An old man once lived there, in the small house, years, generations, decades ago. The chimney is left standing and a few walls cling to each other, as if in comfort in this wilderness of bushes, weeds, vines, rose bushes, and oak trees. He was not a hospitable man. He kept to himself, except […]
Sep 9, 2022
The Secret of Singing Pines
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Okay, Cozy Critters, and anyone else who has an opinion. What do you think of this as an opening for my fifth Ned McNeil moonlight mystery? I’m not going to finish this here, I’m working on it, though. Just wanted to ask if this is an opening that makes you want to read more. What […]
Sep 2, 2022
The Mystery of September Rain
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What is it about a gentle rain that is calming, soothing, and better than a lullaby for putting a person to sleep? Rain dripping from leaves and eaves, thunder rumbling softly in the distance, September, tucking the world in, a soothing backdrop to sleep. Nighttime rain is comforting; daytime rain is exciting. Why? Children know. […]
Aug 26, 2022
Reflections
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Reflection is “a thought or writing about something, particularly in the past, or what one sees when looking into a body of water.” Reflections can be seen in eyes or heard in voices. A writer is both a reflector and a sponge. She soaks up a lot of images, words, outlooks, memories, and sifts through […]
Aug 20, 2022
Lost in the Darkness
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Stuffing the phone back into my pocket, and wiping my eyes, I shone the flashlight at walls and ceiling. Nothing there gave me any hope. The beam above me groaned as more dirt sifted down. How long would it be until the ceiling collapsed? Even though it looked like the builders of this tunnel […]
Aug 12, 2022
Chapter Eight–The Key
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I set the boxes on the dining table and got the kitchen scissors from the drawer. Sitting down next to Chris, I proceeded to open the first box. Inside lay a small bundle wrapped in purple velvet and tied with a faded ribbon. I carefully unrolled it. “It’s a ring,” Chris said, as I held […]
