Miss Bates 🇨🇦💨📚✍️
@missbates.bsky.social
aka Kay, reader, schoolmarm, spinster, Montrealer. Reluctant cook, inept walker. Retiring, but not retired. I support the right to be cold.
Pinned
Year-End Review: With Some Personal Stuff
I've arrived at the near-end of one of the most difficult years of my life. As a missbatesian spinster caring for a declining elderly person, the "caring" part was near-unsurvivable. My mother's Alzheimer's worsened and precipitated my near-collapse from lack of sleep, support, and respite. Then, suddenly, after five years of struggling, arguing, threatening, and cajoling for help from the Quebec government (I won't detail-describe the labyrinthine, kafka-esque state of Quebec's no-health-care system), she was finally called to a nursing home placement.
missbatesreadsromance.com
Year-End Review: With Some Personal Stuff
I've arrived at the near-end of one of the most difficult years of my life. As a missbatesian spinster caring for a declining elderly person, the "caring" part was near-unsurvivable. My mother's Alzheimer's worsened and precipitated my near-collapse from…
I've arrived at the near-end of one of the most difficult years of my life. As a missbatesian spinster caring for a declining elderly person, the "caring" part was near-unsurvivable. My mother's Alzheimer's worsened and precipitated my near-collapse from…
Year-End Review: With Some Personal Stuff
I've arrived at the near-end of one of the most difficult years of my life. As a missbatesian spinster caring for a declining elderly person, the "caring" part was near-unsurvivable. My mother's Alzheimer's worsened and precipitated my near-collapse from…
I've arrived at the near-end of one of the most difficult years of my life. As a missbatesian spinster caring for a declining elderly person, the "caring" part was near-unsurvivable. My mother's Alzheimer's worsened and precipitated my near-collapse from…
Year-End Review: With Some Personal Stuff
I've arrived at the near-end of one of the most difficult years of my life. As a missbatesian spinster caring for a declining elderly person, the "caring" part was near-unsurvivable. My mother's Alzheimer's worsened and precipitated my near-collapse from lack of sleep, support, and respite. Then, suddenly, after five years of struggling, arguing, threatening, and cajoling for help from the Quebec government (I won't detail-describe the labyrinthine, kafka-esque state of Quebec's no-health-care system), she was finally called to a nursing home placement.
missbatesreadsromance.com
December 21, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Year-End Review: With Some Personal Stuff
I've arrived at the near-end of one of the most difficult years of my life. As a missbatesian spinster caring for a declining elderly person, the "caring" part was near-unsurvivable. My mother's Alzheimer's worsened and precipitated my near-collapse from…
I've arrived at the near-end of one of the most difficult years of my life. As a missbatesian spinster caring for a declining elderly person, the "caring" part was near-unsurvivable. My mother's Alzheimer's worsened and precipitated my near-collapse from…
Do yourself a favour and read Bastone’s Promise Me Sunshine. It’s a wonder!
Today's romance deals are up, treat yourself to one of these lovely reads!
5 romances, all under $3 👀📚
Friday Romance Deals (12/12): A cinnamon-roll lumberjack, a ship captain must return to accept a Dukedom, a grumpy hero helps a grieving heroine & more! 📚 www.tbqsbookpalace.com/2025/12/frid...
5 romances, all under $3 👀📚
Friday Romance Deals (12/12): A cinnamon-roll lumberjack, a ship captain must return to accept a Dukedom, a grumpy hero helps a grieving heroine & more! 📚 www.tbqsbookpalace.com/2025/12/frid...
December 12, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Do yourself a favour and read Bastone’s Promise Me Sunshine. It’s a wonder!
Montreal’s morning sky, après snowfall.
December 12, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Montreal’s morning sky, après snowfall.
Contemporary Romance Review: Jennifer Hayward’s THE DAVIS DEAL
I miss unabashed romance, without the genre-blurring we often read in the genre today. (And because I dislike romantasy, I read so much less of it.) That's why it was a pleasure to welcome some "unabashed romance" with Jennifer…
I miss unabashed romance, without the genre-blurring we often read in the genre today. (And because I dislike romantasy, I read so much less of it.) That's why it was a pleasure to welcome some "unabashed romance" with Jennifer…
Contemporary Romance Review: Jennifer Hayward’s THE DAVIS DEAL
I miss unabashed romance, without the genre-blurring we often read in the genre today. (And because I dislike romantasy, I read so much less of it.) That's why it was a pleasure to welcome some "unabashed romance" with Jennifer Hayward's latest release, The Davis Deal. If you were a fan of Hayward's HPs (and I was), The Davis Deal…
missbatesreadsromance.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Contemporary Romance Review: Jennifer Hayward’s THE DAVIS DEAL
I miss unabashed romance, without the genre-blurring we often read in the genre today. (And because I dislike romantasy, I read so much less of it.) That's why it was a pleasure to welcome some "unabashed romance" with Jennifer…
I miss unabashed romance, without the genre-blurring we often read in the genre today. (And because I dislike romantasy, I read so much less of it.) That's why it was a pleasure to welcome some "unabashed romance" with Jennifer…
Montreal’s morning sky. We have a light snow coming down.
November 16, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Montreal’s morning sky. We have a light snow coming down.
Meanwhile in Canada. We talk about fixing piers. We’re by no means perfect, but it sure is kinda normal. And then there’s Quebec…
The White Rock Pier is an iconic B.C. destination and economic driver. MP Klassen and the community have been working to restore and preserve it.
So, we’re investing to revitalise the pier in Budget 2025 — with more local infrastructure projects across Canada that will build communities strong.
So, we’re investing to revitalise the pier in Budget 2025 — with more local infrastructure projects across Canada that will build communities strong.
November 13, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Meanwhile in Canada. We talk about fixing piers. We’re by no means perfect, but it sure is kinda normal. And then there’s Quebec…
This 👇🏼
I am so ready to read some romance novels that take Big Risks. Give me stakes. Real imperfections. Trust me to not need your characters to be exemplary, highly-therapized individuals. I’d like a theme or two, but I am not a baby bird, and I can chew on it myself
November 12, 2025 at 10:37 PM
This 👇🏼
Meanwhile in other reading…Margaret Atwood’s BOOK OF LIVES and Rose Macaulay’s THE TOWERS OF TREBIZOND
When I wake up in the wee hours (the plight of the chronic insomniac), I don't want to turn the light on and read on my e-reader; hence, why I do romance reading during sleeping hours and any…
When I wake up in the wee hours (the plight of the chronic insomniac), I don't want to turn the light on and read on my e-reader; hence, why I do romance reading during sleeping hours and any…
Meanwhile in other reading…Margaret Atwood’s BOOK OF LIVES and Rose Macaulay’s THE TOWERS OF TREBIZOND
When I wake up in the wee hours (the plight of the chronic insomniac), I don't want to turn the light on and read on my e-reader; hence, why I do romance reading during sleeping hours and any other kind of reading in the waking hours. Or, to the spinster who needs make a living, taking a half hour in the evening in the reading chair.
missbatesreadsromance.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Meanwhile in other reading…Margaret Atwood’s BOOK OF LIVES and Rose Macaulay’s THE TOWERS OF TREBIZOND
When I wake up in the wee hours (the plight of the chronic insomniac), I don't want to turn the light on and read on my e-reader; hence, why I do romance reading during sleeping hours and any…
When I wake up in the wee hours (the plight of the chronic insomniac), I don't want to turn the light on and read on my e-reader; hence, why I do romance reading during sleeping hours and any…
Contemporary Romance Review: Jodi McAlister’s AN ACADEMIC AFFAIR (Literary Lovers #1)
As someone who endured a soul-destroying grad school experience and its subsequent cut-throat world of snagging work in your field, one that sees more of annihilation than growth, I've read too many romances with…
As someone who endured a soul-destroying grad school experience and its subsequent cut-throat world of snagging work in your field, one that sees more of annihilation than growth, I've read too many romances with…
Contemporary Romance Review: Jodi McAlister’s AN ACADEMIC AFFAIR (Literary Lovers #1)
As someone who endured a soul-destroying grad school experience and its subsequent cut-throat world of snagging work in your field, one that sees more of annihilation than growth, I've read too many romances with "professor" heroines whose authors know diddly-squat about academia. I am, therefore, leery to read one. But McAlister is an English prof and I hoped finally someone would get it right?
missbatesreadsromance.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Contemporary Romance Review: Jodi McAlister’s AN ACADEMIC AFFAIR (Literary Lovers #1)
As someone who endured a soul-destroying grad school experience and its subsequent cut-throat world of snagging work in your field, one that sees more of annihilation than growth, I've read too many romances with…
As someone who endured a soul-destroying grad school experience and its subsequent cut-throat world of snagging work in your field, one that sees more of annihilation than growth, I've read too many romances with…
Yup. It me, clearing snow since 5am. But I’m safe and warm and grateful to the those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Memory eternal. #RemembranceDay 🇨🇦
In photos: Montreal's first snowstorm of the season montrealgazette.com/news/weather...
November 11, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Yup. It me, clearing snow since 5am. But I’m safe and warm and grateful to the those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Memory eternal. #RemembranceDay 🇨🇦
Montreal’s post-storm sky is a beauty.
November 11, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Montreal’s post-storm sky is a beauty.
I smacked the season’s last fly & pulled out the snow shovel for tomorrow’s snow. Today, more leaves to rake. Three seasons in 48 hours. Welcome to Montreal.
November 8, 2025 at 8:08 PM
I smacked the season’s last fly & pulled out the snow shovel for tomorrow’s snow. Today, more leaves to rake. Three seasons in 48 hours. Welcome to Montreal.
Do not know what muse led me to Libby as Margaret Atwood’s memoir was posted, but I was 1st in queue. It’s magnificent: with Atwood’s sharp eye & tongue &, lovely!, an affectionate humour as she tells the story of her ancestors & especially, parents. It’s 26 hours long & I don’t want it to end.
November 5, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Do not know what muse led me to Libby as Margaret Atwood’s memoir was posted, but I was 1st in queue. It’s magnificent: with Atwood’s sharp eye & tongue &, lovely!, an affectionate humour as she tells the story of her ancestors & especially, parents. It’s 26 hours long & I don’t want it to end.
Montreal’s morning sky
November 2, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Montreal’s morning sky
Montreal’s late afternoon sky. This time tomorrow will be dark.
November 1, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Montreal’s late afternoon sky. This time tomorrow will be dark.
There are bizarre grocery shortages. Last week, cottage cheese; this week, button mushrooms. What’s up with that?
November 1, 2025 at 9:38 PM
There are bizarre grocery shortages. Last week, cottage cheese; this week, button mushrooms. What’s up with that?
This. 👇🏼
We need to teach books BECAUSE students are so distracted. Sustained silent reading is the skill we're meant to be teaching!
when people say "but students are so distracted, what is there to do but teach excerpts," i always think, "teach books"
November 1, 2025 at 8:30 PM
This. 👇🏼
Montreal’s morning sky
October 27, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Montreal’s morning sky
Montreal’s morning sky
October 21, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Montreal’s morning sky
Montreal’s morning sky
October 20, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Montreal’s morning sky
Montreal’s morning sky
October 19, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Montreal’s morning sky
This.
I think the difference between the United States and European countries that are subject to a dictatorship is that the protests like the ones we saw today in the U.S. would continue in Europe every single day until the regime was toppled.
October 19, 2025 at 1:56 AM
This.
As the day moves on, I go from coffee to London fog and eventually to tisane. I can use the frother for London fogs!
October 18, 2025 at 6:30 PM
As the day moves on, I go from coffee to London fog and eventually to tisane. I can use the frother for London fogs!
Go ahead and judge me, but local brie and two slices of 🍓-rhubarb 🥧 can be lunch.
October 18, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Go ahead and judge me, but local brie and two slices of 🍓-rhubarb 🥧 can be lunch.