One spring day many years ago, a farmer decided to build a fine log barn. First, he gathered large stones. He chipped and fitted them together for a firm foundation. The farmer cut many trees, chopped off limbs, and smoothed the trunks. Notch and groove, groove and notch, the logs rose straight and true atop […]

Red-Rumped Rodents
Squirrels are cute, clever, furry, and a symbol of fall.However, spring is OK with them too and I have a feeling that now they are busily procreating. Squirrels flourish, no matter what the season. Squirrels are acrobatic opportunists who can be a real nuisance. For instance, they gallop across my roof sounding like a herd of horses. […]

Characters and Time
At one of our critiques, a few years back, I mentioned to my friends gathered around the table that I should start a third mystery series starring them, the Cozy Critters! Everybody liked that idea and started choosing names for themselves and cautioning me not to kill them off in my book. “Well, why not?” […]

Something on the Stairs
I had stopped shaking by the time I reached home. In the comfort of my living room, normalcy began to return. Ulysses licked my hand, grinning a hound dog welcome, and Penny looked up from her cushion. I breathed a sigh of relief. I was safe. I was home, and now I could try to […]

Don’t Rock the Boat!
Do you ever feel like you’re in a boat, trying to make a safe harbor? “Don’t rock the boat” is a saying most of us have heard or used, meaning to just go along with the status quo, don’t say or do anything that might ruffle the waters. At times, this may be a wise […]