The Tree with Special Blossoms

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, […]

Questions and Answers

All of my mysteries are–well–mysterious. Some could be called downright spooky. In fact, they have been called that. But, guaranteed, the spookiness has rational answers. I think they do, anyway, usually. Here are some questions to jog your memories if it has been a while since you’ve read any Manos Mysteries. Have fun! Pour another […]

And Then There Were Two

And Then There Were Two

There was life Before Kittens and there is Life After Kittens. My son, daughter-in-law and grandson decided something was lacking in their lives and that something was a kitten. As it happened, a friend was looking for a home for a little stray who had popped unexpectedly into their truck and, at great peril, had […]

Warm and Comforting

Do you ever enjoy going to some place warm and secure and comforting? I do. Sometimes, I retreat into childishness and have a doughnut (or two or three) and a cup of hot chocolate. I read or write a children’s story and there I am until I feel grown-up enough to take on the world […]

Dear Me, Santa

Mrs. Claus: Are you feeling better, Dear? How about a nice, hot cup of coffee? Santa (throwing back the quilts and rolling out of bed): Just what I need. The trip was hard this year. Mrs. Claus: Did the reindeer behave? Was the sleigh over-loaded? Did you face a head-wind? Santa: Yes, no, and no. […]

Who Was Tom?

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 […]