As I looked back this morning at past posts, I found this one I wrote a number of years ago. My grandchildren were a lot smaller then. I was working on the first Ned McNeil moonlight mystery. Today, I’m working on the third book in that series. So, because it gave me a warm feeling, I’m re-printing it here this morning. Grandchildren, a thunderstorm, mysteries–a winning combination.
The children and I were on the deck yesterday when we first heard the thunder. Clouds were vying with the sun but at last, the clouds won and the thunder grew louder. We decided we’d better scoot inside the house. From there we watched a doozy of a spring storm. The maple tree in the back yard seemed to be in a wild dance with the wind, at times swirling in large circles. Rain came down so hard that we couldn’t see the trees in the neighbor’s yard.
Suppertime came and still the rain poured, lightning flashed, and the wind roared. There’s something very comforting about the warmth of food, the enthusiasm of children, and being safe and dry from a storm. It’s a winning combination.
This morning, the sky is dark but the wind is gentle. Nature is in a good mood after last night’s temper tantrum. I don’t think the grass and leaves can be much greener and my flowers are standing straight and tall after a good soaking. Will we get more rain today? Could be. And, if the thunder, lightning, and wind return, it’ll be a wonderful day to stay inside my house and work on Moonlight Can Be Murder. All I’ll need is a cup of coffee (or three or four cups) a plate of cookies and I’m all set to write. Can you imagine a better setting for writing or reading a cozy mystery?
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