Resolving the Issues

Resolving the Issues

This morning, I thought it would be fun to hear a few of the New Year’s resolutions of the good citizens of Levi, Oklahoma.  For those readers who don’t know, these are characters from the four Darcy and Flora cozy mysteries. Sad to say, some won’t be around to make resolutions but for those who […]

Perk Up The Day

Perk Up The Day

The other night, I dreamed that a dear friend had begun writing cozy mysteries. They were interesting! They were selling like hotcakes. The dream was quite clear. This morning, I’ll share that bit of news with her. How about you? Do you have some ideas that would sound great in a book? Remember that today […]

I’ll Bet When You Were in Kindergarten…

I’ll Bet When You Were in Kindergarten…

I’ll bet when you were in kindergarten, you were a real stinker–the kind that caused your teacher to pull her hair and your classmates to giggle. You know why? Because some of those traits still linger, hanging about your personality like so many threads dangling from a well-worn jacket. These were my thoughts this morning […]

Just Box It Up

Just Box It Up

In many countries, this is Boxing Day. This special day after Christmas is a tradition started by elite Britishers of giving gifts to those who serve them throughout the year. The gifts are boxed and I suppose that’s where the name comes from. This is also St. Stephen’s Day, in honor of the first Christian […]

What Happened With the Night Before?

The Night Before Christmas is a beloved story/poem by Clement C. Moore, first published in 1823. It is a classic, a favorite of children, and one of my favorite children’s books too. But, I wondered, how would it have sounded if Mr. Moore had not told the story in rhyme? What if he had just […]

The Memory of a Snowy Afternoon

The Memory of a Snowy Afternoon

It’s nearly Christmas and no snow! Isn’t Christmas supposed to be white with snowflakes? Where does one go to find the coziness of being snowed in with friends and plenty of good, hot coffee? Why, to a cozy mystery, of course–namely, the Ned McNeil Moonlight series. Moonlight Can Be Murder is, believe it or not, […]