I want my readers to feel a sense of belonging, a part of the world of Darcy and Flora or Ned. As these intrepid sleuths sit down for coffee or watch the flames dance in the fireplace, or face danger and dreaded possibilities, I hope that sense of family, friendship, and sharing reaches out from […]
Celebrating Labor Day
·A question–why is a day we don’t have to work called Labor Day? Shouldn’t it be called Non-Labor Day or Fun Day or Put Your Feet Up and Read a Book Day? This Labor Day will be different for many because of the new regulations. Not so different for me. Each Labor Day, as an […]

Apple Picking Time
·In September, I begin to think about apples. At Manos Meadows, we had two apple trees. One was a dwarf Jonathan apple tree in the yard. Apples from this tree made delicious pies. Sometimes, I’d pick them before they got completely ripe, wash and core them, slice them, and put them and an adequate amount […]

As I Sit Here, Thinking
·As I sit here, thinking this morning about this and that, sipping my coffee, I’m rather amazed that I got here so fast. By “here”, I mean this stage of life. Sometimes, I try to make sense of it all. Do you do that too, when your house is quiet and you’re alone with your […]

Spoken Thoughts
·It’s such an extraordinary thing to hear my own thoughts spoken aloud by someone else! How’d that happen, you may ask? It’s all because of audible books. I love them. My publisher is having the Ned McNeil books put into audible form. All of the four Darcy and Flora books are already available as audibles. […]