It is very hard to write when someone is staring at me. Where is the mystery-loving dog who is supposed to be a warm companion as I spin spooky tales of terror? But, no. He stares. Nemo does not like the computer. Is Nemo a victim of Logizomechanophobia, computer phobia, or is he trying to tell […]

The Easter Egg Tree
The following story is an excerpt from The Heritage of Etta Bend, a story my mother told me about her childhood in northeast Oklahoma. The “I” is my mother, Susie Latty Day. Mom told me this story and I wrote it to be included in The Heritage of Etta Bend in 1989. It was spring, […]

Who Was Tom?
Tom Swifties are fun to think up. They’re also a good way to go to sleep if that’s a problem at night–better than counting sheep. This morning, I thought I’d try writing some Tom Swifties for mystery stories. Some of them are sort of a stretch, I admit. “Not a star nor the moon in […]
Storm Threat
Ned McNeil and Darcy Campbell have quite a lot in common, for example, getting caught in thunderstorms. In Grave Heritage, July is the rainiest month of the year, contrary to its usual behavior. But, that’s what makes a story, isn’t it–happenings that are far from the way things are supposed to be. Ednalee, Oklahoma is […]

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 […]


