Kate Collins's Blog, page 130
February 13, 2016
In the Spotlight: Angelica Miles
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
When I was contracted to write the Booktown Mysteries, there was no mention of "Pat" Miles having a sister. I soon knew that I didn't want to write about Pat ... but I did want to write about her doppelganger, Tricia Miles. And I didn't get very far into the story before a shorter, rude, interloper showed up on the scene. A woman Tricia disliked intensely: her sister, Angelica.
Angelica's name was perfect, for in their parents' eyes, she could do no wrong. However, to Tricia, she was just this much older (five years), insanely BOSSY person who made growing up a living hell.
Tricia didn't know her sister, but I did. Not that I ever had a sister to draw on for reference. Nope, I had two brothers, and I'm a middle kid. But I'd had friends with older sisters. Sisters who'd grown up together but were not friends. Older sisters who tormented their younger sisters--just because they could. But oddly enough, these sisters all became fiercely loyal upon reaching adulthood; who became each other's best friends.
That's what I wanted for Tricia.
But I couldn't do it all in one book. I planted the seeds of a fierce friendship, but it couldn't happen in one book--or even two or three. It took Tricia and Angelica nearly five years to find their common ground and eight books before the sisters' lives really meshed.
Many readers were impatient with Angelica, saying that she was a one-dimensional character. That they had a sister just like her and therefore couldn't stand her. And yet, I got many, many, MANY emails from readers who also said they had the same sister--and that their relationship was closer than any friendship they'd ever experienced.
Angelica had a master plan ... (as you'll see at the bottom of her list of things to do on the left), but she wasn't about to spill it to Tricia. Tricia is a sleuth ... Angelica was content to let Tricia investigate the way she ticked--and it turned out Angelica has all the patience in the world.
But that's not the end of the story, either.
In Title Wave (which will be released on June 14th), the sisters finally get to lay to rest some of the problems of the past. But of course, I couldn't leave it at that. There's a cliffhanger ... What's really odd is that I have no idea what will happen next ... at least, not until Tricia and Angelica tell me.
COMING SOON: The Cozy Chicks will be hosting a number of online talks about our various series. First up: The Booktown Mysteries, where we'll be discussing the first book in the series, Murder Is Binding.
If you haven't joined our Facebook Group, where you'll hear from the Chicks every day of the week, and we discuss all kinds of cool stuff), just click this link.
When I was contracted to write the Booktown Mysteries, there was no mention of "Pat" Miles having a sister. I soon knew that I didn't want to write about Pat ... but I did want to write about her doppelganger, Tricia Miles. And I didn't get very far into the story before a shorter, rude, interloper showed up on the scene. A woman Tricia disliked intensely: her sister, Angelica.Angelica's name was perfect, for in their parents' eyes, she could do no wrong. However, to Tricia, she was just this much older (five years), insanely BOSSY person who made growing up a living hell.
Tricia didn't know her sister, but I did. Not that I ever had a sister to draw on for reference. Nope, I had two brothers, and I'm a middle kid. But I'd had friends with older sisters. Sisters who'd grown up together but were not friends. Older sisters who tormented their younger sisters--just because they could. But oddly enough, these sisters all became fiercely loyal upon reaching adulthood; who became each other's best friends.That's what I wanted for Tricia.
But I couldn't do it all in one book. I planted the seeds of a fierce friendship, but it couldn't happen in one book--or even two or three. It took Tricia and Angelica nearly five years to find their common ground and eight books before the sisters' lives really meshed.
Many readers were impatient with Angelica, saying that she was a one-dimensional character. That they had a sister just like her and therefore couldn't stand her. And yet, I got many, many, MANY emails from readers who also said they had the same sister--and that their relationship was closer than any friendship they'd ever experienced.
Angelica had a master plan ... (as you'll see at the bottom of her list of things to do on the left), but she wasn't about to spill it to Tricia. Tricia is a sleuth ... Angelica was content to let Tricia investigate the way she ticked--and it turned out Angelica has all the patience in the world.But that's not the end of the story, either.
In Title Wave (which will be released on June 14th), the sisters finally get to lay to rest some of the problems of the past. But of course, I couldn't leave it at that. There's a cliffhanger ... What's really odd is that I have no idea what will happen next ... at least, not until Tricia and Angelica tell me.COMING SOON: The Cozy Chicks will be hosting a number of online talks about our various series. First up: The Booktown Mysteries, where we'll be discussing the first book in the series, Murder Is Binding.
If you haven't joined our Facebook Group, where you'll hear from the Chicks every day of the week, and we discuss all kinds of cool stuff), just click this link.
February 11, 2016
An easy soup recipe
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
For many years I practically bragged that I didn't like to cook. I'm rather impatient and cooking takes time. I did like to bake, but cooking? Not so much.
And then my father passed away and my mother stopped cooking for herself. She would eat a microwaved poached egg and toast, or heat up a frozen fish fillet in the toaster oven, and that was about all. It was up to my brother and me to make sure she was eating something with nutrition. It turns out that my brother is a pretty darn good cook. I needed to step up to the plate.
Something my Mum liked was egg drop soup from the Chinese take-away around the corner. I shudder when I think of that container of greasy goop that passed for egg drop soup. I needed to find a healthier recipe. The one I now use takes about five minutes to make and is practically fat-free. (The time sink is getting the chicken stock up to a boil.)
Ingredients
4 cups chicken broth or stock
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional)
2 teaspoons seasoned rice vinegar
salt, to taste
2 green onions, (spring onions, scallions) green parts only, thinly sliced
In a saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add the sugar, salt, and the rice wine or dry sherry if using. Cook for about another minute. Remove from the heat. Gradually stir in the egg white, stirring in one direction only. Chopsticks work well for this if you have them. Garnish with the green onion and serve.
Yield: 2-4 servings
I make this for lunch several times a month. It's very low in calorie (I don't even put the sugar in it--instead using more of the rice vinegar).
Do you have a fast, easy recipe you use on a regular basis?
For many years I practically bragged that I didn't like to cook. I'm rather impatient and cooking takes time. I did like to bake, but cooking? Not so much.And then my father passed away and my mother stopped cooking for herself. She would eat a microwaved poached egg and toast, or heat up a frozen fish fillet in the toaster oven, and that was about all. It was up to my brother and me to make sure she was eating something with nutrition. It turns out that my brother is a pretty darn good cook. I needed to step up to the plate.
Something my Mum liked was egg drop soup from the Chinese take-away around the corner. I shudder when I think of that container of greasy goop that passed for egg drop soup. I needed to find a healthier recipe. The one I now use takes about five minutes to make and is practically fat-free. (The time sink is getting the chicken stock up to a boil.)
Ingredients
4 cups chicken broth or stock
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional)
2 teaspoons seasoned rice vinegar
salt, to taste
2 green onions, (spring onions, scallions) green parts only, thinly sliced
In a saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add the sugar, salt, and the rice wine or dry sherry if using. Cook for about another minute. Remove from the heat. Gradually stir in the egg white, stirring in one direction only. Chopsticks work well for this if you have them. Garnish with the green onion and serve.
Yield: 2-4 servingsI make this for lunch several times a month. It's very low in calorie (I don't even put the sugar in it--instead using more of the rice vinegar).
Do you have a fast, easy recipe you use on a regular basis?
February 10, 2016
There's love and there's love and ...
By Victoria Abbott aka Mary Jane and Victoria Maffini
The ancient Greeks had many words for love: five, six or seven depending on who you ask. But you ask me, I’d say that we in contemporary North American society also value love in many forms. In the run up to Valentine’s Day some of us might be thinking of a special dinner or flowers from a husband or special person as an expression of romantic love.
After a couple of bad experiences in overcrowded restaurants, we prefer to stay home and make our own lovely dinner.
This Valentine's weekend we are also looking forward to seeing some family and expressing our love of family with a big pot of chili, maybe a heart-shaped cake, homemade Valentine’s cards and plenty of hugs.
Maybe sitting with a friend or family member over a cup of hot chocolate might be just the trick! We love our friends and that love makes a huge difference in life.
We’re not sure if the Greeks had a word for love of the family pet. We’re pretty sure the spoiled pooches in many of our readers’ families will be getting their own version of the heart-shaped box of chocolates in the form of homemade treats on Sunday, Feb 14th.
We're wearing Valentine colors -- so why don't we have those treats a few days early? We like to complain about winter and how it drags out. The traditional Valentine’s colors of bright pink and red can sure lift our spirits after the unrelenting gray and snow. No wonder we love a winter sunset so much. I don't think the ancient Greeks had a word for it.
We also love our readers and we are beaming you all our affection right through the weekend and beyond.
Whatever we do, it doesn’t have to be commercial at all, although it can if you want it to be. It’s great to have options and to be able to celebrate the day anyway you want with anyone you want and that may mean not celebrating at all, except to sit and enjoy a cozy book. Is that even optional?
Come on over and let us know what you like or don’t like about Valentine’s Day.
February 9, 2016
What a deal…
Some great news…
Geared for the Grave, eBook,Feb 8 to Feb 21Discounted to $1.99 click for: Kindle Nook Kobo
To celebrate I’m giving the two pets in the series the floor…
Bambino and Cleveland here…I’m the adorable black furball and Cleveland is the one on the pillow. We are here on Mackinac Island in a bike shop owned by Rudy .
Mackinac Island is one of those places stuck in time. Fact is it’s like the 1800s with no cars. Everything is horses and bikes. And there are parades for the tourists we call fudgies ‘caue they eat so much fudge. Oink!
The parades have bands and music and famous people like George Washington, Betsy Ross…you get the picture. Well, Rudy takes on the character of Mark Twain and Twain had cats named Cleveland and Bambino. Of course the two of us are much cuter than the original Cleveland and Bambino.
We hang out a lot on the pool table in the bike shop. I know, what is a pool table doing with bikes well it’s only here in the summer months when the fudges are in town crowding up the place.
In the winter the table is at the Mustang Lounge the watering hole for locals. When the snow’s falling…and it sure does fall here on the island…the locals who stay all winter congregate at the Stang, drink beer, eat fried green beans and shoot pool.
When the fudgies come back in the summer the Stang is so busy they have to move the pool table up here to Rudy’s Rides to make room. We have a parade moving the pool table with crossed cue sticks, a band and lots of beer.There’s always something going on at Rudy’s Rides and this time it’s Evie Bloomfield helping Rudy run the place ‘cause Rudy broke his leg. She’s trying to hide the fact that she can’t even ride a bike but the scrapes on her knees and elbows are a dead give away.
And speaking of dead...yeah we got that too. Bunny the pain in the tail busybody around town wound up dead as a mackerel. At first it looked like a biking accident but I got a bad feeling in my whiskers about
that. Something looks fishy…did someone say fish?I got to go. It’s dinner time or maybe lunch time. It’s some time to eat and that’s pretty much all the time for me and if I don’t hurry that fat-butt Cleveland will gobble everything up. Come visit me and Cleveland this summer. It’s shaping up to be another crazy
summer on Mackinac Island. February 8, 2016
Cruising Along
by Maggie SeftonSt. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The building to the left is Senor Frog's restaurant, bar, and gift shop which all things "froggy" are available to wear and buy as well as drink.
Hey, there, Everyone! I'm presently on a 14-day cruise somewhere in the West Indies in the Caribbean roughly between Barbados and Martinique. Our Norwegian cruise liner Breakaway spent most of today in the port of Bridgetown, Barbados which was a British colony for roughly 300 years. It was heavily fortified because the British valued its geographical location highly. Plus, it's main crop was sugar cane. Other European nations---which had colonies of their own, like the Dutch, the French, and the Spanish---tried unsuccessfully to attack Barbados over those 300 years.
Beautiful villa in Dominica.Today, a great many of the passengers joined tours of the island. My tour visited the coastal areas along the South side of Barbados. Absolutely gorgeous white sand beaches and lots of homes. Some simple, others very fancy. Many properties are condo units that people either buy or rent as they visit the island. Then we visited a 300 year old plantation house where sugar cane was grown and harvested by the African slaves the Europeans brought to the island. You cannot escape all the history of these fascinating islands.
Norwegian Breakaway crowd enjoying the Super Bowl.
The various islands we've visited so far include Puerto Rico (which I'd visited 3 years
ago and toured); St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; The French and Dutch colony Saint Maarten (one half French, one half Dutch); former French colony Dominica; and today, Barbados. Tomorrow is the French colony Martinique; then the next day, Antigua. After that come three full days at sea (always my favorite) then we arrive back in New York City Port Terminal on Sunday morning.
I tried to post another photo I'd taken of Sudbury Plantation House but Blogger would not cooperate. I'll try to post it on Facebook. Let's see what happens.
I just love being "out to Sea." No land in sight, just a vast expanse of Ocean for as far as you can see. I think I must have spent some time in a former life as a Mariner. :) Anyway----here are some photos. A couple photos are of the large Atrium area in the middle of the ship where a great many passengers watched the Super Bowl Football Championship Game yesterday evening. Since I live in Colorado and am very proud of our sports teams, I claimed a comfy chair early in the evening and cheered on the Denver Broncos. And---as most of you know----the Broncos won! Yay!! So there was much celebration going on. Half the people in that large Atrium area were Carolina Panthers fans and the other half were cheering the Denver Broncos. But everyone was a good sport and enjoyed the Game.
I hope you enjoy the photos. I'll update everyone and share more photos next week. Enjoy! :)
February 7, 2016
MAKE SMALL CHANGES, SEE BIG RESULTS!
By Mary Kennedy
This is the time of year that people ignore/forget about/ or disown the brave New Year's resolutions they made just a few weeks ago. Discouraging? Maybe a little. But here's the good news. You can still make small changes and see great results.
Just out of interest, I asked a few friends and e-mail buddies for suggestions on small changes they made to achieve their goals. Their answers were interesting and inspiring. And quite creative! Here are a few of them. They're simple, practical, and above all doable. 1. Cindy tells me she identified her "out of control" eating urges and realized they seem to occur at 4:00 pm. She's just picked the kids up from school and everyone heads for the kitchen. It's snack time. Cindy made a simple change. Before she picks up the kids, she arranges a nice tray of cut up fruits and vegetables with a Greek yogurt dip and sticks it in the fridge. She pulls it out the moment she gets home with the kids. The kids balked at first ("Where's the chips?") but they've adapted. A simple change and she's back on track with her healthy eating goals.
2. Laura, one of the kindest people I've ever met, is routinely browbeaten into donating her precious time to volunteer causes. She works full time, has four kids, is involved in Neighborhood Watch and already volunteers at the library and the PTA. Yet she is constantly besieged to "do more" and she finds she caves when someone calls her, asking her to serve on yet another committee. The solution? She made an "Absolute YES" list, wrote it on an index card and keeps it by the phone. Unless the request fits in with her three goals for 2016 (get regular exercise, study for her real estate exam and get the house ready to sell), she forces herself to decline. It was hard at first, she admits, but she's getting better at it. The "Absolute Yes" list made all the difference.
3. Sandy has been told by her doctor that she has to walk 3 miles a day--without fail--to reduce her high blood pressure. She never seemed to make the time in her busy day, putting off "the dreaded walking" until late evening, when she would abandon the idea and fall into bed, exhausted.
The solution: she teamed up with an "exercise buddy" and now she is held accountable. Rain, snow or sunshine, Sandy and her neighbor take a brisk stroll around the neighborhood, every night, immediately after dinner. They keep each other accountable and took a "no excuses" pledge. Sandy wouldn't dare not walk, she wouldn't want to let her exercise buddy down. A simple fix. Sandy looks forward to her 3 mile walk (something she swore she would never do) and finds it's a great way to decompress from the stresses of the day. How about you? Have you come up with a creative solution to reach your goals? I'd love to hear it. Mary Kennedy
This is the time of year that people ignore/forget about/ or disown the brave New Year's resolutions they made just a few weeks ago. Discouraging? Maybe a little. But here's the good news. You can still make small changes and see great results.
Just out of interest, I asked a few friends and e-mail buddies for suggestions on small changes they made to achieve their goals. Their answers were interesting and inspiring. And quite creative! Here are a few of them. They're simple, practical, and above all doable. 1. Cindy tells me she identified her "out of control" eating urges and realized they seem to occur at 4:00 pm. She's just picked the kids up from school and everyone heads for the kitchen. It's snack time. Cindy made a simple change. Before she picks up the kids, she arranges a nice tray of cut up fruits and vegetables with a Greek yogurt dip and sticks it in the fridge. She pulls it out the moment she gets home with the kids. The kids balked at first ("Where's the chips?") but they've adapted. A simple change and she's back on track with her healthy eating goals.
2. Laura, one of the kindest people I've ever met, is routinely browbeaten into donating her precious time to volunteer causes. She works full time, has four kids, is involved in Neighborhood Watch and already volunteers at the library and the PTA. Yet she is constantly besieged to "do more" and she finds she caves when someone calls her, asking her to serve on yet another committee. The solution? She made an "Absolute YES" list, wrote it on an index card and keeps it by the phone. Unless the request fits in with her three goals for 2016 (get regular exercise, study for her real estate exam and get the house ready to sell), she forces herself to decline. It was hard at first, she admits, but she's getting better at it. The "Absolute Yes" list made all the difference.
3. Sandy has been told by her doctor that she has to walk 3 miles a day--without fail--to reduce her high blood pressure. She never seemed to make the time in her busy day, putting off "the dreaded walking" until late evening, when she would abandon the idea and fall into bed, exhausted.
The solution: she teamed up with an "exercise buddy" and now she is held accountable. Rain, snow or sunshine, Sandy and her neighbor take a brisk stroll around the neighborhood, every night, immediately after dinner. They keep each other accountable and took a "no excuses" pledge. Sandy wouldn't dare not walk, she wouldn't want to let her exercise buddy down. A simple fix. Sandy looks forward to her 3 mile walk (something she swore she would never do) and finds it's a great way to decompress from the stresses of the day. How about you? Have you come up with a creative solution to reach your goals? I'd love to hear it. Mary Kennedy
February 6, 2016
Getting To Know You…
Hi, BreAnna Herron
Thanks for doing the interview. It’s fun getting to know people online who we chat with so often.
Tell us a little about yourself…
-Where do you live now?
We currently live in Green River, WY. Names are deceiving though as we have about a two week green season.
-Where were you born?
Born and raised in Montana. If you haven’t been to the Bitterroot Valley, it's the town where cozy is a word that comes to mind.
-Pets? Kids? Hobby?
Pets, more like a zoo. We currently rehabilitate feral cats and help them find forever homes. We have little dogs and a large dog. But as my 19 month old Daughter (Valentina) calls them "puppies" we will stick to that. We also have horses and I have shown American Quarter Horses since the age of 7!
-What do you do for fun?
Read, play with my daughter, Ride horses.
-Do you travel?
Got a fav place? We do travel as Valentina's daddy and my fiancé is currently in school in San Antonio. That is our favorite place since we get to see him.
-How did you come to reading mysteries?
When I was pregnant I need to be able to read something slightly light hearted but also had the suspense and who done it. Cozies were perfect!
-Do you have a fav mystery show? Movie?
I love Sherlock Holmes and Murder She Wrote!
-Do you have a fav book that you reread from time to time? My favorite is a classic- Pride and Prejudice.
-Do you remember the first mystery your read?
It was the first in the Laura Bradford series "Hearse and Buggy". Boy did it get me sucked in! Now I read any cozy I can get my hands on.
-Is there a character in a book or movie that you wish you could pal around with?
I wish I could be a pal to all the characters I read. The series and books are so well written that all the leading ladies appeal to me as a book.
I am currently finishing my B.S. In History and plan for a masters this fall. I love reading and escaping to the worlds that the cozy authors create.
Thanks for doing the interview. It’s fun getting to know people online who we chat with so often.
Tell us a little about yourself…
-Where do you live now?
We currently live in Green River, WY. Names are deceiving though as we have about a two week green season.
-Where were you born?
Born and raised in Montana. If you haven’t been to the Bitterroot Valley, it's the town where cozy is a word that comes to mind.
-Pets? Kids? Hobby?
Pets, more like a zoo. We currently rehabilitate feral cats and help them find forever homes. We have little dogs and a large dog. But as my 19 month old Daughter (Valentina) calls them "puppies" we will stick to that. We also have horses and I have shown American Quarter Horses since the age of 7!
-What do you do for fun?
Read, play with my daughter, Ride horses.
-Do you travel?
Got a fav place? We do travel as Valentina's daddy and my fiancé is currently in school in San Antonio. That is our favorite place since we get to see him.
-How did you come to reading mysteries?
When I was pregnant I need to be able to read something slightly light hearted but also had the suspense and who done it. Cozies were perfect!
-Do you have a fav mystery show? Movie?
I love Sherlock Holmes and Murder She Wrote!
-Do you have a fav book that you reread from time to time? My favorite is a classic- Pride and Prejudice.
-Do you remember the first mystery your read?
It was the first in the Laura Bradford series "Hearse and Buggy". Boy did it get me sucked in! Now I read any cozy I can get my hands on.
-Is there a character in a book or movie that you wish you could pal around with?
I wish I could be a pal to all the characters I read. The series and books are so well written that all the leading ladies appeal to me as a book.
I am currently finishing my B.S. In History and plan for a masters this fall. I love reading and escaping to the worlds that the cozy authors create.
Spotlight Saturday: SCANDALS, SECRETS AND MURDER
by Maggie Sefton
Good Morning! This is a Cozy Chicks Spotlight Saturday, so I am Spotlighting my Historical Mystery set in 1890 Washington, D.C. Check it out!
SCANDALS, SECRETS, AND MURDER:The Widow and the Rogue Mysteries
by Maggie Sefton
Powerful and corrupt U.S. Senator Horace Chester is stabbed to death in a Murder Bay brothel, wrapped in the arms of his evening’s entertainment. His assailant escapes into the crush of unwashed bodies filling the streets of 1890 Washington’s notorious red light district just a few blocks from the President’s House.
Amanda Duncan,wealthy young Washington widow, tries to ignore the clairvoyant visions that flash unbidden before her eyes. Since she couldn’t save her own family, perhaps her visions can help others. Now, Amanda turns her back on Washington society and deliberately treads where no respectable lady would dare. This latest vision was most troubling. She saw a man stabbed to death by a shadowy assailant and a young girl screaming.
Devlin Burke, English investor and sometime sleuth, is in Washington on family business and to rescue his nephew Freddie who’s gone bankrupt in one of Sen. Chester’s investment schemes. In a rage, Freddie attacked Chester in a crowded Capitol Hill hallway only days before the senator’s murder. Freddie has no alibi and is now the police inspector’s prime suspect.
Devlin and Amanda join forces in a search to find Senator Chester’s killer, which takes them from the Capital’s poshest salons into the crime-infested streets of Murder Bay. Devlin’s sleuthing instincts and Amanda’s psychic detection lead them ever closer to the truth. But the closer they approach, the more desperate the killer becomes---and the more dangerous.
Good Morning! This is a Cozy Chicks Spotlight Saturday, so I am Spotlighting my Historical Mystery set in 1890 Washington, D.C. Check it out!
SCANDALS, SECRETS, AND MURDER:The Widow and the Rogue Mysteries
by Maggie Sefton
Powerful and corrupt U.S. Senator Horace Chester is stabbed to death in a Murder Bay brothel, wrapped in the arms of his evening’s entertainment. His assailant escapes into the crush of unwashed bodies filling the streets of 1890 Washington’s notorious red light district just a few blocks from the President’s House.
Amanda Duncan,wealthy young Washington widow, tries to ignore the clairvoyant visions that flash unbidden before her eyes. Since she couldn’t save her own family, perhaps her visions can help others. Now, Amanda turns her back on Washington society and deliberately treads where no respectable lady would dare. This latest vision was most troubling. She saw a man stabbed to death by a shadowy assailant and a young girl screaming.
Devlin Burke, English investor and sometime sleuth, is in Washington on family business and to rescue his nephew Freddie who’s gone bankrupt in one of Sen. Chester’s investment schemes. In a rage, Freddie attacked Chester in a crowded Capitol Hill hallway only days before the senator’s murder. Freddie has no alibi and is now the police inspector’s prime suspect.
Devlin and Amanda join forces in a search to find Senator Chester’s killer, which takes them from the Capital’s poshest salons into the crime-infested streets of Murder Bay. Devlin’s sleuthing instincts and Amanda’s psychic detection lead them ever closer to the truth. But the closer they approach, the more desperate the killer becomes---and the more dangerous.
February 4, 2016
Liar, liar, pants on fire!
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
Sadly, my brother and I lost our mother last June. Since then, we've been working to liquidate her estate. I'm the executor (actually, executrix), but my brother took on the task of selling off the bigger stuff in her estate. It was good luck for us (but not for him) that he had to have surgery over the summer, which kept him on disability for over six months while he healed. We (well, I) had a number of garage sales (seven, to be exact) but he took on the task of taking pictures and writing descriptions to put the bigger items on Craigslist.
OMG -- did he kvetch and moan about dealing with people who thought they might want to see things, but then decided they didn't. But then again they might, but then decided they didn't. UNTIL they decided they DID, until they decided they didn't.
I thought he was just being crabby.
And then he went back to work and could no longer deal with these iffy people. Now it's me who has to deal with them. Because, let's face it--a writer DOESN'T HAVE A REAL JOB and should be AVAILABLE 24/7 because ... hey, writing isn't work, right?
WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But that's not my brother's fault. He DOES have to show up at his (two) jobs and I'm here sitting in my office with two cats sitting behind me by my little heater while I tap out the latest adventures of Jeff Resnick and Tricia Miles.
So ... a week ago, a book dealer contacted us wanting to look at my mother's books. The ad says we have QUILTING books (because my mother was a superb quilter and could do just about anything in the sewing/knitting arts). But this book dealer's REAL interest is cookbooks--most of them went to the local Friends of the Library (and I only recently found out, thanks to paperwork she kept, that my mother was a founding member of that organization).
My brother has to work his two jobs, so I said I would meet the guy, who DESPERATELY wanted to see the books yesterday. Except ... he never called. me. I changed my plans for the day because he MIGHT call. But then he didn't.
Mr. L and I go out to lunch on either Wednesdays or Fridays. We didn't go Wednesday, so today is it.
Mr. I-WANT-THOSE-BOOKS has not yet called.
Should he call later today--sorry buddy, but you're out of luck. I ain't giving up lunch with Mr. L for you who may or may not show up.
Sadly, I now understand my brother's frustration. He's skeptical of EVERYBODY who says they want to check my mother's suff out. And now so am I.
I keep thinking ot that song, "Why ya gotta be so rude?"
Yeah, Craigslist people. Why ya gotta be so rude?
Have you ever run into this phenomenon?
Sadly, my brother and I lost our mother last June. Since then, we've been working to liquidate her estate. I'm the executor (actually, executrix), but my brother took on the task of selling off the bigger stuff in her estate. It was good luck for us (but not for him) that he had to have surgery over the summer, which kept him on disability for over six months while he healed. We (well, I) had a number of garage sales (seven, to be exact) but he took on the task of taking pictures and writing descriptions to put the bigger items on Craigslist.OMG -- did he kvetch and moan about dealing with people who thought they might want to see things, but then decided they didn't. But then again they might, but then decided they didn't. UNTIL they decided they DID, until they decided they didn't.
I thought he was just being crabby.And then he went back to work and could no longer deal with these iffy people. Now it's me who has to deal with them. Because, let's face it--a writer DOESN'T HAVE A REAL JOB and should be AVAILABLE 24/7 because ... hey, writing isn't work, right?
WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But that's not my brother's fault. He DOES have to show up at his (two) jobs and I'm here sitting in my office with two cats sitting behind me by my little heater while I tap out the latest adventures of Jeff Resnick and Tricia Miles.
So ... a week ago, a book dealer contacted us wanting to look at my mother's books. The ad says we have QUILTING books (because my mother was a superb quilter and could do just about anything in the sewing/knitting arts). But this book dealer's REAL interest is cookbooks--most of them went to the local Friends of the Library (and I only recently found out, thanks to paperwork she kept, that my mother was a founding member of that organization). My brother has to work his two jobs, so I said I would meet the guy, who DESPERATELY wanted to see the books yesterday. Except ... he never called. me. I changed my plans for the day because he MIGHT call. But then he didn't.
Mr. L and I go out to lunch on either Wednesdays or Fridays. We didn't go Wednesday, so today is it.Mr. I-WANT-THOSE-BOOKS has not yet called.
Should he call later today--sorry buddy, but you're out of luck. I ain't giving up lunch with Mr. L for you who may or may not show up.
Sadly, I now understand my brother's frustration. He's skeptical of EVERYBODY who says they want to check my mother's suff out. And now so am I.
I keep thinking ot that song, "Why ya gotta be so rude?"
Yeah, Craigslist people. Why ya gotta be so rude?
Have you ever run into this phenomenon?
February 3, 2016
Don't call me dear!
By Mary Jane Maffini aka Victoria Abbott
Are there things that really bug you? For me, it’s being called ‘dear’ in a restaurant, doctor’s office or shop. I hear ‘you poor old dithery thing’.
I don’t know what they intend, but that’s what I interpret. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a person who dwells on age much and I am aware that I no longer fit in the ‘no spring chicken’ catergory. I’m fine with that. Plus, I come from a great place (Cape Breton) where everyone calls everyone ‘dear’. It doesn’t mean ‘you poor old thing’ their either. It’s just a warm and friendly term used by people of all ages to people of all ages.
Outside of Cape Breton, it seems to mean something quite different. I find it condescending and just short of a curled lip. I notice it's rarely used for large, young men. I'd be happy to be corrected on this.
I arrived home recently seething from a restaurant one night and called to complain to Victoria. “The waiter kept calling me ‘dear’. Victoria said, “And did you call him Lamb Chop? Honeybun? Cuddlekins?’
As it turned out, I hadn’t said any of that. I did get a good laugh out of it, but future ‘dear’ attacks, I couldn’t quite manage to say, ‘Thanks, Lamb Chop.’
Part of the problem is that I know that being a food server is a tough job with a lot of pressure and most of them mean well (even if they think I am a poor old thing). I like people in food service and try to treat them right. Still the sound of dear and other condescending names (nouns and pronouns) make me mad. You think they’d figure that out by looking at me.
I'M GETTING THAT BUTTON Then last night, at a lovely restaurant, the young waiter kept saying “How are we?” “Are we ready to order?” “Would we like anything else?” Aside from this, he seemed like a nice ‘lad’, looked like a smaller version of Damien Lewis and was very efficient. So I didn’t say “Oh, are you joining us?” But I’m sure it was clearly written in the talk bubble over my head I found this ‘we’ thing annoying too, but nowhere near as bad as “How are you young ladies tonight?” This is always said to a group of not at all young ladies by a man, either young or middle aged. What message are we to take from it? We fooled you? You really think we’re young ladies? There’s something about our not at all young ladyness that needs speaking about? Now over to you readers! Should I just get over myself? Should I call the next server Sugar Lumps? Or should I get a large button made that says “DON’T CALL ME DEAR”? or maybe one that states “Be careful. I know 147 ways to kill someone.”?
While we’re talking, what really riles you?
