This is an excerpt from the fifth book in the Ned McNeil series, The Secret of Singing Pines. It is a work in progress. The fourth one, Murder By Moonlight is on Amazon. Have you read it? Strange house, strange bed—it was no wonder I had a tough time falling asleep that night. Of […]

Time and Again
An old man once lived there, in the small house, years, generations, decades ago. The chimney is left standing and a few walls cling to each other, as if in comfort in this wilderness of bushes, weeds, vines, rose bushes, and oak trees. He was not a hospitable man. He kept to himself, except […]

Houses and Homes
God bless the corners of this house. This is part of an Irish blessing on a home. May your home be the place, a sanctuary of everlasting peace, begins a Jewish blessing. May the warm winds of heaven blow softly upon your house. May the Great Spirit bless all who enter there. May your moccasins make happy tracks in […]

Star Spangled Cat
In honor of the birthday of our National Anthem, I re-print my story about the cat who helped Mr. Key on his endeavor. Star Spangled Cat By Blanche Day Manos “What?” I screeched. “Go to sea? Are you crazy?” Every one of my gray and white hairs stood straight up. Reggie laughed. “You look […]

Edging into Fall
Would you believe it’s 55 degrees this morning? Yesterday morning, very early, the thermometer registered 49. It never fails to surprise me, each fall, when the earth begins to cool toward winter. Yet, the same thing happens year after year, and to me, it’s reassuring. Yesterday morning, when I poured water into my coffee maker, […]

