Category: Uncategorized (Page 1 of 12)

I grew up in a relatively non-reading household. By that I mean my father was a reader, but read mostly pulp westerns, Field & Stream and Mechanical Engineering. My brother read comic books (until he got into Dune series later). I must have read all the fine print on every package of cereal I poured a bowl from.

Other than that, there was a dearth of reading materials in my house, at least when I was young. I would accept my grandmother’s McCall’s Magazine, which had paper dolls in the back you could cut out. (Betsy McCall was her name). I read almost all the Archie comics and the Donald Duck ones, but didn’t like the super-hero comics.

At a tender age, I took some of my uncle’s murder mystery pulp magazines and read some of those, which scared me so bad that I threw them away. I’m not sure anyone in the house knew I was reading them.

I hadn’t yet discovered the library (my fourth grade teacher introduced me, having noticed I like to read the labels on everything). I was off and running in the reading department. I read through Nancy Drew and her pals the Hardy Boys mysteries. My favorite book was Wrinkle in Time, and the L’engle series.

I grew up in a family of seven children, and we drew names for Christmas gifts with the extended family. I remember my grandmother drew my name only once, and she gave me Little Women, which I read at least three times.

I knew I would grow up with a love for books:; the way they smell musty and full of information; the way they let you travel without leaving your room; and the way they let you jump into another person’s life (real or imagined).

I never imagined I’d grow up with a love of also writing books. I didn’t realize until high school that an actual person wrote these books.

That was when I started reading the author biographies in the back of the books.

All that to say, may libraries always be available and free! It hurts my heart that anyone in America would want to ban books and disparage libraries.

Knowledge is power.

While visiting Japan —i know, humble brag—we visited a kind of Japanese craft store & one small section sold what the Japanese call Kintsugi Art.

Kintsugi is the art of putting broken pieces of plate or pot together (via some kind of soldering technique) with gold, and the result is beautiful (if not functional), each piece different and stronger than the original, perhaps more flexible

At the risk of sounding too, as they call it in writing lingo, flowery, I felt that maybe I and many others, are like Kintsugi pottery, broken in pieces and in infinitely different ways, made stronger by our physical and psychological scars, the gold in between the breaks. The gold represents both reward and trophy for a hurt, a catastrophe, a loss, or simply an unexpected change. Also, how it is up to each person to put a broken plate or bowl together in a way they struggle through in their own way.

So, I am a porcelain plate repaired with scars of gold.

Or, maybe I am a Haiku.

Or, maybe I need to chill and take a walk.

I realize that I write faster (and maybe better) when I have an “assignment.” I recently volunteered to write a short story for Sisters in Crime Colorado Chapter for their Anthology series.

I was able to churn out an outline, character studies and story within a week.

Makes me think I fail to write up to my word-count expectations.

Except, in order to have a finished product, I want to know that what I’m writing might actually be needed–or read for that matter.

I’m working on book two of a three-book contract, but meanwhile waiting for development edits on the first book. What if there are dramatic changes to the first book that might require changes to the second?

So many reasons (excuses) for not writing. Is it writer’s block? Is there any such thing as writer’s block?

I’ve often said that trying to be a writer is like assigning yourself homework for the rest of your life.

Maybe I miss school/college? If so, I’m fairly certain I could do the research and paper edits much faster with the help of the Internet.

Except for last week when my Internet was sporadically down.

I consider myself a “multi-tasker” but lately have wondered if I can write more than one project at a time.

I’m currently working on book one of a contracted mystery series; manuscript sent and waiting for author related materials and edit requests, working on a new novel project (decided to table this because I’m getting characters confused), and working on 2 anthology short stories due by January.

When I worked for a corporation, I juggled lots of things, pushed dates sometimes, made mistakes and did re-work sometimes, but this seems different. Maybe because I’m doing it for myself.

I have to have some kind of deadline to really deep-dive on things, so having a contract helps; that project seems more important, but also sends me into the “dreads,” where I put off working on it.

No different than working for a corporation, but I’m “doing what I love,” Right?

Keep on reading and writing.

And please, fight book banning. The more information we have, the better.

DH and I had a long-scheduled visit to downtown Denver last weekend to eat dinner and see a comedy show at Bellco Theatre near Buell theatre (the theatre hub for Denver). When Saturday came around, we had an urge to NOT go, to give up the tickets and stay home.

We decided if we didn’t get out of our comfort-zone and do it, we might have FOMO (fear of missing out for the fellow-boomers out there). Then we talked about what if we decided not to go; what would it be called?

We decided there is a yin-yang to everything, so if therei s a FOMO, there is a GIMI (glad I missed it). If we decide not to go, we should just say “GIMI.”

We went, had perfect weather, perfect meal at Ocean Prime, and a so-so comedy show.

Glad we went.

My husband and I went to Garmish, Germany in 1988 on our honeymoon in Europe. We intended to go to Neuschwanstein Castle, aka, Crazy Ludwig’s Castle, but missed the train that still today takes visitors to the Cinderella/Disney-like castle that Ludwig II, who died of “suicide” in 1886.” The quotes are intentional, rumor has it that he was killed for spending country money irrationally. The manner of his death is still in question, as was the errant spending. He was also called the “Swan King” or “Fairy Tale King,” or “Mad King Ludwig.”

I remember being deeply disappointed that we missed the train, but as an alternative we elected to take a rental car to Garmish, Germany, which is an hour drive from the area of the castle (which is in the Southern Alps, and reminds me a little of the Rocky Mountains). Garmish was and is a U.S. Military base.

I pouted a little, but was happy that there was an American movie theatre there, where we saw the original “Beelejuice” as it first came out. After, we ate at MacDonald’s, where the ice cream and caramel sauce sunday was the best I’ve ever had. Don’t remember the burger. The experience was enough to make me forget about visiting Crazy Ludwig’s Castle, and to appreciate a new word for me: “synchronicity.” We talked to a few service men and women who were a little homesick for the U.S. Some of the best things comes to us accidentally or a detour from the original plan.

The reason I tell this story is to ask this rhetorical question: Could we be living under the rule of a “crazy king?” There are differences: Ludwig was only in his twenties and had what he hoped was decades to make his dreams come true; our “king” was elected by 1/2 of the U.S.; there are certain shaky stop-gaps to how much our crazy king can do and how long his reign can be. What I know is that I’ve never been so afraid for our country, for our democracy.

I’d like to go to Garmish again to see how it’s going there. I’d also like everyone to vote and vote the conscience.

Yes, there is a U.S. military presence in Garmisch, Germany, as part of the U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria (USAG Bavaria). The Garmisch Community supports key mission partners like the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies and the NATO School, along with other smaller units and facilities across Southern Bavaria.*

*the last paragraph thanks to AI

Even though I grew up on a ranch (okay–it was more of a “farm”) and went to a few rodeos in my day, in both Colorado and Wyoming, I wasn’t much of a bull-riding or bronco-busting fan.

That is, until my oldest daughter, Tina Battock, went from being an officer in Morris Communications to being the first team manager (and only woman GM) for the first Pro Bull-riding teams series.

I try to watch, but it’s a lot like watching politics these days; I hope for a win, hope for those 8 seconds of a successful ride with no injuries, hope nobody on any team gets hurt. Now, I either watch the taped event or look at the results page.

Now, I’m just sayin’, just show me the results, tell me who won, who lost, who came out uninjured. By the way, the bulls are also in competition; the bull who prevents the most riders from completing their 8-seconds, gets rewards, as does their owner.

Rootin’ for my side and hopin’ we can all be on the same side. Someday.

It was a tough week for us having lost a dog (actually my daughter Kelly’s dog), which we “dog-sat” for on occasion; kind of a surrogate pet for us.

I remembered I stated a document about what I’ve learned from dogs, so in tribute to Ruby Macfarlane, it is attached.

What I have learned from dogs:

Just got back from a 3-week tour (aka, cruise) of Japan and South Korea.

People and the countries are lovely, modern, ultra-clean, law-abiding (you get ticketed for “jay walking.”

Learned some thing: Since COVID and Ricin attacks, they no longer have public trash cans, so you have to carry out all trash (to home or hotel) to dispose of it). This becomes difficult for us U.S.ers who are used to trash cans, but we easily adapt.

People freely wear masks or not (at their own discretion).

The myth of the “magical Japanese toilet” is too true. The only problem is figuring out how to flush without an “accidental bidet” experience. I might be talked into having one at home, (a Japanese toilet, not an accidental bidet) with fewer buttons, bells and whistles. Something about a warm seat and warm bidet water maybe?

On the opposite end of the spectrum, some bathrooms have “original Japanese” toilets, which feature a hole in the ground and places to put you feet to crouch and go. This is difficult if you do not have extremely strong thigh muscles. Thankfully we only came across 2 such bathrooms. Evidently they were so common not long ago that there are signs in the bathrooms reminding people not to “stand on the toilet.”

I learned the 3 types of bows: the “hello head nod,” the “I respect you quarter bow,” and the “90-degree apology bow,” the latter which we did not need to use.

Missed Cherry blossom season, but heard much about the trees, which are revered in Japan. However, to my surprise, they do not produce cherries (I guess they are all male trees.) Cleaning up cherry pits must be the “pits.’

We heard all about the Shogun Dynasty, which intrigues my husband especially; he has read the books a few times and we watched the series. We toured the original Shogun gardens and looked at the still-standing Shogun house from afar. All beautiful; water lilys an lovely birds and flowers and stone walls.

Found out that the Dutch settled part of Japan during the Shogun period of time and toured a charming renovated Dutch village in Japan.

Took two somber trips: Hiroshima and Nagasaki, saw some startling and horrific photos and films, but the Japanese are eager to show how well they have recovered. They take pride in their resilience, and I give a big “respect bow” to the Japanese people. I must say that I left feeling a little guilty and a lot afraid of what was unleashed to end WWII. I understand that the bombing saved lives, and that the original cause for the attacks was Pearl Harbor, but there is also a “Ying and Yang,” thing going on. Can’t we have peace?

South Korea surprised me with its beauty, modernity and marvel bridges, roads and tunnels. Buildings are many floors high (as in over 100 floors), and sway to allow for earthquake avoidance. No thanks, but interesting.

It seemed to me the message that Japanese and South Koreans have taken (in part) from our “troubles” in the States, is that we don’t have chickens or eggs any more. One buffet we ate at displayed big baskets of eggs and encouraged us to pick as many as we needed to make an omelette. Four or five? Ten? No problem. I had trouble accepting only one egg. I almost needed the “apology bow” to refuse more eggs. I read one cartoon that show an Asian mother warning her child to clean his plate because “children in America don’t even have eggs to eat.” Hmmm.

Anyway, in spite of bringing back colds of some type, we had a wonderful time, and I’m grateful for the experience. I have pictures to prove it, and once I get my “Travel Photo” page fixed, I’ll have them up.

I think the first real novel I read as a child was Little Women (a Christmas gift from my grandmother). I remember reading it several times, until I discovered the public library, where miracles occurred and i could check out whatever I wanted to read (somehow I was guided to the children’s and YA section–by a librarian).

I moved on to the entire Nancy Drew series, which were quick and easy to read, and there was always the promise of another book in the series. And so, I became hooked on series mysteries. Of course, I read others, like A Wrinkle in Time, which is more like Sci Fi, and even read a few “boys” Pirate books and other types of books, even non-fiction. I joke with my husband that I read most of my dad’s Popular Mechanics magazines. I also found some very scary true crime novels, but found my way back to more “cozy” mysteries.

Here’s why I like reading and writing mystery: anything can happen, and does; they are predictable in style and plot; the good guy always or usually wins; there’s not a lot of blood and gore.

Of course, I love reading biographies and auto-biographies, non-fiction adventure books (my favorites, for some reason have been books about climbing Mt. Everest, even though I will never come close to doing that.)

Then I come to this point: please don’t mess with public libraries, cutting funding, banning books. Please help keep this part of our great democracy alive!