Random Thoughts Today

This is one of those Monday’s where my brain is really scattered so I’m just going to free-associate with my blog today. First off: Saturday was really an overall nice day. I went to the Raleigh Wide Open 4You festival and while it was nice, it seemed to be a spillover from the State Fair with the same food and the same type venders. The only big difference I saw was the Wheel Mobile (and no, my name wasn’t pulled from the spinning bin to go onstage to audition for Wheel of Forturne). However, the crowd was really into it even during the driving rain. I stopped by Tir Na Nog to see if they had any live music going (no) so I had a wonderful glass of Malbec wine and met an interesting man. Born and raised in Raleigh, he’s very involved in its goings-on. I laughed at Bobby’s ‘First Night’ story and still chuckle just thinking about it. Wish I could tell the tale but the story is his, not mine. We talked for a bit and I was disappointed that he had to leave so soon as he was just delightful to talk to. As soon as he left, another gentleman said something to me (this guy was with his younger gentleman lover) about the festival. Wouldn’t you know it…Bobby forgot his umbrella and came back in. He said something along the lines of “Picked another one as soon as I left” and walked out again. I just don’t get it. Oh, well. I guess that’s one phone call I won’t be getting.


I still have “An Oak Tree Proper” taking up most of my waking thoughts! What could be more true to form than Scottish pride running rampant and leading to murder on the moors? My Anderson clan (the characters) have come so alive for me that I feel their presence on an almost continuous basis. I’m almost beginning to wonder if they will actually walk the path I’ve built for them or take off through the heather on their own. The Finlaysons are another strong presence – not as volatile perhaps in their actions as some of the other characters – their emotions run deep and hot and true.


I was invited to join yesterday’s birthday celebration in Cary for my 23-year old niece. After church (in Apex), and while our rather large party was waiting to be seated, I was given a wonderful gift by my niece: a plot idea for a mystery novel that was very unusual in both the concept and the setting. I spent most of yesterday afternoon writing down ideas and capturing characters that immediately came to mind. Normally I would put this in my ‘blurbs’ folder until I had time to get to it but instead, I’m setting up a new set of folders for this story. A workable storyline, snippets of dialog and character bits are percolating in my brain and I need to capture them before they evaporate into thin air. Eventually, they will coalesce into a book entitled, “Murder in a Place called Hope.”


I’m looking forward to the holidays – Thanksgiving at my mother’s and then Christmas. The Saturday before will be my family Christmas at my sister’s house then it’s off to Arkansas for Christmas week with my daughter and her boyfriend’s family. We (I think the whole gang) will be going to Diamond Crater State Park and actually diamond hunting! I think it’s going to be a fun week. I can’t wait to meet his mother (she’s coming from Alaska). We will all be staying at his sister and brother-in-law’s home outside of Little Rock. Think Santa will find me there?


Speaking of daughter’s, mine is graduating in May! Where does the time go? How did she go from the babe in my arms to this wonderfully strong, independent woman? Tempus is definitely fugit-ing!!!


Have a great day everyone!