Me in Montmartre

I had a caricature done while we were in Paris and it was a fun experience. 

The caricaturist was cute and funny and we all enjoyed him (unlike the experience our Lisa had with a rude untalented dude, so do be somewhat careful if you decide to have one of these made while in the Montmartre area of Paris). 

But. Then my caricature seemed to have been misplaced for the past several months and I was worried that I had left it behind in our rental apartment. 

But.  

Then. 

Voilà!

This morning, it magically appeared in a spot I'm sure I've looked no less than one hundred beezillion times. 

A wee bit wrinkled, but that's to be expected after flying all the way to North Carolina from Paris. 

I'm just happy to have found it!

Marjory Stoneman Douglas

“Be a nuisance where it counts; Do your part to inform and stimulate the public to join your action. Be depressed, discouraged, and disappointed at failure and the disheartening effects of ignorance, greed, corruption and bad politics—but never give up.”

-- Marjory Stoneman Douglas

Oh, boy! A new toy!

2018 -Year of the Dog

Annabelle sends Happy Year of the Dog wishes to all of you. 

"Dogs are known to be swift and passionate believers in their own personal philosophy, the Dog does his best to protect high-integrity people and support their cause."

In other words, this year of the Dog may see people fighting for the causes they believe in.

Enough!

There are several sources showing how much money certain members of our government have received from the NRA. 

Not all the sources are in agreement with the dollar amount but they ARE all in agreement that they have received a lot of money. 

Millions.

I'd call that a lot of money, wouldn't you?

These "representatives" (doesn't that word just kinda stick in your throat these days?) are, frankly, nothing more than hypocritical whores lining their pockets while trading on the lives of the citizens, CHILDREN, of this country. 

Call or write your representatives. 

Call even if your "representatives" aren't being shown as being on the receiving end of all this money. 

They're still accountable. 

They need to speak up. 

Enough. 

I'm sick of the hypocrisy, the prayers and the good thoughts. 

Aren't you?

Bill Crider - RIP, Dear Man

Several years back, I played around with a theme centering on author friends' work spaces.

Several were gracious enough to send pictures, but Bill Crider did one better.  He sent a video.  Take a look -





When Bill told the mystery community about his cancer, knowing he didn't have much longer, the news was met with an enormous amount of sadness.

I think it's fair to say there's not another person in the mystery community as well loved, or as well respected as Bill Crider.


People started posting stories about him.


Pictures.


Sharing remembrances.


We all wanted to share our own Bill Crider stories.


I immediately went to my Meanderings and Muses archives to pull out pieces Bill wrote for me over the years.


I share them with you here.


http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2010/08/how-one-thing-leads-to-another-by-bill.html

http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2011/07/wild-hog-murders-by-bill-crider.html

http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2012/08/bill-crider-and-sheriff-dan-rhodes-two.html



He has always been one of the most generous of souls.  You would be hard-pressed to find a single word Bill Crider wrote in praise of himself, but you'll find plenty of words in which he's praising and supporting and helping others.  Including me and Meanderings and Muses.

http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2010/01/me-and-ellery-queen.html



When Bill first shared the news of his cancer, I wrote this.http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2016/07/dear-dr-crider.html

Goodbye, Bill.  You left the world a better place by virtue of  your very gentle presence.  Oh my - you will be missed.

New Hip - - - New Boots

So.

I'm getting a new hip.


Hip replacement.  For real?


Jeeze Louise . . . 


Somehow I just can't think of myself as being old enough to need new body parts.


'Course, I do thank my lucky stars that I was never one of those people who would moan "oh my GAWD, I'm old!"  on every birthday.


I can't help but roll my eyes when I hear someone say this - especially when that poor old soul is like 40 years old.  


I mean . . .



Bless his/her heart.



I'm 69, so I guess I need to face up to the fact that it is, indeed, time to start replacing tired old joints.

If it helps me walk better and refrain from moaning, "GAWD, I am old . . . " so be it.


I mean (in case you hadn't heard), I'm going back to Paris!  Paris is no place to be if you can't walk.  And walk.  And walk . . .


Including a LOT of stairs.


But anyway . . .


Since I'm one who can rationalize anything, hip replacement surgery sent me scurrying for new boots.


New hip.  New boots.


Why?  Hell, I don't know.


Any excuse for new boots maybe.


What did I find?


Welllllll, lemme tell ya.


I found Sam Edelman black velvet thigh high boots.


AND, they were on sale.  


A very very good sale . . . 


And, if you like 'em, I'll tell you where I found them.

Like 'em?

Then run run run here and buy you some new boots - even if you aren't getting a new hip!

One Year Ago Today

Annabelle came to live with us in Meat Camp.

Today, she celebrates with a cookie

Annabelle Barley, The Fluffy Philosopher