Kate Collins's Blog, page 250

Mud Slingers, Go Away!

by Kate Collins

 Boy, am I sick of political mud-slinging. I’m in the Chicago TV viewing area, so even though I live in Indiana, I get all of Chicago’s, and Illinois’, political advertisements. And are they nasty! They really go for the throat. And then there’s a backlash from the opposing party to sling mud in the other direction.
Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I prefer ads touting a politician’s good works. When I hear negative ads about one candidate, I actually think negatively about his or her opponent, and I’m pretty certain that’s not the intended outcome. But I really want to shout, “It’s making you look really petty and mean-spirited, buddy, and there’s no way I’d vote for you now!”
I’ll be so glad when the elections are over.  I’ve heard that in the UK, the candidates are announced six weeks before the election. So before you know it, it’s over!
I’ve heard rough estimates on the millions of dollars spent on political campaigns and TV ads, and I keep thinking that if all that moola was spent on something worthwhile, say, the homeless, the veterans, or senior citizens’ health care, how much better off this country would be. But will the outpouring of money stop? Ha.
Are you with me? And are you sick of the political ads on Facebook, too? 

Um ... X Factor. Simon. What Are You Thinking?

by Leann

First of all, my thoughts go out to all who are recovering from the storm. Having been through numerous hurricanes and tropical storms on the Texas Gulf Coast, I understand how difficult the aftermath can be. My heart also goes out to the people of Ohio who are suffering through an average of 333 political ads on TV and radio per day. Ridiculous. That one billion dollars the candidates are spending could sure feed, clothe or provide medical care to a LOT of people. Why one state will determine a big election, however, is a thought for another day. So let's go for distraction. X Factor bash alert!!

I like reality talent shows. So You Think You Can Dance, The Voice, American Idol and even the now cancelled Sing Off. Love them. I understand what it means to catch a break after you have prepared to "put yourself out there." Many, many people wish they could get a record deal or a publishing contract. But like athletes, those who "go pro" make up a small percentage of the "applicants." By far my current favorite show in this category is So You Think You Can Dance. But my daughter is a dancer and performance artist so I'm a tad prejudiced.

Then there's the pathetically trashy X Factor. When one contestant actually wore a paint-can full of yellow eyeliner and crawled on the floor, I threw up my hands in disgust. Not what I want to see in an entertainer. Their singing voice should grab me first, not the horror show going on around them. Who is responsible for the wildly over-produced numbers? Someone on an LSD trip? I swear the migraine I woke up with in the middle of the night had been triggered by flashing lights, silver spiked hair and oh ... that performer crawling on the floor. Simon Cowell  described one contestant as "desperate." No Simon, your whole program is desperate. The silly host whose last name starts with "K" can go home and stay there. Can we vote HER off? I swear, Mario Lopez could have stood there and said nothing and I would have been more entertained.

My hope is that in future weeks, these people will be allowed to just SING. (Hopefully someone will give them lessons on the technology of that little plastic do-dad in their ear. They're singing off key, probably because most of them have never used the equipment before.)  I do love The Voice and am looking forward to their live shows. Don't know if I can take a whole season of X Factor, but I am an eternal optimist. It's got to get better. Right? Right???

What about you? Have you watched? What do YOU think?

Isn’t It Strange?

by Heather
I’m sure I’m not the only one glued to the TV this week, watching the news on Sandy. The news, of course, has gone from bad to worse, and I have a sinking feeling the worst is yet to come as the full extent of the damage and loss has yet to be determined.
It just breaks my heart seeing the devastation, hearing the reports, and knowing I have good friends in the midst of it all (they’re safe, thankfully!).
One thing that has really struck me is how strange it feels...being normal. Acting normally. Here in the Midwest, nothing has changed for me, not really. Which is a blessing, for sure, but I’m left with this overwhelming sense of helplessness. And of feeling guilty, too, when I have so much and there are so many who have lost everything.
Even though I’m not there physically, there are things I can do. Send not only prayers and good thoughts but also notes of support. And donate to help those in need. I imagine every little bit helps in situations like this. And I’m really hoping that one day soon everyone affected by this hurricane will start to feel normal soon...
The Red Cross   Donate $10 easily by texting  REDCROSS to 90999 
The Humane Society  


[image error]

Holy Cow! It’s holiday catalog season

by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett

[image error] I don’t know about you, but for the past week or so, my mailbox has been stuffed with holiday catalogs.  EVERY DAY-- and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Mind you, they do hold me captive.  I’m such a sucker.  If money were no object—and if I had a 50,000 square foot house—I’d fill it with lots of items featured in them.  I'd order most of that stuff for myself, too.  I mean ... hey, isn't that what capitalism is all about?

For instance . . .
[image error] For a mere $69.95, the Victoria Trading Company has a ceramic foot bath large enough for both feet, AND it’s decorated with a Chintz floral pattern.  How have I lived this long without one?  (And shouldn't I buy a a bunch of them for all my relatives, too?)

The Lakeside Collection catalog has a beautiful set of 52 pastel gel pens in a handsome case.  I once bought such a collection of pens.  It would have been a terrific bargain had any of the pens actually worked.

[image error] I’ve yet to see a Harry & David catalog (and make no mistake…it WILL arrive, and not just once, either), but the Carolina Cookie Company, Lands End, LL Bean, and many, many more have already ended up in my recycling bin; most of them without ever being looked at.

I hope these catalogs were made with recycled paper, and that the forests the trees came from are well maintained and replanted on a regular basis.  At this time of year, when we get so many political mailers, and now the glut of holiday catalogs and other advertising circulars, why is the Post Office in such dire straits?  (The Cozy Chicks and I are holding up our ends by sending out bookmarks to our readers on a regular basis.)

That said, I’ve actually found a few items I intend to order as Christmas gifts—things I would have never considered were it not for those catalogs and circulars. I may look to see if they’re available for cheaper on other sites (such as Amazon), but they have at least given me potential gift items to think about.

How about you?  Do the holiday catalogs ever entice you to buy?[image error]

M-m Muffins

by Lucy Arlington


When I was a stay-at-home mom (way too many years ago!), muffins were a staple around our house. I was all about natural and homemade food for my kids, and a muffin was one way to get nutrition packed into a tasty snack or part of a good breakfast. I baked all kinds, experimenting with different grains, adjusting the sugar content, adding a variety of nuts or fruit into them. When we discovered that one of my sons had food allergies, I experimented with substitutions for milk and eggs. Finding the perfect muffin recipe was a continual enterprise, and the family loved my dedication to the venture because, well, they loved muffins!
But as they do, the kids grew up and left the nest. With just my husband and me at home, I stopped baking muffins. My cooking focus is still on natural and homemade food, but it is also on weight friendly food, and somehow muffins don’t fit into that.
However, last week I was inexplicably struck with a muffin craving. On my counter sat three very ripe, almost completely black bananas that needed using up, and they seemed the perfect ingredient with which to begin. Using not-too-much sugar, low-fat yogurt, whole wheat flour and blueberries, my sweet temptation was healthy to boot. We had the muffins for breakfast, warm out of the oven, and accompanied with scrambled eggs. Yummy! There were lots left over to put in the freezer, and they’ll be there the next time a muffin craving hits.
Do you love muffins as much as me? Do you have a favourite muffin recipe?
Banana Blueberry Muffins
¼ cup melted butter or canola oil¾ cup sugar2-3 mashed very ripe bananas2 large eggs1/3 cup low-fat plain yogurt2 tsp vanilla1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup whole wheat flour1 tsp baking soda¼ tsp salt1 cup frozen blueberries (unthawed)
1. Preheat oven to 400˚F.2. In a large bowl, stir the butter or oil and sugar until well combined. Add the bananas, eggs, yogurt and vanilla, and beat until well blended. Don’t worry about having a few lumps of banana.3. Add the flours, baking soda, salt and blueberries, and stir by hand until just combined.4. Scoop batter into 24 paper-lined muffin tins. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

The Little Goblin Who Came To Stay

by Deb Baker

Twenty-four years ago today, I was in the hospital bringing my son into the world. What a special day it was. I didn’t even think about the date. I had more important things on my mind.

But according to a Yale study, fewer babies are born on Halloween than any other day of the year. That fact led the researchers to conclude that a woman can control her labor by delaying or speeding up the birth to avoid the bad voodoo connotation associated with Halloween.

Are they kidding?
Really?
Were any mothers on that team?
Mom's, if you can do that please speak up now!

Modern medical technology has come a long way since that day when, to everybody’s surprise, I delivered a whopper of a pumpkin - all 9 pounds 1 ounce of my baby boy  - in the late afternoon on October 31st.

Happy Birthday, Son. I love you!

And to all the rest of you out there:

Trick or treat
Smell my feet
Give me something good to eat

Have a perfectly ghoulish day! 
 
 

Escaped in the Nick Of Time

by Maggie Sefton



Whew!  I made it out of White Plains, New York Sunday evening by the skin of my teeth.  Believe me, I was sitting in Westchester County airport all of Sunday afternoon watching the trees in the distance through the airport windows, afraid that I'd see the treetops begin to sway with the wind that was due to arrive on the edge of Hurricane Sandy.  I wasn't alone in my anxiety, either.  Other novelists who had attended the amazingly information-filled Novelists Inc conference at the White Plains Crowne Plaza were also on the edges of their seats.  So were several businessmen and vacationing families.

We'd all heard from pilots we encountered in the hotel and shuttles to the airport that our 5:00pm flights out to Chicago and elsewhere "should be all right.". Then they all added that later that after that flight, there would be cancellations galore.  We grabbed what encouragement from those few words, but we still watched the trees in the distance, afraid we'd see hurricane winds
 coming.  

Our weather prayers must have been answered because the wind stayed calm and our smaller jet showed up on time and we were loaded on board swiftly and airborne in a matter of minutes.  Whew!  There were a few minutes of bumpiness, then smooth flying to Chicago in the midst of the calm Midwest.  Of course, my flight to Colorado was delayed, but I was no longer in the path of the storm, so that wasn't a big deal.

Have you ever had to escape bad weather while traveling?

Where Did All This Stuff Come From?

 By Kate Collins
I’m days away from moving to a new home, a smaller place that requires a paring down of my belongings by half. As I systematically go through all my cabinets, drawers, and closets, I’m overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff.  How did that happen? Were things propagating in the closet?
It’s impossible to calculate how much money was spent acquiring all of it because it happened over so many years. How much of it is essential? Not very much.
And yet I have a difficult time parting with it.  I have a bad habit of attaching sentimental value to objects. I hold onto them even when I don’t use them or want to display them. But since my storage space will be limited, I’ve had to be ruthless about weeding out all but the most important things.  I worry that what I’ve saved won’t find a place in the new house and then what will I do?
The oddest thing has happened to me during this process. I find I don’t want to accumulate any more stuff. Paring down has given me a sense of freedom, and I like the clean, sparser look. Now when my friends are oohing over home decorations at Pier 1, all I can think of is that I’ll have to store it somewhere.
Where do you fall on the scale of sparseness to clutter? Have you ever had to pare down or does the thought of doing so bring on an anxiety attack? Do you hold onto things because of sentiment?
Here’s the biggest question. Could you give away half of everything you own?
Have a great week.Kate

Taylor Swift-er

by Leann

I didn't want to like Taylor Swift. What was all the hype? I remember thinking several years ago when she started winning every award she was nominated for. But when she started making appearances on The Ellen Show, darn it all, I started warming up to her.

This week, with the release of her new album, Red, she was on every daytime talk show and even on a night time "news magazine." Since I just turned in a manuscript and was down with a stomach virus, I think I caught every talk show on TV this past week. There she was, everywhere I looked. (Except on Maury. THANK GOODNESS! No DNA test required.) What I found fascinating is that many times, when celebrities are doing press junkets, they sound the same during every interview. Not so with this girl. She had something new to add to the story with each appearance.

By the time I'd seen her for the last time on Friday, I wanted to make her my daughter. Just kidnap the cute thing and invite her to Thanksgiving dinner with the family. She's sweet, she's warm, she's lovely and she is one smart cookie. Great sense of humor, great humility and far more talented than I ever gave her credit for. Maybe "We Will Never, Ever, Ever Get Back Together," isn't an original idea for a song but it's FUNNY. Maybe "Red," her cover title, is a tad derivative (Um, remember "Yellow" from Coldplay?) but it will still sell well and she put her Taylor stamp on it.

What is an old lady like me doing listening to songs intended for the teen market? I don't know. I love music, love creativity and love when people can be genuine. Simple as that. But gosh, maybe it's also because she had me when she said, "I love crime shows." Oh. And she has a cat.Yup. I like you Taylor, bless your heart.

What about you? Any unusual or secret "likes" when it comes to music?

Inspired By Images: How My Muse Works

By Ellery Adams

A question that's always thrown me for a loop is: where does your inspiration come from?

I never knew how to reply because I haven't actually thought about how I cobble a book together.

Sure, I know that all revolves around my characters. They do speak to me and make demands and I have goals for each one. I know which mistakes they need to make, which people they should kiss (and shouldn't kiss but do anyway), and how they'll grow, but it wasn't until I began writing the 4th Books By the Bay mystery, WRITTEN IN STONE, that I realized that I am very influenced by objects and images.


In the middle of an eBay search, I happened to see a listing for a pottery memory jug. I was absolutely fascinated by all the objects embedded in the clay and wondered if they were like a scrapbook of someone's life. Intrigued, I started researching memory jugs.

A few days later my husband's medical journal arrived and for some reason I glanced at one of the articles on the front page. I never do this, but I was intrigued by the photograph of a Lumbee Indian. I've never heard of the tribe before and was surprised to learn they were from North Carolina. Again, I began to research and between the jug and the history of the Lumbee tribe, a seed of a plot idea began to form in my mind.

The third element came from some old and not very good movie or TV show I was watching when I was half-asleep. I can't even remember what it was about, but there was a wonderfully wrinkled lady fortune teller in it and I found her very, very interesting. I turned off the TV, but her face stuck with me and when I got into bed, I closed my eyes and saw her as a Lumbee Indian. As a potter who made memory jugs. As a character who would meet Olivia Limoges.

And that's how Written in Stone was born. Out of these seemingly disconnected images and objects. I love this book and hope you will too and I hope you'll look for the jug, the fortune teller (I call her a witch), and the Lumbee.

Written in Stone comes out November 6th! Happy Reading!