What Was That Thing?

What Was That Thing?

The Canebrake Don’t ever go into the canebrake at night When the wind is wild and the moon shines bright. When the birds are still and the river moans, And the cane stalks rattle like old, dry bones. You might encounter an Anjeofust, A strange, weird critter the color of dust, Or a Benleeb or […]

My Grandfather’s  Barn

My Grandfather’s Barn

My Grandfather’s Barn   My grandfather’s barn leans to the south, The weathered old logs are gray. The tin roof is rusted and dented and busted; The wind blew the doors away. But once that barn, filled with freshly-mown hay, Was a dark, sweet-smelling retreat. The straw in the loft was wonderfully soft, A hideaway, […]

Was It That Old Moon?

Was It That Old Moon?

The book could have been called March Madness Murders and that would have fit. Instead, the title is Moonstruck and Murderous which is a good description too. But, what, exactly is “moonstruck”? Another word for moon is luna. And, from that comes lunatic. So, you get the idea. Moonstruck is a somewhat lesser way of […]

Kin and Shirttail Kin

Kin and Shirttail Kin

Ancestors are fascinating people. You have them. I have them. Each ancestor has a story and, from their stories, we arrive and write our own stories to pass on. These people are our kinfolk, but then, there are shirttail kin. These are the people who are related to our relatives and who narrowly miss being […]

A Mystery and Your Big Toe

A Mystery and Your Big Toe

Does your big toe ache when a storm is approaching? Does your cat lick its paws excessively? Does your dog pace the floor and stick close by your side? Do you feel the urge to lose yourself in a cozy mystery?   For some strange and unknown reason, mysteries and weather somehow go together. For example, […]

I Heard a Little Voice

I Heard a Little Voice

I talk to the characters in my books. They have personalities and minds of their own. Sometimes, it’s a struggle to decide which would fit best in the story I’m writing–my thoughts or my character’s. Usually, my character is right. Me: Ned, I don’t believe you would go off hunting for an Indian message tree […]