The Good Times Jar

I love holidays.  I love having an excuse to hang out and do nothing, or do silly things I don’t normally have time to do, or be merry with friends. The celebration of New Year is a bit different. There’s no religious connection to speak of, nothing to decorate, no eggs to color, no tree…

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Sunday Inspiration: “Make mistakes…”

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something. So that’s my wish for you, and…

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Fiction Friday: The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

Welcome to Fiction Friday, my opportunity each week to post an excerpt from one of my own books or those of my friends, present-day or long-departed colleagues. Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories are still enjoyed far and wide, and this one is particularly delightful. The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, first published in 1892, opens…

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The Season of Giving Thanks

In an hour one of my favorite Christmas Eve traditions begins. Our local public broadcasting radio station will gift local listeners with the Festival of Carols from Kings College in Cambridge. I’m thankful that I will be able to enjoy this lovely choir right here in my own home. In fifteen minutes I will stop for…

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Fiction Friday: A Kidnapped Santa Claus

Welcome to Fiction Friday, my opportunity each week to post an excerpt from one of my own books or those of my friends and colleagues. Today we have a special holiday treat, an excerpt from a short story written in 1904 by L. Frank Baum (beloved author of the Oz books). It’s a sequel to…

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We Wish You A Merry Christmas: Booklover Carols Part Six

Booklover Carols have become a tradition here. Okay, stop groaning. You knew this was coming. Every year I create a new carol or two about the publishing world. This year is no exception. You’ll find links to my previous years’ tongue-in-cheek carols at the bottom. How drastically publishing has changed since I began this tradition.…

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Fiction Friday: Buttoned Up

Welcome to Fiction Friday, my opportunity each week to post an excerpt from one of my own books or those of my friends and colleagues. Kylie Logan agreed to return this week after I begged.  Her newest Button Box mystery, Buttoned Up,  just came out, and with all the quilters who read my blog, I…

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A Goddesses Anonymous Christmas

This time of year I love to reflect on the past twelve months.  A little soul-searching is usually in order, and the holiday season is a wonderful time to do it.  After all, with the hustle and commercial bustle surrounding  us, either we need spiritual sustenance more than usual, or we’re already more receptive to…

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