SHORTS, NOVELS, AND OTHER THINGS

SAYLINGAWAY

SHORTS, NOVELS, AND OTHER THINGS

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Book Review: Lake of Widows…

This novel begins with the introduction of Adrienne Chevalier, wife of a psychiatrist, who lives in an upscale area of...

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26 Nov 2024
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Another Edition of the Garfield…

It’s been a good while since I posted anything, but the Missus has been pretty busy writing. I should know,...

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02 Oct 2024
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We Reach the Other End…

The following day we traveled to Edinburgh, where we had a bus tour of the city. Gene and skipped the...

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27 Sep 2024
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Sheepdogs and University Students…and More…

Our next stop, on the following day was the village of Kincraig, where we watched a sheepdog demonstration. These dogs...

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26 Sep 2024
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There’s Never a Shortage of…

The next part of our tour took us to the ruins of Urquart Castle, one of Scotland’s most popular attractions....

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26 Sep 2024
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Over the Sea to Skye

  The next day we left for the Highlands, my favorite part of the tour. I was happy to be...

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24 Sep 2024
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A Day in Glascow

Our tour actually began on the day we met with everyone in Glasgow, with a visit to the National Piping...

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22 Sep 2024
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To Scotland and Some Stiff…

After a five year delay in taking this trip (our original deposit was still there this year!) due to Covid...

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21 Sep 2024
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Taking a Break

I know it's the end of summer, but we've decided to take a two+ week break. I will have lots...

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25 Aug 2024
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The Lemon Cookie Catastrophe

This is a story I posted way back in 2014, so probably many of my readers haven't seen it. It's...

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03 Aug 2024
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It’s So Easy to Get…

About three months ago, I received at notice that I needed to renew my driver’s license. “No sweat,” says Hubs....

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28 Jul 2024
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The M&M’s Mystery, Part 4…

    I gave Tony the eyeball at breakfast the next morning, and when he came over I told him what...

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26 Jul 2024
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The M&M’s Mystery Part 3

Over the next week, Mildred and I sat with as many different residents as possible during meals and spent time...

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23 Jul 2024
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The M&M’s Mystery Part 2

For readers who missed part I, this mystery is set in a retirement home, where Mildred and Miriam have just...

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21 Jul 2024
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Book review: Sounds in the…

For their first wedding anniversary, Maria and Logan invest all their money in the purchase of a grand residence on...

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19 Jul 2024
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The M&M’s Mystery Part 1

Here is the first past of a mystery I published in an anthology last year. Stay tuned here to read...

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17 Jul 2024
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Book Review: A Long Walk…

I am drawn to stories with angels, and this novella by D. L. Finn has to be one of my...

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16 Jul 2024
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Guardians

I'm soon going to post the review of a novelette by D.L. Finn, which has angels in it! I love...

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12 Jul 2024
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Book Review: Pride and Pestilence…

This is the second book by Carol Hedges that I have reviewed for Rosie’s website, but I loved the first...

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07 Jul 2024
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Another Great Review for Death…

I was very surprised and chuffed to see a wonderful review for Death at the Asylum posted by Judith Barrow,...

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06 Jul 2024
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Book review: The USS Primus…

An ill-advised thermonuclear war has resulted in a direct effect on the sun, destabilizing it irreparably. Recognizing that Earth will...

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05 Jul 2024
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A Review of The Last…

I've been missing from my blog for a while due to writing (imagine that!). But Teagan Geneviene gifted me with...

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02 Jul 2024
imaginative adventure

The Minot Ledge Lighthouse

  My father lost his life on that lighthouse. I stare at it every day and my loathing of it...

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01 May 2024
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Book review: Beggar’s Solution by…

I always look forward to Jan Sikes’ books. She has such a gentle and heart-warming way of telling a story...

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19 Apr 2024
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Always Wear a One-Piece Bathing…

Another humorous or not-so humorous memory of growing up in Plymouth. My mother, in addition to being just plain smart...

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16 Apr 2024
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Book Report: Tales of the…

I purchased this book for review as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team. All I can say is whew!...

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11 Apr 2024
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Do You Know Why You…

I never really thought about middle names until I recently learned that having a middle name dates back to ancient...

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03 Apr 2024
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BRUNCH WITH ONE OF MY…

Mae Clair, whom I’ve called MC since I can’t remember when, has a new book out called The Keeping Place....

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07 Mar 2024
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HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY – BUT…

Although there were several Saint Valentines, the common biography (hagiography – I learned a new word!) describes Saint Valentine as...

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14 Feb 2024
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The Principal and I

I remember learning the difference in spelling the homonyms principle and principal: the principal is your pal. One principal in...

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13 Feb 2024
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Book Review: The Room at…

The Harbor Pointe Series is a collection of eight novellas by Story Empire authors. Each story takes place at the...

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09 Feb 2024
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Book Review: Death at the…

The Harbor Pointe Series is a collection of eight novellas by Story Empire authors. Each story takes place at the...

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07 Feb 2024
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MY DAD LOVED KEROSENE

This is the second in some stories about growing up in Plymouth in the 1950s. Growing up, I recognized that...

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01 Feb 2024
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Strike A Pose! Who Or…

It's Garfield. 'Nuff said.

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10 Jan 2024
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The Great Spinach Rebellion

When I was twelve years old, I dared to launch what I like to call The Great Spinach Rebellion, one...

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06 Jan 2024
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Have a Wonderful Holiday Season

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and all the happiness of the season to the wonderful people and writers who make up...

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23 Dec 2023
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Book Review: A Fathomless Affair…

The Harbor Pointe Series is a collection of eight novellas by Story Empire authors. Each story takes place at the...

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19 Dec 2023
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Book review: The Edge of…

The Edge of Too Late is the next book in the Harbor Pointe series, which is a collection of eight...

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17 Dec 2023
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HAVING FUN WITH MY GRANDSON

One thing about having a grandchild live nearby is that you are often invited (by his parents, and sometimes by...

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12 Dec 2023
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Book Review: Seas of Time…

The Harbor Pointe Series is a collection of eight novellas by Story Empire authors. Each story takes place at the...

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09 Dec 2023
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Today Is Pearl Harbor Day

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. We have long since made peace with the nation...

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07 Dec 2023
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Book Review: The Destination by…

The Harbor Pointe Series is a collection of eight novellas by Story Empire authors. Each story takes place at the...

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06 Dec 2023
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The Real First Thanksgiving

I've published this off and on over the years - a hopefully accurate historical description of the first Thanksgiving. For...

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22 Nov 2023
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In Flanders Fields

In recognition of Veteran's Day, I am reposting this from previous years. We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived,...

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11 Nov 2023
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Hellooooo 🧑‍ My Dear Readers…

source: Unsplash This post only for a test purpose to determine that my former followers are also seeing this remastered...

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09 Nov 2023
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Book Review: Golden Boxty in…

I read a review of this book and was fascinated with the historical time — the Great Depression and the...

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08 Nov 2023
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Book Review: The Gift (Harbor…

Rarely have I read a book so filled with love, acceptance, kindness, faith, and hope. The Gift brought me to...

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04 Nov 2023
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Happy Halloween

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsPdVsIXqzU " From ghoulies to ghosties, and long-leggedy beasties, and things that go bump in the night, good Lord deliver...

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31 Oct 2023
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Book review: Goodbye Old Paint…

Good-by Old Paint is the latest volume of C.S. Boyack Hat series. The main characters are Lizzie St. Laurent is...

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28 Oct 2023
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What Do You Really Know…

Some of you know I am writing a book about Daniel Boone, Daniel Boone and Me, aimed for YA and...

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23 Oct 2023
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Book Review: The Price of…

I will be honest at the outset of this review and tell my readers that I have never read a...

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13 Oct 2023
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Register for a FREE Writer’s…

I need to let you know about the Carolina Book and Writer Conference, with keynote speaker Brian Sykes. He’ll be...

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03 Oct 2023
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AFTER THE COMPUTER, MORE DISASTER…

The day my computer died and recovered, Hubs and I took a plane flight to Utah. He had booked a...

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03 Oct 2023
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WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN…

Today we are getting ready to leave for a visit to Utah to see my son and his family. An...

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21 Sep 2023
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A LooongTrip to Maine and…

I've been absent from this site for a while. Editing my latest book is taking a LOT of time and...

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15 Sep 2023
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Oops, This Time She Did…

 I suppose it was inevitable. My two-legged got me to the vet. Admittedly I didn’t make it easy for her,...

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03 Aug 2023
imaginative adventure

Book Review: Remarkably Bright Creatures…

Remarkably Bright Creatures was a book chosen by my book club a few months past. The Chicago Tribune named it...

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02 Aug 2023
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OOPS, I DID IT AGAIN…

Hi, Garfield blogging today. My two legged is put out with me and deserted her computer. She’s been trying to...

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12 Jul 2023
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Book Review: The Rat in…

I was very intrigued by the title of this book and didn’t hesitate to purchase it because the author is...

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06 Jul 2023
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Book review: Penelope – Tudor…

As a result of my interest in Tudor history, I’ve read many of Tony Riches’ books – among them his...

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05 Jul 2023
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Happy Fourth of July! Happy…

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!! My best wishes to everyone for a safe and enjoyable holiday, as we celebrate our nation's...

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03 Jul 2023
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I Did It! I Did…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS0pNPw958M But not a challenge, like Professor Higgins’ but a pleasure from start to finish. I read all five books...

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20 Jun 2023
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Our Week at the Beach

We packed off to a beach house on Holden Beach, North Carolina,  about ten days ago, with the threat of...

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07 Jun 2023
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Death at the Asylum

My latest book in the Rhe Brewster Series, Death at the Asylum, came out last month, and I have to...

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18 May 2023
Music

MORE MUSIC FROM THE 60S…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JxIw58lkHQ Simon and Garfunkle were American folk rock duo consisting of the singer-songwriter Paul Simon and the singer Art Garfunkle....

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15 May 2023
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Book Review: Once Upon a…

In an homage to spaghetti westerns such as Once Upon a Time in the West, Craig Boyack has created a...

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11 May 2023
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A Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot

We lost one of the world’s folk-rock legends last week when Canadian-born Gordon Lightfoot died, so I am taking a...

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08 May 2023
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More Music from the 1960s…

I’ve already been dinged about avoiding the Beatles, the group heading the British Invasion of the rock and roll scene...

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01 May 2023
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An Excerpt and a Review:…

One thing I find hard is marketing my books. I think a lot of my followers who write would say...

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18 Apr 2023
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Christmas in Prague

 This is a re-posting of a blog from 2020 about Christmas in Prague, where my husband and I lived for...

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24 Dec 2022
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Book review: The Invincible Miss…

This is the heartwarming and remarkable story of Aleen Isabel Cust, England’s first female veterinary surgeon, and a book I...

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09 Nov 2022
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AN INTERVIEW WITH D. WALLACE…

Diana Peach is making a stop here in Chapel Hill on her whirlwind book tour of her latest book, The...

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07 Nov 2022
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The Gift of Autumn

To my followers, old and new, I give you the gift of the trees this season. I took these pictures...

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28 Oct 2022
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A Night with Elton John…

I’ve been to a lot of concerts over the years, but never one in a professional football team’s stadium. Thus...

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23 Sep 2022
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Book Review: The Haunting of…

What kind of book do you get when two writers, both known for their award-wining literary excursions into evil and...

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15 Sep 2022
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The World’s Loss: Queen Elizabeth

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Queen Elizabeth. She became queen when I was eight...

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09 Sep 2022
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Rock, Roll and Ruin, a…

                         Rock, Roll and Ruin edited by Karen Pullen Available on Kindle for $3.99 and soon as a paperback on...

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31 Aug 2022
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A hot hello to all…

Here in North Carolina, we are amidst a brutal heat wave. From the weather maps, everyone in the US (except...

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20 Jul 2022
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New Release! Watersong by R.M.…

I am pleased to announce the release of a high adventure-romance-historical novel by R.M. Byrd.  I’ve known the author for...

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25 Jun 2022
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St. Edmund’s Priory #WritePhoto-Priory

This was is written in response to a prompt from LK Caley, who can be found at https://new2writing.wordpress.com/2022/06/09/writephoto-draft/#respond The curly-haired...

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13 Jun 2022
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Book Review: Sunflowers Beneath the…

I've been posting a lot of reviews lately, in an attempt to catch up with my reading. I think this...

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12 Jun 2022
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Book Review: Wasteland by Terry…

Wasteland is the second book in the Operation Galton series. The author has written in a variety of genres, but...

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10 Jun 2022
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Book Review: The Last Princess…

I participated in the book tour for Shelley Wilson’s The Last Princess, and I thought I’d follow up with a...

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09 Jun 2022
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Book Review: Raleigh  – Tudor…

I was first introduced to Tony Riches when I read his Tudor Trilogy, about the founding and growth of the...

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07 Jun 2022
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Memorial Day – My Thanks

Memorial Day 2021 – By John Darkow I know this link contains an ad for the publication (Imprimus) from Hillsdale...

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27 May 2022
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It’s almost here! The Last…

I’ve been following Shelley Wilson via her blog for a number of years now, and I am delighted to be...

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22 May 2022
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LIVING UNDER THE RULES –…

With apologies to Barb Taub, who would make this tale a really funny story. A lot of my friends have...

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06 May 2022
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Your life as a Pilgrim…

The upbringing of a Separatist child was harsh, as you might suspect. Adults believed that children were to be humble...

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20 Apr 2022
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Book review: Dark Hunter by…

I do love a good historical mystery, and Fiona Watson has written an atmospheric and compelling one, set in the...

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19 Apr 2022
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Life As A Pilgrim Child

I learned a lot of very interesting information about the lives of children in the 17th century when I was...

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24 Mar 2022
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The Last Pilgrim has been…

I received an email a month or so ago from Ben Shepherd, founder of the SHepherd.com website. Ben shepherd invited...

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10 Mar 2022
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Book review: Someone Close to…

I had never read any of Alex Craigie’s books, the premise of this one was enticing. I was not disappointed...

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06 Mar 2022
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Book Review: Neander and Neander:…

I purchased these books for review on Rosie’s Book Reviews. Harald Johnson has written three novels about Neanderthals about a...

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02 Mar 2022
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Coming up on this site

Many thanks to my now 1500 followers! You are the best. And as of today, this is my 856th post!...

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27 Feb 2022
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A post from me, Garfield…

It’s been a long while since I’ve posted anything, but my two-legged has made a lot of changes in her...

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02 Feb 2022
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I’m way down under the…

Wherever did that term come from? So I looked it up: The phrase "under the weather" came from British sailing...

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31 Jan 2022
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Mulling Over a Few Things

Something different for my blog post today! Lately, events of the last two pandemic years have been shuffling around my...

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20 Jan 2022
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Some doggerel about to-be-read lists

In response to the challenge by D. Wallace Peach to write a poem or story about your e-book TBR list,...

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09 Jan 2022
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Favorite Books I Reviewed in…

I have reviewed a total of twenty-eight books on my blog this year, most of them for Rosie’s Book Review...

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31 Dec 2021
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Book Review: Foxe and the…

I have read and reviewed all the books in this series, and it was so enjoyable to sit down and...

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30 Dec 2021
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Holiday Greeting from Snowy Utah

I will be off my blog for the next two weeks - Christmas vacation! We are in Utah, where it's...

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18 Dec 2021
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What Did the Pilgrims Wear?

Although the Pilgrims didn't celebrate Christmas, since they eschewed all holidays except for those decreed by God (Sunday), I thought...

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14 Dec 2021
imaginative adventure

Book Review: Fae or Foe?…

Although this book is listed for YA, I have found many such books a great ride, so even though I...

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04 Dec 2021
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Seasons of Starvation and Plenty

Starvation continued beyond the first winter.  After the first year, the late spring through early fall was a time of...

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20 Nov 2021
Pilgrims

The Pilgrims Were Not the…

Pilgrims Going to Church, oil on canvas, 1867, by George Henry Boughton This is a common misconception, mixing the two...

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12 Nov 2021
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An Autumn Haiku

Leaves cling to trees Some, wind-ripped, leave imprints Of their short, sweet life

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06 Nov 2021
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Pilgrim Homes, Food and Farms

On 28 December 1620, house plots were assigned to family groups--each family was responsible for building their own house. Once...

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04 Nov 2021
book promotion

A Brutal First Winter and…

The building of the first homes proceeded at a glacial pace - a pun because of the frequent storms with...

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28 Oct 2021
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The Pilgrims Reach the New…

As I mentioned in my last post, land was first sighted from the Mayflower on November 20, 1620, after a...

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26 Oct 2021
Pilgrims

Come Take The Voyage On…

What was it like to sail on the Mayflower in 1620? No picnic. The Mayflower actually sailed three times, the...

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23 Oct 2021
moviews

HOW I WAS INVOLVED IN…

In response to a request from Barb Taub, I am reposting this article from 2015.  I raised the insects for...

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21 Oct 2021
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Introducing Geoff Le Pard’s New…

Today I’m interviewing Geoff Le Pard (shown here with his dog Dog), who has a new book out called The...

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19 Oct 2021
Plymouth Colony

What Research? Years for The…

I am often asked how long it took me to write The Last Pilgrim. Counting the abortive attempts with first-person...

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17 Oct 2021
Pilgrims

How I Chose Mary Allerton…

I promised I would reveal all about how I chose Mary Allerton Cushman as the subject for my novel The...

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15 Oct 2021
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A Celebration of the 400th…

Many of you know that I recently released a book called The Last Pilgrim, the story of Mary Allerton Cushman,...

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13 Oct 2021
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Book Review: Dead Letters: A…

I was intrigued by the thought of a handwriting expert as the sleuth in a cozy mystery, so I purchased...

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01 Oct 2021
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Book Review: The Grifter by…

I bought this book for review as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team, and I impressed even myself with...

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27 Sep 2021
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End of the Line: Moab,…

Our second day on the train was short. We were served a good breakfast and a charcuterie board before disembarking...

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07 Sep 2021
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WHAT A BIRTHDAY: OVER THE…

For my birthday this year, Hubs decided we should take the Canadian Rocky Mountain Railway from Denver to Moab. Canadian...

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05 Sep 2021
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Book Review: Megacity by Terry…

Leave it to me to pick up the last in Terry Tyler’s Galton Trilogy to read first. But no matter,...

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18 Aug 2021
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A Shout-Out to Recent New…

I am always grateful when someone decided to follow my blog, so here is my acknowledgment of them in return....

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17 Aug 2021
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Book Review: Coffee and Vodka,…

A compelling read about two cultures and one family’s struggle to deal with the past. Eeva has a happy life...

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16 Aug 2021
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Book Review: The Ferryman and…

D. Wallace Peach is, to me, the master of world creation. In The Ferryman and the Sea Witch she blends...

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11 Aug 2021
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No, Not Another Book Review!…

This is a post from several years ago when I did Renaissance artists for my A-Z challenge. Mayflower at Plymouth Harbor wharf There is an empty boat slip on the waterfront in Plymouth,...

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24 Feb 2017
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Guest Post by Sue Vincent:…

Sue Vincent of The Daily Echo blog (http://scvincent.com/) agreed to my request for a guest post on the subject of:...

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22 Feb 2017
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How I Make My Covers…

I got the idea for my third book, Death by Pumpkin, watching a You Tube video of the pumpkin drop...

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20 Feb 2017
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All That Genetic Stuff: DNA

It seems like you can’t read a newspaper or online news about anything related to medicine (not to mention some...

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15 Feb 2017
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For My Husband on Valentine’s…

An old song by Tom T. Hall for Hubs and all of you out there: Here's a link to a...

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14 Feb 2017
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Book Review: Irex by Carl…

Irex is Carl Rackman’s debut novel, and in terms of creating a feeling of doom and tension in totally bleak...

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13 Feb 2017
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Book Review: Echoes of Time…

I chose to review Echoes of Time as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team and purchased it to read....

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10 Feb 2017
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How I Created One of…

My daughter is the featured person or body part on each of my book covers, and we had so much...

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08 Feb 2017
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Wise Jewel #Blogger’s Bash #Connections

This is my entry for the Blogger's Bash in London in June. The topic for the short story is CONNECTIONS....

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06 Feb 2017
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Dying For Your Faith #writephoto

Here is the photo prompt from Sue Vincent this week for her #writephoto series: Lady Rowen carefully descended the stone...

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31 Jan 2017
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Thirty Years a Junkie

In addition to being the companion of Danny the Dog (a prolific blogger) and the author of several books, amongst...

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29 Jan 2017
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And it’s lovely rice pudding…

I found myself reciting some of A.A. Milne’s children’s poems the other night, during dinner with my brother and sister-in-law....

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28 Jan 2017
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Book Review: The DCI Jones…

This the first book I have read by Kerry Donovan and I was definitely not disappointed. There are three other...

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21 Jan 2017
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Movie Review: Hidden Figures

I went to see Hidden Figures on the Martin Luther King holiday, and it was a perfect way to celebrate....

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19 Jan 2017
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Book Review: The Replacement Chronicles…

I previously reviewed the first part of this saga (https://saylingaway.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1354&action=edit), which was published as a novella. The story has now...

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13 Jan 2017
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Our Snow Is Finally Melting

It’s been an interesting week here at home. We had a snow/ice event last Friday and Saturday that left us...

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12 Jan 2017
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The Lost City of the…

By some weird quirk of fate, I had just finished reading The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas...

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08 Jan 2017
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I guess I need to…

Okay, okay, it's January 4th and I haven't done a post since welcoming in the New Year. Dragging my feet...wondering...

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04 Jan 2017
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Best Wishes for a Happy…

For many of us, 2016 has been a difficult year – the loss of a friend or family member, a...

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31 Dec 2016
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SOMETIMES THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT CAN…

Dear Friends and Fellow Bloggers: This is a chapter from a book written by a woman in my critique group....

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19 Dec 2016
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Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Give…

                                    (Ornament purloined from Sally Cronin's tree!) Stymied figuring out gifts for everyone? Here’s my suggestion: get them a book...

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17 Dec 2016
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New Followers!

Getting into the holiday season? Elijah Moon is. THANK YOU to everyone who stops by to read my posts! I'm...

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09 Dec 2016
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Book Review: Eclipse Lake by…

Eclipse Lake is the latest book from popular author Mae Clair. To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of...

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02 Dec 2016
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New Followers!

Shreya at https://shreyasharmasite.wordpress.com – The Mysterious Soul – blogs thoughts, poetry, short stories and memes. This blog is very entertaining!...

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30 Nov 2016
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How Was Your Thanksgiving Holiday…

How was your Thanksgiving holiday? Ours was busy – a sumptuous meal with ten dishes (just ask if you are...

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28 Nov 2016
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Book Review – Regicide: Peter…

Regicide begins with a description of a historical event: King William of England, known as William Rufus (1087-1100) died after...

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25 Nov 2016
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Do You Know Where Winnie…

James Osborne recently posted on the origin of Winnie-the-Pooh. This story is so charming I am re-blogging it here so...

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21 Nov 2016
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New Followers

My list is long, have patience! https://monstamind17.wordpress.com/ is the blog of Jeff Chamberlain, who likes to help others through community...

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17 Nov 2016
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Thursday photo prompt from Sue…

This is in response to Sue Vincent's photo prompt for this week: https://scvincent.com/2016/11/10/thursday-photo-prompt-secrets-writephoto/ Sister Alys had been kneeling on the...

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15 Nov 2016
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Introducing…The Steep Canyon Rangers

We went to a Steep Canyon Rangers concert last night and came away again convinced this is the premier bluegrass...

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14 Nov 2016
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Where Is Fall? Part 2

Sing this to 'Where Is Love?' from Oliver!             Wheeeree is fall?             Will it ever come at all?            ...

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12 Nov 2016
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New Followers

I've been remiss lately about recognizing new followers and as a result, there is a huge backlog. I promise to...

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09 Nov 2016
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An Interview with Christoph Fischer,…

I turned the tables on Christoph (who recently interviewed me: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/2016/10/10/mystery-mondays-interview-with-n-a-grainger) and asked him to answer some of the questions...

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08 Nov 2016
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Book Review: The Body in…

A fellow blogger and excellent writer, Christoph Fischer, just ventured into my domain with his cozy mystery, The Body in...

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07 Nov 2016
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The Washtub War – a…

I worked on the machine over the weekend (my wife now giving me longer sidelong glances, for the laundry was...

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03 Nov 2016
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The Washtub War – a…

I first read this piece on Bob Byrd's blog site - http://byrdwordsblog.wordpress.com - several years ago and laughed so much...

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02 Nov 2016
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#Book Review: A Shortcut to…

This review is for Rosie’s #Bookreview team. The book was purchased by the reviewer. A Shortcut to Murder is the...

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01 Nov 2016
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Book Review: The Lady Anne…

The Lady Anne is the second book in the Above All Others series about the life of Anne Boleyn by...

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29 Oct 2016
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Short Story: Lifeline

Gina blew out the 19 candles and her family clapped.  She’d taken the bus overnight to be home because she...

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28 Oct 2016
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New Followers Friday

Just made it with 2 hours to go! https://yourfriendlycarguy.wordpress.com is something truly different. The author, Jacob Dacey, is a local...

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22 Oct 2016
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You Won’t Make It! by…

I saw this post late last week and asked the author if I could repost it on my blog. He...

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21 Oct 2016
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Why I Swim in Cold…

Today is October 16, and I put in 40 laps of our pool (which is pretty long) and am looking...

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19 Oct 2016
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New Followers

I'm finally back in the groove - cold over although another sore throat coming on... https://badpagesblog.wordpress.com is written by a...

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16 Oct 2016
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Book Review: Poison Bay by…

Poison Bay tells the story of a wilderness hike turned dark and deadly. Eight friends from high school embark on...

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16 Oct 2016
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It’s Party Time for Sally…

Today is Sally Cronin’s blog’s third anniversary party and we’ve all been invited. Sally is well known in the blogosphere...

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15 Oct 2016
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Book Review: Murder & Mayhem…

I’ll start by telling you how much I enjoyed this mystery. It’s a bit different from the mysteries I’ve read...

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15 Oct 2016
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Book Review: The 45th Nail…

I am torn between describing this book as compelling or interesting. I think I’ll go with the latter. It has...

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13 Oct 2016
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When Is Autumn Coming?

Well, I am still suffering from the cruddy cold, and now one of my eyes is infected, so I look...

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11 Oct 2016
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New Followers – on Saturday!

Sorry to post this a day late -  have the chest cruds and spent most of yesterday sleeping. Today I...

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08 Oct 2016
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Nanoo, Nanoo – my rough…

Henry Philpot was a science fiction aficionado. Not an ordinary “liker” of science fiction, but a compulsive one. His obsession...

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02 Oct 2016
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Thank you, thank you, thank…

Dear Followers: I just checked my site stats - probably should do that more often - and I have cracked...

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01 Oct 2016
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New Followers Friday

One of these days I will catch up! https://steelinkisses.com/ is a blog on pregnancy, birth, and motherhood, intended as a...

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30 Sep 2016
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Book Review: A Long Ways…

This is the first Sgt. Windflower book I have read, and I was curious about a book with a Native...

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28 Sep 2016
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New Followers Friday

This is about as eclectic a group of followers that I've encountered. Read about them and maybe check them out?...

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23 Sep 2016
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Who Killed Vivien Morse? by…

Who Killed Vivien Morse? is the fourth book in the DCI Peter Hatherall series. I haven’t read the other three,...

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21 Sep 2016
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Reviews of Death by Pumpkin

I am inordinately pleased with reviews of my third book, Death by Pumpkin, by two bloggers with who are great...

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19 Sep 2016
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New Followers Friday

I think I am catching up – but still a few weeks behind! Here are some blogs for you to...

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16 Sep 2016
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Beep, Beep… Beep Beep… The…

I want to tell you about a blog called Club 51, run by Chris White. It's a blog for and...

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16 Sep 2016
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The Strangely Surreal Adventures of…

I will freely confess it took me a while to finish this book. Life got in the way and I...

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14 Sep 2016
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Part 2 of Life in…

Looking across the Vltava at Hradcany(Prague Castle) and Svaty Vit (Saint Vitus) The laboratory where we...

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11 Sep 2016
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Another Friday and More New…

Relax! The weekend is coming! Every time I explore this list, there are more amazing people...

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09 Sep 2016
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Living in Prague: Before and…

Because of the comments I received on my Czech Christmas post, I decided to re-post the two blogs pieces I...

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07 Sep 2016
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New Followers Friday, a Bit…

It’s Labor Day weekend so my New Followers Friday got delayed a bit. I am now blocked out for the...

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05 Sep 2016
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Porter Girl: First Lady of…

Disclaimer: I was given an advanced reader copy by the author as a gift and was not asked for a...

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31 Aug 2016
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Twenty Questions

Don Massenzio kindly hosted me for a Q and A on his blog today. You can check out my answers...

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29 Aug 2016
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I’m On Radio!

Today I had the honor of being interviewed by Annette Rochelle Aben on her blog talk radio program Tell Me...

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26 Aug 2016
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New Followers Friday

One of these days, I'll catch up! In the meantime, here is another group of fascinating people: Natalie West at ...

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26 Aug 2016
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The Old One is Down

The Old One is the name we gave to an oak tree that stood in an area off the end...

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25 Aug 2016
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#Book Review: The Dead City…

This is a review based on an advanced reader copy from the author through Rosie's Book Review Team. The book...

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22 Aug 2016
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New Followers Friday

Here are some more bloggers you might be interested in following! https://chingum.wordpress.com/2016/07/06/hyper-realistic-paintings-by-emanuele-dascanio/  Chin gum has a fantastic blog of pictures...

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19 Aug 2016
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I’m Baaaack and in Purrfect…

It’s been a while since my human has let me take over her blog. She had an excellent opportunity when...

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17 Aug 2016
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Thursday Photo Prompt – Caged–…

I couldn't help responding to Sue Vincent's photo prompt from last week. Ellen looked at the crowd of people around...

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16 Aug 2016
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#Book Review: The Owl Goddess…

I really enjoy books that are aimed at a YA audience, and I did enjoy this one. The Owl Goddess...

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15 Aug 2016
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New Followers Friday

Here’s my people for this week! Check them out - as usual, amazing! Madelyn Griffith-Haynie https://addandsomuchmore.com/  Madelyn has a lot...

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12 Aug 2016
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Check out my guest post!

Sue Vincent is one of my blogging buddies, and she asked me if I would do a guest post. You...

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10 Aug 2016
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Book Review: Baby X by…

Baby X by Rebecca Ann Smith is a work of science fiction…or is it? The story is built around the...

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06 Aug 2016
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New Follower Friday

As most of you know, I have made it a habit to do a shout out to new followers. I...

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05 Aug 2016
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Book Review: A World Between…

How could I resist reading a sci-fi book which has a blurb saying, “Parts of the world are disappearing…”? The...

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02 Aug 2016
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Vacation is over 🙁

We arrived home yesterday afternoon, just in advance of some mighty thunderstorms that rolled through all last night. While we...

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02 Aug 2016
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August 2016 is Write An…

I'm on vacation, as you all know, but couldn't miss re-posting this from Terry Tyler. As the author of a...

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29 Jul 2016
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Checking in with all y’all

We've been in Maine for several days now, weather warm and blue skies. I have personally eat my way through...

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29 Jul 2016
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Book Review: La Petite Boulain…

La Petite Boulain is the first of a series of novels that will follow the life of Anne Boleyn (this...

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26 Jul 2016
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Ah, Vacation!

I'm off to Plymouth MA for a high school reunion and some research on Thursday and then on to Maine...

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19 Jul 2016
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76 Trombones, Bells and Whistles

Death By Pumpkin will be available on Kindle on July 19th! The band is playing and you can pre-order a...

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15 Jul 2016
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Hard Tack

I could mean a hard tack on my sail boat, but actually I want to introduce you to the hard...

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11 Jul 2016
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Another Bite of the “Pumpkin”

Now for a little of the food that shows up from time to time in the Rhe Brewster Mysteries:              ...

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06 Jul 2016
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The Fourth of July: A…

I published this piece a while back and thought you might enjoy reading it again. I think many of us...

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04 Jul 2016
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#Book Review: Death by Didgeridoo…

Death by Didgeridoo is the first in the Jamie Quinn Mystery series. It is a is short, really quick read...

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01 Jul 2016
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#Book Review: Dark Threads of…

This is book two in the Ashmole Foxe Georgian Mysteries. I didn’t read the first but didn’t have to, since...

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29 Jun 2016
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Another Bite from Death by…

Here’s a little something from Chapter 1. Darkness was just starting to settle on the crime scene, and some spotlights...

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27 Jun 2016
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#FridayBookShare MIDSUMMER AT EYRE HALL…

I just finished the third book in the Eyre Hall Trilogy by Luccia Gray. I gobbled it up over two...

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24 Jun 2016
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A Bit from Death by…

My third book, Death by Pumpkin, will be out in less than a month. I’ve decided to peak your interests...

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22 Jun 2016
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Why do I feel like…

I am stuck, really stuck. I’ve started a historical (is it an historical? I’ve always wondered about that) novel based...

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15 Jun 2016
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A shout out to more…

I am always grateful for my friends in the blogosphere who follow my paltry offerings and find them interesting! I...

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08 Jun 2016
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A Shout out to new…

My newest followers: Ben Chittock at https://bchittock.wordpress.com/about/ Ben does movie reviews, most recently The Revenant and The Dead Pool Juliacastorp...

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07 Jun 2016
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Legends of Windemere: Tribe of…

Charles Yallowitz is the creative and imaginative author of the Legends of Windemere series, bound to appeal to anyone who...

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06 Jun 2016
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We’ve joined the Millennials’ Parents

For several years now, I've been reading about millennial offspring moving back in with their parents. Not to worry, won't...

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03 Jun 2016
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7 Signs You Have a…

I'm in love with dragons so I just had to re-post this by Charles Yallowtiz. Stay tune for information on...

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01 Jun 2016
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#Book Review: The Dead Lands…

I decided to read this book in preparation to review the second in this series, based on a terrific review...

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01 Jun 2016
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#Book Review: Way of the…

I decided to dip my reading toe into some science fiction with this book, and I found it intriguing and...

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28 May 2016
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Cover Reveal for Death by…

Here is the cover you voters selected. It was a very close vote!  I think the artist did a great...

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25 May 2016
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Cover Reveal is Coming!

As promised, but a little late, my cover reveal will be posted next week! I have been largely absent from...

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21 May 2016
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My Pool is an Ecosystem!

May is here and I’ve been swimming outside since March, admittedly in some pretty cold water (60o and up). When...

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17 May 2016
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Book Review: Breadline by Alain…

It took me a while to get through Breadline, written by Alain Dizerens, mostly because it is so descriptively rich...

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12 May 2016
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Book Review: Jasper – Book…

The Tudor Trilogy follows the emergence of the Tudor dynasty from its beginning with Owen Tudor, the subject of the...

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11 May 2016
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Book Review: Oy Yew by…

Five Stars       Oy Yew is book I of the Waifs of Duldred Trilogy and was long-listed for the Times/Chicken House...

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09 May 2016
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Happy Mother’s Day!

Hello readers! Cameron here. You may know me as the "daughter" in some posts and I am hijacking her blog for Mother's...

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08 May 2016
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This and That and a…

Whew! I'm still coming down from A-Z, but wanted to catch y'all up on the Granger clan doings. Right now...

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07 May 2016
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And the rest of my…

Here are the rest of the suggestions for my characters in my book. I hope you’ll make some comments and...

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03 May 2016
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Thanks To All my Followers…

Whew! Congratulations to everyone who participated in the A-Z challenge, and THANK YOU to everyone who visited my blog during...

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01 May 2016
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Z = Zoey Harris

Bet you didn't see I'd have a Z! Zoey begins as a strong minor character in Death in a Red...

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30 Apr 2016
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Y = The Main Character,…

At last we come to Rhe herself. I have purposefully not described her fully because I want readers to conjure...

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29 Apr 2016
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V = another mismatch: Pequod

I just realized that I had posted on Michael Bowers earlier - color me embarrassed. My mind is rather scrambled...

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28 Apr 2016
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X = Bitsy Wellington

Another letter where I can do no better! I’ve decided to introduce you to Bitsy Wellington. She plays a major...

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28 Apr 2016
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W = Will Brewster

Will Brewster is a character who started out as the ideal husband, a little too ideal as one of the...

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27 Apr 2016
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V = FBI Agent Michael…

If Agent Bongiovanni is Jeff, then Bowers is Mutt. He’s much shorter than the senior agent, and Rhe noticed when...

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26 Apr 2016
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U = FBI Senior Agent…

U and V are hard for me, because there are no names, you see! So let me introduce you to...

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25 Apr 2016
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T = Tanya Davis

Tanya Davis is a young, African American Pequod student who meets Rhe in Death in a Red Canvas Chair, during...

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23 Apr 2016
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S = Sam Brewster

Ah, Sam, the Chief of Police for Pequod, brother-in-law to Rhe. Sam and Rhe are close, especially after Rhe becomes...

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22 Apr 2016
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R = Ruthie Hersh

Ruthie is another character I had so much fun creating. She is named after a high school classmate of mine...

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21 Apr 2016
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Q = Phil Pearce (ok,…

There is no Q, so what could I do? I decided to tell you about Phil Pearce. He appears first...

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20 Apr 2016
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P = Paulette McGillivray

Paulette is Rhe’s best friend, her sounding board, and a willing participant in many of Rhe’s sleuthing trips. She’s bubbly,...

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19 Apr 2016
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O = Tom O’Neil

Tom O’Neil, sail maker of Pequod, is based on a real person I had the honor of interviewing during a...

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18 Apr 2016
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N = Mary Noonan

In Death in a Dacron Sail, Mary Noonan becomes a private patient of Rhe’s, when Rhe is put on unpaid...

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16 Apr 2016
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M = James Manning

Dr. James Manning is the CEO of Sturdevant Hospital.  He first appears in Death in a Red Canvas Chair, as...

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15 Apr 2016
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L = Lyle Pendergrass

Lyle Pendergrass is the guard at the rear (employees parking lot) entrance of Sturdevant Hospital. He sits at a station...

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14 Apr 2016
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Poll is now closed!

Dear Readers, Thank you for your votes! We have plenty of feedback and are ready to choose a winner. If...

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14 Apr 2016
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K = James Barnes (sorry)

I am cheating today because I don’t have a K. And I’m rhyming… James plays a major role in Death...

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13 Apr 2016
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J = Jack

Send me your ideas of what Jack looks like! Jack is Rhe and Will Brewster’s six-year-old son. By the time...

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12 Apr 2016
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I = Kelly Ingram

In Death in a Red Canvas Sail, Kelly Ingram is the quarterback of the Pequod football team – a tall,...

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11 Apr 2016
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H = Sylvia Hutty

Sylvia is a character with a major role in Death in a Dacron Sail. She is the head of Human...

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09 Apr 2016
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G = Glass Trinket

You don’t have to imagine the Glass Trinket. Here is a photo: This is Rhe’s sailboat and it features prominently...

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08 Apr 2016
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F = Frank Boyette

Frank Boyette is another of the minor characters and he appears for the first time in Death by Pumpkin. Actually,...

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07 Apr 2016
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E = Nancy Ennis

Challenge: Send me a picture of what you think Nancy Ennis looks like! Nancy Ennis is one of those background...

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06 Apr 2016
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D= Miss Daisy

Today I have an inanimate object that is on all three of the Rhe Brewster  Mysteries, unless you have an...

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05 Apr 2016
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C = Crystal Bog

Today I have a place that figures into Death in a Dacron Sail, so no challenge to provide me with...

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04 Apr 2016
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B = Bob Morgan

Bob Morgan Challenge: Send me a picture of what you think Bob Morgan looks like! Bob is the Editor in...

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02 Apr 2016
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I Have a HUGE Favor…

To all my followers, fellow bloggers and friends (you are all of them): I am working on the cover for...

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01 Apr 2016
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A-Z Challenge Day 1: A…

Challenge: Send me a picture of what you think Marsh Adams looks like! Marsh Adams was originally an emergency room...

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01 Apr 2016
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April Fool’s Day and the…

Tomorrow is April Fool's Day, the one time of year when both Hubs and my daughter team up to make...

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31 Mar 2016
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I’ve returned and while I’m…

I am back from my sojourn in Germany, where I didn't learn the language (other than bitte, danke shön, and...

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29 Mar 2016
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A Day in the Life…

By now you know a lot about me, Elijah Moon, a cat nonpareil. I am looking forward to having my...

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26 Mar 2016
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A Day in the Life…

I’m Elijah Moon, and I’m back to post while my humans are otherwise occupied. I do have some trouble with...

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23 Mar 2016
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A Day in the Life…

My name is Elijah Moon. This is the first time I've posted myself, but I know one of my humans...

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20 Mar 2016
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Book Review – Britannia Part…

This review is for Rosie’s #Bookreview team. The book was purchased by the reviewer. This is the third in the...

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17 Mar 2016
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While I’m Gone…

I will be away from my blog for the next week or so and won't be able to read posts...

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16 Mar 2016
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7 Signs a Person is…

This piece is from a guy whose posts I treasure. It should tickle your funny bone...

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10 Mar 2016
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Book Review: Murder on the…

Murder on the Levels is the second in a series of short tales of murder by Frances Evesham. I was...

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08 Mar 2016
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What the heck are seagulls…

Dear Readers: I was up in Virginia this weekend and made a trip to the Walmart in Rocky Mount. I...

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07 Mar 2016
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Orbitz, TSA and I

                                                         THE Ohio State University I took a trip on Sunday to Ohio State University to give a lecture on...

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02 Mar 2016
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Book Blast: The Perihelix by…

Book 1 of the Viridian System Series, The Perihelix, is out and available for reading! Published by Princelings Publications Genre:...

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01 Mar 2016
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Book Review: The Code for…

This review is for Rosie’s #Bookreview team. The book was purchased by the reviewer. The Code for Killing is the...

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29 Feb 2016
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Book Review: Do Not Wash…

Barb Taub is one of the wittiest writers I know, and her latest book – Do Not Wash Hands in...

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26 Feb 2016
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I’m no longer underground

  While I was deep underground, slaving away on my third book, I tried to sandwich in the reading of...

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25 Feb 2016
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Book Review: Love in the…

Love in the Time of Murder is book three in The Gray-Haired Knitting Detectives series by this author. I will...

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25 Feb 2016
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Check out my post on…

Katherine Pitts, of the wonderful blog site I wish I Lived in a Library, asked me to do a guest...

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23 Feb 2016
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The Bits and Pieces in…

  Elijah Moon is doing his darndest to keep  me from finishing my last rewrite before the book goes to...

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21 Feb 2016
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Book Review: Fatal Fire by…

The author described her book as a cozy, chick lit mystery, and it does indeed fulfill all of those descriptors....

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17 Feb 2016
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Pardon My Absence

I am into the major overhaul of my third book, getting fat in the rear from all the sitting! My...

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10 Feb 2016
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Welcome to my new followers

Time to recognize a group of people who have kindly chosen to follow my blog. Perhaps you will find some...

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09 Feb 2016
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A Good Mystery is Like…

In August of 2014 I was asked to write a guest blog for A Woman’s Wisdom. I thought about what...

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30 Jan 2016
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Spider webs

A recent post from Sue Vincent reminded me of how much I like spiders’ webs: their patterns, their beauty when...

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26 Jan 2016
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Book Review: Twelfth Night at…

I read and reviewed this author’s first book in her Eyre Hall Trilogy, hesitant because I was not a fan...

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19 Jan 2016
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Champions Award

For some time, I have steadfastly held to being award-free on this blog, despite the row of awards listed alongside...

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17 Jan 2016
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AN AMERICAN HERO, FORGOTTEN

My son is a Staff Sergeant in the 101st Airborne, and I recently ran across this tribute to Darrell"Shifty" Powers,...

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15 Jan 2016
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LIFELINE

Gina blew out the 19 candles and her family clapped. She’d taken the bus overnight to be home because she...

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14 Jan 2016
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The Great Spinach Rebellion

I read a post the other day where the theme was rebellion, and I immediately thought of one of the...

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13 Jan 2016
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Review of Death in a…

Fellow blogger Irene Waters (whom my daughter and son-in-law met during their trip to Australia last year) kindly took time...

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10 Jan 2016
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A Bunch of Birds. Or…

I just HAD to repost this from Nicholas Rossi's blog. I see a plethora of book titles...   Continuing the...

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07 Jan 2016
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Charles Yallowitz: Legends of Windermere…

Cover Art by Jason Pedersen       Legends of Windermere  - The Mercenary Prince by Charles Yallowitz is new and is...

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06 Jan 2016
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2015 in review

These stats got thrown my way so I thought I's put them out there. Blogging hard to keep y'all interested!...

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05 Jan 2016
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2015: The Good, the Bad…

The bad: losing my hard drive – I learned a few days ago that NOTHING was recoverable from the drive....

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02 Jan 2016
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Happy New Year!

To all my family and friends, near and far, the happiest of New Years and 365 days of joy and...

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01 Jan 2016
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Christmas is Always an Adventure

This year we were facing a really, really quiet Christmas with our son in Germany and our daughter in LA,...

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27 Dec 2015
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A WISH FOR CHRISTMAS EVE

I wish I could wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year or...

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24 Dec 2015
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A Sweet Story about the…

This was sent to me by a friend of mine. Wish I could claim to have written it! I remember...

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19 Dec 2015
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my jerry-rigged computer set up

Just want to let all of my blogging friends  know I have managed to rig something up with a lap...

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18 Dec 2015
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It’s Christmas Disaster Time Again

It's been a truism in our family that Christmas always brings a disaster: the car throws a rod, a roof...

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12 Dec 2015
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Moving Stories, Part I

We all have moving stories, right? Moving as in translocation – but do let me know if these move you...

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08 Dec 2015
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I Went Skydiving!

Okay, okay, my son tells me I’m too old to engage in such dangerous activities, but the truth of it...

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01 Dec 2015
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New Followers

I wanted to publish the list of new followers, some of which I have delayed responding to because of time...

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30 Nov 2015
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Book Review: Maelstrom by Francis…

Maelstrom: turbulence, tumult, turmoil, chaos, confusion, upheaval. A perfect title for this book, which is based on a concept from...

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28 Nov 2015
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Milestone and I missed it!

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone. I am particularly grateful for the fact I now have 300 followers - bless each and everyone...

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26 Nov 2015
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Book Review: Thicker Than Water

Thicker Than Water is the last book in the The Grayson Trilogy. I read the first book, a Single Step,...

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26 Nov 2015
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Rosie Amber

Y'all might have noticed the emblem on this page indicating I am a member of Rosie Amber's Book Review Team....

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12 Nov 2015
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Saturday in the Virginia Mountains…

Click on the photos to enlarge them! My husband and I and two of our friends usually attend this festival...

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02 Nov 2015
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Let’s Do The Monster Mash

For  those of you who took the quiz and came out as Frankenstein, I have some music for dancing: The...

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31 Oct 2015
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Which Literary Monster Are You?…

Halloween is the perfect time of the year to think about your darker side. For book nerds and word lovers,...

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31 Oct 2015
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A Story For Halloween?

Psst. I need to tell you something… in the spirit of Halloween and all that. I have a Sin Eater...

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27 Oct 2015
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Book Review: Murder at the…

Murder at the Lighthouse is a frothy confection of a short, cozy mystery. This is one of a series of...

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26 Oct 2015
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Book Review: Gorgito’s Ice Rink…

Gorgito’s Ice Rink is at its core a family saga, set largely in Russia and alternating in time between the...

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24 Oct 2015
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Book Review: Everything to Lose…

This is the second in the Gavin Shawlins Thriller series. I did not read the first, but this book is...

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22 Oct 2015
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Stand by: Book Reviews (Note…

I just realized I've reviewed three books without posting the reviews. So this is a warning, a come-on, a post...

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20 Oct 2015
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BOUCHERCON 2015: I WENT, I…

Just to follow up on a comment I made in the previous post: I did go to Bouchercon last week....

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12 Oct 2015
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Death in a Red Canvas…

I was an attendee at the Raleigh Bouchercon Convention this past week - at least for a day, which I...

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11 Oct 2015
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Jemima Pett, Guinea Pigs and…

Jemima Pett had been a great bogging friend almost from the beginning of my blog. She is a wonderful, thoughtful...

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06 Oct 2015
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THANK YOU, MERCI BEAUCOUP, MUCHAS…

May you always have lobster! I am coming close to my 300th post since starting my...

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30 Sep 2015
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Book Review: An Unlamented Life…

When newly-fledged physician Dr. Adam Bascom discovers a body in a churchyard, he has no clue that discovering how the...

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23 Sep 2015
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Growing Up Pilgrim: Learning to…

Believe it or not, when I was learning to drive there was no Driver Ed available at my high school....

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23 Sep 2015
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The Dogwood and the Cedar

This is a re-post of something I posted on Jan 9, 2013, when I was a fledgling blogger. I still...

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14 Sep 2015
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AN INTERVIEW WITH BETTE STEVENS,…

Bette and I met for coffee at the Red Cup Coffeehouse in Boothbay Harbor, Me, after I’d finished my stint...

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13 Sep 2015
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Book Review: Dog Bone Soup…

I grew up in New England the 1950s and ‘60s, and Bette Stevens has written a coming of age novel...

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11 Sep 2015
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Book Review: Owen, Book One…

Move over, Philippa Gregory- you have competition from Tony Riches! I love to read books about the Tudors, so when...

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05 Sep 2015
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The Principal and I

I remember learning the difference in spelling the homonyms principle and principal: the principal is your pal. One principal in...

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02 Sep 2015
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Simple Scones

A fellow blogger (A Star on the Forehead) asked me for my recipe for scones. I've never posted a recipe...

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28 Aug 2015
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Back Home and Working Hard

We had a great time in Maine, but now it’s time to get back on the treadmill (literally and figuratively)....

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23 Aug 2015
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Book Review: A Company of…

This is the debut novel of Megan Goodenough; I think she has a great imagination and did a fair job...

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17 Aug 2015
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Vacation nearly over…

We've had a busy time in Plymouth and Boothbay Harbor, meeting old friends, doing a couple of signings, and researching...

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14 Aug 2015
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Book Review: Danger at Thatcham…

This is the second of Frances Evesham’s Thatcham Hall Mysteries, 19th Century historical mystery romances set in Victorian England. It...

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14 Aug 2015
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Summers in Plymouth:Learning to Sail…

This is a short story I posted last year. It happened during the summer, so it fits with my Summers...

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12 Aug 2015
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Men Vs Women Writers Infographic

Thought you might enjoy this infographic on men vs women writers, while I'm living it up in Maine!  Please note...

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10 Aug 2015
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Summers in Plymouth: The Cousin…

This is a partial re-posting of a memoir piece I posted last year, perfect for Summers in Plymouth. Mom and Dad standing in the driveway behind the house When I was growing up, my...

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22 Jul 2015
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Book Review: Parallel by Anthony…

I met Anthony Vicino though his blog, One Lazy Robot. He writes perceptive and funny and helpful posts about the...

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19 Jul 2015
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Summers in Plymouth: Always Wear…

Here I am, missing my front teeth and with the new no-fuss bowl haircut. That's my...

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16 Jul 2015
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Book Review: White Collar Option…

I do like to read the occasional political thriller, and this one was novel to me in that it was...

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15 Jul 2015
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Summers in Plymouth: Fresh Vegetables,…

Mom always served vegetables – canned when I was very young, then later, frozen vegetables, as they became more widely...

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05 Jul 2015
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Summers in Plymouth: All a…

Looking back, I can see that I was extremely lucky. My summers in Plymouth were darned near perfect. New England...

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04 Jul 2015
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Guest Post: Author Fia Essen

Hello friends and followers of Noelle! My name is Fia Essen. I’ve been an expat since childhood. I grew up...

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03 Jul 2015
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Blog Tour: Meet Olga Núñez…

I met the wonderful Olga online via the blogosphere and have enjoyed her posts. She has become a good friend,...

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29 Jun 2015
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A Letter from Rara

A few weeks ago, I posted about the death of Grayson Queen. His wife, Rara, has a blog, Rarasaur, which...

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24 Jun 2015
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Trouble Comes in Threes

Trouble Comes in Threes Inspired by today's humorous post from TanGental (http://geofflepard.com/2015/06/19/international-rescue-south-london-branch/), I feel compelled to comment on what happened...

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19 Jun 2015
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Transitioning from one life to…

I spent last week at the annual meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomist. I have been the Program...

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18 Jun 2015
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A Busy Week

To all my friends in the blogosphere: I have been running an academic educational meeting in Nevada for the past...

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14 Jun 2015
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Book review: Dream On by…

4.5 stars I will admit at the outset I have enjoyed two other Terry Tyler books: The Last Child, Kings...

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12 Jun 2015
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Book review: The Widow’s Tale…

The Widow’s Tale is a genuine romance and a debut novel. Set in the era of the English Civil War...

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10 Jun 2015
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A Trip to the Windy…

One thing did result from the Great Chicago fire: it created a clean slate for the growth of a modern...

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04 Jun 2015
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A Visit to the Windy…

Since retiring, my husband and I have been eating more lightly. Traveling with my daughter and son-in-law reminded us of...

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01 Jun 2015
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A Visit to the Windy…

As mentioned in a post last week, I spent four days in Chicago with my daughter and son-in-law. Have you...

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30 May 2015
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If you wish to send…

Here's is the address for Grayson (Dave) Queen's wife, Rara: Radhika Jaini WF0124 CIW LA 249 LOW 16756 Chino-Corona Road...

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27 May 2015
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Chicago, Chicago, That Toddlin’ Town

Just a quick note - I'm in Chicago, meeting my daughter and her husband who are here for a wedding....

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22 May 2015
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Book Review: The Scarlet Wench…

I was intrigued by the title of this book and discovered I had selected a true British cozy, a murder...

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21 May 2015
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A Fellow Blogger Has Died

I got a brief message today on my blog from someone whom I don't know.  This person wanted to tell...

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18 May 2015
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Book Review: The Young Jaguar…

The Young Jaguar by Zoe Saadia is the first book in a pre-Aztec trilogy, and introduces us to Atolli, a...

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18 May 2015
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Behold the Gaffney Peach!

On a 1,000 mile round trip trek to Columbus, Georgia a couple of weekends ago, we passed the Gaffney Peach...

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14 May 2015
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I Am Part of UNC’s…

This past month, I became a formal part of the University of North Carolina’s Southern History Program. I guess I’m...

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10 May 2015
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Second Act Series: An Invitation…

I was honored to be asked by Joanne Guidoccio to participate in her Second Act Series. My contribution: From Human...

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08 May 2015
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An Interview with Author R.…

Bob enjoys a cup of good black coffee, so over coffee in my kitchen, I pried some answers out of...

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06 May 2015
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Book Review: The Fur, Fish,…

The Fur, Fish, Flea and Beagle Club is a fantastic first book by R. M. Byrd, who writes with evident...

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05 May 2015
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And the Winner Is…

I received a wide range of guesses about what sites of the ones in my A-Z Challenge I would visit...

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03 May 2015
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The Day After the Challenge

My thanks to everyone who visited me during the A-Z Challenge! I made some new friends this past month, and...

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01 May 2015
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Z = Zebulon Smith House

Congratulations to everyone for making it through our Challenges. Don't forget to give me your best guesses as to which...

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30 Apr 2015
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Y = York

York is an historic town near the southern tip of the state. It includes the villages of York Village, York...

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29 Apr 2015
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X = Fort Western!

[caption id="attachment_1750" align="alignleft" width="150"] Old Fort Western I simply could not find anything to see in Maine that begins with...

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28 Apr 2015
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W = Wabanaki

Old photograph of a Micmac encampment on Cape Breton Island Wabanaki is roughly translated at “People...

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27 Apr 2015
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Viles Arboretum

Maine Hospital for the Insane, Augusta During the 1890s, as part of a belief in "moral...

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25 Apr 2015
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U = University of Maine

I had a hard time finding a U until I remembered that faculty at the University of Maine had a...

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24 Apr 2015
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T = Tap a Maple…

I’m pretty sure you’re all drawn to Vermont Maple Syrup, but did you know that Maine also produces excellent stuff?...

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23 Apr 2015
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Book Review: Concealment by Rose…

Concealment is quite a twisted mystery and unique in that it takes place in the arena of big business and...

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22 Apr 2015
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S = Saint Croix Island…

Although Saint Croix Island has no public access, it can be well seen from both the U.S. and Canadian mainlands....

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22 Apr 2015
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R = Route 1 in…

Many times in my books, Rhe Brewster takes Route 1 to get to various places: Boston, Portland, Presque Isle. So...

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21 Apr 2015
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Q = Quoddy Head State…

West Quoddy Head Light with Grand Manan in the background - Wikipedia Quoddy Head State Park...

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20 Apr 2015
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P = Puffin

Puffins are cute and comical seabirds which breed in large colonies on coastal cliffs or offshore islands along the Maine...

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18 Apr 2015
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O = Olson House

I hope I’m not going to bore you with yet another house, but Rhe’s interest in old buildings is also...

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17 Apr 2015
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N = Narrow Gauge Railroad…

This one is for all you train aficionados out there! Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum The Maine...

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16 Apr 2015
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M = Mountains of Maine

Maine occupies the northern part of the Appalachian Highlands region of the United States. Its physical features were determined by...

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15 Apr 2015
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L = Lake Shaker Village

The United Society of Believers, commonly called Shakers, was founded in 1747 in Manchester, England. Because if their vigorous bodily...

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14 Apr 2015
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K = Kennebec Arsenal

Kennebec Arsenal, Wikipedia The Kennebec Arsenal in Augusta was built between 1828 and 1838, as a ...

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13 Apr 2015
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Book Review: Pearseus: Schism (Prequel…

The author Nicholas Rossis is known to a lot of people, but this was my first introduction. I’d been promising...

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11 Apr 2015
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J = James G. Blaine…

In keeping with Rhe’s interest in old houses and unusual architecture, today I am introducing you to the James G....

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11 Apr 2015
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Legends of Windermere: Sleeper of…

Good morning, everyone! This post is to remind you that LEGENDS OF WINDERMERE: SLEEPER IN THE WILDWOOD FUGUE by Charles...

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10 Apr 2015
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I = Isaac H. Evans

An  'I' was definitely hard to find and then I discovered the isacc H. Evans. Isaac H. Evans is another...

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10 Apr 2015
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H = Harriet Beecher Stowe…

Harriet Beecher Stowe and her husband, Calvin Ellis Stowe, lived in this house for a short while. The house is...

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09 Apr 2015
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G = Grace Bailey

Grace Bailey Rhe Brewster's love of sailing would have undoubtedly led her to the Grace Bailey,...

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08 Apr 2015
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F = Bay of Fundy

Map of Bay of Fundy The Bay of Fundy lies along international borders, surrounded by Maine...

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07 Apr 2015
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E = Eartha

Where would Rhe be without her Garmin Persephone, who leads her all over the place? The map industry is changing...

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06 Apr 2015
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D = Desert of Maine

Maine has a desert – bet you never knew that! This is another place that Rhe and Will would likely...

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04 Apr 2015
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C = Cole Land Transportation…

I’ll bet you thought I would choose Campobello Island for C. But I can’t, because it’s a Canadian Island located...

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03 Apr 2015
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B = Boon Island Light

This is short one - Boon Island is tiny! Before I start, I'd like to give a shout out to...

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02 Apr 2015
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A = Acadia National Park

Welcome to my tour of Maine. If these posts don't make you want to visit, then I'm not doing a...

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01 Apr 2015
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Are You Ready for the…

Sing this to the tune of "Are You Ready for Some Football?" that's played before the NFL season opens on...

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31 Mar 2015
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A Five Quill Review

I met fellow blogger Trisha Surgarek on line. Trisha is one talented lady: she writes cozy mysteries which I enjoy...

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29 Mar 2015
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A Conversation with me on…

My friend, Elizabeth Hein, interviewed me for a post today on her blog, Scribbling in the Storage Room:  https://scribblinginthestorageroom.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/interview-with-n-a-granger/ I...

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25 Mar 2015
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Book Review: Last Child by…

I was introduced to Terry Tyler when I reviewed her previous book, Kings and Queens. This is the sequel, and...

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23 Mar 2015
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Time for the A-Z Blog…

This is my third year doing the A-Z Challenge. The first year I posted on odors, which is something every...

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23 Mar 2015
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How Do You Know When…

After the longest four weeks in February, I am finally in a springtime state of mind. Although it is chilly...

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19 Mar 2015
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Interview with Sylvia Villalobos, Author…

Today I’m nursing a headache from celebrating St. Paddy’s Day, but over a cup of coffee and an English muffin,...

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18 Mar 2015
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Book Review: Stranger or Friend…

Stranger or Friend is Sylvia Villalobos’ first book, a mystery. Anyone familiar with Sylvia Writes, Ms. Villalobos’ blog, knows she...

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17 Mar 2015
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Coming tomorrow….

Tomorrow I get to introduce the first book by Sylvia Villalobos, the author of the blog Sylvia Writes.  The book...

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16 Mar 2015
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Death in a Dacron Sail…

My second book, Death in a Dacron Sail was released ten days ago. I had a fabulous launch party in...

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12 Mar 2015
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Book Review: Stranded in the…

Stranded in the Seychelles is a fun, frothy memoir of two young women looking for adventure before they have to...

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06 Mar 2015
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I’m Doing My Happy Dance

On her blog, I Wish I Lived in a Library, Katherine posted her review of Death in a Dacron Sail....

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04 Mar 2015
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Book Launch Party!

Last night we had a party for the launch of my second book, Death in a Dacron Sail. It was...

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03 Mar 2015
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Book Review: The Watchmen, Volume…

The Watchmen is the second book in the Britannia series by Richard Denham and M.J. Trow. I read and reviewed...

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27 Feb 2015
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Death in a Dacron Sail:…

A review of Death in a Dacron Sail is in. Check out Book Club Mom. Book Club Mom.doc  or https://bvitelli2002.wordpress.com/2015/02/25/rhe-brewster-is-at-it-again/.  Many...

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25 Feb 2015
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Versatile Blogger Award

I gratefully accept The Versatile Blogger Award, and because of the lengthy award acceptances last night at the Oscars, will...

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23 Feb 2015
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The Excitement Begins with Book…

As most of my blog readers know, I have the second book in the Rhe Brewster Mystery series coming out...

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22 Feb 2015
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When I Became North Carolinian

This piece was published in Deep South Magazine in 2012, but I dug it out of the archives because of...

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17 Feb 2015
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Book Review: The Last Dragon…

The Last Dragon Slayer by Martyn Stanley is the tale of a quest, book one of the Deathsworn Arc series....

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13 Feb 2015
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Interview with Chapel Hill Magazine

  The news about my second book is beginning. Here is the link to my interview with the Chapel Hill...

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11 Feb 2015
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The Benefits of Chocolate Addiction

I’ll admit it, I’m a chocoholic. Totally, extremely, unashamedly so. I would never go to a meeting of Chocoholics Anonymous...

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07 Feb 2015
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Book Review: Two Rivers by…

I am a huge fan of historical fiction and looked forward to reading this book. I was not disappointed. Two...

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04 Feb 2015
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How I became involved in…

In response to a request from Barb Taub, I am reposting this article from 2015. I raised the insects for...

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02 Feb 2015
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How Much of Us Is…

I recently reviewed Raven’s Choice, a book by Harper Swan, the premise of which is based on the discovery that...

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23 Jan 2015
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Book Review: A Cry from…

I chose to read this book more or less as a challenge. I do not like the romance genre, but...

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21 Jan 2015
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Book Review: Raven’s Choice (The…

I like books that travel back and forth in time, and this novella didn’t disappoint. The author uses the recent...

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20 Jan 2015
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A Comfortable Clowder: A Cat…

Part IV When they all returned to the living room, Mister, now ensconced in his special chair, asked them, “What...

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15 Jan 2015
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A Comfortable Clowder: A Cat…

Part III That afternoon, Boots and Gracie were curled side by side on the sofa. Gracie heard “Pssst!” and looked...

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14 Jan 2015
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A Comfortable Clowder: A Cat…

Part II The clowder at home After dinner that night, Boots called a meeting with Gracie...

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13 Jan 2015
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A Comfortable Clowder: A Cat…

PART 1 Gracie, Willow, Puss and Boots are four cats who live together in an uneasy truce, part of a...

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12 Jan 2015
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Book Review: The Haunting of…

The Haunting of Secrets by Shelley Pickens is really a YA novel, but I decided to give it a read...

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10 Jan 2015
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Beginning Monday: A Comfortable Clowder

A clowder is a group or a kindle of cats, on the order of a murder of crows, a gaggle...

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09 Jan 2015
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Book Review – Vengeance Wears…

I met Seumas Gallacher online. No, not that way, but as a fellow blogger. His irrepressible personality shines through his...

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07 Jan 2015
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A guest post for me…

Don Charisma (http://doncharisma.org/2015/01/06/my-adoption-story/) kindly asked me to do a guest post on his blog. It appeared today and told the...

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06 Jan 2015
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They Were Late

Ever since I heard a soaring sermon by the late Reverend Peter Gomes on the Feast of the Epiphany, the...

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06 Jan 2015
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Book Review: The Taste of…

Trisha Surgarek, is in my opinion, one of the best cozy writers around. She recently sent me a copy of...

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05 Jan 2015
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Echoes of Narcissus in the…

This is part of a launch tour for Jo Robinson's new book Echoes of Narcissus in the Gardens of Delight. ...

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26 Dec 2014
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It’s the Most Wonderful Time…

            But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight, Happy Christmas to all, and to all...

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24 Dec 2014
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A Night at the Royale…

At 7:30 PM, with two tickets to the movie of Liz Alexander’s choice, Liz and her husband Ed bought a...

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23 Dec 2014
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A little story to start…

From a friend of mine: When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast...

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22 Dec 2014
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Deja Vu Blogfest: The Lemon…

I am reposting this as part of the Deja Vu Blogfest! One of the last times my Dad applied a...

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19 Dec 2014
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‘Tis the Season: A Book…

  Home for Christmas is a compendium of Christmas stories from years gone by, assembled by Margaret Jean Langstaff and...

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17 Dec 2014
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100 / Hard Time: a…

  A few weeks ago, I posted something a blogging sister had written from prison - Rara, who is doing...

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15 Dec 2014
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Why is Christmas on December…

“Christmas,” the word, comes from the Old English Crīstesmæsse, or literally, "Christ's Mass" and is festival commemorating the birth of...

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15 Dec 2014
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Coming soon – a Pequod…

I wrote a short story a while ago and decided to set it in Pequod. It involves one of the...

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08 Dec 2014
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Five Secrets I’d Like to…

Author Luccia Gray, she of the fabulous All Hallows at Eyre Hall, has passed on the challenge of telling my...

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08 Dec 2014
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Christmas is coming, the goose…

I love Christmas, and it’s not just because of my name. I wasn’t born on Christmas but was told by...

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03 Dec 2014
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Summers in Plymouth: Learning to…

For me, part of summer times in Plymouth was always spent learning about and being a Pilgrim. This is taken...

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24 Nov 2014
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Couldn’t Help Myself – Had…

Posted on November 13, 2014 by The Story Reading Ape Time is like a river. You cannot touch the water...

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15 Nov 2014
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Death in a Dacron Sail:…

Here it is! On an icy February morning, Rhe Brewster, an emergency room nurse with a nose for investigation, is...

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14 Nov 2014
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Cover Reveal Is Coming!

I did a little research on the best time to post a new message on a blog. Turns out it's...

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13 Nov 2014
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BRING ON THE WALKS, THE…

With the closing of our pool four days ago – hey, I made it to October 30 even though I...

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02 Nov 2014
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RARASAUR

I want to introduce you to a sister blogger. Her name is Rara and her blog is Rarasaur (http://rarasaur.wordpress.com/). I...

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28 Oct 2014
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What Makes You Happy?

Yesterday, Sarah Allen (http://fromsarahwithjoy.blogspot.com/) published a post on ten things that make her happy. It made me think about what...

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25 Oct 2014
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Another Milestone

Sitting here, lounging in a recliner, drifting in and out of a nap and wondering where the time went. More...

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13 Oct 2014
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Guest Luccia Gray: Clothes in…

Fellow writer and sister blogger, Noelle Granger, was kind enough to ask me to write a guest post for her...

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08 Oct 2014
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Guest on Wednesday: Luccia Gray

Luccia Gray will post about fashion in the Regency and Victorian eras and the clothing in Jane Eyre. Stop by!

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07 Oct 2014
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Coming Wednesday: Guest Post by…

This is the week before my daughter's wedding, and Luccia Gray has graciously agreed to give me a boost by...

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06 Oct 2014
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Short Story: Learning to Sail…

It was time I learned to sail. At least that was what I’d been told by my father. He’d purchased...

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06 Oct 2014
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Sailing, Sailing Away…

Well, it's not far down to paradise, at least it's not for me And if the wind is right you...

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03 Oct 2014
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Today’s Guest: Elizabeth Hein

Thanks to Noelle for hosting me today. I am honored to be here to talk a bit about my new...

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01 Oct 2014
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Guest post tomorrow – author…

Stay tuned for a great guest post by a very talented writer I met through my critique group: Elizabeth Hein....

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30 Sep 2014
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Sisters in Crime September Blog…

Greetings to all my Sisters in Crime. This is the September blog hop, for which I need to answer some...

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15 Sep 2014
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Front Porch Society

Many years ago, front porches were an important part of our society. People would gather on the front porch after...

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14 Sep 2014
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The Second of Two Books…

This is the second of two books I’ve recently read, about the relationships between women and their slaves in the...

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09 Sep 2014
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Writers’ Police Academy, Part I

The Writer's Police Academy has been held in North Carolina for the last five years at Guilford Technical Community College...

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08 Sep 2014
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Book Reviews: Two Books About…

I recently read two books about the relationships between women and their slaves in the South, before the Civil War…...

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06 Sep 2014
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Bite-sized Memoir: Third Grade –…

As I wrote about recently, I spent my first two school years at Sacred Heart School, the parochial school in...

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03 Sep 2014
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Book Review: Britannia – The…

I recently reviewed Britannia:The Wall by Richard Denham and M.J. Trow for Rosie Amber's blog. I am re-posting the review...

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31 Aug 2014
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Book Review: Greening of a…

Charming (def.): pleasant, endearing, wonderful, amusing, satisfying, entertaining Charming is a wildly overused word, but in this case it is...

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24 Aug 2014
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Advice, please!

My blog has suffered in the last couple of weeks from lack of input. I’ve had things I wanted to...

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20 Aug 2014
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Book Review: Round and Round…

I will admit I’m a huge fan of Terry Tyler, so I eagerly downloaded Round and Round to my Kindle...

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15 Aug 2014
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Guest Post: The Humour Musketeers…

It was wonderful to be asked to write a guest post for Noelle’s lovely blog but what was I to...

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12 Aug 2014
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Check out my guest post…

A Good Mystery Is Like A Turducken

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11 Aug 2014
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Not Another Book Review! How…

This is a post from several years ago when I did Renaissance artists for my A-Z challenge. Vasari, Self Portrait Don't forget to click on the artwork! There were no Renaissance artists whose...

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29 Apr 2014
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X = Xuande Emperor

Do click on the artwork to see it's beauty! To paraphrase Monty Python, now for something really different! I did...

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28 Apr 2014
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W = van der Weyden

Don't forget to click on the artwork! Rogier van der Weyden, portrait by Cort, 1572 Rogier...

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26 Apr 2014
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V = Verrochio

Remember to click on the artwork! Verrochio, Self Portrait Andrea del Verrochio (1435-1488) or Andrea di...

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25 Apr 2014
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Thursday Haiku with a tip…

Jemima Pett pens lovely haikus on her blog, and I started writing some to send back to her. This one...

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24 Apr 2014
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U = Ucello

Don't forget to click on the artwork so you can see the beauty!   Portrait of...

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24 Apr 2014
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T = Tintoretto

Don't forget to click on the paintings!   [caption id="812" align="alignleft" width="124"] Early Self-Portrait Tintoretto’s (1518-1594) real name was Jacopo...

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23 Apr 2014
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S = Signorelli

Click on the images to see them close up and in their glory! Signorelli, Self Portrait...

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22 Apr 2014
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Q = Quarton

Don't forget to click on the images to see their beauty! Enguerrand Quarton (or Charonton) (c. 1410 – c. 1466)...

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19 Apr 2014
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P = Pisano

Click on the illustrations to see the beauty of the art! Andrea Pisano was a pioneer of prototypical Renaissance relief...

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18 Apr 2014
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O = Orcagna

Remember to click on the art, to see it in its glory! Thank heavens I found an early Renaissance artist...

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17 Apr 2014
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Thanks to all the A-Z…

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by.  I apologize that the pictures for Massacio didn't get uploaded into the post...

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16 Apr 2014
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Spring on the Rampage

I’ve only been able to swim in our pool off and on for the last two weeks (the air temp...

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16 Apr 2014
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M = Masaccio

Please click on Masaccio's work to appreciate its beauty! Because I could not find an artist with an “N”, I...

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16 Apr 2014
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L = Ambrogio Lorenzetti

Ambrogio Lorenzetti (c. (1290-1348) was an Italian painter, who, together with his older brother Pietro, helped introduce naturalism into the...

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14 Apr 2014
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K = Giorgio Giulio Clovio…

Don't forget to click on the illustrations to enjoy their beauty! Guilio Klovic by El Greco...

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12 Apr 2014
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Ahvarra – a Book Recommendation

I have made very few book recommendations in the last several years, and this particular book is not my genre. ...

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11 Apr 2014
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J = Jheronimus van Aken…

Left click on the images to enjoy the beauty! Self Portrait Hieronymus Bosch was born Jheronimus...

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11 Apr 2014
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I = Adriaen Isenbrandt

Remember to left click on the paintings! Adriaen Isenbrandt (between 1480 and 1490 – July 1551) was a Flemish painter...

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10 Apr 2014
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Treasures from the Pool

Water draws me, wherever it is – lake, ocean, pool.   We opened our pool this week and I’ve been in...

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10 Apr 2014
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H = Hans Holbein the…

Remember to click on each painting to see a larger version and appreciate the beauty. Hans...

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09 Apr 2014
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G = Giotto

Don't forget to click on each work of art to see it in all its beauty! This was a difficult...

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08 Apr 2014
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Whew!

With both a sense of relief and a feeling of longing to do more (but realizing I'm done), I finished...

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07 Apr 2014
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F = Fra Angelico

Please remember to click on the images to see them in all their beauty! I am taking liberties with ‘F’...

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07 Apr 2014
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E = van Eyk

Remember to click on the artwork to see it clearly in an enlarged format! [caption id="attachment_537" align="alignleft" width="109"] Self Portrait...

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05 Apr 2014
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Today was ‘D’ Day!

Thanks to everyone for stopping by my blog! Now that I've gotten through all 26 artists, I have time to...

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05 Apr 2014
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D = Donatello

Donatello's statue outside of the Uffizi Galleria. Remember to click on the artwork to see it...

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04 Apr 2014
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C = Correggio

Early self portrait of Correggio Remember to click on the artwork to see it clearly in...

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03 Apr 2014
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B = Brunelleschi

Remember to click on the artwork to see it clearly in an enlarged format! I would bet money that many...

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02 Apr 2014
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A = Altichiero

Byzantine Madonna Remember to click on the artwork to see it clearly in an enlarged format!...

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01 Apr 2014
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Ready, set, go…. A-Z Blog…

Okay, I'm almost ready for April Fool's Day. I have five more entries to go and I'm editing the ones...

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30 Mar 2014
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Theme Reveal for the A-Z…

This is the second year I've done this challenge. Last year I did odors, something that should be integral to...

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21 Mar 2014
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day –…

Today is a rather special St. Patrick’s Day for me.  I’ve always worn green on the 17th of March but...

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17 Mar 2014
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Research

Do you do research for your books/stories?  Since I spent many years doing scientific research, I found it natural to...

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05 Mar 2014
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A-Z Blog Challenge is Coming!

Just thought I’d issue a bit of a warning. For last year’s A-Z blog challenge, I did odors – something...

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08 Feb 2014
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Some Observations on Snow and…

It’s amazing to me how the South responds to a “winter event.” A winter event is snow, sleet, ice or...

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31 Jan 2014
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Research

This is loooong overdue. I kind of hit a wall in early December with all of the holiday activities, and...

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26 Jan 2014
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May We Give Thanks

Having grown up in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and as one of the first guides at Plimoth Plantation, Thanksgiving has a special...

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24 Nov 2013
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I wil miss Tom Clancy

Tom Clancy died today, too young at 66. He was a towering author of technically detailed espionage and military thrillers...

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02 Oct 2013
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9/11

On this most auspicious day, I suspect people remember just where they were when they first heard the news of...

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11 Sep 2013
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I Met Craig Johnson!

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Craig Johnson, the author of the series of Longmire mystery books I recommended...

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11 Sep 2013
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Re-blogging!

Okay, I’ve been very remiss at blogging lately, but I have a good excuse – a knee replacement, which left...

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09 Aug 2013
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Book(s) Recommendation

I have rarely encountered a series of books that I enjoy re-reading, especially in my favorite mystery genre. But lately...

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20 Jul 2013
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How to find inspiration

I'm facing a period of healing (bodily) which leaves the mind at sixes and sevens. Having a routine helps, with...

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05 Jul 2013
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Death in a Red Canvas…

Finally, after what has seemed to be an interminable length of time, Death in a Red Canvas Chair is out...

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28 Jun 2013
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The Dogwood and the Cedar

For many years I passed a dogwood and cedar on my way to and from home. There are lots of...

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19 Jun 2013
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Beginnings and Endings

I came to the sort of end of a chapter in my book today and realized I hadn’t a clue...

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11 Jun 2013
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Mortality

I recently attended the funeral of the mother of a good friend of mine. It was joyous for a good...

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06 Jun 2013
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Memorial Day

It’s Memorial Day, the beginning of summer, time for barbecues, picnics, swimming and boating. Or at least that’s how most...

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27 May 2013
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Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother's Day to everyone who is a Mom or who has one (pass it on)!  I had a special...

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12 May 2013
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Musings on Mentors

My daughter recently called for advice. I've noticed that as she's matured, she does this more often.  This time it...

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08 May 2013
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What to do now that…

I don't know about anyone else who did the A-Z blog challenge, but it felt rather strange this week not...

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01 May 2013
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Z is for Zinnia

Zinnias were a part of my mother’s rock garden, one she carefully designed on the side of a slope that...

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30 Apr 2013
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Y is for Yew

The North American Yew is, to my sense of smell, like many other evergreen shrubs or trees – it has...

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29 Apr 2013
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Almost to the Finish Line

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by my blog! I hope you enjoyed my A-Z choices so far, although some...

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28 Apr 2013
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X is for Xylene

It’s hard to find an odor beginning with X, but this particular substance figured large in my graduate career.  Xylene,...

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27 Apr 2013
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W is for Wisteria

I was going to do wine, but the subject is vast and I suspect many other bloggers will choose this...

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26 Apr 2013
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V is for Vanilla

I couldn’t not talk about vanilla, one of the most ubiquitous spices.  Its extract can be used in cakes, cookies,...

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25 Apr 2013
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U is for Urine

Okay, so this is another ick for a letter.  But other than ugli fruit, with which I am not familiar,...

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24 Apr 2013
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T is for Tar

Not a lot of people like the smell of tar.  I could have chosen thyme or tarragon (like anise!) or...

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23 Apr 2013
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S is for Sweat

Betcha no one is going to pick sweat for the S! I actually like the smell of well-earned sweat and...

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22 Apr 2013
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It’s Sunday

Only seven more days to go in this challenge! Thanks to everyone who stopped by.  Your comments have been interesting...

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21 Apr 2013
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R is for Rain

I’ll bet you didn’t think rain has a smell, but I’ve always smelled something delightful with a fresh rain. There...

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20 Apr 2013
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Q is for Quince

Thanks for stopping by! Quince jelly was a staple in both of my grandmother’s homes.  I liked its taste, sort...

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19 Apr 2013
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O is for Onions (wild)

I love the smell of onions cooking. It makes me feel homey and strangely peaceful, not sure why. Onions figure...

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17 Apr 2013
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N is for Nectarine

I love peaches and had never eaten a nectarine until I was in my 30s.  A nectarine is basically just...

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16 Apr 2013
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M is for Maple Syrup

Thanks to everyone visiting my blog! Coming from New England, I have to have maple syrup around: it is one...

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15 Apr 2013
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L is for Linden Trees

The lovely smell of linden tree blossoms in the spring takes me back to Plymouth, where I grew up, and...

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13 Apr 2013
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K is for Kerosene

Not many people would immediately associate kerosene with the letter K. But the 100+ year old house I lived in...

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12 Apr 2013
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J is for Jasmine

This is a short, very sweet memory for me. When my husband and I moved to California in 70's, the...

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11 Apr 2013
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I is for Iodine

With all the antibiotics, soothing balms and even treated Band Aids available to treat and disinfect kids’ cuts, there’s clearly...

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10 Apr 2013
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H is for Honeysuckle

You can’t be a good Southerner without associating H with honeysuckle.  Honeysuckle is a hardy climbing vine, common in North...

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09 Apr 2013
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G is for Grass (newly…

One of the smells that I will roll down my car window to inhale, and then drive by its source...

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08 Apr 2013
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F is for Forsythia

I love forsythia, their delicate yellow flowers with the barely detected scent.   What I didn’t like, when I was a...

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06 Apr 2013
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E is for Eucalyptus

Although eucalyptus is used in the saunas of many spas, I was first encountered its unique odor when we moved...

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05 Apr 2013
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D is for Dead Body

Okay, this is not pleasant for almost everyone else, but this smell was certainly integral to my life as a...

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04 Apr 2013
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C is for Cinnamon

Of all the spices in my spice drawer, cinnamon is the one I use most often. In addition to its...

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03 Apr 2013
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B is for Bag balm

I’ll bet not a lot of my readers have ever heard of this product.  It comes in a square green...

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02 Apr 2013
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A is for Anise

Anise is a smell (and a taste) that had dire repercussions in my twenties. I love its taste and smell,...

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01 Apr 2013
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Blogging A-Z

A friend encouraged me to sign up for the A-Z Challenge, for which you blog every week day but Sunday...

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03 Mar 2013
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It’s Like Winter in Cleveland

    We’re having another dreary day of cold rain. We’ve had so many of them that my husband commented, “It’s...

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26 Feb 2013
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Working at Self-Publishing

I’ve been given lots of advice lately about self-publishing, especially once I told my friends I’m too old to work...

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13 Feb 2013
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Woops, I Did It Again

With apologies to Brittany Spears: I just had another shoulder replacement.  This is the consequence of my competitiveness - competitive...

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06 Feb 2013
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Humblebragging

Below is an excerpt from a newsletter written by a Canadian plein air painter - Robert Genn.  He writes two...

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09 Nov 2012
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Pushing Against Resistance

I’ve been walking back and forth in my pool to keep my body going while my little red blood cells...

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24 Oct 2012
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Walking in the Pool

Yes, you read that right. I’ve been walking in my pool. After my shoulder joint was rudely removed by a...

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07 Oct 2012
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Added new chapters to Sudden…

Hello readers! Chapters 3-5 have now been added. Read on as Rhe delves deeper into the mystery of the body...

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06 Oct 2012
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Spiders

Autumn is here. I can tell from the spider webs. Going out onto our back deck each morning is now...

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30 Sep 2012
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Rewriting and rewriting and rewriting…

I don’t know how many people reading this have written something, anything, that requires rewrites. I am personally on my...

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03 Sep 2012
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Thinking in the MRI

My left shoulder finally got to the point where the pain was occasionally unbearable, and my PA at the orthopedist’s...

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31 Aug 2012
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What do you do when…

This past week was a hard one. We had to have one of our dogs put down, a lovely, smiley,...

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15 Jun 2012
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I’ve been largely missing out on time for serious writing lately. That worries me. The rule of thumb is to...

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21 May 2012
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Book: Escape from Camp 14

I’d like to tell you about a book I just finished reading, called Escape from Camp 14.  It is written...

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26 Apr 2012
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Sailing away!

Like Rhe, the main character in my book Sudden Death, I learned to sail at an early age, skimming around...

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16 Apr 2012
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For the very first time….

Dear Readers: This is my first time I’ve blogged, and right off the bat, I need to thank the writers...

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09 Apr 2012
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New Additions!

A Night At The Royal Sudden Death -A Novel

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06 Apr 2012
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When I Became A North…

My story was published in the 2012 January issue of Deep South Magazine! Please leave comments for "When I Became A...

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06 Apr 2012
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