Kate Collins's Blog, page 58
July 22, 2018
MIDSOMER MURDERS, LIFE IN AN ENGLISH VILLAGE
By Mary Kennedy
Last night, I binge-watched (okay, it was only 2 episodes) of Midsomer Murders while I cleaned out 3 months of paperwork. It was two of the early episodes, starring John Nettles as Tom Barnaby and Jason Hughes playing his sergeant, Ben Jones.
As always, the county of Midsomer was full of dead bodies, in fact, the episode was called "Four Funerals and a Wedding." a clever take on the movie, "Four Weddings and a Funeral."
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby was drawn into the action immediately while he was acting as the MC at a village fete. (which the Brits pronounce as "fate.").
He was shooting a starter pistol into the air, to signal the beginning of a race, when the victim (riding on horseback) was shot in the head and fell over dead. The camera swings to a close up of John Nettles, who looks perplexed and says, "Don't look at me!" Indeed, we soon discover that the killer has stolen a rifle, added a long range scope and shot the horseback rider. I'm always fascinated by the show, not just because of John Nettles' crime-solving abilities, but for its depiction of English village life.
As many of you know, I'm married to a Brit and some of his relatives live in small villages similar to those portrayed in Midsomer. The villages are charming, picturesque...
Wonderful opportunities for browsing and shopping, or exploring historic sights and centuries-old cathedrals.
Also, lovely for hiking, with long walks finishing up at a pub.
The waterfront villages are especially charming, and I can imagine sitting at the pier, watching the boats come in, while I sip a cup of tea and enjoy a crumpet or scone.
I asked myself what it would be like to live in a village like this. Would I feel claustrophobic, far from the lights and excitement of London? London, of course is only a train ride away, and my Brit in-laws hop on the train to enjoy the city, take in the art galleries, explore museums and try the trendy new restaurants.
And since some of them live in Dover, it's a breeze to take the Chunnel to Paris for the week-end.
So maybe I wouldn't be as isolated as I think. What about you? Could you live in a small English village, or wouldn't that be your cup of tea?
Mary Kennedy
Last night, I binge-watched (okay, it was only 2 episodes) of Midsomer Murders while I cleaned out 3 months of paperwork. It was two of the early episodes, starring John Nettles as Tom Barnaby and Jason Hughes playing his sergeant, Ben Jones.
As always, the county of Midsomer was full of dead bodies, in fact, the episode was called "Four Funerals and a Wedding." a clever take on the movie, "Four Weddings and a Funeral."
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby was drawn into the action immediately while he was acting as the MC at a village fete. (which the Brits pronounce as "fate.").
He was shooting a starter pistol into the air, to signal the beginning of a race, when the victim (riding on horseback) was shot in the head and fell over dead. The camera swings to a close up of John Nettles, who looks perplexed and says, "Don't look at me!" Indeed, we soon discover that the killer has stolen a rifle, added a long range scope and shot the horseback rider. I'm always fascinated by the show, not just because of John Nettles' crime-solving abilities, but for its depiction of English village life.
As many of you know, I'm married to a Brit and some of his relatives live in small villages similar to those portrayed in Midsomer. The villages are charming, picturesque...
Wonderful opportunities for browsing and shopping, or exploring historic sights and centuries-old cathedrals.
Also, lovely for hiking, with long walks finishing up at a pub.
The waterfront villages are especially charming, and I can imagine sitting at the pier, watching the boats come in, while I sip a cup of tea and enjoy a crumpet or scone.
I asked myself what it would be like to live in a village like this. Would I feel claustrophobic, far from the lights and excitement of London? London, of course is only a train ride away, and my Brit in-laws hop on the train to enjoy the city, take in the art galleries, explore museums and try the trendy new restaurants.
And since some of them live in Dover, it's a breeze to take the Chunnel to Paris for the week-end.
So maybe I wouldn't be as isolated as I think. What about you? Could you live in a small English village, or wouldn't that be your cup of tea?
Mary Kennedy
July 19, 2018
Camping 101
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
As I mentioned a few months back, I'm fascinated by RVing. Fellow author Sue Ann Jaffarian has become a full-time RVer. She's still got a day job, but she's currently living in her class B RV and will hit the road when she retires at the end of the year. I love to read her posts and hope she becomes a vlogger.
I'm not great behind the wheel. What I mean by that is, I can drive for about an hour and then I want to fall asleep. That would not be good, so I will have to live vicariously by watching Youtube videos.
But -- someone in my family is more adventurous than me.
A few weeks back, my brother said his wife was bugging him to get a pop-up camper. She thought it would be fun for their granddaughter and give them something to do as a family. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when two weeks later he announced, "We bought a pop-up."
They'd looked at several used campers, and then they found this. I found it almost impossible to believe this pop-up is over ten years old. It's pristine, and they got it for a very good price.
View looking forward.It was a lot roomier than I thought it would be. I believe one of the "beds" is a king while the other is a queen, and the table breaks down so it could be a bed as well. It's got a little 2-burner propane stove, and outdoor shower, and was spotless.
I had been in a pop-up when I was a kid, when they were still made of real canvas, and it smelled musty, which is why I could never see myself wanting one. But this pop-up not only didn't have an ordor, but it was a hot day and it was actually very pleasant inside.
View toward the back.So far they've only gone camping one time because kids today are scheduled up the wazoo. (Soccar -- and like why? It's not like this country is a fan of "real football" (as my Dad would say). Our team couldn't even qualify for the World Cup.) So they are going in two weeks--if not sooner.
I kind of envy them, but then I remember there's no bathroom. (Although they do have a "marine toilet." My brother had one on his boat so he knows all about it. Still....)
Now I would want to do some decorating. Nice lamonate on the floor. Maybe paint the cabinets, etc. but they are find with it as is. (As my brother pointed out, they were outside most of the time anyway socializing with their friends.)
Anyway, I wish them lots of great adventures in their little pop-up.
Are you camper type of person?
As I mentioned a few months back, I'm fascinated by RVing. Fellow author Sue Ann Jaffarian has become a full-time RVer. She's still got a day job, but she's currently living in her class B RV and will hit the road when she retires at the end of the year. I love to read her posts and hope she becomes a vlogger.
I'm not great behind the wheel. What I mean by that is, I can drive for about an hour and then I want to fall asleep. That would not be good, so I will have to live vicariously by watching Youtube videos.
But -- someone in my family is more adventurous than me.A few weeks back, my brother said his wife was bugging him to get a pop-up camper. She thought it would be fun for their granddaughter and give them something to do as a family. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when two weeks later he announced, "We bought a pop-up."
They'd looked at several used campers, and then they found this. I found it almost impossible to believe this pop-up is over ten years old. It's pristine, and they got it for a very good price.
View looking forward.It was a lot roomier than I thought it would be. I believe one of the "beds" is a king while the other is a queen, and the table breaks down so it could be a bed as well. It's got a little 2-burner propane stove, and outdoor shower, and was spotless.I had been in a pop-up when I was a kid, when they were still made of real canvas, and it smelled musty, which is why I could never see myself wanting one. But this pop-up not only didn't have an ordor, but it was a hot day and it was actually very pleasant inside.
View toward the back.So far they've only gone camping one time because kids today are scheduled up the wazoo. (Soccar -- and like why? It's not like this country is a fan of "real football" (as my Dad would say). Our team couldn't even qualify for the World Cup.) So they are going in two weeks--if not sooner.I kind of envy them, but then I remember there's no bathroom. (Although they do have a "marine toilet." My brother had one on his boat so he knows all about it. Still....)
Now I would want to do some decorating. Nice lamonate on the floor. Maybe paint the cabinets, etc. but they are find with it as is. (As my brother pointed out, they were outside most of the time anyway socializing with their friends.)
Anyway, I wish them lots of great adventures in their little pop-up.
Are you camper type of person?
July 18, 2018
Clues on a Cover!
by Karen Rose Smith
I have a wonderful cover artist for my Caprice De Luca Home Stager cozy mystery series. Since Caprice not only stages houses but finds homes for stray animals who come her way, the artist usually included an animal. Caprice herself has adopted two cats--long haired calico Sophia and Persian Mirabelle--as well as her Cocker Spaniel Lady. She believes pets can help, calm, soothe and save their humans. On the cover for CUT TO THE CHAISE, my December Caprice release, Caprice encounters a Schnoodle. He looks just like the one my artist has portrayed on the cover.
Before a cozy is set for publication, my editor asks me for cover ideas and I send him photos. Each element the artist chooses to use on the cover has something important to do with the mystery itself. Front and center on this cover, you can see Caprice's wedding veil and one of her shoes! This book is number 8 in this series and it is Caprice's "wedding" novel. I won't say who she marries in case you haven't read the first books in the series.
Bottles of wine are lined up in the shelves at the back and behind the counter. Much of this book is set at Rambling Vines winery. The setting portrayed on the cover is the tasting room. This is important not only because Caprice furnished it when it was renovated but because Caprice's wedding reception is slated to be held at the winery.
Michelle and Travis Dodd asked Caprice to decorate the winery in a unique way. They wanted a relaxed but classy atmosphere and asked Caprice to include chaise lounges. The tasting room is decorated in teal and claret decor from the leather chaise lounges and club chairs to the pendant hand blown glass lights over the wine tasting counter and the crystal and plates that are used for wine tastings.
After you've read this cozy, maybe you can find additional clues on the cover, hints to important elements in the mystery. There's a story behind each one. CUT TO THE CHAISE is available for pre-order now.
Pre-order CUT TO THE CHAISE on Amazon
Pre-order CUT TO THE CHAISE on Barnes and Noble
I have a wonderful cover artist for my Caprice De Luca Home Stager cozy mystery series. Since Caprice not only stages houses but finds homes for stray animals who come her way, the artist usually included an animal. Caprice herself has adopted two cats--long haired calico Sophia and Persian Mirabelle--as well as her Cocker Spaniel Lady. She believes pets can help, calm, soothe and save their humans. On the cover for CUT TO THE CHAISE, my December Caprice release, Caprice encounters a Schnoodle. He looks just like the one my artist has portrayed on the cover.
Before a cozy is set for publication, my editor asks me for cover ideas and I send him photos. Each element the artist chooses to use on the cover has something important to do with the mystery itself. Front and center on this cover, you can see Caprice's wedding veil and one of her shoes! This book is number 8 in this series and it is Caprice's "wedding" novel. I won't say who she marries in case you haven't read the first books in the series.Bottles of wine are lined up in the shelves at the back and behind the counter. Much of this book is set at Rambling Vines winery. The setting portrayed on the cover is the tasting room. This is important not only because Caprice furnished it when it was renovated but because Caprice's wedding reception is slated to be held at the winery.
Michelle and Travis Dodd asked Caprice to decorate the winery in a unique way. They wanted a relaxed but classy atmosphere and asked Caprice to include chaise lounges. The tasting room is decorated in teal and claret decor from the leather chaise lounges and club chairs to the pendant hand blown glass lights over the wine tasting counter and the crystal and plates that are used for wine tastings.
After you've read this cozy, maybe you can find additional clues on the cover, hints to important elements in the mystery. There's a story behind each one. CUT TO THE CHAISE is available for pre-order now.
Pre-order CUT TO THE CHAISE on Amazon
Pre-order CUT TO THE CHAISE on Barnes and Noble
July 17, 2018
Wedding with a Bang!
Evie Bloomfield here on Mackinac Island from the
Cycle Path Mysteries
. We all know not all weddings are created equal but to have the bride shoot the wedding planner may be a new one.
Okay, maybe he had it coming. Maybe he did forget to order the tables and chairs for the reception and went with picnic baskets and blankets for a sit on the lawn affair. Maybe he did forget to order the cake but he did scrounge up those cupcakes from Doud’s Market that weren’t too bad. And what about the good things? He ordered the best Champagne ever and lots of it.
Why did he remember the Champagne when he forgot everything else? Does it have to do with the dead guy on the docks who had a bottle of Champagne clutched in his hands? Does it have anything to do with the smuggling booze operation into Canada?Not that the bride cares diddly about any of that all she wanted was a wedding to remember and a dead wedding planner with a musket ball in his chest is sure to make that happen.July 16, 2018
Slipping Back in Time
by Maggie SeftonIle Sainte Louis with Notre Dame in the distance
My goodness----Mary Kennedy has done it again. Her great post yesterday awoke some old memories of the wonderful opportunities I had years and years ago to wander freely about the beautiful city of Paris. Plenty of memories of wandering about that picturesque area "Le Marais" filled with bakeries and wonderful specialty food shops----cheese and desserts to die for. I loved simply poking among those shops and choosing lunch, Parisian style.
My favorite luncheon spot was that 17th Century jewel of a park, Place de Vosges. Surrounded on all four sides by those gorgeous buildings from the 1600s, it was truly a special spot. I was writing historical novels back in those days, and I was submerged in what I refer to as my Musketeer Swashbuckler. Brave Musketeers, a scheming Italian Cardinal Mazarin, plots to kidnap the Queen----it was great fun to write. The heroine was a widow who had a winery in the Loire Valley where she produced a wonderful white wine popular during those days----Vouvray. "The finest Vouvray in France, monsieur." :)
And that beautiful jewel from the 1600s----Ile Sainte-Louis---hosted many scenes from the novel. So I had lots of reasons to wander about Paris, gathering ideas and capturing settings. This was early in my writing career---early 1990s, and England and Scotland were the preferred historical novel settings in those days. So, my Musketeer Swashbuckler didn't stir any editorial interest. In fact, I still remember what one NY editor said when I had a 10 minute "pitch session" with her. "France. I really don't like France. Why don't you set that novel in Scotland instead." I managed to keep from laughing out loud, since there were....ahem.....no Musketeers in Scotland. :) Needless to say, the Musketeer Swashbuckler never found a home back then and it went into the bottom of my file cabinet.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. . .but now it's 2018, and we have an entirely new world of Fiction. And----thanks to the part of that world which is Independent Fiction, all sorts of Historical Novels are available. So, those feisty Musketeers my have their time in the sun after all. I will keep all of you wonderful Cozy Chicks Blog readers and fans posted.
July 15, 2018
TRAVEL LUST--THE LURE OF FARAWAY PLACES
By Mary Kennedy
If I could find a twelve step program for people who are addicted to travel, I'd join! Yes, I'm a travel addict. Do I manage to travel as much as I'd like? Sadly no. My last big trip was to Paris a couple of summers ago. It wasn't my first time in Paris but it was a spectacular visit.
I spent some time strolling through the Marais district. (which has become quite trendy, it was different in my student days.) The Marais is famous for world class shopping and historic sights. You'll find medieval streets welcoming you to two of the most famous museums in Paris: the Centre Pompidou and the Carnavalet are my favorites. You'll recognize the Pompidou Centre because of it's distinctive architecture.
And the Carnavelet Museum is great for history buffs; you can learn everything you wanted to know about the history of Paris. Enjoy the displays inside and take a stroll through the gardens.
Also. one of my favorite Paris parks is in the Marais district, the Place des Vosges.
The perfect place to have a picnic with a fresh baguette, some creamy brie and fruit for dessert. (and a few pieces of chocolate, or a delicious berry tart, of course!) Don't be surprised if people passing by smile and say "Bon Appetit!" Just nod and say, "Merci!"
The Rue des Rosiers is the perfect spot if you're looking for falafel, a Paris treat you can buy everywhere.
Just stroll along, and you'll find a variety of spots offering falafel plus some trendy boutiques.
Day or night, there's always something going on in the Marais district.
I found a shop for cat lovers,but sadly, it was August and it was closed. I'll definitely hit it on my next trip.
There were pillows, mugs, art work, and a few whimsical cat beds.
These pillows would make wonderful gifts for future contests! The "cats playing tennis" was featured in the window, it's vintage. I think every cozy writer (and reader) I know, loves cats.
Hope you enjoyed this little tour of the Marais district. Next week, I'll feature another fun destination! Happy travels.
Mary Kennedy
If I could find a twelve step program for people who are addicted to travel, I'd join! Yes, I'm a travel addict. Do I manage to travel as much as I'd like? Sadly no. My last big trip was to Paris a couple of summers ago. It wasn't my first time in Paris but it was a spectacular visit.
I spent some time strolling through the Marais district. (which has become quite trendy, it was different in my student days.) The Marais is famous for world class shopping and historic sights. You'll find medieval streets welcoming you to two of the most famous museums in Paris: the Centre Pompidou and the Carnavalet are my favorites. You'll recognize the Pompidou Centre because of it's distinctive architecture.
And the Carnavelet Museum is great for history buffs; you can learn everything you wanted to know about the history of Paris. Enjoy the displays inside and take a stroll through the gardens.
Also. one of my favorite Paris parks is in the Marais district, the Place des Vosges.
The perfect place to have a picnic with a fresh baguette, some creamy brie and fruit for dessert. (and a few pieces of chocolate, or a delicious berry tart, of course!) Don't be surprised if people passing by smile and say "Bon Appetit!" Just nod and say, "Merci!"
The Rue des Rosiers is the perfect spot if you're looking for falafel, a Paris treat you can buy everywhere.
Just stroll along, and you'll find a variety of spots offering falafel plus some trendy boutiques.
Day or night, there's always something going on in the Marais district.
I found a shop for cat lovers,but sadly, it was August and it was closed. I'll definitely hit it on my next trip.
There were pillows, mugs, art work, and a few whimsical cat beds.
These pillows would make wonderful gifts for future contests! The "cats playing tennis" was featured in the window, it's vintage. I think every cozy writer (and reader) I know, loves cats.
Hope you enjoyed this little tour of the Marais district. Next week, I'll feature another fun destination! Happy travels.
Mary Kennedy
July 13, 2018
A message from beyond?
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
Yesterday, I stopped at a couple of garage sales on the way to the grocery store. At one, I saw a brass bracelet that made my heart stop because it looked so much like one my Dad had made for me when I was in college. Mine is in silver, the one I got today is in brass.
Dad often worked in brass, silver, and stainless steel. When I asked the woman where she got it, she said a cousin had given it to her. (I should have asked her who her cousin was.)
Dad probably didn't make the brass one. He never sold his jewelry, just making it for family. And he went to several jewelry-making classes at the Memorial Art Gallery here in Rochester, so this could have been made by a fellow classmate.
Still, the lady said to me, "Maybe this is a sign from your Dad. Maybe he's saying hello."
What do you think?
Yesterday, I stopped at a couple of garage sales on the way to the grocery store. At one, I saw a brass bracelet that made my heart stop because it looked so much like one my Dad had made for me when I was in college. Mine is in silver, the one I got today is in brass.
Dad often worked in brass, silver, and stainless steel. When I asked the woman where she got it, she said a cousin had given it to her. (I should have asked her who her cousin was.)
Dad probably didn't make the brass one. He never sold his jewelry, just making it for family. And he went to several jewelry-making classes at the Memorial Art Gallery here in Rochester, so this could have been made by a fellow classmate.
Still, the lady said to me, "Maybe this is a sign from your Dad. Maybe he's saying hello."
What do you think?
July 11, 2018
Summer Is Here!
by Karen Rose Smith
The best part of summer for our family is the vegetables from our garden and the fruits we can find at local produce stands. This week, the English cucumbers and Black Beauty zucchini were hiding under the huge green leaves. I bake, grill, broil and saute zucchini in a variety of recipes. They are easy to insinuate into many recipes...even lasagna! I use the zucchini instead of pasta.
Cucumbers are a mainstay of salad any time of the year. But when they are plentiful, I use them in salads of their own. They play well with cherry tomatoes and vinaigrette, also with dill and ranch dressing. I like English cucumbers, the long thin ones because they have fewer seeds.
Peaches are probably my favorite summer fruit. In my area of Pennsylvania, there are plentiful bushels of peaches when winter has been kind to the orchards. I believe a peach needs no other accompaniment. But recipes with peaches are endless from peach cobbler, to peach crisp, to peach pie to peach custard.
I'm constantly being told I should drink more water. I'm not a water drinker. But this is a new way that I've found to drink water and like it. This pitcher has a channel on the left where you can load in pealed and washed fruit. Then just fill the pitcher with water and refrigerate. I like peaches best and strawberries are a near second. The fruit infuses the water with a bit of flavor. The pitcher needs to sit in the refrigerator for a few hours to do the job well.
I hope you enjoy the fruits and vegetables of summer!
The best part of summer for our family is the vegetables from our garden and the fruits we can find at local produce stands. This week, the English cucumbers and Black Beauty zucchini were hiding under the huge green leaves. I bake, grill, broil and saute zucchini in a variety of recipes. They are easy to insinuate into many recipes...even lasagna! I use the zucchini instead of pasta.
Cucumbers are a mainstay of salad any time of the year. But when they are plentiful, I use them in salads of their own. They play well with cherry tomatoes and vinaigrette, also with dill and ranch dressing. I like English cucumbers, the long thin ones because they have fewer seeds.
Peaches are probably my favorite summer fruit. In my area of Pennsylvania, there are plentiful bushels of peaches when winter has been kind to the orchards. I believe a peach needs no other accompaniment. But recipes with peaches are endless from peach cobbler, to peach crisp, to peach pie to peach custard.
I'm constantly being told I should drink more water. I'm not a water drinker. But this is a new way that I've found to drink water and like it. This pitcher has a channel on the left where you can load in pealed and washed fruit. Then just fill the pitcher with water and refrigerate. I like peaches best and strawberries are a near second. The fruit infuses the water with a bit of flavor. The pitcher needs to sit in the refrigerator for a few hours to do the job well.
I hope you enjoy the fruits and vegetables of summer!
Community...all welcome or not so much
I’m a woman alone and that’s just fine but lately I’m finding that my house/yard is a whole lot of work. So the question is...move or stay.I love my house, I really do. My husband and I planted every tree, bush, flower, fence, trellis, fountain... you get the picture. The thing is he’s no longer here so that means I take care of all that needs repair or gotten older and now huge and needs maintaining.
I’m not ancient...least I don’t like to admit that I am...but I’m no spring chicken either. So what do I do? Move or stay and hire out some of the work.Yeah, hiring out the work is a great idea but getting someone is always tough and they will never do it like I do it. I need to compromise.
Or do I move and make new friends and get into a new life style while I’m in the mood to do such a thing. Moving is tough and I’m a loner. I like people and doing things but the new communities are really close with neighbors on you doorstep. The up side is there are bike trails, walking distance to shopping and restaurants, etc. The downside is the neighbor on the doorstep thing.
So my question to you is... When you get to be a person of age will you stay put in your house or move to something more manageable and make a new life?
July 9, 2018
A Florida State of Mind
by Maggie SeftonA family favorite, the Betsy Ross Hotel, is one of those lovely Art Deco jewels on South Beach.
Once again, one of Mary Kennedy's wonderful Cozy Chicks Blog posts has inspired
one of my own posts. Today, tons of memories were stirred awake about my family's very favorite vacation site---Florida. And, specifically, South Beach, Florida. Ah, yes-----what can I say about South Beach, Florida that hasn't already been said. "SoBe," as it was referred to in the late 1990's by the Chic and Fashionable set, was every bit as brash and brazen as depicted in that marvelous and hilarious Robin Williams and Nathan Lane comedy movie "The Birdcage." That movie was actually a take-off of the wonderful French hit "La Cage Aux Folles."
At night, the main street of South Beach was brilliant with bright neon lights that flashed from all those marvelous Art Deco buildings lining the street. When my husband and our oldest two daughters, Christine and Melissa, visited South Beach years and years ago, we would stay at some of the older hotels which were cheaper. They were not fancy, to be sure, but they were right on the beach with a drop-dead view of the Atlantic Ocean. I have always been someone who could sit and stare at the ocean for hours. Soothing, relaxing, name your own adjective. And when our family expanded with the births of our two younger daughters, Serena and Maria, we continued to drive to Florida for at least two weeks of beautiful sunshine, ocean breezes, and reading and relaxing under palm trees.
Daughter Serena---now a NASA Astronaut and presently at the International Space Station for six months---when she was just a toddler sitting in the sand at South Beach. :)
Funny memories came back as well. Our family loved those beautiful colorful Hibiscus plants with the bright red blossoms so much that we would try to bring some plants back to our home at that time in West Lafayette, Indiana, where my husband was a professor of Electrical Engineering at Purdue University. We would buy two or more plants in nursery tubs and then we'd take turns sitting in the back of the family station wagon with those plant tubs between our knees to protect them during the two and a half day drive back to Indiana. :) Of course, the plants were happy as long as it was sunny and hot outside in an Indiana summer. But when Winter's cold winds blew and the plants had to be moved inside, those plants did not take kindly to the dry furnace heat. Within three years, the plants would die despite all my ministrations----cleaning leaves, pampering them.
Other memories intruded as well. I remember floating out in that delightful ocean right across from the main street of South Beach one afternoon in July 1997. My husband and I had had lunch earlier in the day at the News Cafe. Our kids were vacationing with other family members. All of a sudden, helicopters started flying over our section of the ocean and beach. Not just one or two, but several helicopters appeared---hovering overhead. That was totally unusual. What everyone on that beach and floating peacefully in the ocean learned that evening on the news broadcasts was that the famous designer Gianni Versace had been murdered, shot, on the doorstep of his gorgeous mansion behind a black wrought iron fence. I found a news media quote on Wikipedia that best describes it: "On the morning of July 15, 1997, fashion designer Gianni Versace is shot and killed outside his Miami Beach mansion by wanted spree killer Andrew Cunanan." We used to walk past that beautiful mansion every day on the way to the News Cafe. It took days for police to find and catch the killer. A very sad memory, indeed.
