Retirement–that longed-for Utopian state for which I worked for decades. Lovely, unhurried mornings, peaceful, sunny days of travel, visiting coffee shops. Plenty of time for cleaning a house and keeping it sparkling, baking cookies, taking long walks. And, oh, my goodness, all that accumulated wisdom. Just a whole headful of good advice gleaned from years of […]
Jan 3, 2018
Memories–In the Past or Always With Us?
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The morning sky is a quiet, pale blue/gray with rosy tints around the horizon. It is deceptively beautiful because it is deadly cold. I remember other January days when I was a child and the sense of excitement and adventure a new year brought. I remember bacon sizzling in the skillet, breakfast with Mom, Dad, […]
Dec 5, 2017
Just An Appetizer of a Mystery
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Last night, a thunderstorm blew through, in a hurry to get somewhere else, evidently. We did get a sample, just an appetizer of rain. It left me hoping for more. The temperature has dropped now to a more seasonal level. You know, life has more real mysteries than a writer could ever dream up. Sometimes, […]
Dec 2, 2017
Determination, Your Name Is Squirrel
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A small, bushy-tailed animal, a few years ago, made a big impression on me. If anyone had determination, he did. As I looked out my front room window, I saw a small squirrel, probably young and inexperienced, pulling a stick across the yard. This wasn’t just any stick, it was a big stick. It was at least […]
Nov 22, 2017
Thoughtfully Thankful and Blessed
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What is there about milestones or days of celebration that make us pause and reflect? I could do that any other day of the year, but at Thanksgiving or Christmas, past Thanksgivings and Christmases come trooping in to pay a call. And that’s all right, unless those memories cause such sadness as to mar the […]
Nov 15, 2017
The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword
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Rain! Yellow leaves on the ground, the brown grass. The remnants of summer flowers are soaking it up, relishing the feel of water. It’s a perfect day for writing that third Ned McNeil cozy mystery. What would you do if you were ready to settle in for a snug time at home (like today or […]
