The Comfort of Words

The Comfort of Words

My mother has been gone for more than twenty years; yet, I miss her every day, even now. When the grief of her passing was new and I felt wounded and sore, I sought and found comfort in words: the words of friends, words in the Bible and other books. I found relief from pain in […]

The Blight of Progress

The Blight of Progress

Sure, I know “you can’t stop progress.” I’ve heard that many times and fear it may be largely true. Question is, where is this march of progress leading? I’m all for progress in medicine, in doing things better (not necessarily faster) and for headway made against the ills of mankind. What I’m not for is senseless […]

Stormy Night and Autumn Hills

Stormy Night and Autumn Hills

The hills are putting on their autumn display of color. Muted russet, flaming scarlet, joyful yellow vie for beauty on the sloping hillsides between northwest Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma. It’s a beautiful drive, with the river on one side of the highway, the hills on the other. Earthy scents of damp leaves and soil slipped into the car. […]

It Shouldn’t End That Way!

It Shouldn’t End That Way!

Yesterday, we thought about first impressions, introductions to books, and if the way a story begins is important. I kind of like a story to grab my attention with the first sentence, but I’ve read a few books that didn’t really get interesting until toward the last of the first chapter. Today, let’s think about how […]

First Impressions, Lasting Impressions, True?

First Impressions, Lasting Impressions, True?

We’ve all heard, “First impressions are lasting impressions.” Writers work hard to create a good first impression when you, the reader, crack open her book. Following are beginning sentences from each of my cozies, creating a first impression which is, hopefully, a good and lasting one. Moonlight Can Be Murder: My car’s headlights cut a yellow […]

Terror Gave Them Wings

Terror Gave Them Wings

Have you ever been so scared you simply reacted without thinking? Or maybe terror gave you wings and fear sharpened your senses,  adrenalin driving you to super human sharpness of thought. I remember fleeing a tornado, as a child, and my heart beat so fast I couldn’t get down the cellar steps fast enough. In 1961, […]