Sometimes, things take a turn you don’t expect. When you’re a writer, that truism often involves going off on a writing tangent – I remember once having a cat totally take over one of my mystery scenes – or writing way beyond the intended length. The creative process can lead to some interesting results, to…
I voted. It’s still a thrill, 32 years after I first registered to vote in the presidential election between encumbent Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. (Yeah, I know, I’m old). I’ve voted in nearly every election since then – not just the presidential ones – in the three different states in which I’ve lived. Whether…
Three reasons I’d like to get away for a little while: 1. Endless months of political campaigning, complete with robo-calls, debates, and mind-numbing, antagonistic commercials. 2. Super-storm Sandy, and the heartbreak of those in her path. For those of us who were luckier, it’s still gut-wrenching to see the survivors standing amidst the wreckage of…
In honor of the upcoming Halloween festivities, let’s take a closer look at how the holiday came to be, and how it was celebrated by some in the late nineteenth century. Thank the Irish: 2 people like this post. Like Unlike
Happy Friday, everyone! Can you believe that it’s less than a week before Halloween? Here’s something to get you in the mood: a house in Leesburg, Virginia, has been all rigged up with a Halloween light show, synchronized to the popular song “Gangnam Style.” According to the YouTube post, it took 8,500 lights and 250…
Here’s a humorous look at Tuesday’s Presidential debate, as seen through a flock of tweets. In the spirit of equal-opportunity mocking, no serious issues or responses have been included, and no one candidate looks sillier than the other. Hey, we deserve it, after all the robo-calls, advertisements, and spin-doctors we’ve had to endure, right? Enjoy!…
Hi, all! While I’m in the final edits of my sequel, here’s a re-post you may enjoy – back when I was doing mystery quizzes along with my detective profiles! Welcome to Masters of Mystery, where we feature a fictional detective and examine his or her unique contribution to the mystery genre. You are invited…
Most of my post topics relate to mystery fiction, historical pop culture, or general “coziness.” From time to time, though, I’ll post something more public safety-oriented, such as the one this past June about recognizing the real signs of drowning. In that spirit, here’s an informational video from the City of Houston Office of Public Safety and Homeland…
