I was born in Spokane, Washington, on June 10, 1949. I've always liked the limelight. When Mom went into labor that sunny summer morning, Dad was in a panic and raced up a one-way street--the wrong way. A motorcyle cop whipped in behind him and flipped on the whirling...

Of course I'm not an idiot, at least, not a complete one, and neither are you. However, I am so fond of these books that I thought I'd say a few words about them here.I probably own thirty of these bright orange tomes. Right now, beside me on the kitchen table, where...

Yesterday I started--really started--the first book in my new trilogy of contemporary romantic suspense stories. The title, provided my editor and publisher agree, is "Dead Husbands", to be followed by "Dead Wives" and "Dead Lovers." Yikes! While writing these...

Wow. I did almost four minutes on the lower body part of the machine, and was really undone afterward. Winded and a little dizzy--the dogs rushed to offer consolation and concern. My mama didn't raise no fool--I'm cutting back to one minute on that exercise, and will...

Same pattern as yesterday.Pray. Pee. Get on the machine.The lower-body workout proved MUCH more difficult than the upper one. Here was my mantra:It's only four minutes. It's only four minutes. It's only four minutes!I'm taking special care not to frame this as...

The mongo monster machine has arrived! As predicted, it dominates the living room. (Yes, it's a big house, but there doesn't happen to be a good place for eleven feet of gleaming steel.) I got it unlocked and running, all by myself, and this morning, I did my first...

The marvel cost more than some cars I've owned.It's 11 feet long, and will reside in my living room, for the time being.The beauty of it? Strength training, aerobics and stretching, all in--brace yourself--FOUR MINUTES.Four hard minutes.Four long minutes.But ONLY four...

I had an email from a good friend this morning, commenting on my remark about how much I love places like Staples and Offices Depot and Max. She's a writer, too, and our electronic conversation got my imagination going.In my mind's eye, I saw Dickens pausing on a...

I am fasincated by Tarot cards.Now, some of you may feel inclined to pray for my immortal soul, believing, as you might, that I am in league with the dark side. If so, have at it, with my blessing. This country girl will take all the prayers she can get! When it comes...

Semi-flexible plans today.The only thing on the agenda is a visit to my wonderworker of a hairdresser, Franco.My hair is a strange entity. It's thick, and I can go a long time without a haircut. Then, I solemnly swear, between one day and the next, it goes absolutely...

I'm putting in a yard area, off the front courtyard, where the dogs can run. What makes Sadie and Bernice happy makes ME happy. They miss the big grassy expanse we had in Scottsdale, and so do I. Sadie--the beagle--and I used to get down on the ground and wrestle.It's...

This is what one of my favorite writers, Gladys Tabor, called a "pencil sharpening" day. I think the modern term is "mental health day". After more than a week in Reno, my brain is like jelly.Several people have asked when to expect "The Man from Stone Creek" and "The...