The Writer's Grab-Bag

The latest catch-up on outstanding Brit shows for yours truly is Whitechapel. The four-season police procedural ran from 2009 thru 2013 and starred three stellar actors: Rupert Penry-Jones as meticulous, OCD-gripped D.I. Joseph Chandler, Phil Davis as crusty, streetwise D.S. Ray Miles, and Steve Pemberton (who also wrote the episodes) as erudite, enthusiastic writer/researcher Edward Buchan.

The first season follows the Whitechapel team in their search for a Jack the Ripper copycat … and sets the stage for ongoing character development and relationships. Most team members mesh well, with some (like Chandler and Miles) experiencing flourishing respect and camaraderie. Even the Buchan character, initially scorned and ridiculed, is eventually accepted—though perhaps begrudgingly—for his serial-killer expertise.

It’s not for the squeamish. Whitechapel proves [entertainingly] disturbing and grisly, with gruesome murders and grim murders/murderers. Even members of the team have their own personal demons to contend with. The storylines are gripping and dark, the latter not only in terms of the frequent night-time scenes [which results in a lot of eye-squinting and rewinding] but the settings: twisting passageways, rat-infested sewers, ramshackle dwellings, and the creepy, mold-tinged station that suffers from bad lighting and plumbing.

The final episode ends on a what-happens-next? note … with a supernatural element that has you dying (pun intended) to learn more. But there’s something to be said for curiosity: you can allow your imagination to run wild to create your own grand finale.

Just returned from a tropical vacation that was truly an experience—cosmically, unforgettably, laughably. It will be one that will remain forever etched in the memory banks, one so … extraordinary, shall we say? … one can only smile and chuckle, and say, okay, chalk it up to—yep—experience.

From the moment upon arrival, everything that could go wrong, did. Some trial-and-tribulation highlights include:

** Rooms weren’t ready for a good hour. One room, when finally available, hadn’t been cleaned. At all.

** New rooms were eventually gotten. Nice. Fine. … The balcony door didn’t lock. Not a big deal—unless you’re on ground level. Who wants an uninvited visitor at two in the a.m.?

** It rained—no, it teemed. And teemed. And teemed. Five days straight. Which resulted in a search for Noah and his ark.

** But it didn’t end with constant downpours; it was cold (unseasonably and unbelievably so). Can you spell “b-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r”? Those huddled in multiple beach towels sure could.

** Excursions were a no-go (not when you didn’t have the proper attire, which most people didn’t). And for the odd person who braved embarking on one, they were rewarded by an added bonus: minnows in a soup that wasn’t advertised as a fish/seafood-based concoction. Nummmm.

** When you could finally walk along the beach—Mr. Sun exposed himself for a couple of hours one day—there were sea worms to navigate (guess the ugly, squishy, slimy creatures didn’t care for the cool clime either and decided to protest by claiming the sand).

** Oh, and let’s not forget tummy troubles that make for fun times.

An experience of a lifetime, bar none. <LMAO> For those embarking on a vacation in the next wee while, may yours be infinitely better [and warmer]—an experience memorable for all the right reasons. 😉

Some weekends it’s super simple to conceive of a post, others not. This one, I had a few so I’m going with the first on the list: the “fan-site”.

I follow certain bands and singers; a couple even follow me (thank you!). There’s one singer, though, a fave for sure, who has recently followed me with two-three different profiles. While it’d be fab to have him truly follow me, the likelihood of that is next to nil.

However, this time, I was curious—and I thought, hmm, this might make for an interesting post—so I followed back. And lo and behold, a message arrived a day later, as I suspected one would. “Hello beautiful” it began. Ooooh, Fake Rock Star has a discerning eye <wink, nudge, chuckle>. Evidently, he’s decided to start an official fan site to address those who comment frequently and offer good wishes on the other [real] fan site.

I opted for the silent approach. Next day, Fake Rock Star admonished me for not responding—rather like a slap to the hand. “I’m a very busy man …”. Shades of Mommy Dearest, or Daddy Dearest in this case.

That quelled the desire to see where this would go. Though potential fodder for a potential study/post (some time in the future), who really has time for such nonsense? Fake Rock Star is now UN-followed.

It does make me sad though, not that Real Rock Star isn’t following/messaging me, but that there’s so much deceit going on, and on so many levels—in social media, the news, everyday life. What would it be like if honesty were the way of the world? Where Utopia existed? Where we could indeed make friends with anyone and everyone, and not be misled or betrayed?

Something to ruminate over on this snowy, settle-into-a-comfy-seat Sunday …

…ward to:

• upcoming adventures
• completing and beginning projects
• strolling/sailing along a Caribbean beach
• making new friends (FB and otherwise)
• posting on my new FB page soon
• writing posts off the cuff …

… like this one.

A few ideas were milling about the ol’ noggin, and then I thought, hmm, why not do something different. Open a magazine (Guitar Player, my fave), point at a word, and have it “inspire” me. Well, first finger-point was at a blues artist’s lower extremities. Given I don’t write X-rated posts, I let that one go. Next stab (ha, ha) ended up between “looking” and “for”. Brilliant. And so, this post was born.

I shared things to look forward to in the next wee while. What about “looking for”?

On a universal level, I’m looking for (hoping for / dreaming of) …

• peace
• serenity
• compassion
• patience
• respect
• good tidings.

And for yours truly:

• good health
• true friends
• forever sunshine.

And on that note, dear friends, here’s looking forward to a fantastic Sunday and even better week!

This second week of 2026 has had me sitting back and reflecting on the [many] years gone by and thinking, hmm, yeah, I didn’t accomplish the dreams I’d had—not yet—but I have things to be proud of.

I published six mysteries that have received good to great reviews (and some not-so-nice ones, but hey, different strokes for different folks). As a writer I’ll never win a Pulitzer, that’s a given, but I’m fine with that. I am who and what I am, and if I can entertain a few readers, I’m more than happy with that.

I edited a lot (!) of manuscripts. Some have been so well written, they’ve prompted smiles and/or tears, and the odd one has resulted in a frown. I enjoy every project; each one is unique and I love that I can provide food for thought to fellow writers—and perhaps, potentially, help them develop their talent that little bit more. Of late, I’ve received a few compliments re my editing and that makes me feel like I’m indeed doing some good … and that I should be proud of what I’ve achieved to date.

No January blues/blahs for yours truly. Just gratitude … and a tiny pat on the back with a, “Hey, you’ve done okay, kid. Keep at it.”

Erma Bombeck once wrote, “If life is a bowl of cherries, what am I doing in the pits?” That’s humorous, yet sad. Life IS a bowl of cherries—if you always endeavor to look at the bright side (and spit out those damn pits).

T’is the third day of the New Year and all’s well. Relatively speaking. Fortunately, we aim to keep positive thoughts and outlooks despite what’s transpiring around us.

Faith and hope. Necessities for solid mental/spiritual health. Essentials to press on. To not be hindered. To stand tall and strong.

No resolutions for this gal. No looking back. The only way to go is forward. To believe the good—in life and people. To apply good—to actions and thoughts. To understand and accept things happen, be they smile-inducing or tear-producing.

Life is transient, more fleeting for some than others. Whatever time … Fate … has in store, acknowledge/embrace every moment for what it offers: an opportunity to enjoy family and friends, enfold a milestone or accomplishment, set out on a new adventure, change a bad habit or make restitution, accept a chance to learn and grow. 

Here’s to another New Year, my dear friends, and the countless possibilities that [will] abound.

Another Christmas come and gone … but joyful festivities and pleasurable programs carry on. In truth, I’m not one for happy shows or funny comedies. They’re not my cup of tea. I’d much rather watch a mystery or thriller.

That said, there’s one movie that doesn’t fit in my usual viewing preferences: The World of Henry Orient. A delightful comedic/dramatic flick—and part of it does take place during Christmas (how apropos)—it features a fantastic roster of actors: Peter Sellers, Paula Prentiss, Angela Lansbury, and Tom Bosley, among others.

Val and Gil (Tippy Walker, Merrie Spaeth), two teenaged private-school girls, develop a friendship that has them embarking on various adventures: racing about, embracing adolescence, playing “sick” on the streets of New York (they’ve a penchant for the melodramatic), and … pursuing a popular [womanizing] pianist, Henry Orient (Peter Sellers), much to his dire dismay. The girls’ bond is tested and tried when Val’s mother, Isabel, finds her diary, which reveals the teen’s infatuation with Henry. Isabel, a self-centered woman and unfaithful wife, meets with Henry to discuss Val, and one thing leads to another (the “unfaithful” description should give you an idea of what transpires).

For me, in some ways, it’s the music (by Elmer Bernstein) that pulls me in more than the story. It’s like a cup of hot gingerbread cocoa with a towering mound of whipped cream on a blizzardy day—warming and cheery, and soothing. …A perfect way to spend a quiet holiday afternoon.

My desire for new FB and INSTA pages has had me searching for courses—surely, somewhere out there in the vast technical/social-media realm, is a course that teaches the basics/fundamentals of setting up new profiles (coz the steps I’ve come across sure ain’t workin’).

A friend suggested Coursera, which offers a multitude of social media courses. I signed up for one that sounded right; sadly, it was so-o wrong. <LOL> But the Coursera folks were great; they gave an immediate refund.

There are a couple that seem worth pursuing; at the very least, I’ll learn [a bit more] about Facebook and Instagram. Maybe I’ll even accomplish what I’ve been planning to do for—what? months?—set up those [$!&#@] new profiles.

Hey, Santa? If you’re flying this way, maybe you could drop a social-media pressie my way? I’ve been a REALLY good girl this year (save for the odd cussing.) 😊

There’s nothing more uplifting than to hear about those who embrace milestone birthdays with ease and grace and charm. The talented, [multiple] award-winning Dick Van Dyke turns 100 years young today. How awesome is that?

For those having lived on Mars, the endearing gent is known for fun films like “Mary Poppins” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and shows like “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “Diagnosis Murder” (TCM, in fact, is featuring a few of his flicks today).

Though perhaps featured more in comedic, lighthearted fare, he’s also played darker roles—such as a murderous judge in “Matlock” and an alcoholic in “The Comic” (a disorder he himself had dealt with for several years). And his talent doesn’t stop at acting; he’s penned a few books, including this year’s 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life.

Coldplay’s “All My Love” has Van Dyke duetting with Chris Martin—while dancing barefoot. The good-feel vid (shot December 2024)—that also features his family—may bring a tear or two to your eyes. It’s, in a word, special, as is the man himself.