Came across a poem I wrote ten years ago. It was the year I went back with my brothers to the Illinois farm where we grew up. We have all traveled so far since then, but some elements provide continuity — like water. My Thoughts on Water The pond behind the barn where I caughtContinue reading “Found a Poem”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Bookstores and More Bookstores
In the infamous year of 2020, I had a plan to visit a new bookstore or library each month. January and February went great. In January, I participated in a book festival at McIntyre’s Books in Pittsboro, North Carolina. In February, I was in Los Angeles visiting family and visited the Hawthorne Public Library andContinue reading “Bookstores and More Bookstores”
Traveling for Inspiration and Other Things
Most of my inspiration for writing comes when I travel. There is something about being in a new place where I can free my mind from everyday tasks that stimulates my imagination. The idea for my first novel, The Gate House, came about when my husband and I stayed in a bed and breakfast in Spalding,Continue reading “Traveling for Inspiration and Other Things”
And a Full Scottish Breakfast
Now that The Gate House is to be re-released, I have been thinking about how that book came to be. I had always enjoyed writing, and had a few small things published, but didn’t take myself seriously as a writer. And like many people, I had it in the back of my mind that IContinue reading “And a Full Scottish Breakfast”
Grocery Tourist
One of my favorite things to do when I am traveling is to visit grocery stores and food markets. I love looking at the different foods that are available, how they are displayed for purchase, the differences and similarities with foods I am used to at home. I notice differences in grocery stores even inContinue reading “Grocery Tourist”
Browsing in a Bookstore — Yes! Really!
Is there anything more pleasurable than browsing in a bookstore? I have always loved the feeling of turning my head sideways to look at the books on the shelf in a bookstore or library. And how about this? Half an hour with the bookstore to yourself to browse to your heart’s content, after you putContinue reading “Browsing in a Bookstore — Yes! Really!”
Chasing Art Thieves
All my novels in the Nara series, including the newest one, deal in some way with crimes involving art. Hotel Saint Clare refers to the art collection of the hotel owner for whom Nara works after leaving her teaching job. In The Gate House, centuries old pieces, including stained glass windows stolen from local churches, are hiddenContinue reading “Chasing Art Thieves”
A Bookstore a Month
I started out with a grand plan to visit a new bookstore or library each month of 2020. We all know how that worked out. My bookstore for January was McIntyre’s in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a lovely independent bookstore with a huge mystery section. I was even able to participate in an author’s eventContinue reading “A Bookstore a Month”
Is It Breakfast?
This is a “taste” of what’s to come in my next novel, tentatively titled Sacrifice. In her first breakfast in Spain, Nara Blake enjoys a chocolate croissant and café con leche for breakfast. Maybe not what super health conscious people would consider a good breakfast, but she is on vacation. Sort of. That’s about theContinue reading “Is It Breakfast?”
Keeping in Touch
However much we may complain about FaceBook and other social media, for someone who has moved around as much as I have, it has been a Godsend for keeping in touch, and reestablishing contact, with old friends, and especially former students. I have taught high school English and social studies in four states as wellContinue reading “Keeping in Touch”