Shameless Self-Promotion

You just have to love a brother who takes a photograph of himself reading my new cozy mystery Sounds of Murder and then posts it on FaceBook. Thanks, Ken! If I had the funds, I'd hire you as my Publicity Director!

Do you have a brother has great as mine?

"Curves" Movie Review Rules

The ladies at my Curves gym talk about a lot of things while we exercise. One of the main categories is new movies. We all see a lot of movies and recommend (or not) the ones we see. To be truthful, if one of my Curves buddies (such as JoAnne or Lisa) says a particular movie is great (or horrible), I will believe her long before I will believe a male reviewer in the newspaper or in a magazine or online.

One thing all of us Curvies seem to agree upon is that we just can't trust printed movie reviews. The reason for this (we all believe) is that most movie reviews are written by men and (being women) we tend to like different types of movies than most men do. To a one (and we have a very wide range of different women at Curves), we Curvettes prefer happy to sad movies, romantic to unromantic movies, and--most important--movies without gratuitous blood, violence, and foul language.

You know, movie makers, there are lots of women out there who love to go to movies and would probably go to a lot more movies than they do if more movies were made that appeal to women. We Curvelles all adore going to movies in female packs, and it doesn't matter if the pack is two or twenty. The more women, the merrier! Just give us a nice romantic comedy with snappy dialogue, funny characters, and a compelling plot--and we are in movie heaven!

What about you? What makes a good movie? Do you prefer romantic comedies to other types of movies? Do you think gender is a big factor in movie preferences? Are movie reviews slanted because most reviewers are male?

Could This Be a More Perfect Day?

Gilles Marini appears to be staying on Brothers and Sisters.

I'm planning a baby shower for my very first grandchild.

My new cozy mystery Sounds of Murder is now available at two different sites: Amazon (paperback) and Smashwords (ebook).

Dancing With the Stars in on tonight.

The little tree in my front yard is filled with tiny beautiful blossoms (although no bird in the nest yet).

The Eyes of Korla Pandit

Pillow talk from my husband Milt is always fascinating because he has a never-ending storehouse of trivia with which he regales me for hours when we are in bed together. For instance, this morning---

Milt: Oh, your eyes--so mesmerizing--just like korlapandit.

Me: What?

Milt: Not what--who. Korla Pandit.

Me: Who's she?

Milt: He.

Me: My eyes remind you of some guy?

Milt: Korla Pandit was not just some guy. He was a famous pseudo-Indian organist in Southern California during the 1950's. I watched his showed regularly when I was a child.

Me: So what was so mesmerizing about his eyes?

Milt: He could hypnotize people just by looking into the television camera, some people said.

Me: I don't believe it. I never heard of him in Nebraska.

Milt: He was a phenomenon in Southern California.

Milt proceeded to enlighten me about the amazing Mr. Pandit and his musical ability. It turns out, there was a Korla Pandit and he was a famous television organist in the '50s in California. Here's an actual video of him from YouTube and his "mesmerizing eyes." What do you think?

Cozy Cat Press: Open For Business!

Check us out! Our fledgling publishing company, Cozy Cat Press, is now officially open for business. Our website is up and running. You can visit us at www.cozycatpress.com and I hope you will! While there, I hope you will place an order for our first mystery--Sounds of Murder by clicking on the links to the sites where the book is available for purchase. Our second book--Too Dead to Dance--should follow in the next week or two.

Yes, the paperback version of Sounds of Murder is now available at Amazon. The retail cost is a mere $14.95. I sound like a salesperson, don't I?

If you'd rather read the e-book version (and many different downloadable versions are available), please scurry over to Smashwords--where you can download the same book for only $4.99.

As always, I have many of you--my loyal readers--to thank for the official arrival of Cozy Cat Press. You helped us along the way in so many ways. You provided moral support, offered suggestions for our logo, and some of you even critiqued portions of the book. My publishing partner Diane and I could not have gotten this far without the aid and assistance of our families, friends, and fantastic blogging buddies! If you have any suggestions for CCP as we continue to grow, please don't hesitate to give them. We want your input--on our books, our website, our company!

Welcome to the world, Cozy Cat Press!

DWTS: Romance Offstage?

Of course, I watch Dancing With the Stars for the dancing primarily (hmmm). However, I can't help but be a little bit fascinated by all the potential for romance between the celebrities and their professional dancing partners. I mean, these couples work together (closely together) for 24 hours a day perfecting their hot, sexy dance numbers. It wouldn't surprise me if during the course of their practice sessions, some romances bloomed--at least between the single competitors and the single pros. Those of us who watch DWTS religiously (that would be me and millions of other women--I wish I could say men watched DWTS too, but I have a husband so I'm only being realistic) are glued to our television sets attempting to determine just which twosomes might be headed towards love.

Here's my take on the possibilities.

Chad Ochocinco and Cheryl Burke. Chad seems smitten with Cheryl and she always seems a little annoyed with him. He even gave her a huge "diamond" ring (obviously fake) and is constantly mooning over her. I'm not sure if his behavior is genuine or a ploy on his part to garner votes.

Erin Andrews and Max (don't ask me to spell his long Russian name). I love the way this couple fight--and they do fight. She insults him (his biceps, for instance) and he retaliates. They nip at each other, but, boy, is there underlying sexual tension between them--at least, that's what I think.

Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough. She's pretty. He's prettier. I think they flirt more with the camera than with each other.

Jake Pavelka and Chelsey Hightower. Oh, come on. With Jake's new fiance, the ever-vigilant Vienna (fresh from their recent engagement on The Bachelor) watching his every move, Jake couldn't romance the cute little Chelsey, even if he wanted to.

Evan Lysacek and Anna Trebunkskaya. My favorite couple (partially because Evan hails from Naperville, Illinois, which is just across the street from me--sorta). They are both rather gentle and shy, but I like how Evan flirts with Anna. When he encouraged her to train him using her "thickest Russian accent" and then she did, it was absolutely adorable! They are magic together. I don't know if there is an actual romance blossoming here, but they dance like there is.

Of course, there are other couples, some of whom are quite good dancers. But the partners I've discussed here are those whom I believe have the potential to go on and become actual "couples" in real life. It must be the eternal matchmaker in me. What do you think?

Cozette Speaks

Cozette--That is me! I am the adorable little cat you see atop that book in the Cozy Cat Press logo. I look very cozy, don't I? I like to sleep on books--a very comfy place to rest and a very sophisticated place too, I think! After all, I'm very sophisticated, which I'm sure you can tell just by looking at me.

I'm speaking to you today because Miss Patricia (who is one of the publishers at Cozy Cat Press) is taking the day off. She and the other publisher, Miss Diane, have been working very hard getting Cozy Cat Press's first books ready. Just the other day, the very first copy of Miss Patricia's book Sounds of Murder arrived. The cover looks wonderful and it is just the right size for me to cuddle up on too. Cozy Cat Press's second book, Miss Diane's Too Dead to Dance is almost ready and when it arrives, I will have two lovely books on which to recline. Oh, joy!

Miss Patricia and Miss Diane are very proud of me because I am such a wonderfully, delightful little cat and I make such a charming mascot for Cozy Cat Press. Miss Patricia even had a picture of me printed on some light pink t-shirts at Cafe Press so that she and Miss Diane could wear them when they have their important business meetings at their headquarters at someplace called Panera Bread. When Miss Diane wore her shirt to work one day, many of her friends wanted shirts just like it. I certainly understand that because I look absolutely fantastic on that shirt. Anyway, Miss Patricia made arrangements for people to buy Cozy Cat Press t-shirts (with my picture on it) from Cafe Press. If you would like one, just check out the Cozy Cat Press page at Cafe Press (there are other items with my picture on them besides t-shirts too).

My, my! I had a lot to say, didn't I? Cozette is a talkative little kitty, isn't she? That took so much effort. I believe I need to rest. Where is my Cozy Cat Press book?

Do you like my new t-shirt? Aren't I the cutest cat in the world?

Honey Walnut Shrimp! Thank you, Panda Express!

I normally only tolerate Chinese take-out. However, I've been seeing these commercials for "honey walnut shrimp" at Panda Express and it looked quite tasty, so I asked (harangued, pestered, begged) my husband Milt to bring some home the other day when he was out on one of his shopping trips.

Wow! Delicious! Not terribly Chinesey, but juicy, sweet, crunchy--just the way I like my shrimp (and I do like shrimp). Here's a take-out dish that really lives up to all the hype.

The only problem--not nearly enough in a serving! I'd suggest you get a double order. You'll definitely want more!

BTW, nobody paid me one red cent to write this glowing review for Panda Express.

Have you tried the honey walnut shrimp at Panda Express?

Knowledge Wins

Here's a photograph of one of my husband Milt's many posters. This one hangs over his roll-top desk in our upstairs study. It's particularly apt for a retired military man who spent most of his life as a teacher, don't you think? Knowledge wins is the title. If you can't tell, there is a mountain of books and the soldier is climbing them.

Birdnest

There's a bird nest in the tree in my front yard. I haven't seen a bird in it, but I'm watching.

Bathwater Keeps Falling On My Head

My husband Milt was sitting at the kitchen table, reading his morning newspaper and minding his own business. I was upstairs in the bathroom taking a shower. All of a sudden he started screaming, "We've got a problem!" I leaped out of the tub, grabbed a towel, and went rushing downstairs.

There I discovered water dripping out of the kitchen light fixture (which is directly below the bathtub). Hurray! Just what we needed.

The plumber who arrived later informed us that the previous owners of our home had installed our bathtub incorrectly and we would need to totally redo it. Yippee!

We will be meeting with the plumber's associate next week to determine our "remodeling plan." Be still my heart!

I just love being a homeowner. The repairs never seem to end, do they?

Happy Birthday, Dear! That'll Be $100!

My poor husband Milt! Yesterday was his birthday--and what did I give him? A $100 traffic ticket!

Yes, it’s true! And the state of Illinois has the photographic evidence to prove it. I was driving my little blue Honda Civic last week, taking my 89-year-old mother to the doctor, when I “stopped” (or so I thought) at the intersection of Highway 59 and Washington in West Chicago. If I remember correctly, there was a right-hand turn arrow, but if there wasn’t, the cross traffic was all turning left so my right-hand turn was quite safe. I just didn’t wait the requisite seven seconds after I stopped before I turned—therefore jeopardizing the life of my little silver-haired Mom, and causing the automatic camera to dispense a $100 traffic ticket to my poor husband (as my Honda is registered in his name in Illinois) which he received yesterday—his birthday, no less! What a present!

If I needed additional proof, the State of Illinois even has a website where Milt and I were able to view video of my traffic transgression online! Talk about humiliation! Yes, yes! Repeat after me! Stop at the line! Count to seven! Better yet, wait until the light turns green even if the line of cars behind you is honking their horns! But whatever you do, don’t let the government send your husband a traffic ticket for something you did, on his birthday!

Have you ever been caught by an automatic traffic camera?

Hallelujah! I'm Going to Be a Grandma!

My 38-year-old son Alexander married a lovely young lady named Kerry on St. Patrick's Day (unbeknownst to me). They are expecting a baby in September which will be my first grandchild. The entire family met the new couple for the first time on Easter Sunday at a big family get-together at my sister's house. I am beside myself with joy!

My sister Chris already has a grandchild (the adorable Brennan) whom she taunts me with daily. Now the playing field is even. Hurray! Here are photos of Alex and Kerry with Brennan. I think they'll make great parents. Don't you?

Was your Easter half as wonderful as mine? I hope so.

Happy Easter, Peeps!

(photo from www.glitterfly.com)

Thanks to All March Droppers

Thanks to all (especially the Top Ten) Entrecard Droppers for March. Here are the Top Ten. Please stop by their blogs for a visit. They're very loyal friends!

1. As The Crackerhead Crumbles

2. Picture to People

3. Learning Corner

4. Moms...Check nyo

5. Business and Life Success

6. Life's Sweets and Spices

7. Go Las Vegas Baby!

8. The Way I See It

9. People You Need to Know

10. The Crazy Suburban Mom