Are there times when you long for the warmth of a friendly home, the sincerity of a smile, the familiarity of people and a certain place, the knowledge that you are welcome? Do you ever turn to a well-loved book to recapture that comfort? I do. I go to Mary Roberts Rinehart. How many times […]

The Earth Shook
Our planet did some shaking last night that was pretty near to home. This one was in Missouri, felt over in Arkansas. Thousands report feeling 4.0 earthquake near Williamsville, Mo. Another was in Wagoner, Oklahoma, Quake info: Moderate mag. 4.0 earthquake Since they were 4.0 and happened on the same night, is there a […]

One Black Beetle
So far this morning, I’ve rescued one black beetle who was struggling to get from tile floor to carpet, and put him outside where he belongs, dispatched an unwary ant atop my stove, obliterated a drowsy mosquito who lit on the cabinet for the last time, fed a plump, fuzzy, dog, all this before I […]

A SHIVERY READ
The sound of sobbing came over the line and a hurried mumble that was impossible to understand. “Lizanne, I can’t hear what you’re saying. What’s wrong?” I asked. She spoke in a hoarse whisper, “Ned, you’ve got to come to the old church right now! It’s Daisy. She’s got me tied up. She’s going to […]
Chills and Shivers
This is only a flight of my wild fancy and didn’t happen at all. Darkness closed in early, drawing around the house like a curtain. Trees, bright with leaves of gold and crimson, nodded their heads, agreeing that when morning came around, much of their fall finery would cover the ground in a many-colored carpet. […]
