M.E. Roche's Blog, page 4

nursing today . . .

I had an interesting conversation yesterday with a student nurse and an RN who had been working for about 2 years. I volunteer at a neighborhood clinic and was telling them that I had started reading nursing blogs just to see what nurses were saying these days and that it seemed today's problems in nursing were much the same as they had been for years: not enough staff, not enough time with a patient, burnout, etc. The RN launched into explaining that the current term was not "patient", but rather "client". Her position was that all healthcare operations are for-profit businesses, and every nurse should remember this; everyone in healthcare management was in it for the money. I was taken aback and could see the student was also. I felt sad for the RN, and felt the need to explain that I've worked in many different settings, and in every one of those, there were wonderful people trying to do as much as they could for people, but there were also a few who never should have been there. Nursing is one of the few professions which allows you to choose among multiple paths of practice, in almost any location. I wanted the student to know that while nothing is perfect, there are always options!

tHE MERRY mONTH OF MAY!

Tomorrow is International Nurses Day--And this has been the week to celebrate all nurses! Above is a picture of my beautiful mother, who graduated during WWII. This coming weekend we'll be celebrating all mothers. So, here's to my Mom!

This is also National Police Week, where we want to honor those who serve and those who have died in that service. There is not enough praise being heard for them these days.

Speaking of mothers: the turtles are beginning to come back to our beaches. There is some concern as to what Hurricane Ian will have done to the nesting, however. Below is a picture of the path one mother took from the water to the top of the beach, while never depositing any eggs. Why this happens isn't clear, but it's thought that the damage to vegetation in the area might have shifted the light and disoriented the mother, or she might have simply been disturbed. This is called a "false crawl," and one can see where she has gone up one path, turned, and come down another. Note the size of the flipper print. The average size of a mother is 250 to 300 pounds. Impressive maneuver for one used to her support in water.

Finally, in this rather disjointed post, I do have two authors who are new to me, and both are thoroughly enjoyable. First: For fans of Louise Penny's Inspector Armand Gamache and Donna Leon's Commissario Guido Brunetti, I want to add Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano! I just finished The Patience of the Spider (2007). This was #8 in the series set in Sicily. Here the inspector is called upon to head up the investigation into what appears to be the kidnapping of a famous geologist's daughter. There is evident camaraderie among the characters, as well as sarcasm, humor, and the Inspector's careful logic. This series was made into a television series in Italy and was quite entertaining as a read.

My second recommendation: The Book of Goose by Yiyun Li (2022). This novel was recommended by a friend, and I was simply curious, given the title. It took me by surprise in that I initially thought it was a somewhat slow-moving story of two young girls coming of age in rural France, one slightly scary. However, it quickly grabbed my attention as the girls traveled different paths in their early teens. It is beautifully written and speaks to how those paths we take--whether by choice or by those who guide us--will impact our futures.

HAVE A GREAT MONTH !

Now available ...

The Next Nora Brady Mystery!

Nora leaves the sheriff's department when a personal tragedy leads her to re-evaluate her life. She takes a job in the oncology clinic at Harrison Hospital, where she has been a per-diem nurse for many years. When it's discovered that a patient who had been treated in the clinic dies while on a cruise, but an autopsy reveals no evidence of cancer, Nora and her friends are left to wonder if he was the only victim. Unwilling to alert the perpetrators, Nora, and the team covertly explore the who and why of such a deplorable scheme.

Hoping you enjoy the read!

No APRIL FOOLs HERE . . .

This past year I joined another writers' group: The Public Safety Writers Association, an organization "open to writers of both fiction and non-fiction who either are members of a public safety organization or who write in the crime, mystery, and/or public safety genres. The organization is also open to illustrators, photographers, cartoonists, editors, and publishers. Both published and non-published writers are welcome." (https://policewriter.com/about-us/)

I was particularly interested in PSWA because most of my writing focuses on both healthcare and law enforcement. I wanted to see how others with a background similar to my own were writing. Also: in writing these monthly newsletters, I've tried to introduce writers with whom readers might not be familiar. Here's a sampling of what I've been reading to date.

Robbers and Cops by George Cramer (2022) This is a novel tracing the lives of two brothers--fully supportive of each other for decades as they rob banks, end up in prison, go off to war, only to come back and resume the robberies, followed again by prison. Alongside the brothers is a team of law enforcement officers who track the brothers relentlessly across two states. Jim and Ben Tucker (the two brothers) are very different, and their characters are skillfully described, as is the contrast in the personalities of those who are tracking the brothers over the decades. It was an entertaining read, as well as providing some insight into the workings of our justice system.

The Match by Ann Dominguez (2016) This is the first of the Kate Deming series in which Kate, a medical student in her last year, finds her life complicated by factors that many could easily relate to---possibly aside from the murder and kidnappings. Kate is an older student, married with two daughters, who begins to wonder if she might stray from that part of her life. She has a less responsible, often non-communicative sister, who is a pregnant doctoral candidate with a wealthy boyfriend who is murdered. The sister seeks Kate's help, and an engrossing series of events kept me reading to the end and wondering what the sequel would bring in Kate's life.

Windy City Knights by Michael A. Black (2016) This is a fast-paced mystery about Ron Shade, a private investigator who is also a kickboxing champion with an upcoming big match. His past work with the Chicago PD gives him contacts through his old partner and best friend George, who also runs part-time security, where Ron does fill-in security for him at a hotel bar. There Ron meets an old flame who is later murdered. When the woman's cousin--a woman Ron also knows from his past-- seeks answers, Ron agrees to pursue the case. It's easy to visualize the fight training and matches, so well described. Some of Ron's decisions along the way are a bit less easy to believe, but all in all, this is a good read!

A Good Bunch of Men by Danny R. Smith (2018) This is the first in the series of Dickie Floyd detective novels, actually featuring two police detective partners: Dickie and Floyd. The novel is definitely "hard-boiled" in the style of noir, right down to Dickie's preference for hats. Set in the seedy sections of LA in the 90s, the characters are colorful and include the usual drugs, prostitution, questionable sex, and people of varied cultural origins. The repartee between the partners and their comrades is entertaining, and the novel left me wondering how this long-term relationship between the detective partners would progress.

Have a great month!

happy st. patrick's day!

A Shamrock For Luck ... and some highlights of the Dublin and Irish countryside I love...

Molly Malone in Dublin - where she pushes her wheelbarrow through the streets broad and narrow... Here is the Dubliners' version of this unofficial anthem:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjjh5EmkKCA

The Cliffs of Moher on the west coast, where I once ate peanut butter sandwiches while listening to a man sitting on the cliff playing his uilleann pipes--the Irish bagpipes.

The beautiful library at The University of Dublin Trinity College, home to the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels in Latin, circa 800 A.D.

Two well-known stops to be made in Dublin: the Jameson Distillery and the Guinness Brewery

Passage Tombs (chambered cairns) dating from some 4000 years B.C.

The Countryside--rolling, rocky, barren hillsides

Gorse--the beautiful, tenacious flowering plant covering much of those barren landscapes.

Remnants of the past - the deserted castles and churches covered in greenery

Dublin's St. Stephen's Green: an oasis of peace in the city

"May the wind be always at your back"

Time slips away . . .

“You may delay, but time will not.” Benjamin Franklin

Recently, I connected with an old friend, and I commented on how exciting her travel plans were; she was off to the UK and then on a safari in Kenya, having just come back from that beautiful Canadian rail trip a few months back. Her response: having cancer, then surgery, and then Covid made her want to get to her bucket list. It was food for thought. I also put off decisions from time to time, but I try to be aware of that, knowing we always think we have more time than we do.

This is the time of year when we begin to plan our vacations, especially if the weather is gloomy. We sit with our calendars in front of us, perhaps alongside our checkbook, planning where we might like to go and who we might like to visit. Sometimes it's just too overwhelming, and we put off those decisions. Then time gets away from us, and we do nothing, because we always think we have more time.

If you're seeking a different kind of escape, I can recommend a few recent reads by authors new to me. Looking through the lists of available books on Libby, these were ones I had seen listed but never thought they were something I'd care for; I was wrong.

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton (2014). Historical fiction. A wonderful book set in the 1600s. It's the story of a woman who marries a man she barely knows and is confused, disappointed, and then protective of her husband the more she learns. She is as challenged by her new sister-in-law and her new household servants as she is by the unexpected gifts she receives. It makes one thankful not to be living in a time where the suspicion of one's guilt is enough to condemn. A good read! Devil House by John Darnielle (2022) This novel is full of twists and turns, so it takes time to figure out where it's going. From an interest in old homes south of San Francisco, some known for having been the site of some tragedy, or the possibility of ghosts, the main character carries the reader to an exploration into the lives of the people who had lived in those places. It's original and a page-turner. The Expats by Chris Pavone (2012) Set in Luxembourg, the principal characters are Americans who appear to be leading glamorous lives. The intrigue sets in as the main character realizes that no one is apparently quite who they have made themselves out to be; this includes her husband. It kept me guessing.

Happy Planning!

Winter tales . . .

" That's the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet."

- Jhumpa Lahir

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” - Dr. Seuss

Winter seems like a great time of year to talk about authors from Scandanavia, which often makes one think of the cold. These countries of Demark, Norway, Sweden and Finland, also include Iceland where the above photo was taken by Joe de Sousa (available on Unsplash). I had just seen a PBS program on Iceland, about which I knew next to nothing, other than the fact that it is green whereas Greenland is actually icy! Iceland's rugged landscape carved by layers of ancient glaciers and its abundance of waterfalls make the country a draw to photographers from all over the world. Visitors can travel the lone highway circling the coast, but travel into the mountainous upper area called "the highlands", is recommended to only the most adventurous. I, on the other hand, as one who will stay on the well-known road, and prefer to read about this adventure, would highly recommend to everyone, Iceland's favorite mystery writer, Arnaldur Indridason, the first on this month's list.

Arnaldur Indridason: THE DARKNESS KNOWS (2021). This is the first in the Detective Konrad series. It's the fascinating story of what happens when a body is discovered thirty years after its disappearance, having been buried in a glacier. There were suspects at that time, but no incriminating evidence. This time the retired investigator from the case is called back to work, facing the same suspects. A seemingly unrelated hit-and-run crime that took place about the same time is also revived when the sister of the victim comes forth with additional information. The juxtaposition of the two crimes and the investigator's own life kept me guessing until the end. Lars Keplar: This is actually the Swedish husband and wife team of Alexander and Alexandria Coehlo Ahndoril, each an author in their own right. As a team, they are writing the Joona Linna series, which while needn't be read in order, might be helpful, because of returning characters (good and bad). I have only read two of these: LAZARUS (#7) and SANDMAN (#4) and wasn't confused, but reviews I've read indicate some do. The stories are gripping and I would read every one of them if it weren't for my desire to discover authors to me! Jussi Adler-Olsen: This is a Danish author who writes the Department Q series about a former homicide detective who is "promoted" to the department of cold cases where he is the head and sole member. There are 9 books in the series, beginning with THE KEEPER OF LOST CAUSES. This is another series that I would have kept reading were I not looking to discover. Sjowal, Maj: This is another Swedish author who wrote with her husband, Per Wahloo in the 1960s-70s. The main character in this 10-book series is Detective Martin Beck. The first I read was THE MAN ON THE BALCONY. The scenes left me with a feeling of being both dark and cold, reminiscent of a Sherlock Holmes novel. Perfect reading for a cold, stormy night.

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If you're looking to try a podcast, ,Game of Books ,has just posted their crime chat from last month, of which I was a part. Aside from meeting more new authors, you might learn something from watching my own experience of why podcasters put such emphasis on lighting and sound. Check it out either online or for the full experience...on Youtube:

https://gameofbookspodcast.com/podcast-wine-mystery-food/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oe-4-K9Vi4

happy holidays!

However, or wherever you plan to spend your holidays--in the snow or beside the pool--with family and friends or relaxing by yourself--laboring over a hot stove, ordering in, or eating out, have a great time!

If you are looking for something to read or listen to while doing all these holiday tasks, I can give you a few ideas. Two from authors with whom you may be familiar and two with whom you may not have come across to date.

Nicholas Sparks: SEE ME. I surprised myself with this choice, as I wouldn't usually choose a book by this author because I don't generally choose romance. (Think: The Notebook )However, the plot's description of this book caught my eye. Yes, there is romance, but the story revolves around a character (probably with ADHD) trying to reinvent himself and gets swept up in the family drama of two sisters--one of whom is a fellow student. The other, by coincidence, is one he meets on a dark, rainy highway where she struggles with a flat tire. I enjoyed the book, and it kept me guessing. Robert Galbraith: THE CUCKOO'S CALLING. I read this one out of curiosity as it's written by J.K. Rowling under her pseudonym; I did enjoy Harry Potter. It's book 1 of the Cormoran Strike detective series about a down-and-out Afghanistan vet who starts his detective agency and is hired by a wealthy individual who doesn't believe the death of his famous sister was a suicide. It's fast-paced with glamour and humor. Lauren Beukes: THE SHINING GIRLS. This book kept me reading. It was sometimes confusing, with both past and present sequences for several characters, with some seeming to coincide. A serial killer targets his victims by what he claims to see as their "shining." Only one of his victims survives; it is her life's goal to catch this killer. Who will win when the two meet again makes this a page-turner. Jon Talton: CONCRETE DESERT. This is book 1 in the David Mapstone mystery series, where a former history professor returns to his hometown of Phoenix after losing his job due to apparent disagreements with his department head. He accepts a temporary position with his friend, the Chief Deputy in Maricopa County. The job is to re-examine unsolved cases; in doing this, he finds a remarkable similarity between a currently open case and one happening forty years ago. This, plus the reappearance of an old girlfriend whose sister has disappeared, makes for an enjoyable read.

While this is the time of year to be eating and drinking whatever we want and thinking we'll start that new diet come January--we'll not worry about anything now. We think we'll begin everything with a new resolve next month, but still, in the back of our minds, we are already thinking of those new things we plan to do.

Here is one fun thing you might also do now as you mix that batter or wrap those packages. If you haven't tried podcasts as an alternative to audiobooks, here's a podcast I would definitely recommend: Game of Books, which is also available on YouTube.

https://gameofbookspodcast.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@gameofbooks9587

I met Christie and Cathi this summer at Sleuthfest, a writers' conference held in Florida. Aside from moderating some of the guest speakers, this team also led a morning yoga session--a great start to the day. Their sites are a great way to learn about both new and quite famous authors while they all share a beverage of choice--often a wine designed to correlate in some way with the author. They now also have a new book--possibly a great one for those other readers in your circle: Read Happy: the ultimate reading journal. Treat yourself and explore their sites. I hope to be doing my own interview with them in the near future!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

how I happened to write my last book . . .

If you didn't happen to see this already, this is a beautiful website. It's transitioning at the moment, so if it says it's not available, click on the "Travels & Authors" option on the top right. Enjoy!

https://www.buffalocreekwebdesign.com/post/a-paranormal-adventure

an autumn menu ...

Autumn is the time we begin feeling the need to batten down the hatches for winter--to make soups and stews and breads and apple pie. I don't know if it's coming home after a month away, or something genetic, but I feel the need for those fall foods. It's not the weather as it's still in the 90's here in Florida. I do love to cook and I especially enjoy trying new recipes. Above is a collection of some of the favorite additions to my old cookbook favorites, beginning of course with Irma Rombauer's Joy of Cooking, not pictured here because of its deplorable condition after many years of exposure to sticky fingers and kitchen steam, a true sign of the love and use it's received. So, let me tell you a bit about new things I've learned from the above stack of books.

The Pat Conroy Cookbook (2004) by Pat Conroy and Susan Williamson Pollak. I mentioned this book in one of my earlier newsletters about books focusing on beach life. This is a beautiful book, filled with recipes from Pat's travels around the world and his life in the south. It's a fascinating read, written in his engaging style and while I haven't used his recipe, I'm sure my favorite would be Spaghetti Carbonara--always one of my Italian favorites and a very simple recipe. The China Study Cookbook (2018) by LeAnne Campbell. For those who may not be familiar with this study, it was first published in 2006, based on significant research identifying the importance of nutrition--specifically a whole food, plant-based diet--and health. My favorite recipe here (of many): Green Banana Cassava Soup. I had never tried cassava--also called yuca--and it's very much like a potato, which I have used in the recipe when unable to get cassava. It's delicious! Fresh India (2018) by Meera Sodha. I saw this chef on CBS Saturday Morning's The Dish and was sparked to try something other than the curry I had learned to make years ago while living in Ireland and working with an MD from India. My favorite in this book: Spinach, Tomato + Chickpea Curry. This contains everything I love and is very simple to make, delicious and comforting, even though I have not always followed the recipe exactly. Korean American (2022) by Eric Kim. Here was another chef I saw on CBS Saturday Morning. Having a friend whose family is from Korea, and whose mother would cook these great foods when she visited, I decided to check this out. I also love kimchi--a fermented cabbage/vegetable dish, high in antioxidants. I'm reluctant to pay what they ask for in most stores and wanted to try my hand at making this. There are several kimchi recipes here and the most difficult aspect of making it is finding the ingredients; it helps to have a well-stocked Asian market near you.

The basic recipe for kimchi calls for Napa cabbage, but there is a second one where one can use green cabbage; that's what I had on hand. Recommendations: 1) If you use green cabbage, chop it finely; and 2) skip the saeujeot (salted fermented shrimp) and maesil cheong (green plum syrup) unless you can find the exact ingredients. My first kimchi was delicious, but my second one will be even better.

Something else surprising: a kimchi sandwich; it's very good. His recipe is just white bread, mayonnaise and kimchi!

Milk Street: The New Rules (2019) by Christopher Kimball. When I have trouble going back to sleep at night, I often turn on PBS and look for one of their cooking shows. They're all good, so when I was exploring options for a Barnes and Noble gift certificate I had, this one jumped out at me. It's a beautiful book, full of colorful photos and lots of explanations. My favorite new experience here: Crispy Chicken Under a Brick. Why? It calls for spatchcocking a chicken (laying it entirely flat)--something I had never done. It was excellent and not difficult! I will say I needed 2 bricks which I already had on hand for cubanos (--a Cuban sandwich made with roast pork, sliced ham, Swiss cheese, sour pickles, mustard and mayo, flattened with those bricks and grilled...mmm). If you've never used a brick in cooking: wash well and wrap in several layers of aluminum foil. Remember to use mitts when moving them around on the frying pan. Also: you may want to try making a cubano!

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And, finally, here is another comfort food: a favorite family recipe from my mother:

Country Cherry Pudding

If you are lucky enough to have a cherry tree and have been freezing them, you might want to use them, instead of the canned cherries. If so, I would suggest pre-cooking the cherries with equal amounts of sugar and water and then saving the liquid for the sauce.

Ingredients:

1 can dark, sweet, pitted cherries packed in heavy syrup (1# 1 oz)

1/3 cup butter 1/4 tsp salt

1 cup sifted flour 1/4 tsp nutmeg

2 tsps double-acting baking powder 1 cup sugar

1 cup milk 1/2 tsp almond extract

Method:

Drain cherries and reserve syrup for sauce. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Melt butter in 1.5 quart baking dish in oven. Remove when melted.

Sift flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and sugar into mixing bowl. Gradually stir in milk and almond extract. Do not beat. Turn into the hot baking dish with the melted butter. Butter will come to the top. Spoon drained cherries into center. Bake in pre-heated oven 40-50 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Make sure batter is set. Allow to stand about 10 minutes before cutting. Serve warm. Makes 6-8 servings.

Pudding Sauce:

Gradually stir in 1 cup reserved cherry syrup into 1 Tbsp cornstarch + dash of salt, until smooth. Cook and stir constantly over moderate heat until thickened and clear. Stir in 1 Tbsp butter and 1+ Tbsp dark rum or cognac. Pour over warm pudding.

Enjoy your autumn!

and

If you have a favorite cookbook and a favorite recipe from it, I'd love to hear about them. You can comment here, email me, or post on Facebook. Thanks!