We are sometimes like scientists discovering new ideas, doctors discussing alternative ways for treatment, critics with a gentle tongue and avid readers of all things written…but most of all…friends! and believe me, we know how to keep secrets! 

The Cozy Critters came yesterday in spite of a forecast for wicked weather. As it turned out, the threat of storms was just that–a threat, but maybe it was something in the air that caused our meeting to buzz with enthusiasm. As Jane said, we are readers of all things written, but most of all, friends. Sometimes our discussions use books as a springboard and zing! Off we go, sharing long-held beliefs and deeply-rooted dreams.

Jane, the author of the quote at the top of the page, has written a children’s story, inspired by a talk she heard at church. She titled it Miss Prissy Plant, about an imaginary artificial plant who was so perfect, she criticized the real plants around her. One day, though, Miss Prissy suffered a disaster and learned a lesson: everyone really does need someone.

Carolyn brought the last picture she had painted for her children’s book, Silly Snake. Winter was coming and Silly Snake’s friends didn’t seem to be aware that they should be preparing for cold weather. I love Carolyn’s illustrations! They remind me of the pictures in a series of other children’s books written about animals quite a few years ago. I brought out my copy of Mother West Wind’s Children by Thornton W. Burgess to show Carolyn the similarity. These wonderful stories are still available on Amazon. My book, however, has a copyright of 1911.

We never forget our kindergarteners. The memory of those little five-year old who were with us for such a brief time lingers. Carolyn also wrote a poem dedicated to a little boy from one of her classes, “A White Rose.” As well as writing, painting, and taking care of a farm, Carolyn reads a lot. Recently, she read Poison at the PTA by Laura Alden. One of her all-time favorite books is The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans.

Peg has so many books on her to be read list, she will not run out of reading material for a long time. Recent books she has enjoyed are Silence of the Flans by Laura Bradford, which is about a woman who runs an emergency dessert business and Roux the Day by Linda Wiken, centering around a party planner.

I shared with them my recent guest blog on The Cozy Cat Chronicles, mentioned that By the Fright of the Silvery Moon is being edited, and read the first few pages of a third Ned McNeil moonlight mystery which is in the thinking stage:

“No, you’re wrong. This is all a big mistake.” I leaned forward and shook my finger in Daisy Stanton’s face. The only thing preventing me from grabbing her by the shoulders was the width of her desk between us.

Daisy scooted her chair away from my outburst. Her eyebrows rose to the upper regions of her forehead and her mouth tightened into a grim line.

“Sorry, Ned, but that’s what this old deed says. In black and white, it says Kezziah Jemima Duncan owns that old cabin and ten acres way up on Scrub Oak Ridge. Just look for yourself.”

Other books by Blanche Day Manos are on Amazon as well as with her publisher, Pen-L.com, on Barnes and Noble, and other places where books are sold.