Open Writing

It’s time for spring storms. Which can hang around until June some years, as I recall.

Oh, well, it keeps your mind occupied while you wait for the first tomato to ripen.

Time for some entertainment

If you haven’t done much recreational reading for a while, now’s a good time to revisit an old habit. Or maybe find a new hobby.

Movies are fine. There are some wonderful TV and video recreational offerings. Not much recreational storytelling on radio or on disk now.

Books are obsolete, they say. But on the other hand …

Avie and I are near lifelong mystery fans. We make no claim to being experts in the fine art of book reviewing. And since we are mystery fans, these are primarily mystery writers.

But here are some authors who are well worth your time.

Tony Hillerman, grand teller of tales about the life and times of law enforcement in the Four Corners area of the Southwest. Navajo, Hopi, the Pueblas, and of course the FBI, the States of Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. And occasionally the Border Patrol and some of the Mexican law people.

Tony is a great storyteller and an expert on the mix of cultures and peoples who live and work in his area.

Donald Westlake, creator and perpetrator of the Dortmunder series. His likable protagonist is a professional thief, planner of great schemes and scams that always work, up to a point. Donald, (note we’re on a first-name basis), is the only well-read and long-time successful writer I know whose successful professional thieves, all serious about their plans and accustomed to success, can leave you chuckling or even shouting with laughter as you watch things unravel in strange and hilarious ways.

Ed McBain, the old master of police procedural mysteries, is famous for his 87th Precinct series. Much of his prolific output has been translated, and is as popular in Prague as it is in Plainfield. He uses several pseudonyms in his work, but you’ll learn as you read.

Stuart Kaminsky, master of dead-pan, underplayed prose, is known for his Russian series, as exemplified by inspector Rostnikov and his Moscow associates. But his less numerous series featuring Abe Lieberman, Chicago detective and wise grandfather, has lived and worked the South Chicago area for many years.

Toby Peters, the L.A. private eye, and his strange and nutty near-Hollywood friends. Inhabit still another group.

Kaminsky is a University of Chicago alumnus, who will make you believe he was born and bred in his various parts of the world.

This is the time to rediscover the pleasure of reading for pleasure. Give it a try.

Customers at the Coon Café

Ever meet someone just drop-dead gorgeous, who keeps hanging around. And you’d like to send her or him on down the road, but you don’t quite know how yet?

Well, we have a new customer, sleek and shiny fur, quick and graceful, terrific white racing stripes, and a fluffy white tail. A beauty in any barn lot. I try not to discriminate, but he/she happens to be of the skunk persuasion.

Truth to tell, she has left barely a lingering whiff of parfum de polecat. But the potential is there. Maybe he/she’ll find more to like at one of the neighbors.

Back on her horse

Yesterday evening, after listening to the weather, Avie made a spur of the moment decision to make a grocery stop. I didn’t mind waiting for a late supper. Not too hungry, anyway.

In no time at all, she had gathered up her walker and headed for her little red car. It had been about 10 days since she’d last been behind the wheel. She would be better for it, or easier to live with, at least.

It took her over two hours to purchase a few comestibles and pick up one scrip for me at CVS. Took me about 10 minutes to bring all her loot in. Good for you, Spouse.

Good News

Last night about 8:15 Avie took a phone call. She was talking and laughing, obviously happy with the news and for the caller. When she got off the phone I learned it was one of our grandsons.

“I had to tell you, Grandma,” he said. “I asked her if she’d marry me and she said yes!”

“That’s great, have they picked a date?” I responded.

“Well, no,” Ave replied with a smile. “He said he guessed it was too soon.”

Turns out, the Great Event had only taken place less than an hour earlier.