them on before time runs out?

All of the first 4 books in our updated series have now won awards. Congratulations, Mary Harelkin Bishop and DriverWorks Ink! Special thanks to Wendi Nordell for the cover art and inside illustrations! Hurray!

Purchase your copies at https://driverworks.ca

Tunnels of Moose Jaw

08/26/2024

I spent the weekend with my daughters (& publishing consultants) Dani Driver and Lisa Driver and their families. After spending part of last weekend with my son Dave Driver and his kids and friends as they helped me move into my new home. How lucky am I?

08/21/2024

Today's Gratitude: I did it. I moved all my stuff into my new home. Technically, my son Dave Driver, his friend Kent, my 3 grandsons, and one of their friends Danillo moved my stuff with instructions from me.
There are stacks of boxes everywhere, including in my new office (top), book room (bottom left), & garage (bottom right). It's so nice to have it all under one roof. It feels like a fine start to a new living space.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to Dave, Kent, Cooper, Easton, Titan, and Dan. Thanks also to my new neighbour Patty, who pitched in every time she could, and to the various contractors who continue to make this place functional and beautiful. And now to tackle the boxes...

08/16/2024

Today's Gratitude: This fine gentleman is 102 years old today. Happy birthday, Reg "Crash" Harrison!
I spoke with Reg by phone and sang Happy Birthday to him. His response was, "Thank you very much! You must be in a choir," knowing, of course, that I am in a couple of choirs. Trust Reg to remember and comment on the details of other people's lives.
He's having a wonderful day celebrating with his family, including his youngest great-grandchild whom he'd not met before.
For Reg Harrison coming into my life, and the fact that he's made it to his 102nd birthday, I am truly grateful.

(Documentary interviews with Reg are available from Thomega Entertainment Canada Remembers Documentaries and I am honoured to partner with them to get these important stories to schools through the Royal Canadian Legions.)

08/14/2024

Contractors are working hard with and for me to get me and my books into our new home!

08/14/2024

Sad news that a local Indie bookstore is closing. Thank you, Annabel and staff of The Penny University Bookstore for giving southern Saskatchewan publishers and our authors a great place to showcase our work! All the best in whatever you choose to do next. ❤️

08/12/2024

My new neighbour Patty and I uncovered buried treasure in my backyard!
Read my blog post - https://driverworks.blogspot.com/2024/08/buried-treasure-in-backyard.html

While I was working in my new backyard transplanting peonies, my new neighbour Patty brought me a bowl of gluten-free spaghetti and meat sau...

08/10/2024

Update on the new home for Deana Driver and DriverWorks Ink. The flooring is on its way!

08/03/2024

Today's Gratitude: Olympians aren't the only ones celebrating right now... Two silver medals arrived from Next Generation Indie Book Awards for my Crash Harrison book! How wonderful!

Watch my YouTube video: https://youtu.be/5WVQmj9r8MA

This inspiring biography of Reg "Crash" Harrison, who will be 102 years old in less than 2 weeks, takes you through Reg's life growing up on the farm during the Dirty Thirties and then surviving four plane crashes as a bomber pilot during WWII. I wrote the book as though Reg is telling his life story, and it's been gratifying to hear people who know him say they feel as though he IS talking to them when they read it. Pick up your copy today. I have copies signed by Reg and me available from https://driverworks.ca

Crash Harrison: Tales of a Bomber Pilot Who Defied Death by Deana J Driver has been awarded two silver medals by the international Net Generation Indie Book ...

07/27/2024

Nope, I didn't buy this house because of the "Books" sign in this storage room, but it kind of feels meant to be, right? I didn't even see the sign until today while I was snooping around my new digs to figure out where things will go when renos are done.

When I first viewed this house, I did, however, see the "Mom" drawing on the wall of the laundry room. That seemed like a sure sign I was supposed to buy this house. My daughter Dani today said, "It even looks like you!" Well, except for the hair colour and how much I like to cook. 😏 Maybe I'll pretend that's me making a favourite meal for my family. I do love to do that.

And then there was this feather... It popped up from below the baseboard in the living room today while I was vacuuming up some of the mess we made after pulling out the carpet. Now THAT is cool!

Destiny. This house and me. Yep, this is going to be great!

07/25/2024

Today's Gratitude: It's been a busy summer so far. I've been going for walks while taking breaks from co-writing 2 books with Mary Harelkin Bishop, I've attended a couple of big events in Saskatoon where 101-year-old Reg "Crash" Harrison (the subject of my latest award-winning, bestselling book) was honoured, I've enjoyed views of the South Saskatchewan River from Reg Harrison's balcony (which he doesn't go on - watch my Deana Driver, DriverWorks Ink YouTube videos), and I've been house selling and hunting and buying, while also doing publisher and promotions work for my authors' books. Whew!

My latest e-newsletter has some details & great photos you've not seen before. (The photos posted here are from recent trips to Saskatoon & aren't even in the newsletter, there's been so much happening!) Read my e-newsletter - https://shorturl.at/71uM8

07/24/2024

A wonderful photo of a very special moment for Reg "Crash" Harrison as he watched the Lancaster bomber come in for a landing in Saskatoon!

** A Most Special Moment!**

On July 18th, Mathew Warren and his colleague Shelley Koop from YXE Airport Authority, in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum made a day to remember at the Saskatoon Airport even more special. They escorted 102-year-old Reg “Crash” Harrison to a special spot on the field, where he could watch the Lancaster land in peace.

Reg, a legendary local hero and Honourary Snowbird, is no stranger to danger. He survived 19 missions over Germany and four airplane crashes during World War II. As part of the illustrious 431 Squadron, which flew Lancasters before becoming the Snowbirds, Reg had a front-row seat to history.

Witnessing two icons reunite for a few hours was nothing short of awe-inspiring! What a cool moment to see the past and present come together in such a spectacular way!

We owe a special thank you to our sponsors:
• Greg Yuel of Kreos Aviation
• Brian Swidrovich of Canada Remembers Our Heroes for helping to make this event possible.

Finally, thank you to all of our volunteers who worked tirelessly over the past while to make this happen.

Photo Credit: Mathew Warren

07/23/2024

It's a bird fest at the park tonight!

07/18/2024

Flight Lieutenant (Retired) Reginald "Crash" Harrison was at the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum today to witness the landing of Canada's only Avro Lancaster in flying condition, which is making its way across Canada in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the RCAF.

101-year-old Reg (who will be 102 in August) survived 4 crashes as an RCAF bomber pilot in England in WW2, including one in a Lancaster. It was an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience watching Reg's emotions as he viewed an aircraft he flew during important missions 80 years ago.

Thank you to those who sponsored today's event. Reg Harrison and his family (and I as the author of his Crash Harrison book) will be forever grateful for this day.

More videos and pictures to come over the next few days.

07/18/2024

We're here! At the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum to see the Lancaster bomber come in!

Reg "Crash" Harrison, who flew a Lancaster in WW2 and survived 4 plane crashes including one in the Lancaster, is flanked by me (author Deana Driver) & Brian E***l of the Aviation Museum. People are lining up to talk with Reg. We can't wait for the bomber to arrive around 11 am.

Big thanks to Mary Harelkin Bishop for coming to help me sell books today. So exciting!

07/18/2024

Reg "Crash" Harrison is ready to see a Lancaster Bomber at the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum tomorrow morning! He recalls the last time he saw a Lancaster - in 2012 - and the last time he flew one - December 1944!

Reg Crash Harrison of Saskatchewan recalls the last time he saw a Lancaster Bomber, in about 2012, and the last time he flew one - in December 1944 before re...

07/17/2024

It's July, the birthday month of 2 of my favourite people - my youngest and oldest offspring! I took a break from work today and went pre-birthday gift shopping with my youngest daughter, Dani. We love our annual Bday trip to Value Village (no pix of that) & garden centres. We both enjoy thrifting, saving the earth, flowers, & gardening.

Speaking of favourite people, I'm off to Saskatoon tomorrow to work with Mary Harelkin Bishop on our SASKI adaptive snow sports history books. Then I'm at the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum on Thursday morning (before 1030 am) to see the Lancaster Bomber and 101-year-old Reginald Crash Harrison, who flew one of those planes in WW2. Maybe I'll see you there!

07/15/2024

Author Deana Driver will be at the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum in Saskatoon this Thursday, July 18, at 10:30 am to help welcome a WW2 Lancaster Bomber on its way to the air show at Cold Lake, AB! We're hoping Reg "Crash" Harrison - who is a month away from turning 102 years old and is the subject of Deana Driver's latest book - will be there too! Deana will be speaking about & selling the Crash Harrison: Tales of a Bomber Pilot Who Defied Death book during the lunchtime barbecue. We don't think Reg flew this particular bomber, but it will be cool to see him with it.

Here's info about this Lancaster's arrival at the SAM: "All the way from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, we welcome this historic aircraft as it joins us for a brief visit in Saskatoon on July 18th at 1030 am. Arrive early to get a good view. The Mynarsky Lancaster, officially the Avro Lancaster Mk X KB726, is a notable World War II bomber aircraft named in honor of Andrew Charles Mynarski, a Canadian Victoria Cross recipient. Mynarski served as a mid-upper gunner with No. 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force. On June 12, 1944, during a mission over France, their Lancaster was attacked and caught fire. Despite the imminent danger, Mynarski attempted to rescue the trapped tail gunner, Pat Brophy, but was unsuccessful. Severely burned, Mynarski parachuted but died from his injuries. Remarkably, Brophy survived the crash. The aircraft itself, a part of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, is painted in the same markings as Mynarski’s original plane, VR-A. It remains one of the two airworthy Lancasters in the world. The Mynarski Lancaster serves as a flying tribute to Mynarski's bravery and the contributions of Canadian airmen in WWII, often participating in air shows and commemorative events. We give thanks to Kreos Aviation and Canada Remembers Our Heroes Foundation for helping to make this possible."

07/10/2024

Today's Gratitude: I spent time this summer with these 4 women, who are among my favourite people. They hold me up, lift me up, listen, love, and support me. Today and every day, I am grateful for (clockwise from top left):

Susan Craig. I've known Susan for more than 45 years and was proud to be the maid of honour at their wedding decades ago. There is not enough room on any page or post to explain the special relationship I have with Susan, but suffice to say it's one I cherish. Her laugh is loud, contagious, & very uplifting. She is also a gifted Reiki master who will see into your soul and body & release what's holding you back.

Lorna King. I met Lorna in 1985, when we travelled to the annual meeting of Saskatchewan Conference of the United Church of Canada. It was my first experience as a regional reporter for what was then the United Church Observer, and I turned to Lorna then and now for answers to many questions. Lorna invited me to join the Vivace Choral Ensemble, which I love! Rev. Lorna was recently ordained after decades of serving in ministry, so we celebrated with a supper out.

Mary Harelkin Bishop. I met Mary at a "How to Self-publish Your Book" workshop in Saskatoon in April 2004. We became instant friends and have since worked on publishing 9 of Mary's books, including our updated and republished editions of her Moose Jaw Time Travel Adventure series. Mary has become a dear friend & consultant for DriverWorks Ink. We are now co-writing two books - for adults & kids - about the history of adaptive skiing in Saskatchewan. Mary (and Pete's) home is my base when I visit Saskatoon!

Nadine Klassen. If it hadn't been for teenagers, I would not have the rich relationship I share with Nadine. I invited her to join me as a church Youth Group leader for our teenaged offspring in about 1994. Nadine and I giggle about the challenges we overcame and the fun we had with the youth, including many wake-a-thons and learning how to paint a wall mural with our teens. The relationship blossomed into a rich bond that has seen me through some of my toughest and sweetest moments.

Thank you to these 4 women and the others unnamed who also belong here. ❤️

07/09/2024

Here's some insight into what it takes to become an award-winning, bestselling author... Enjoy this post from Mary Harelkin Bishop!

07/08/2024

It was wildlife night at A.E. Wilson Park in Regina! A deer, a beaver, and more...
Although I've never seen a deer before in this park, and I come here a lot, one man walking by with a German Shepherd dog said the deer is there often and even walked up and stood nose to nose with his dog one night. It's obviously not bothered by humans, just munching beside the bike path and resting out in the open. Strange.

07/06/2024

Today's Gratitude: After weeks of waiting to sell my home, searching for a new home, offers, counteroffers, quotes, and questions ... I've finally found some time to momentarily stop thinking about moving so I can go back to the publishing and writing work I'm supposed to be doing this summer! But then again, it's summer... So why not take it outdoors? I'm grateful for all the blessings, including this gorgeous weather and a nice backyard at my temporary rental!