A redbird is on my lawn. Not finding what he is looking for there, he flies across the street to another yard. He’s so beautiful–bright and flamboyant. I ask the Lord to protect him from cats. It’s okay to pray for redbirds, isn’t it? Did his wife send him out for coffee and he’s frantically […]
Dec 21, 2023
Hello, Old Man Winter
By · 2 Comments
Today is the first day of winter, officially. It’s the shortest day of the year and henceforth, each day will get a tiny bit longer until finally, on the first day of spring, day and night will be equal. It’s pretty special, when you stop and think about it. Meteorology, in fact, all of nature, […]
Dec 20, 2023
That First Hello
By · 4 Comments
We’ve all heard, “First impressions are lasting impressions.” A writer works hard to create a good first impression when you, the reader, crack open her book. Below are beginning sentences from each of my cozies, which, hopefully, create a good first impression. Moonlight Can Be Murder: My car’s headlights cut a yellow swath through the […]
Dec 14, 2023
Beggars Would Ride
By · 2 Comments
“You know,” I said, “I was looking again at Marvie Saunder’s book.” “No, Ned,” Pat interrupted. “Remember, you’ve given that up. You’re going to let Cade and Gerald handle whatever is going on about that house. You are fixating on that book of poetry so, stop it!” Stung, I said, “What a thing […]
Dec 4, 2023
Those Were Good Times
By · 2 Comments
(This is a re-print from one of the past Cozy Critiques.) It was a dark and stormy afternoon. Rain beat against the deck. Lightning flashed and thunder rattled the windows. Within the dining room, four women sat around an antique dining table, sipping coffee and munching chocolate. They spoke in hushed voices, almost as if […]
