Vicki Lane Mysteries
Words and pictures from the author of And the Crows Took Their Eyes as well as the Elizabeth Goodweather Appalachian Mysteries . . .
Monday, March 18, 2024
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Beeing There
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Friday, March 15, 2024
A Busy Person
This is a family of Castle People. Carmen is the mama, Big Red is the daddy, Hildegarde is the grandma. There is a big brother and a big sister and a little sister and Pup. I made them blankets out of play dough and beds from oyster shells.
The princess is reading to Margo.
I worked in a workbook and did a jigsaw puzzle and Meema and I played Go Fish and Crazy 8 and Memory. I mostly won. I am really good at Memory. Plus, sometimes I can see through Meema's GoFish cards and that helps me win too.
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Re-Watching--a Mini Steve Martinfest
As well as re-reading favorite books, I like to re-watch certain films--all of Monty Python (Life of Brian, The Holy Grail, The Meaning of Life,) most of the Coen Brothers, especially Raising Arizona, Fargo, and O Brother, Where Art Thou.
When Justin was home sick for much of second grade, The Empire Strikes Back and The Everlasting Story were on constant replay. The Pirates of Penzance, was another popular favorite.
Recently I developed a longing to see two Steve Martin movies that I remembered fondly--and, lo and behold, my wish was granted.
L.A. Story is great fun, especially with Sara Jessica Parker's great energetic turn as SaNDee* who loves to twirl. And Patrick Stewart, in a brief appearance as the supercilious maitre d' of L'Idiot ("You think you can 'ave ze duck? With a portfolio like zat? You can have ze chicken") is memorable.
Even better is Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Martin is at his comic best, Michael Caine is wonderful, and the plot, involving the two as con men in competition is hilarious.
Two evening of laugh out loud pleasure. . . better than a trip to a spa.
What do you watch for light entertainment?
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
A Magical Time
The star magnolia, forsythia, and flowering quince know it.
The tender green of the weeping willow flutters in the breeze.
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Dent de Lion (repost)
Monday, March 11, 2024
Sunday, March 10, 2024
Saturday, March 9, 2024
Why Are These Two Laughing?
I've probably told this story before, but yesterday, as I was sorting through boxes of old photos, I came upon two that, I'm pretty sure, document said story.
Friday, March 8, 2024
Signs in the Blood Revisited
I wrote SIGNS, my first published novel, over twenty years ago. It came out in 2005. I was thrilled, as a rank amateur, to be published by Bantam Dell, a divission of Random House--one of the biggies. It was the beginning of a wild rollercoaster ride and five more Elizabeth Goodweather books.
A few days ago I began rereading this, my first-born. I was delighted to discover that it was better than I remembered. More than that, it captures so much of my life twenty years ago--the farm, the garden, the dogs . . .
But I had to laugh when I realized that in this book, Miss Birdie is 81--as am I.
I was in my early sixties when I wrote this book and, originally, so was Elizabeth, But I dropped her age back to 52, hoping to give her a bit more zing in her possible romantic life. As for Miss Birdie, 81 seemed incredibly ancient.
And now, here I am. I've had people address me as Miss Vicki and, while I try to be gracious, I really dislike it. I named Miss Birdie after an old (!) woman I once met, never thinking that someday I too . . .
Life is weird, the longer it goes on.