Memorial Day

The county is preparing for the Memorial Day ceremony on the lawn at the Casino.

This is a day to remember all those who died for this country and resolve to do our best to ensure their sacrifices are not in vain.

Local Paper

We have the most wonderful local paper. It has a police blotter column that's worth the price.

Yesterday, an item was about a woman who called police because she woke up with her pants off and a cut on her hand. She said she invited this man over for drinks, and they got to hugging and kissing, and then she 'went unconscious.' When she woke up her pants were off and she had a cut on her hand that was bleeding.

The man said he took her pants off, but he didn't know anything about the cut on her hand.

Her hand was treated. I guess no one was arrested.

I love this newspaper!

Good Book

I picked up three books at the library last week. I read part of one and won't finish it. I started a murder mystery and read it through. In Their Blood by Sharon Potts.

Now I'm in the process of starting the third. The beginning is kind of slow but I read her first book - Mary Alice Monroe is the author - and liked it so I'll keep reading.

I wonder if learning so much about craft for my own writing is hurting my reading for pleasure. Seems like I'm pickier than I used to be. Or maybe I've matured?

Lord, I hope that's it. It's about time I grew up.

Strange People

Thinking about all the strange people we meet. Not weirdos or wackos. Just strange.

Even some who seem sensible at first turn out to have hidden idiosyncrasies. I'm beginning to believe that I and the guy who lives with me are the only normal people around. And yes, I do occasionally wonder about him.

Reading Books

I used to read every word of every book I started. If I wasn't enjoying it, I still struggled on to the bitter end.

Then, a couple of years ago, it dawned on me I was wasting time reading books I didn't want to read when I could be spending time reading books I did want to read or doing other stuff I wanted to do.

So now, if I get a third of the way through a book and it still doesn't resonate with me, I put it aside and look for another.

I must add, I'm a reader for pleasure. Don't give me depressing fiction as so much literary fiction seems to be. Give me a story. Give me a plot. Throw in a mystery. Throw in a romance. And if you can get humor in there, too -- real humor and not the sophomoric kind of stuff that passes for humor -- I'm hooked no matter the genre.

Wonder how much time I've wasted in my life plowing through books I couldn't bring myself to put down because of the attitude: Gosh darn it! I started it and I'll finish it if it kills me!

Cats

We saw a cat on a leash at a rest stop this past weekend. I told my cats about him, lauding his intelligence and excellent behavior and attention to his master.

I didn't take a picture though so at first my cats thought I was teasing. When they realized I was serious and felt they should think about trying a leash, they laughed.

I'm not sure if it's worth the battle to try out one or not.

Old Friends

What's the old saying? Old friends are the best ones?

That's old as in an old friendship, not people who are old.

I think it's true. New friends see your good side and don't realize you can be an opinionated grouch. But those friends who've hung around with you for years and years know all about your crabbiness. Also your ambitions, fears, idiosyncrasies and family problems.

But there's no question of blackmail. You know all that about them, too.

So here's to you, all my old friends! May we continue to be old friends forever.

New Manuscript

Well, after working like crazy the past month, I've finally got my new work in shape to be handed off to beta readers.

I've already changed the locale and the era. Now I'm waiting to see what else I have to fix.

Sigh.

Birds in Hiding

A celebrity roseate spoonbill dodges paparazzi by diving into a tree full of white egrets.

At the Alligator Farm

Strolling through the Alligator Farm this weekend, I happened upon this tender moment.

Brave? Or foolhardy? You be the judge.

Future Plans

As the six year old spending the weekend with me went to sleep, she confided her plans for the future. "When I grow up, I'm going to tell everybody what to do."

"Uh huh." She's seen too many princess movies.

"Yep, everybody's going to do what I tell them. I'll be head of everybody, men, women and children, when I grow up."

"Uh huh." Maybe she's read too many books about kings.

"And I won't let anybody hurt any animals. Not ever. They can't ever hurt them. Yep, I'm going to tell everybody what to do."

This kid has ambitions. Laudable ambitions. I'm thinking president?

Thrillseeking Tourists

Down in the Village, a couple of tourists somehow got into an area roping off heavy machinery and workmen. They wandered around while everyone looked at them and wondered if they were county employees checking on the renovation's progress.

Finally they climbed over a black silt fence and got back on the walkway.

Then we saw this at the lighthouse. What is it with these people?

Local News

It's so nice to live in a small town. Headline in the local paper: ALBINO SQUIRREL CAUSES A STIR.

There's even a picture of the perky little critter holding a nut.

Yes, there's a crime blotter inside that has interesting stuff, too. (MAN HITS WOMAN WITH DIAPER) But how great is it to live in a place where albino squirrels land on the front page of the paper?

Agatha Raisin

Several years ago I picked up an Agatha Raisin mystery by M.C. Beaton. I didn't like it at all.

Then, a month or so ago, I read another one and thought, "This isn't that good but it's something to read." So I got another one, and then another, and boom! I was hooked. Now I've read all of them I can find.

Not sure why I like her. She's a fiftyish, man-mad woman who's cranky and unethical - she passes off storebought jams for her own at village festivals and tries to marry again while her first husband is still alive. She's also waspish to her friends and the writing isn't all that great. But for some reason, I continue to look for adventures I haven't read.

Maybe as I age, my tastes are changing?

Sea Gulls Prepared for Flight

Took this photo the other day of the sea gulls getting ready to take off. Notice the leader down in front.

 I believe they were aiming to bombard a couple of beagles frolicking in the park but on the offchance they were seeking people for target practice, I decided to walk a different way.

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the mothers out there, I hope your day is good.

Forget the pain you went through to deliver, or the processes and endless paperwork you went through to adopt the little suckers. Ignore the things they do or say that embarrass you along with the worse stuff that makes you gnash your teeth and/or scream.

Dwell only on the happiness they bring and the good times you share.

And keep loving them!

On Heroes in Books Written by Males

I finished a thriller by Harlan Coben last night but it revived a question I've pondered before.

I do not understand how middle-aged, out-of-shape heroes always manage to get younger, gorgeous women to fall for them.

Is it because middle-aged, out-of-shape male authors are writing the books?

Wee Pub

Coming home from the mainland, I saw one of those billboards they change daily.

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY WEE PUB

Underneath it continued: COME CELEBRATE WITH SMALL BUS SOLDIERS

The only kind of bar soldiers I'm aware of are the empty beer bottles we used to call dead soldiers. Am I clueless again in this new techie world?

The Cat

While reading a new Elizabeth Peters book yesterday, I looked up to find the cat with her nose in my salted peanuts.

I yelled, "Roz!"

She looked up. "What's wrong?"

I removed the dish but she tried to get back in them while she chomped down her mouthful. I figured she'd be sick, but guess not. Now I'm wondering if I can use them for bribes.

Visit to Hospital

When we went to the hospital yesterday, we ran into a group of very short people in scrubs and surgical masks. Turns out they were seven-eight years old.

Glad I wasn't going in for surgery.