Sitting on the Old Front Porch

Sitting on the Old Front Porch

As you know, I really admire old houses, houses that have been lived in, that were built when builders took time to put them together well and even added artistic touches. On my mother’s birthday, I accidentally happened upon the picture of an old house in Tahlequah, built in 1906. It’s for sale and it’s lovely. […]

Bells, Four-Wheelers and Dreams

Bells, Four-Wheelers and Dreams

“I’ll be there with bells on,” Helen told me a few days ago, speaking about our upcoming Cozy Critique. Sure enough, she came in the door yesterday shaking a sack full of jingle bells. She was here with bells on! Let no one assume that just because we are crowned with silver, we are content […]

What Will Happen Next?

What Will Happen Next?

Unexpected things happen. As long as they are nice, pleasant or intriguing unexpected things, I like them fine. In cozy mysteries, when unexpected things happen, they usually are not so nice. Now, what a thing to do to Ned or Darcy or Flora! It’s good they are only fictional. When I wrote Moonlight Can Be Murder, I […]

No Matter Their Size or Shape, Grandmas Are Great

No Matter Their Size or Shape, Grandmas Are Great

My mother had several Bibles. Some, she used basically for reference or footnotes. One, she read every day. She carried a particular one to church each Sunday until the cover literally wore out then she began taking the Scofield Bible that Matt gave her. I find interesting things in her Bible, in addition to God’s […]

Valiant, Victorious Verbs

Valiant, Victorious Verbs

A new contest is in the works. My publisher and I are working out the details but watch for it; it’s coming up. Hint: you might consider taking a snapshot of you or a friend or your pet reading one of my cozy mysteries. “Your words paint a picture,” writers are told. “Use them wisely.” […]

A Warm Welcome

A Warm Welcome

As I looked at the array of pies, cakes, and cookies on Fran’s table yesterday, I said, “Okay, let’s skip the soup and salads and go straight to the desserts.” Fran’s April luncheon was colorful and inviting, as her luncheons always are. I didn’t count the number of women gathered, but it was a table […]