K.B. Pellegrino's Blog, page 9

Body of Work...

A reader noted today that my body of work, all mystery, suspense and police procedural, had a common thread she noticed only after reading the third of my novels, BROTHERS FROM ANOTHER MOTHER. Her perspective shared was that I wanted the world to listen and view problems with the goal of understanding; but additionally to teach acceptance of existing problems and hope that life will always change for the better. She thought there was some innocence in my work. After reading THE PREDATORY CABAL, she insists her previous insights were correct.
It has been said the no two people read the same novel. Clearly the writer and the reader may have completely similar or different interpretations based on experiences with the some real life scripting of author's portrayal of characters, or plot twists perhaps resembling life, or settings with a feel of home.
I will continue to write and I hope my readers will continue to read and share what they think is important from what they've read and what I have written.
K. B. Pellegrino, Author

Winds Are Blowing…

I walked my two miles this morning in the cold with some spotty but cold winds blowing. I almost turned around for home but stayed the course.

And I thought, “Staying the course is a choice.” When the winds blow cold, should we run for cover? When the winds don’t blow, nary a breeze, do we not act at all? When the winds blow warm, do we think it’s an invite to just laze along? Often when I’m writing, i do not have writer’s block but sometimes I feel a slowing down. Is it lack of motivation or pe...

New Year's Eve 2020...

I was not going to write this post; I was certain I had nothing new to say. Certain I’d been worn down by the COVID-19 virus. Worn down by the difficulty in not being able to meet with my family and friends in the normal groupings which had been our practice.
And then, all over the internet, many asked the question of the year: what have you learned by quarantining? This is a question I felt obligated to answer, and here it is:
1. I can and did change my patterns of living and it did not hurt me. It was all to the good. In reflection, I developed some new patterns that are working better in my attempts to lead a life filled with joy.
2. I realize that nature, I mean the outdoor production by God, is the very best anti-depressant that exists.
3. Supporting those in need midst the political and social upheaval resulting from this virus became a fact of life for myself and others; less a gift of charity but more a moral requisite.
4. Love of my family is central to my quest for happiness. Love may bring multiple obligations, but fulfilling those obligations makes my heart sing as no other activity does.
5. Being a good friend takes planning. Telephone and other methods of communication replace luncheons and theatre and sporting attendance and joining in museum and library functions. Now, it means connecting to possible classes and seminars and theatre, etc on line and sharing news of activities to those I hold dear.
6. Take-out and renewed joy in cooking have replaced the big dinner dates of yore. They work.
7. A big social, today, involves the freedom of entering Costco, Big Y, Stop and Shoop, Aldi’s, Trader Joe’s, etc. I dress for the trekking required and count the steps on my watch. Before, I often put these grocery trips off to my husband or others. Now, I get excited wiping my shopping carriage with sanitary wipes.
8. I now feel the wonderment of being a teenager when I knew I didn’t know everything but was able to take risks. One big risk in life is to admit you don’t know. I now remember to take that risk.
9. I have chosen the important activities I will invest in for the future and feel far less stress. I do not have to do everything. I can choose. I choose to love family and friends, write more, pray for humanity, respect my readers, and love God, the source of all our gifts.
10. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021. LET’S SEND 2020 OUT WITH SOME NOISE.
K. B. Pellegrino, Author

Holidays at Home

How do I describe this holiday season? It was different. It was also quite wonderful. Our very large family celebrated by installments of small groups over four days. The problem is it meant eating rich foods over four days and being overwhelmed slightly by the whirlwind of emotion spread over four days. The youngest member of the gathering of family slept in separate rooms over most of the celebrations. Harper Vine Frazier is 3.5 months old and would be brought out occasionally to be admired. O...

How do I describe this holiday season? It was different. ...

How do I describe this holiday season? It was different. It was also quite wonderful. Our very large family celebrated by installments of small groups over four days. The problem is it meant eating rich foods over four days and being overwhelmed slightly by the whirlwind of emotion spread over four days. The youngest member of the gathering of family slept in separate rooms over most of the celebrations. Harper Vine Frazier is 3.5 months old and would be brought out occasionally to be admired. O...

For a Bit of 2020 Christmas Fun Reading

Prayers are Sometimes Answered…
On Christmas Eve, Jack Jackson decorated the Christmas tree. Just why would he do that and with such diligence? His wife and son were gone. Just why would he put these glistening balls with sparkles on them all over the tree? Trina would have called it a perfect tree. He knew in his heart he was trying to please Trina. Why the hell would he bother? She’s the one who left without notice and with his son, JJ.
He asked himself, “How could she? Why don’t I hate her for it? All our friends thought I’d been abusive. I would never be abusive. Her ex-husband Al was abusive. Did she run because she thought Al knew where we lived? Why wouldn’t she have told me? I would have moved again to some other place. Is it because JJ isn’t my biological son? Hell, I’m the only father he ever knew. Al was in jail when he was born. I have no legal right to JJ, but I’m sick worrying about them.
“It’s three months now since I found the note. In September, she chose to break my heart. I put JJ to bed each night. What is he thinking? Does he believe I’ve left him? I waited two days before I called the police and was treated like a criminal. I called the FBI. I don’t know Trina’s family. She never told me about them. She said, “Jack, you’ll never understand. You have to trust me. If I go to them, Al will find me again. Sometimes you just have to close a door, never to return.
And that is exactly what she has done with me. We were doing fine. My business is booming. There have been news articles on its positive impact. We bought a beautiful home and have a lake house. Trina never wanted anything showy so we’ve lived well within our means. For what? After the first month, the police inexplicably never bothered me again. I call them repeatedly and they do not treat me like a pest. I know they know something. My neighbor Brad, who is a retired state troopers said, “Missing persons are always on file for further investigation. Two missing like this warrants a monthly call, at least. I’m telling you, Jack, they have leads away from you. That’s why they’re not calling you.””
Jack was drawn from his reverie by the ringing of his cell. A call from Detective Murphy, saying, “Can you meet me at the station at 3:00pm; I’ve some good information for you.”
“I’ll come Detective, but tell me what you know. Do you have a lead on Trina and JJ? Please, don’t make me wait.”
“Jack, I can’t talk over the phone.” And he clicked off.
Jack Jackson was at the station at 2:55 pm. He’d have come earlier, but knew he’d have to wait outside until he was called. This was COVID-19 time and institutions were careful in allowing a minimum number of folks in their doors. The police were no different. He sat in a designated available seat with his mask on in what was an unheated waiting area outside the main station. Several couples sat out there also with the women crying and the men looking stern. No one recognized him; maybe because he was masked, but without it someone would have. His face was all over television when he gave a tearful message to Trina and JJ to come home.
A smiling Detective Murphy opened the station door, but did not invite him further. Instead he said, “If you return home right how, there is a present for you. We put it in your home as a surprise. There is also a note in an envelope. You have decision to make. If you decide to do nothing, then your life is as before. If you decided to move forward, follow the directions.”
Jack was then pushed out the outside door of the police station, confused and angry; but he harbored a faint hope, thinking, the police don’t give gifts. Could it be?
Ten minutes later, Jack opened his front door to a vision of JJ holding a glass ornament. JJ said, “I’ve been wishing for you, Dad. I’ve never stopped wishing for you.”
Jack hugged the boy, all the time ashamed of the tears running down his face. JJ gave him an envelope. “Read it, Dad, it’s from Mom.”
“Darling, forgive me for not sharing with you, but I could not put you at risk. Al was involved with a drug operation. You knew he was in jail. What you didn’t know is I’ve had a cd that would put the drug operation out of business under RICCO statutes; but they knew I had it. It took the government a while to find us. I was approached and told if they could find us, the mob would. They needed my testimony about the cd. I could not leave JJ with you. I went into witness protection. They said they’d give my disappearance enough notoriety that no one would think you knew anything, which you didn’t. Enclosed are tickets for a new life in a suburban part of Western Massachusetts under new names with money for a new business. They will sell your current business and home or use it for another witness. We can keep our lake house. Please come. I love you and will never lie to you again. Bring JJ. You’re all he talks about. I love you, Jack Jackson. Trina”
And there was a merry Christmas for all in Springfield, Massachusetts, despite masks on, six feet apart, and constant washing of hands.
K. B. Pellegrino, Author

I Believe in Guardian Angels: They Are All Around You

It was a gorgeous spring night in April 1981. An eighteen-year-old college girl, home for vacation, was leaving a party at 10:30 pm with her friend and neighbor, Billy. They drove away in his small coupe. It had a stick shift which the girl had never driven. Less than five minutes after leaving the house party, the car hit a residential brick retaining wall throwing the girl out on the ground. She bled profusely from her face and head. Billy was seen walking around and heard saying, “I’m sorry, ...

Talking across the Pond

Yesterday, I was interviewed for an English Radio Internet Group called ‘Chat and Spin’.

Please take a listen at: https://chatandspinradio.com/listen-a...

Be sure to listen to Part 1. My interview is about t0% in. Also enjoy the seasonal music.

 

K. B. Pellegrino, Author

The post Talking across the Pond appeared first on K.B. Pellegrino.

One Day of Relief

Today is one day of weather relief with temperatures souring to the mid-fifties, A breather before the expected snow storm. Thank goodness for this weather gift. My new concrete driveway will be sealed today. It has been a process installing over 2600 sq ft of concrete: colored and stamped in the month of December. Not my smartest move, but I am so pleased. This decision to install a driveway in December in New England was not, as you have probably guessed, planned. No, I just happened to see a great concrete contractor installing in my neighborhood. As in my fiction, I grabbed the moment and the plot moved forward. I asked, "Could you do my driveway."
He answered, "We'll take a look for the Spring."
He looked and I scanned the weather. He was reticent. But this author lives in her fictional world and found several consecutive good weather days. He agreed to go ahead. He did not tell me, nor did he know how complicated this particular driveway would be with its walls lining it, the clay soil, its particular drainage problems and last of all a necessity of one day for sealant. The story has ended on a good note today. The work is beautiful. I did not foresee the future, I was lucky; just plain ole lucky. May your season be filled with luck.
K. B. Pellegrino, Author

Waiting….

Oh how I love the color red at Christmas also green, gold, silver, platinum, vivid blue, and white. I love sparkles and shimmer. I also appreciate the more toned down country use of straw, holly, old wooden structures, and evergreen. Bright or quiet, I appreciate upping our decor for the season. I want snow too; not in feet, but in inches. I want to attend church with my heart loaded with gratitude. This year is one in which I thank God, despite COVID-19. My family has battled with the...