“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping as of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.” – Edgar Allan Poe. Poe published this unforgettable poem in 1845. Using words […]

Sunset Thoughts
Ambling through my yard just after sunset, I heard a tree frog, a spring peeper, but I never did see him. These interesting little creatures have big voices. They also employ the subtle art of camouflage, so it’s hard to ever see one. Their feet acting as suction cups, they stick onto tree bark, […]

It’s a Wild Life
Yesterday, we were blessed with missing the baseball-size hailstones that fell in parts of Arkansas. We had a thunderstorm, it blew over, then last night, a re-run. This time, I don’t think there was hail anywhere. So, my trusty camera and I (and Nemo, of course) in between storms, strolled through the back yard. We […]

Shadowy, Significant Clues
We all like to find them, don’t we? It’s sort of an aha! moment to run across something significant when reading a mystery. But, beware. Sometimes what looks like a clue isn’t a clue. It’s merely a red herring that a sly and devious author has dragged across the path, to turn you in another […]

Don’t Open the Door
When the blues come knocking at your door, don’t open it. They come disguised as many things–fear, worry, anxiety, guilt, sadness, if only, despair–whatever their names, don’t invite them in and make them feel comfortable. They might never leave if you do. Goodness knows, there’s more than enough sadness and misery to go around. […]

Stormy Weather
The storm clouds drew closer. I was in the back yard and Peg was in her side yard and we talked over the fence. When an uncontrollable something threatens, friendships take on new meaning. We wished each other a safe night and talked about where in our houses were the safe places. We’d retreat there, […]

