Kate Collins's Blog, page 12
March 25, 2020
Exercise...love it or leave it.
My kids and I were talking, and now that we are all stuck at home...love it or hate it...we need (or should need) to think about exercise so that when we get back to the real world of people, no sweat pants, wearing jeans and shorts (Lord have mercy) we are not four-hundred pounds of Oreos and doughnuts. Lordy, that was a long sentence.My kids take this exercise thing to heart but me... Well then there’s me. It means I have to get up and do something...anything to not get writers’ butt along with a ton of other ailments.So the question is what to do? Cleaning the house they say is a pretty good workout but I’ve only gotten that info second hand.
“But, Mom,” my kids say. “Use the treadmill we got you last Christmas.” But that would mean unearthing the thing from stacks of books, removing the hanging cat toys to entertain Dr. Watson and Spooky and removing two sweaters hung there to dry. My sweaters really do need to dry and then there’s what to do with the books.But I gave in and bought a yoga mat and DVD. It’s purple...the mat not the tape. And the girl on front of the box looks happy and in really good shape. Both mat and DVD are sitting on my table for two weeks but since this we’ll probably have to be inside for two more I got time, right?
Then there’s Leslie Sansone walking DVD the kids got me for my birthday. I think there’s a message here. Sure enough there it was in the back of my closet dusty and unopened. It’s the Big Burn tape. The title reminds me of steak or Cajun or maybe an unfortunate hamburger that I’d eat anyway when I wasn’t vegan.So what about you now that you’re stuck inside? Do you Love exercise or Leave it? Do you have DVDs? Walk? Run? Zumba? Walk the dog. Drag the cat? Forget the whole mess?
March 24, 2020
Take Safe Walks
by Maggie SeftonPlease be careful, Cozy Chicks Blog readers and friends. There are some very scary viruses out there that are causing a great deal of harm to not only the states and territories of the United States but also other world countries and populations.
If you can "self isolate" and remove yourself from meeting and/or coming into contact with many people, please do so. If that's not possible, please, please be careful. My sweet dog Katy (17 years old this Fall) and I took a walk all around my backyard here in Northern Colorado. That was the extent of any excursions for the two of us. My daughter Melissa is also squirreled away here in Fort Collins, Colorado, with her 5 year old recent doggie adoptee, Theo. They took a short walk around her apartment's neighborhood.
Stay safe, everyone.
March 22, 2020
IT'S ON THE TIP OF MY TONGUE. OR IS IT?
By Mary Kennedy
Do you remember when Amy Klobuchar "forgot" the name of the president of Mexico in the Democratic debates? People used the word "forget" loosely and even Senator Klobucha said sadly, "I forgot."
Here's the thing, she didn't really forget. We've all had these momentary lapses. We don't really "forget" the information we're trying to retrieve, it just temporarily escapes us. How is this possible?
Memories are fragile. Memory includes flashbacks to your childhood days at the beach to a "note to self" reminder to pick up cat food on the way home. Without memory, we'd never learn from past experiences and it's essential for our sense of self. Here's a beach scene that I remember from trips to Emerald Isle when my kids were young.
As we get older (spoiler alert, this is going to happen to all of us!), retrieval takes a bit longer. You don't "forget" the information, it just takes longer to access it. I always tell my patients not to be discouraged or frustrated if this happens. It seems that the best thing to do is back away from the task for awhile. The word or phrase will come to you at a later time. Chasing it just delays it!
There's some evidence that some memories are stored phonetically. Here's an example. When I was visiting friends in New Mexico recently, my friend and I were blanking on the name George Clooney. We could picture his face, but we couldn't come up with his name. I'm sure that's happened to you at some time. Here's how it was resolved.
My friend said tentatively, "Can you think of his first name?""No," I answered, "but it has a hard sound, like a G or a C. Maybe a K. Or maybe that's the last name."She thought for a moment." Could it be a G or a C for both names?
We looked at each other and said in unison, "George Clooney!"
We didn't "forget" who George Clooney was, we were just temporarily blanking on his name.
The next time you have one of these lapses, just go with the flow and don't stress out over it. Chasing it is a fool's errand. It will come to you in time, I promise!
Until next time, happy memories during these difficult days.
Mary Kennedy
Do you remember when Amy Klobuchar "forgot" the name of the president of Mexico in the Democratic debates? People used the word "forget" loosely and even Senator Klobucha said sadly, "I forgot."
Here's the thing, she didn't really forget. We've all had these momentary lapses. We don't really "forget" the information we're trying to retrieve, it just temporarily escapes us. How is this possible?
Memories are fragile. Memory includes flashbacks to your childhood days at the beach to a "note to self" reminder to pick up cat food on the way home. Without memory, we'd never learn from past experiences and it's essential for our sense of self. Here's a beach scene that I remember from trips to Emerald Isle when my kids were young.
As we get older (spoiler alert, this is going to happen to all of us!), retrieval takes a bit longer. You don't "forget" the information, it just takes longer to access it. I always tell my patients not to be discouraged or frustrated if this happens. It seems that the best thing to do is back away from the task for awhile. The word or phrase will come to you at a later time. Chasing it just delays it!
There's some evidence that some memories are stored phonetically. Here's an example. When I was visiting friends in New Mexico recently, my friend and I were blanking on the name George Clooney. We could picture his face, but we couldn't come up with his name. I'm sure that's happened to you at some time. Here's how it was resolved.
My friend said tentatively, "Can you think of his first name?""No," I answered, "but it has a hard sound, like a G or a C. Maybe a K. Or maybe that's the last name."She thought for a moment." Could it be a G or a C for both names?
We looked at each other and said in unison, "George Clooney!"
We didn't "forget" who George Clooney was, we were just temporarily blanking on his name.
The next time you have one of these lapses, just go with the flow and don't stress out over it. Chasing it is a fool's errand. It will come to you in time, I promise!
Until next time, happy memories during these difficult days.
Mary Kennedy
March 18, 2020
Protagonists of the Cozy World Unite!
I'm thinking today about entrepreneurs. In our cozy mysteries, our protagonists are small business owners. Amanda Tucker owns Designs on You, a retro fashion boutique where she designs and creates clothing based on vintage patterns.Katie Bonner has her fingers in several different entrepreneurial pies: Artisans Alley, a consortium of vendors; Tealicious, a tea shop; and the Victoria Square Merchants Association Partnership, which buys and leases buildings on the Square.
Amy Flowers owns and operates the Down South Cafe. The cafe is one of only two restaurants in rural Winter Garden Virginia, and Amy also makes sides and desserts her patrons can buy and take home.
Marcy Singer owns and operates an embroidery specialty shop on the Oregon Coast, and Daphne Martin operates a cake decorating business out of her home in Brea Ridge Virginia.In addition to the businesses our protagonists own and operate, we authors must operate our own businesses. It's funny sometimes how I must figure out how my characters do their day-to-day operations while I'm going about my own. For example, for the Ghostly Fashionista series, I have no hands-on experience in fashion design and dressmaking. I had to learn that new customers get muslin patterns done and how many fittings they must have. I weave these details into Amanda's story as I'm meeting deadlines and determining the best way to market the book once it's finished.
Other tasks creep in, biting into my writing time: logging expenses and receipts, bill paying, creating ads, social media, managing giveaways, maintaining my websites. If I'm not careful, I can spend far too much time on chores that take away from my writing. That's why I'm currently designating Fridays as "admin day." It's the day I try to take care of the little things that build up throughout the week.
What about you? Are you a business owner? How do you handle time-management?
Would you wear that?
Duffy Brown here. To liven things up...and because I just love spring...I thought I’d write something on spring fashion. Time to put away the browns and blacks and bring out mauve, some blues, a touch of yellow. So I looked up 2020 spring fashion.
Every time I do this I think Sweet Lord above who would wear this stuff! I know Cincinnati is not NYC but really?? Take a look at what is in for 2020 Spring Fashion. Would you wear these chunky shoes and call it fashion? I call it shoes to clean out the garage.Faux leather jumpsuit? Only if I was in the military and jumping out of a plane and needed to protect my sorry ass.
Square-toed heels?? Maybe? And bucket style bags are in but it’s too much like hauling around a bucket. And then there’s the chunky gold chain look? It looks heavy and well...clunky.So none of this new spring fashion stuff for 2020 will work for me.It’s back to Chico’s! I love Chico’s. The pants fit, all the colors work together, they have good sales and I love the stores. Chico’s is truly my go-to store. It’s for women of a certain age, at least that store is for this person of a certain age.
My question to you is... Do you have a fave store where you shop? Someplace you can go into and pretty much find a style that works for you?Happy Spring and Happy Shopping from Duffy Brown!
March 16, 2020
BE CAREFUL
by Maggie SeftonThese are dramatic times we're living through right now, that's for sure. I didn't think one of my normal good-natured Blog posts fit in today, so, I will simply wish all our wonderful Cozy Chicks Blog readers and fans to please take care of yourselves. Keep your friends and family close and stay at home or wherever you feel comfortable and safe. And keep your beloved pets safe with you, too.
We'll get through these scary times, Friends. Take care, Everyone. I'm sending my Love to you all. :)
March 15, 2020
DROWNING IN BOOKS
By Mary Kennedy
We all have books that are keepers; autographed books, books written by friends, reference books (yes, I know we can find the same info on Google, but there's something reassuring about returning to a well-loved reference book), and of course, books that we just haven't gotten around to reading.
We all have well-stocked (sometimes towering!) TBR piles.
We have books we've been meaning to give to friends. I have a friend who's an aspiring writer and I promised to give her book 2 of my Dream Club Mysteries. She's currently reading NIGHTMARES CAN BE MURDER, book one.
She hopes to write cozies and I figured it might give her some inspiration. Plus, she loves books set in the south, so there's another reason! After all, inspiration is everywhere. Check out the bowl of alphabet soup below!
I know Marie Kondo says we should only keep 30 books in the house, but really is that possible?
I've never done a count of how many books I have in the house. I'm not sure I want to, because the number will be overwhelming. I know it's a lot more than 30. How about you?
Mary Kennedy PS stay safe and do lots of reading during these challenging times.
We all have books that are keepers; autographed books, books written by friends, reference books (yes, I know we can find the same info on Google, but there's something reassuring about returning to a well-loved reference book), and of course, books that we just haven't gotten around to reading.
We all have well-stocked (sometimes towering!) TBR piles.
We have books we've been meaning to give to friends. I have a friend who's an aspiring writer and I promised to give her book 2 of my Dream Club Mysteries. She's currently reading NIGHTMARES CAN BE MURDER, book one.
She hopes to write cozies and I figured it might give her some inspiration. Plus, she loves books set in the south, so there's another reason! After all, inspiration is everywhere. Check out the bowl of alphabet soup below!
I know Marie Kondo says we should only keep 30 books in the house, but really is that possible?
I've never done a count of how many books I have in the house. I'm not sure I want to, because the number will be overwhelming. I know it's a lot more than 30. How about you?
Mary Kennedy PS stay safe and do lots of reading during these challenging times.
March 14, 2020
Katie Bonner Looks Back
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
Coming April 17th, A LOOK BACK, the 8th installment in the Life on Victoria Square companion series to the Victoria Square Mysteries.
Don't you love that cover? Katie Bonner's hair reminds me of Captain Janeway from Star Trek Voyager. She's one tough lady, and so is Katie. But even tough women are vulnerable at some point.
On the anniversary of her great Aunt Lizzie’s death, Katie Bonner reflects on the course of events that led her to be the custodian of Artisan’s Alley--from the moment her husband took their savings and invested it in a dying business to the death of its founder, Ezra Hilton. And it’s with tears of sadness and joy that Katie contemplates her uncertain future.
This story takes place just before the events in the Victoria Square Mystery (#7) A Murderous Misconception but may be read as a stand-alone introduction to the series.
Kindle US | Kindle Worldwide | Nook | Kobo | Apple Books | Smashwords
Watch the video on YouTube!
Coming April 17th, A LOOK BACK, the 8th installment in the Life on Victoria Square companion series to the Victoria Square Mysteries.Don't you love that cover? Katie Bonner's hair reminds me of Captain Janeway from Star Trek Voyager. She's one tough lady, and so is Katie. But even tough women are vulnerable at some point.
On the anniversary of her great Aunt Lizzie’s death, Katie Bonner reflects on the course of events that led her to be the custodian of Artisan’s Alley--from the moment her husband took their savings and invested it in a dying business to the death of its founder, Ezra Hilton. And it’s with tears of sadness and joy that Katie contemplates her uncertain future.
This story takes place just before the events in the Victoria Square Mystery (#7) A Murderous Misconception but may be read as a stand-alone introduction to the series.
Kindle US | Kindle Worldwide | Nook | Kobo | Apple Books | Smashwords
Watch the video on YouTube!
March 13, 2020
Trying to stay calm
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
Things are kind of scary right now. I'm feeling overwhelmed and more than a little worried. During this corona virus "pandemic," I'm feeling the need of a distraction. How about you?
To distract myself, I've been looking at pretty pictures on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. And I've not only been working on my various works in progress (some cozy--some not), but decided to read a childhood favorite -- you know as a comfort read.
What did I pick? Pollyanna. Did you read it as a kid? I did. I hadn't read it in many years, but grabbed a copy at the thrift store last week. I'm much more familiar with the Disney movie starring Hayley Mills.
Pollyanna Whittier, a young orphaned girl, moves to Beldingsville, Vermont, to live with her cold and stern spinster Aunt Polly. Pollyanna’s aunt is not keen on the idea of having to take her in but does so anyway out of a sense of duty to her late sister, Pollyanna’s mother. Pollyanna’s eternal optimism arises out of a game she played with her father in which they would try to find the good in all situations. Her sunny disposition soon begins to spread through the otherwise dispirited New England town, transforming it into an increasingly pleasant place to live. However when tragedy strikes she is finally challenged with a situation in which she cannot be happy and the townsfolk are called to rally to her side to help her regain her positive outlook on life.
To be honest, I like the movie better--but that didn't mean I didn't enjoy re-reading the book.
I've also got the urge to bake. I like to cook. You need to stay focused on what you're doing and not let your mind wander too much.
I'm also trying (and not succeeding well) not to be informed, but not obsess about the virus. As long as I've got something to read, I can stay home and be perfectly happy. (Well, it's hard to be "happy" right now, but at least not panicking.)
What are you doing to stay calm during this topsy-turvy time?
Things are kind of scary right now. I'm feeling overwhelmed and more than a little worried. During this corona virus "pandemic," I'm feeling the need of a distraction. How about you?
To distract myself, I've been looking at pretty pictures on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. And I've not only been working on my various works in progress (some cozy--some not), but decided to read a childhood favorite -- you know as a comfort read.
What did I pick? Pollyanna. Did you read it as a kid? I did. I hadn't read it in many years, but grabbed a copy at the thrift store last week. I'm much more familiar with the Disney movie starring Hayley Mills.Pollyanna Whittier, a young orphaned girl, moves to Beldingsville, Vermont, to live with her cold and stern spinster Aunt Polly. Pollyanna’s aunt is not keen on the idea of having to take her in but does so anyway out of a sense of duty to her late sister, Pollyanna’s mother. Pollyanna’s eternal optimism arises out of a game she played with her father in which they would try to find the good in all situations. Her sunny disposition soon begins to spread through the otherwise dispirited New England town, transforming it into an increasingly pleasant place to live. However when tragedy strikes she is finally challenged with a situation in which she cannot be happy and the townsfolk are called to rally to her side to help her regain her positive outlook on life.
To be honest, I like the movie better--but that didn't mean I didn't enjoy re-reading the book.
I've also got the urge to bake. I like to cook. You need to stay focused on what you're doing and not let your mind wander too much.I'm also trying (and not succeeding well) not to be informed, but not obsess about the virus. As long as I've got something to read, I can stay home and be perfectly happy. (Well, it's hard to be "happy" right now, but at least not panicking.)
What are you doing to stay calm during this topsy-turvy time?
March 11, 2020
Have You Watched Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries?
I started watching Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries on Netflix and fell in love with the show. If you haven't seen it, it's an Australian show in which glamorous, sassy private detective Phryne Fisher solves crimes in Melbourne in the late 1920s. (The show is based on a series of books by Kerry Greenwood, but I haven't read them.) Phryne lives in a gorgeous home, drives a convertible roadster, wears beautiful outfits, and is talented in just about everything. Plus, she has an assistant named Dot, a butler named Mr. Butler, and drivers Burt and Cec to help her in her crime-solving. What's not to love?
I'm looking forward to the upcoming movie, Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears. It's scheduled to debut on Acorn TV on March 23. I have Acorn through my Amazon Prime membership. I feel like I'm invested in this movie since I took part in the crowdfunding for it. I bought the package giving me insights into the costuming because I found it incredibly interesting (the costumes in the show are fantastic) and because I based my character Maxine "Max" Englebright of the Ghostly Fashionista Series partially on Phryne Fisher.I watched the Acorn series Miss Fisher's Modern Mysteries, set in the sixties and based on the adventures of Phryne's niece. It's cute, but there were only four episodes in the first season (no word as to whether or not there will be a second season), and I didn't get as invested in it as I did the Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.
Have you seen the show or the movie? If so, what did you think?
