It Almost Didn’t Happen

 I wanted to write a second Ned McNeil Moonlight mystery, following Moonlight Can Be Murder. I had the title already, By the Fright of the Silvery Moon. It sounded suitably chilling. That was the starting point–I wanted to write it. But, it wasn’t all that easy. I wrote the opening scene and read it to […]

Misty Morning

Misty Morning

Fireplace Weather

Fireplace Weather

It’s fireplace weather again. The temperature hovers in the thirties and, after a few warm days that lulled me into thinking thoughts of springtime, winter has returned, blowing its icy breath against the spring flowers. Thankfully, we missed the tornadoes that tore through parts of the South Monday night. It was the equinox and usually […]

The Flowers They Leave Behind

The Flowers They Leave Behind

Jonquils are blooming, usually in clusters. Have you ever thought of them as footprints of others that they have left behind? They are signs that someone has passed this way and loved flowers and springtime. At Ben and Tep Willis’, out on the river, there are remnants, reminders of the family who settled here, set […]

Spring Storms and Other Things

Spring Storms and Other Things

Happy second day of Spring! Around 10:33 yesterday morning, winter packed its bags and crept out the back door while spring bustled in the front. Now, that’s not saying there won’t be some lingering traces of winter, because I’m sure she’ll linger, in some places more than in others, but at least the great, turning […]

Tough Tom

Tough Tom

Tough Tom the Barn Cat             Tough Tom was a barn cat. He really didn’t start out to be a barn cat. And, the Day family who lived on the farm didn’t think they needed a cat, but there he was. It all began on a cold, windy, sleety winter day. When Chris went to […]