Kate Collins's Blog, page 298

Can the British Parliament Please Step In?

by Leann

I don't write political blogs. I don't want to. Just consider this a rant, because I comment on our world or my life, for whatever it's worth. This week I noted how Rupert Murdoch got smacked down by one person after another as he was forced to sit in the British Parliament and explain his company's illegal, unethical behavior. Let me tell you, it was great. I loved it.

Then I started thinking how wonderful it would be if we could do something similar here. Make the congressional leaders from both parties, along with the executive leaders, the president included, sit down and listen to US. US as in U.S. No tea party-ers or far left wingers invited. Just US. We may not get through--okay, I doubt we'd get through--but I'd love to hear them suffer just a taste of what Rupert Murdoch got. Straight forward chastisement.

I'm frustrated that as I near retirement, I am worrying everyday about all the money I have responsibly set aside for my golden years. I do not trust any of those bozos in Washington to take care of me and the millions of people like me. That is a sad state of affairs for a country that is supposed to have a participatory democracy. These guys and ladies, IMHO, are taking care of their political futures first and the rest of us, well, not FIRST as it should be. (Though I am sure there are a few exceptions whose voices are not being heard.)

Shame on you, politicians. Congress shouldn't be a working place where you figuratively hold up your protest signs. If I'd EVER done that when I worked my day job, I would have been fired on the spot. No waiting for 2012. On the spot. Leave the building. My guess is, after all this nonsense, the attitude a year from now will be "throw the rascals out." We may have to sit biting our fingernails right now, but those fingers will busy at the voting booth. Unfortunately, congress, you've made sure your pensions will be safe. Mine? Thanks to you, I'm not so sure.

How many of you think congress deserves a pie in the face, just like Murdoch got?

Different Degrees of Chocolate

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

There's a myth (or maybe it is truth) that authors go absolutely crazy over chocolate.

I'm bucking that myth. Don't get me wrong, I'm not about to turn down a box of Godiva (or even Russell Stover), but shoving something chocolate under my nose is no guarantee I'll eat it.

The way I see it, there are different degrees of chocolate.  The really good stuff, and the subpar stuff, and guess which ones I like best?

Yesterday I visited a rummage sale where all the books were 25 cents each.  (I know--a real crime.)  I bought a cookbook, with gorgeous photography, all about chocolate.  I found ONE recipe I would make.  Why?  Because mostly they were just pouring on chocolate sauce or adding chocolate chips to desserts that were perfectly fine without it. 

Here's a list of some of my chocolate yeses and nos:

Chocolate cake (in any form):  NO!
Chocolate brownies (preferably with walnuts and chocolate frosting--but I can eat them without) YES!
Ice Cream with chocolate sauce:  NO!
Chocolate chip cookies:  YES!
Chocolate milk:  NO!
Hot chocolate:  YES!
A Hershey chocolate bar:  NO!
A Lindt chocolate bar:  YES!

How do you feel about the degrees of chocolate?

Say What?

By Heather Webber / Heather Blake
I was brought back to my teenage years twice this week by the same three-letter word.
Der.
Yes, der. It was one of those words I grew up with, an old-fashioned retro version of today's modern "duh." I used it all through junior high and high school. It was part of the lingo of my teens.
It's strange that I haven't heard it – haven't even thought of it – in years, yet I heard it twice in one week. Maybe it's making a comeback. If so, I'm going to have to start brushing off other words and phrases I used back then in case they make a comeback, too. Words like "wicked" (this might be a New England thing) or "touched in the head," "dipstick," "awesome" (endlessly!), "psych" and "dweeb."
How about you? Do you remember the lingo of your teen years?

Impulse Buys

By Ellery Adams

I don't know why, but lately I've been succumbing to a shopping no-no: impulse buys. I usually succumb to this temptation the most at Target, but since summer began, I've been buying things all over the place without much thought...until the bill comes!
I started off small with a pair of flip-flops that I didn'treally need but were super cute. Then there was the kids' movie I hadn't seen but figured was worth $5 and the pack of gum positioned near the registers. (I read that candy distributors heavily rely on impulse buys from customers waiting in line to check out).
From there, things got more serious. A cookbook on the art of baking, some freeze-dried blueberries that were more expensive than the real deal, a gigantic cat tree to keep the kittens happy,and a hand-forged heron metal sculpture that I bought from a fair (the artist was demonstrating his work and I thought it was amazing).
I like most of the things I bought, but realize that I didn't need any of it. Not really. Then again, we don't need ice cream, do we? Sometimes, an impulse buy makes us smile or keeps us sane. I just need to balance what I need with what catches my fancy.
What was your last impulse buy?

Home Is Where The Heart Is

by Deb Baker/Hannah Reed

I just returned from the Michigan U.P., one of the places I treasure more than any other. I was born and raised there, and I love to go back. The Gladstone beach, where I took the most frigid swims, is now in the top five best beaches in the U.P. It deserves the recognition. I walked through the sand, waves slapping at my ankles, the water was as cold as I remembered.

Next, I drove slowly past the first home my dad built for the family, then parked across the street from the house where my grandparents had lived. Until the neighbors became suspicious.
After that, I walked through a field I'd grown up playing in as a kid. We used to pick berries, climb an enormous sand hill, pretend we were cowboys and cowgirls.
This time I found wild blueberries in that field. They were so good. Then I had ice cream at the Dairy Flo, just like when I was little, just like Grandma Johnson and Blaze did in one of their mystery adventures.

At a library event, the mayor of Escanaba proclaimed me "one of the most distinguished writers in the history of literature in the U.P." I have the proclamation and gold seal to prove it. I'm sure Mayor Cheves never read my work or really knew who I was, but they're desperate for any kind of news up there.

Anyway, the timing of that trip couldn't have been more perfect. Because my next Gertie Johnson Yooper mystery, Murder Bites the Bullet, came out right after I got back, a week earlier than I expected. So it's available. Later, if you have time, stop by my website, where you can read an excerpt.

So how about you? Any special places that are dear to your heart?

Up, Up, Among the Stars

by Maggie Sefton







As promised----I've included five of the photos my Astronaut daughter Serena sent me. A NASA photographer took them. Aren't they gorgeous! I'll be posting them on Facebook also. Along with the link to my oldest daughter's Facebook page where she's posted a video she took of the launch, which is excellent. Her Facebook page: Christine Zanellato.



Last week, I spoke about how much fun it was to have the entire family together for that special occasion of the Atlantis shuttle launch. Today, I wanted to share some other moments we experienced during that hectic launch day Friday, July 8th and the special NASA family/friends tour of Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, July 9th. The weather gurus were predicting a 70% chance of launch cancellation for two days preceding Friday's launch, but Serena told us that NASA's policy was to go through with everything right up to the last available cancellation window and see if "a miracle would happen" and the weather would suddenly improve.





All the families/guests were at a large hotel complex in Orlando, the Caribe Royale, so our meeting place was the hotel's convention center. Perfect for gathering 300+ people. Meeting time: 5:15am for scheduled 6:00am departure for Cape Canaveral & Kennedy Space Center. I was staying in the suite with daughters Serena, Maria, & Melissa and we were all up at what former Naval officer Maria called "O-dark, thirty." Which in our case was 4:15am. We walked from our condo around to the convention center and saw all these buses lined up, one after the other, motors running. Inside, the troops gathered, and we got to watch the families straggle in, young children sleeping in parents' arms. My youngest granddaughter AnaSofia was sound asleep on her dad's shoulder. We'd all brought small coolers with snacks/breakfast/fruit to keep us going through the three plus hours it would take to get through all the traffic of spectators going to see the launch. People can find a spot along several causeways that afford a beautiful view of the shuttle launches. Ask your Florida friends. I'll bet they've done it, too.


Once at Banana Island, the spot reserved for NASA guests, we had plenty of time to explore the NASA exhitibition building located near the bleachers. There was a complete life-sized model of an Atlas rocket on display with loads of other exhibits, including booster rockets and the lunar landing module. Cool! What was even better, though, was. . .the clouds parted and the sun came out. :) Sometimes weather miracles do happen. The 11:30am launch countdown clock was ticking away when I returned from staring at rockets and lunar modules and took my spot on the bleachers with family. There was a heart-stopping hold at 31 seconds but was quickly resolved, and that big, beautiful bird flew up, up, and away. Out of Earth's gravity and our sight. Beautiful, gorgeous, and deeply moving. I'll never forget the experience.






The next day, Saturday, was the special NASA scheduled tour of Kennedy Space Center which turned out to be nearly as fascinating as launch day. We got to see the Vehicle Assembly Building where the Atlas rockets are assembled and the shuttle orbiter is lowered into place, so that rocket plus booster rockets plus shuttle orbiter can be slowly rolled out to the launch pad. That was fascinating, but the best was last, when we got to visit the Orbiter Processing Facility where the shuttle orbiters return after launches and journeys in outer space. They are then examined, tested, and repaired,. And lo and behold. . .we were treated to a sight most tourists never see: two shuttl e orbiters---Discovery and Endeavor, recently returned from the International Space Station.





WOW!! Discovery and Endeavor were right over our heads, hanging in their shuttle bays while every inch was examined. They were only 5 feet over our heads!! We got to walk all around, under both shuttle orbiters, and ask questions of the engineers who were escorting us around. Our groups were small, only 8-10 people in each group, so our group naturally peppered our NASA guy with questions. You could see the heat streaks on those ceramic tiles covering the bellies of each orbiter. (No photos were allowed, of course). We could see where some tiles were damaged, actually gouged out, needing repair. Our engineer guide has been working with the orbiters for over 20 years. Believe me, they take great pride in what these shuttles have accomplished. As all American's should be.




The shuttle program of 30 years has concluded, but the future of Americans in space will continue. For a few years, our Astronauts will be hitching rides on the Russian So yuz capsule, a sturdy little workhorse of a vehicle. Tough and reliable. But, inventive minds are already at work on the next generation of American rockets and transporters. The Dragon rocket has already been successfully tested and launched. Within five years, (I hope), American-designed and made rockets will be carrying cargo up to the ISS. Now. . .all they have to do is find a way to stick a couple of seats into those rockets, and we'll be back to launching our own Astronauts again. :)





Space exploration is in our blood. We cannot stop ourselves from exploring any more than we can stop ourselves from dreaming. It IS the stuff of dreams. Dreams come first. Then, dreams turn into reality. Keep dreaming, everyone.

Paving the Road to Hell

by Kate Collins

A young boy in my community died recently from abuses he received at the hands of his father and mother. He was kept in an animal cage, beaten, starved, and only God knows what else, for a long, long time. During that time, he was allegedly home schooled by his mother, so there were no teachers to help him. (Teachers here are mandated to report any suspected abuse and are penalized if they don't.) However, the boy was seen by a couple of doctors who saw evidence of the abuse but never did anything about it. As a result, no one intervened, and the boy died praying for someone to help.

I wonder how those doctors live with themselves now. Did they have an intention of alerting authorities but never got around to it? Or did they simply look the other way? Truly, I don't know which is worse.

In researching a quote for my next book – one of my characters is a constant font of quotations – I Googled "The road to heaven is paved with good intentions." My mom used to use that on my siblings and me when we "intended" to do something but never got around to it. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the quote is actually, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." That's kind of scary.

I wonder how many other acts of charity go undone because the good intention never happened. I know I've been guilty of it a time or two. But if I saw a child who I sensed was being abused, you'd better believe I'd be on the phone the very next minute having someone check it out. Same goes for an animal.I will not tolerate it.

That's why I'm in favor of making the law read that any doctor who suspects abuse, whether child, wife, or husband, must report it or be penalized. How do you feel about that?

Meet My New Friend!

by Leann

As I have shared here and on Facebook, I lost my precious cat Indigo in May. She was my constant companion, always there when I was down and happened to my only "lap cat." Agatha Christie is a sweetheart, but after I adopted her, she didn't come out from behind dressers or the entertainment center for almost a year. She has major trust issues, hates being picked up and so does my other cat Archie Goodwin. They are wonderful, sit beside me, but are in their senior years and aren't about to change. My crazy Rosie is no lap dog either. She is smart and fun, but really adores my husband even though I am the one who feeds her. Doesn't mean she dislikes me. Far from it. But sometimes animals are "one person" critters.

After much thought, I decided it was time for a new kitten--a young kitten with the potential to be that lap cat I so want. I understand there are no guarantees, but certain breeds are more prone to want to "be close." I decided on a ragdoll since Indigo must have some of that breed in her. Ragdolls go limp like, well a ragdoll, when you pick them up and that's what she used to do. She loved riding on my shoulder. Plus, I haven't had a small kitten for 16 years. In that time, I took care of many a stray--feeding, vet care, you name it. I adopted Aggie out of a bad situation, found Archie at the grocery store, tube fed a litter of kittens a feral cat left in my garage when they were about 4 days old, rescued a kitten that a mother cat gave birth to in the ceiling of the school where I worked (he had to be tube fed, too) and just seemed to be the stopping place for many an animal--even a big old turtle who lived in our garden until our neighbor took the old guy to an animal sanctuary he knew about. (I'd saved him from the middle if a busy road.) This time, I bought a cat whose health is certified, has been DNA tested for congenital illness and doesn't need to visit the vet right away. I am easily fatigued and must admit, with a diabetic cat who's had a kidney infection for 4 months and my shorthair who is FIV positive, this time I needed to do what would not affect my own health adversely. Taking animals to the vet as often as I have had to do these past few years simply wears me out.

There is nothing that makes me smile more, with the exception of new grandbabies, than a kitten. I now introduce you to Wexford (named after Ruth Rendell's police detective. Poirot just doesn't roll off the tongue.) In the past week, Wexford and I have become fast friends. He LOVES to cuddle, sleeps right by my side every night, and is doing all those kitten things I had forgotten about--like the sideways walk. Don't you love the sideways walk? Though I was afraid my senior citizen cats would heartily object, I was wrong. Aside from a few hisses and swats, they are fine with him. The dog also sees a potential friend who might have the energy for a game of chase every once in a while. Smiles this week, despite a not-so-fun doctor visit and a battle with pretty bad headaches every day, have been in abundance. What have you done for yourself lately that made your life richer and more joyful? I've answered that question for me, now it's your turn!

Lizzie II

By Lorna Barrett / Lorraine Bartlett / L.L. Bartlett

[image error] NOT the real Lizzie.When my niece was a little girl, she had a bald Cabbage Patch doll named Lizzie.  Good Lord--the sun rose and set on that little doll. (It was one of the newborn dolls who looked similar to this one pictured on the right.)  Once, while on vacation, Lizzie got left behind.  Chaos ensued!!!  My brother had to pay a fortune to have Lizzie Fed-X'd back to make a little girl happy once again. (He said, "That was Lizzie's first and LAST vacation.")

Lizzie started out with a tuft of hair on the top of her head.  It didn't last.  Lizzie had to be (professionally) repaired a number of times.  But that only proved how well loved she was.

Fast forward and my brother is now a Grandpa.  And he's been looking for a Lizzie look-alike for about a year now for his little granddaughter.

Mr. L and I are devoted weekend yard sale warriors.  We've come across a number of "still-in-the-box" Cabbage Patch kids, but the sellers wanted the moon for them and we hadn't run across any "newborn" dolls.

Last weekend I came across a Cabbage Patch (bald) baby at a yard sale.  They were asking $8.  I looked at the doll (who appeared to be fairly well-loved and quite dirty) and called my brother.  He wasn't home.  I emailed him later in the day and said I didn't think she was worth $8 but I might go back the next day and see if they'd take $5.

They did.

Lizzie II Hanging Out to DrySo Lizzie II came home with me.  I washed her head with (uncut) dish soap and it came pretty clean.  But her body was just filthy.  As it happens, I wrote a blog about Oxiclean a few weeks ago.  (See it here.)  And when I opened the new tub of it, it came with a coupon for their gel spot cleaner.  I bought it and tested it on Lizzie II.  Darned if that doll didn't come out clean as a whistle.  (Truth in advertising, though, I did put her through the wash cycle twice, because it was hard to see where I'd slathered her in gel the first time.)

Lizzie II is now sparkling clean and with her new Mom, The Zoaster (long for Zoe).  Will she love Lizzie II as much as her Mom loved Lizzie I?  That's doubtful. As they say, lightening doesn't often strike twice, but I'm hoping that Lizzie II has a happy new (and clean) life.  She deserves it.

Lizzie II ready to go to her new Mom.Did you--or one of your kids--have a beloved doll?  (Mine was a soft baby doll with white hair and I named her Candy.  I still have her.)

Dru's Cozy Report: July Reading List

Welcome to Dru's Cozy Report. This month we're visiting a librarian, a professor, a book store owner, a clothing store owner and a cable cooking show star.

Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay is the first book in the new "Library Lover's" mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, July 2011

Lindsey is just getting into her groove as the director of the Briar Creek Public Library when a vacationing New York editor brings a little buzz to the small town. It's the perfect chance for her friend Beth to sell the children's books she's written. Unfortunately, Beth's boyfriend, Rick, a famous author and local celebrity, tries to stop her. When Lindsey and Beth meet the editor, they uncover the real reason for Rick's bad attitude. They go to confront Rick at his house on the storied and mysterious Thumb Islands, only to find him murdered. The local chief of police likes Beth for the murderer and isn't interested in looking elsewhere. Now Lindsey has to act fast before they throw the book at the wrong person.

When Beth learns what her boyfriend has done, she goes to confront him only to find his murdered body. When it looks like the local cops are zeroing in on her as the prime suspect, Lindsey steps up and begins to investigate Rick only to discover that his life is not what he has presented to the people of Briar Creek, thus begins Lindsey status as an amateur sleuth. What a great debut series. This evenly-paced and well-crafted mystery had me quickly turning the pages as I could not put this book down. I thought I knew who the killer was until the author's clever ploy tripped me up. The calming tone, the local setting, which when described made me want to visit this town, was a perfect backdrop to the wonderful characters that are introduced. This is a great beginning to a fantastic series that I hope to see continue for years on end.

Visit Jenn at www.jennmckinlay.com/

Jenn also writes the "Cupcake Bakery" mystery series.

FTC Full Disclosure - The publisher sent me a copy of this book

The Square Root of Murder by Ada Madison is the first book in the new "Professor Sophie Knowles" mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin), July 2011

Between teaching, publishing puzzles and brainteasers, and beading at the local bead shop, A Hill of Beads, Sophie has a full schedule. Finding a chance to unwind isn't always in the equation. She still manages to make time to celebrate famous scholars of the past with her students. But their latest party makes one of their own a thing of the past. Dr. Keith Appleton was the most disliked professor on campus, but it was Sophie's assistant, Rachel, who had a real problem with him-he refused to recommend her to medical school. Sophie is confident that there's a calculating murderer among them, and equally confident it's not Rachel. The only possible answer is for Sophie to eliminate the lowest common denominator from campus herself.

The relationship between Keith and Rachel was not a good one and when Keith's body is discovered, Rachel becomes the prime suspect in his murder. Believing that Rachel is innocent, Sophie systematically gathers clues that will reveal the killer's identity. This was a good mystery with a well-thought out plot that was hard to put down from the first paragraph to the conclusion. I like the steady and comfortable tone of the story and the interesting conversations that gave me more insights into this wonderful cast of characters. Also included are bonus brain teasers that were fun to do. This enjoyable series is a welcome addition to the cozy mystery genre.

Ada Madison is the pseudonym for Camille Minichino and you can visit her website at www.minichino.com/

Camille also writes the "Miniature" mystery series.

FTC Full Disclosure - The publisher sent me a copy of this book

Foul Play at the PTA by Laura Allen is the second book in the "PTA" mystery series. Publisher: Obsidian, July 2011

PTA meetings at Tarver Elementary School can get pretty heated. But after PTA member Sam Helmstetter is strangled in his car following a meeting, Beth and her best friend Marina, fear there may be a cold-blooded killer in the group. Meanwhile, rumors spread that Beth's newest employee at her children's bookstore is the murderer. Yvonne served time for a similar crime, but DNA evidence eventually proved her innocent. As the new PTA vice president organizes a boycott of the bookstore and the real killer roams the streets of Rynwood, Wisconsin, Beth realizes she'll need to stick her own neck out to catch an elusive strangler.

Not again and not in Rynwood. When Beth finds Sam slumped in his car, she never expected him to be a victim of murder. A recent hire who was exonerated as a convicted killer spurs rumors and fears and when Beth's livelihood is threatened, she and best friend, Marina, resolve to find the killer before all is lost. This was a good mystery that kept me guessing until the end. This charming and character-driven tale kept me entertained by the relationship, the antics and enjoyable banter of best friends Beth and Marina as they search for motives among Sam's acquaintances. Rounding out this wonderful story and giving Beth support are her children and romantic interest, Evan. This good-humored and likeable series is a satisfying adventure with good friends.

Visit Jenn at www.lauraalden.com/

FTC Full Disclosure - The publisher sent me a copy of this book

Skirting The Grave by Annette Blair is the fourth book in the "Vintage Magic" mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, July 2011

Even though Maddie is swamped running Vintage Magic and dealing with the consequences of the visions she gets from certain of her fashion treasures, she's agreed to plan her sister Sherri's baby shower and mentor a design intern. But when Maddie goes to the Mystic train station to pick up her new student, she finds a murder scene instead. The victim: intern Isobel York. Cause of death: suspicious circumstances. Later that evening, a woman claiming to be Isobel appears on her doorstep, and Maddie knows it's not just a case of "whodunit" but "who-is-it." Luckily a gift of lusciously luxe vintage clothes offers clues, and through the '50s wardrobe and accessories are to die for, Maddie is determined to iron out the wrinkles before the murderer can return to put an end to a promising fashion career.

A conspiracy is afoot and the gang doesn't know why someone wants Isobel, Maddie's intern, dead. Being able to read clothes, gives Maddie inside information that she passes on to the detective and FBI agent handling the case. It will take the efforts of Maddie, Nick and Werner to unravel this mystery and save the life of a young woman who Maddie has taken a liking to. This was a fun and enjoyable read that will have you smiling with all that is Madeira Cutler. With truly lovable characters, great dialogue, and glimpse of vintage fashion apparel, this was the best book yet in this enchanting and fabulous series that gets better with time.

Visit Annetten at www.annetteblair.com/

FTC Full Disclosure - The publisher sent me a copy of this book

Pie A La Murder by Melinda Wells is the fourth book in the "Della Cooks" mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, July 2011

Della is in the middle of Operation Pie, a bake sale contest to raise money for charity, when her sweetie pie, Nicholas, drops a bombshell: he has an eighteen-year-old daughter named Celeste, whom he hasn't seen since she was a baby, and she's coming to live with him. But when Celeste-who has some half-baked acting ambitions-becomes embroiled with a Hollywood photographer who intends to exploit her, her father flies into a rage. When Nicholas is discovered at the scene of the man's murder, he becomes the prime suspect. It's up to Della to find the real killer, save her man, and find some way to bond with Celeste, before they all get burned.

Happy Father's Day! Unbeknownst to Della, Nicholas has a nearly adult daughter, Celeste. With Celeste's lofty goals, she takes some not so pretty photographs which enrage Nick and when he is found near the photographer's dead body, Nick immediately becomes the prime suspect. Della does what she does best by easing her way into the police investigation. What a great read! The first line; that is all it took and I was quickly turning the pages on this action-filled story that I could not put down and kept me guessing. I welcome my annual visit with Della because I know she's going to be making delicious meals while grilling suspects. The wonderful characters, the great conversational flow and the comfortable ambiance create a charming and delectable read in this scrumptious series that keeps getting better and better.

Melinda Wells is the pseudonym of Linda Palmer and you can visit her website at www.lindapalmermysteries.com/

FTC Full Disclosure - The publisher sent me a copy of this book

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