The day began in a strange and mysterious way. Before daylight, thunder and rain moved in. A dark, damp world greeted the morning. The house lay still and silent, listening, waiting, wondering. A distant train whistle rose and fell, a mournful, ghostly sound. Inside the house, someone stirred. The coffee pot clicked and purred. Soon, the fragrance of the early morning […]

The Cold Comes Creeping
The morning is dark and gray. A silent, shivery mist hovers among the trees, settling onto the ground, bringing back the cold of winter. I pour my first cup of Folgers and ask Nemo if he’d like a cup, but he declines. He will come and sit with me while I write, but he […]

Early Morning and Caramel Coffee
The heady aroma of naturally-flavored caramel coffee fills the house. Yes, this morning I’ve exchanged my usual Folgers Colombian ground for caramel. It’s hot, it’s strong, and it’s good. Do you ever wake up too early but you figure you’d might as well get up and start the day rather than trying unsuccessfully to […]

Coffee, Fog, and Elections
Come on in, sit down at your computer, and share a cup of coffee with me. Today is that long-awaited election day. Whatever the outcome, I’m glad I live in a country where I can vote as I like without fear of reprisal. I’m sure you are too. Tomorrow, whatever the outcome, I hope we […]

Oh, Let’s Have a Cup of Cozy Mystery
Remember this old jingle? “Let’s have another cup of coffee. Oh, let’s have a cup of Nescafe.” That long ago ad was meant to put people in the mood for a chat, a warm, easy beginning to a new day or a friendship, and, of course, a cup of Nescafe. That’s the sort of feeling […]

A Cozy Mystery Writer Blessing
A Blessing for a Cozy Mystery Writer by Blanche Day Manos The Lord bless thy pen, that it runneth not dry, And thy curiosity and asking why. The Lord forgive thy nosiness And all thy prying may He bless. May he bless thy characters and plot, And thy sales, that they be a […]
