Kate Collins's Blog, page 9
April 29, 2020
Something new or not so much?
Hi, Duffy Brown here slogging though the daily grind of staying home. Okay, I’m not complaining, not really. I think of all the grocery workers, hospital workers, docs, nurses, gas station attendants etc and know I have no room to gripe just because I have to stay in.That said, things are different for sure. So I’m trying different things. My house has never ever, ever been this organized. I can actually open a cupboard and find what I’m looking for without searching for twenty minutes or having something fall on my head. I know were to find my spices, boots, coats and where the ever elusive tape measure is...finally.
I filled three garbage cans with crap and have two huge piles ready for the Good Will if we ever get to the GW part of our lives again. So that’s a definite plus for me.And I’ve taken to writing lists for the grocery store so it’s fast in and fast out. I used to pretty much wing it but no more. It’s list time. And of course there’s the isolation part. I’m pretty much a loner but Dr. Watson and Spooky are short on conversation so I do find myself wanting to chat it up with someone.
And what about you? What do you miss most in this time of lockdown? What have you done that you normally do not do? Did you get organized? Have a new exercise routine? Get caught up on movies and shows you missed the first time around?Be safe and stay happy.Hugs, Duffy
April 27, 2020
SAD POST
by Maggie Sefton
I was just about to write my Tuesday post on another subject when I clicked on our Cozy Chicks Blog and saw Mary Kennedy's caring post on the passing of one of our Fiction-Writing authors who was a Gem----Sheila Connolly. She was a wonderful writer.
Oh, my oh, my----did that bring back a flood of memories. Sheila and I began writing Romance fiction around the same time----when the genre was gaining readers and growing and growing until it occupied 51% or 52% of all Fiction sold in the United States. That was a heady time indeed, take my word for it. Sheila and I were fortunate in that we both gained publication around the same time, too.
That was the era where it was important to do as many book signings as posssible in bookstores all over the country, if we could. It was a great way to meet new readers and make new friends as well as re-connect with old friends. That also required doing a LOT of travel. Fortunately, I've always enjoyed traveling and still do. Large book conferences were scheduled every year in major U.S. cities, which I always enjoyed.
Sheila usually attended the same conferences that I did, so we got to see each other along with our fellow writers. I have always enjoyed meeting old friends and associates. Again, I am very sorry to hear of Sheila's passing. Blessings, Sheila.
I was just about to write my Tuesday post on another subject when I clicked on our Cozy Chicks Blog and saw Mary Kennedy's caring post on the passing of one of our Fiction-Writing authors who was a Gem----Sheila Connolly. She was a wonderful writer.
Oh, my oh, my----did that bring back a flood of memories. Sheila and I began writing Romance fiction around the same time----when the genre was gaining readers and growing and growing until it occupied 51% or 52% of all Fiction sold in the United States. That was a heady time indeed, take my word for it. Sheila and I were fortunate in that we both gained publication around the same time, too.
That was the era where it was important to do as many book signings as posssible in bookstores all over the country, if we could. It was a great way to meet new readers and make new friends as well as re-connect with old friends. That also required doing a LOT of travel. Fortunately, I've always enjoyed traveling and still do. Large book conferences were scheduled every year in major U.S. cities, which I always enjoyed.
Sheila usually attended the same conferences that I did, so we got to see each other along with our fellow writers. I have always enjoyed meeting old friends and associates. Again, I am very sorry to hear of Sheila's passing. Blessings, Sheila.
April 26, 2020
MEMORIES OF SHEILA CONNOLLY
By Mary Kennedy
Readers and writers lost a treasure last Monday when fellow mystery novelist Sheila Connolly passed.away.
I used to always refer to Sheila's books when I spoke at writers' conferences. Why? She was not only a brilliant writer, creating engaging characters and intricate plots, she was a master at using research in her books. She handled research in a clever, effective way, never overwhelming the reader, always tucking in the most salient detail. No one did it better than Sheila.
Her County Cork Mysteries are set in Ireland, her adopted homeland. If you're reading the series you know that her main character took up residence there. "Maura Donovan came to Ireland to honor her grandmother’s last wish, but she never expected to stay in provincial County Cork—much less to inherit a house and a pub,"
Sheila went to Ireland for a simple reason: she adored the country and the people. Her warm, generous spirit called her there to live in a lovely stone cottage and continue to work on her County Cork Mysteries.
A lot of readers may not realize that Sheila had a terrific background. She graduated from a prestigious college (Wellesley), did a Ph.D. in Fine Arts at Harvard and followed this with an MBA at UC-Berkeley. All her education and various careers (art historian, financial advisor, political fundraiser) made their way into her books.
She was kind and generous to aspiring writers, and a devoted friend and colleague. She will be missed. Her warm spirit will live on in her books and delight new readers for years to come.
Mary Kennedy
Readers and writers lost a treasure last Monday when fellow mystery novelist Sheila Connolly passed.away.
I used to always refer to Sheila's books when I spoke at writers' conferences. Why? She was not only a brilliant writer, creating engaging characters and intricate plots, she was a master at using research in her books. She handled research in a clever, effective way, never overwhelming the reader, always tucking in the most salient detail. No one did it better than Sheila.
Her County Cork Mysteries are set in Ireland, her adopted homeland. If you're reading the series you know that her main character took up residence there. "Maura Donovan came to Ireland to honor her grandmother’s last wish, but she never expected to stay in provincial County Cork—much less to inherit a house and a pub,"
Sheila went to Ireland for a simple reason: she adored the country and the people. Her warm, generous spirit called her there to live in a lovely stone cottage and continue to work on her County Cork Mysteries.
A lot of readers may not realize that Sheila had a terrific background. She graduated from a prestigious college (Wellesley), did a Ph.D. in Fine Arts at Harvard and followed this with an MBA at UC-Berkeley. All her education and various careers (art historian, financial advisor, political fundraiser) made their way into her books.
She was kind and generous to aspiring writers, and a devoted friend and colleague. She will be missed. Her warm spirit will live on in her books and delight new readers for years to come.
Mary Kennedy
April 24, 2020
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: VERA MAE FROM THE TALK RADIO MYSTERIES
By Mary Kennedy
Today Vera Mae Atkins from the Talk Radio Mysteries is in the spotlight. She's not only a radio producer, she's Dr. Maggie's cheerleader, confidante and cherished friend. When Dr. Maggie closed up her psychology practice in New York to move to sunny south Florida to become a radio talk show host, she turned to Vera Mae for help.
And she needed plenty of it!
Her very first radio interview went terribly wrong when the guest, a self important guru was murdered after he was on the air. (DEAD AIR, book one.)
Then the leading lady was killed when a movie company came to town to shoot a thriller.
Next, a phony psychic appeared in Cypress Grove and tried to steal Maggie's job at WYME-Radio, and there was a murder!
In book 4, a fundraiser turns deadly when a body is found in a speakeasy in the basement of a southern mansion.
Thank goodness Vera Mae is always there to lend a hand! Be sure to check out the Talk Radio Mysteries on my website and more are on the way.
Happy reading, everyone! Mary Kennedy
Today Vera Mae Atkins from the Talk Radio Mysteries is in the spotlight. She's not only a radio producer, she's Dr. Maggie's cheerleader, confidante and cherished friend. When Dr. Maggie closed up her psychology practice in New York to move to sunny south Florida to become a radio talk show host, she turned to Vera Mae for help.And she needed plenty of it!
Her very first radio interview went terribly wrong when the guest, a self important guru was murdered after he was on the air. (DEAD AIR, book one.)
Then the leading lady was killed when a movie company came to town to shoot a thriller.
Next, a phony psychic appeared in Cypress Grove and tried to steal Maggie's job at WYME-Radio, and there was a murder!
In book 4, a fundraiser turns deadly when a body is found in a speakeasy in the basement of a southern mansion.
Thank goodness Vera Mae is always there to lend a hand! Be sure to check out the Talk Radio Mysteries on my website and more are on the way.
Happy reading, everyone! Mary Kennedy
I baked bread!
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
Holy smoke! I made bread from scratch.
Several years ago, I bought a bread machine at yard sale, but then I wondered...what if it doesn't work? So instead of wasting ingredients, it just sits in my basement gathering dust. But now that we're in lockdown, and we're obsessed about food (can we get it, should we go out to get it?), I figured maybe I should try to make it.
Look at those cute measuring spoons, a gift from Ellery Adams.I've been wanting to try to make bread forever, but was always afraid of working with the yeast. (I made a scratch pizza when we were first married and it had a 3-inch crust. Therefore, I've limited my time with this wonderful product).
Since we only get groceries every two weeks, and we had only four slices of bread left, I figured--what the heck. I watched two different Youtube videos and as this was a no-knead recipe, it seemed like it would be the perfect way to get my bread-making feet wet. BTW, the instructions I got for making the bread were rudimentary at best. I've added to them, but it's best to watch at least one video so you can see how the dough is supposed to look at various stages.
No Knead White BreadIngredients3 cups all-purpose flour 1½ cups warm water (68-81 degrees, 79 is perfect)1 teaspoon salt (1½ if you’re using Kosher salt)½ teaspoon yeast
Stir all the ingredients together (it'll be a sticky ball) and cover with plastic wrap. After 8-24 hours, remove the dough from the bowl, place on a floured surface, and using a spatula, form into a ball and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven with a baking dish inside (something you can cover--I used a Dutch oven) at 450F. When the dough as rested, sprinkle flour or cornmeal on the bottom of the pan (do not grease). Add the rested dough and bake (covered) for 30 minutes, remove the lid and bake another 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. If you can wait, completely cool the bread before cutting.
Yield: 1 round loaf
It came out really well, just like artisan bread, but you need good choppers for that crispy crust.
I swear, I only spent about 15 minutes actually working on it (while waiting 22 hours for it to percolate).
Will you try making this recipe?
Holy smoke! I made bread from scratch.
Several years ago, I bought a bread machine at yard sale, but then I wondered...what if it doesn't work? So instead of wasting ingredients, it just sits in my basement gathering dust. But now that we're in lockdown, and we're obsessed about food (can we get it, should we go out to get it?), I figured maybe I should try to make it.
Look at those cute measuring spoons, a gift from Ellery Adams.I've been wanting to try to make bread forever, but was always afraid of working with the yeast. (I made a scratch pizza when we were first married and it had a 3-inch crust. Therefore, I've limited my time with this wonderful product).Since we only get groceries every two weeks, and we had only four slices of bread left, I figured--what the heck. I watched two different Youtube videos and as this was a no-knead recipe, it seemed like it would be the perfect way to get my bread-making feet wet. BTW, the instructions I got for making the bread were rudimentary at best. I've added to them, but it's best to watch at least one video so you can see how the dough is supposed to look at various stages.
No Knead White BreadIngredients3 cups all-purpose flour 1½ cups warm water (68-81 degrees, 79 is perfect)1 teaspoon salt (1½ if you’re using Kosher salt)½ teaspoon yeast Stir all the ingredients together (it'll be a sticky ball) and cover with plastic wrap. After 8-24 hours, remove the dough from the bowl, place on a floured surface, and using a spatula, form into a ball and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven with a baking dish inside (something you can cover--I used a Dutch oven) at 450F. When the dough as rested, sprinkle flour or cornmeal on the bottom of the pan (do not grease). Add the rested dough and bake (covered) for 30 minutes, remove the lid and bake another 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. If you can wait, completely cool the bread before cutting.
Yield: 1 round loaf
It came out really well, just like artisan bread, but you need good choppers for that crispy crust.
I swear, I only spent about 15 minutes actually working on it (while waiting 22 hours for it to percolate).
Will you try making this recipe?
April 22, 2020
Rediscovering Old Favorites
by Gayle LeesonWhile the world has been on lockdown, I've found comfort in shows I've enjoyed in the past but haven't seen in ages. I'd watched the reruns of Bewitched whenever I caught them on TV, but I bought the series on DVD when I was researching the Ghostly Fashionista Series. I remembered how Samantha often had to deal with her mother when she was the only person who could see her and thought that might provide some fodder for scenes between my heroine Amanda and her friend Max, the ghostly fashionista.
Bewitched was such a fun show. My favorite characters were Samantha, Endora, Aunt Clara, and Uncle Arthur. I believe one of the most underrated characters was the unflappable Abner Kravitz played by George Tobias.
My mom says she once overheard me tell my brother while he and I were watching an episode of the show, "Mama can do that."
"She cannot," my brother declared.
I nodded. "She can too. How do you think we got all this stuff?"
Poor Daddy, who worked his butt off for "all this stuff," really appreciated that comment, I'm sure!
But, seriously, who wouldn't want to be Samantha? Or Endora, for that matter? Endora was the one who had all the fun--lunching in Paris, sunning on the Riviera, visiting the Dalai Lama in Tibet.
Another show we've rediscovered is Psych. If you haven't watched the show, the main character Shawn is hyper-observant and pretends to be a psychic to help the Santa Barbara Police Department solve crimes. His best friend (since childhood) and sleuthing partner is Gus. It's a cute, funny show, and our whole family enjoys it.While we've also been watching movies, and my husband and I enjoy some of the dramas on Acorn, these lighthearted shows have brightened our days lately.
Tell me, what have you been watching to keep your spirits up? Because I know it's not the news.
I can do that!
Duffy Brown here. Now that we are all stuck home and taking a long hard look at exactly where we live some of us like me think Yikes! I need to fix this now.And how many times have you looked at a project on TV or in a magazine or book and thought, Great idea, I can do that.Yeah, that’s me too, the queen of I can do that or better still my husband can do that. JSo here I go again... I’ve got a bare wall that’s driven me crazy for years. It needs something. I’ve tired stuff but nothing works so my latest brainstorm is a stencil, a BIG stencil. I’m going to do it just like this picture.
Don’t you love it? All across one wall trees in various hues of blue/gray. The wall’s yellow and the colors in the room are yellow and blue. What do you think? Got any suggestions on doing stenciling? I’ve done it before but never anything this size. Yikes!I love to do things for the house on my own. Here are the curtains I did for the guest bedroom. I couldn’t find what I wanted so I made them. I always make my own shower curtains. That’s so easy.Here’s a wreathe that was simple and a fountain that was not simple. That took teamwork with my husband. We did it about thirty-five years ago and it’s still going strong. This pic is from this year.So what about you? Got a fav project that turned out good? Any horror stories of do-it-yourself projects that went really wrong? Got a DIY project lined up?
Hugs, Duffy
April 20, 2020
DYEING UP LOOSE ENDS
by Maggie SeftonFour years have sped swiftly by, and Kelly Flynn and friends are all busy with children and careers. Baby Jack is now a rambunctious four-year old pre-schooler. The folks at Lambspun knitting shop are all immersed in the wonderful world of fiber until they are shocked by the murder of one of the café’s lovable staff.
Kelly’s sleuthing instincts immediately go on alert, and she starts asking questions. But the answers are even more surprising.
April 19, 2020
READING ON THE FLY
By Mary Kennedy
I've been doing a lot of "reading on the fly" lately. With social distancing and less structure to my day, I find myself reading several books at once, grabbing snippets to savor here and there. Maybe you find yourself doing the same thing?
And I've developed a new appreciation for non-fiction, particularly history, biographies and memoirs. Somehow it's easier to read just a page or two of non-fiction when there are a lot of distractions. I can read a few pages of non-fiction and walk away; if I were reading fiction, (particularly mysteries) I'd be frantically turning the pages, wondering what was going to happen next. Here are a few books I've enjoyed.
My father was a law professor for fifty years and a voracious reader. He always kept three books open in his office; the Bible, The Oxford New English Dictionary and the Complete Plays of Shakespeare. He would find precious moments to read a page or two of each throughout the day. He did this for decades. When he reached the end of the books, he simply started over at the beginning.
I've added some French language books to the mix, including a biography of Toulouse-Lautrec,one of my favorite painters. I studied French and art in Paris and kept some of my old textbooks, a treasure trove!
And on a light-hearted note, I just finished reading Ed McMahon's book on Johnny Carson. When I was writing some celeb pieces in Hollywood, I was lucky enough to snare front row seats for the last night of the Carson show, so I found the memoir engrossing.
How about you? Have you expanded your reading since the lockdown? Do you have open books scattered around the house? In any case, happy reading!
Mary Kennedy
I've been doing a lot of "reading on the fly" lately. With social distancing and less structure to my day, I find myself reading several books at once, grabbing snippets to savor here and there. Maybe you find yourself doing the same thing?
And I've developed a new appreciation for non-fiction, particularly history, biographies and memoirs. Somehow it's easier to read just a page or two of non-fiction when there are a lot of distractions. I can read a few pages of non-fiction and walk away; if I were reading fiction, (particularly mysteries) I'd be frantically turning the pages, wondering what was going to happen next. Here are a few books I've enjoyed.
My father was a law professor for fifty years and a voracious reader. He always kept three books open in his office; the Bible, The Oxford New English Dictionary and the Complete Plays of Shakespeare. He would find precious moments to read a page or two of each throughout the day. He did this for decades. When he reached the end of the books, he simply started over at the beginning.
I've added some French language books to the mix, including a biography of Toulouse-Lautrec,one of my favorite painters. I studied French and art in Paris and kept some of my old textbooks, a treasure trove!
And on a light-hearted note, I just finished reading Ed McMahon's book on Johnny Carson. When I was writing some celeb pieces in Hollywood, I was lucky enough to snare front row seats for the last night of the Carson show, so I found the memoir engrossing.
How about you? Have you expanded your reading since the lockdown? Do you have open books scattered around the house? In any case, happy reading!
Mary Kennedy
April 17, 2020
On the Wild Side
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
So far this spring, I've only seen two robins. Seems to me I should have seen a lot more by now, but maybe they knew something we didn't know were smart and stayed south until it warms up. It was 28F overnight. Definitely not warm. Of course, the other birds have been chirping enough to wake the dead for at least a couple of weeks, so maybe they're on time anyway.
And there's been a lot of wildlife activity in my neighborhood--more than I usually see when it's bustling with people and cars. Not many cars go down the street anymore (which is a cut-through for heavier traffic from both ends). When we hear a big truck, we rush to look out the window to see if it's Amazon or someone else delivering a package.
Twice this week I've witnessed "mating." That's a much kinder word for the violence the male bird and squirrel perpetrated against the females.
Earlier this week, my neighbor mentioned that there'd been a fox brazenly walking in her front yard. You almost never see foxes in this area. Coyotes, yes. Foxes, no. I asked if she was sure and she said, "rusty orange with a white-tipped tail.
Okay.
So, it shouldn't have been a surprise to me the other evening when Emma started throwing a fit as she looked out one of the back windows. I glanced up to see a fox nonchalantly walking across our deck. By the time I got up and looked out the window, he was trotting across the neighbors backyard and disappeared through the arborvitae that separates our yards from the farm behind us.
Wow. Amy did see a fox. And it came back last night, only tracing it's movements in the opposite direction and disappeared through a hole under our fence. I was surprised he went that way. Our neighbors have two dogs. I would have thought the fox wouldn't want to be anywhere near the dogs. They are, after all, rather timid creatures.
Unless...they're rabid.
Okay, now I have to do some fox research.
Have you noticed more wildlife activity in the past couple of weeks?
P.S. It's mid-April and it keeps snowing. Not sticking, but snow this late is rather disheartening.
-------------------------------------------
HAPPY BOOK DAY TO ME
A Look Back is now available! It's #8 in the Life On Victoria Square series! (Companion series to the Victoria Square Mysteries.)
On the anniversary of her great Aunt Lizzie’s death, Katie Bonner reflects on the course of events that led her to be the custodian of Artisan’s Alley--from the moment her husband took their savings and invested it in a dying business to the death of its founder, Ezra Hilton. And it’s with tears of sadness and joy that Katie contemplates her uncertain future.
This story takes place just before the events in the Victoria Square Mystery (#7) A Murderous Misconception but may be read as a stand-alone introduction to the series.
Kindle US | Kindle Worldwide | Nook | Kobo | Apple Books | Smashwords
Watch the video on YouTube!
So far this spring, I've only seen two robins. Seems to me I should have seen a lot more by now, but maybe they knew something we didn't know were smart and stayed south until it warms up. It was 28F overnight. Definitely not warm. Of course, the other birds have been chirping enough to wake the dead for at least a couple of weeks, so maybe they're on time anyway.And there's been a lot of wildlife activity in my neighborhood--more than I usually see when it's bustling with people and cars. Not many cars go down the street anymore (which is a cut-through for heavier traffic from both ends). When we hear a big truck, we rush to look out the window to see if it's Amazon or someone else delivering a package.
Twice this week I've witnessed "mating." That's a much kinder word for the violence the male bird and squirrel perpetrated against the females.
Earlier this week, my neighbor mentioned that there'd been a fox brazenly walking in her front yard. You almost never see foxes in this area. Coyotes, yes. Foxes, no. I asked if she was sure and she said, "rusty orange with a white-tipped tail.
Okay.
So, it shouldn't have been a surprise to me the other evening when Emma started throwing a fit as she looked out one of the back windows. I glanced up to see a fox nonchalantly walking across our deck. By the time I got up and looked out the window, he was trotting across the neighbors backyard and disappeared through the arborvitae that separates our yards from the farm behind us.Wow. Amy did see a fox. And it came back last night, only tracing it's movements in the opposite direction and disappeared through a hole under our fence. I was surprised he went that way. Our neighbors have two dogs. I would have thought the fox wouldn't want to be anywhere near the dogs. They are, after all, rather timid creatures.
Unless...they're rabid.
Okay, now I have to do some fox research.
Have you noticed more wildlife activity in the past couple of weeks?
P.S. It's mid-April and it keeps snowing. Not sticking, but snow this late is rather disheartening.
-------------------------------------------
HAPPY BOOK DAY TO ME
A Look Back is now available! It's #8 in the Life On Victoria Square series! (Companion series to the Victoria Square Mysteries.)On the anniversary of her great Aunt Lizzie’s death, Katie Bonner reflects on the course of events that led her to be the custodian of Artisan’s Alley--from the moment her husband took their savings and invested it in a dying business to the death of its founder, Ezra Hilton. And it’s with tears of sadness and joy that Katie contemplates her uncertain future.
This story takes place just before the events in the Victoria Square Mystery (#7) A Murderous Misconception but may be read as a stand-alone introduction to the series.
Kindle US | Kindle Worldwide | Nook | Kobo | Apple Books | Smashwords
Watch the video on YouTube!
