Clock Changing Time--Again

Ai-yi-yi!  I am not a fan of Daylight Savings Time.  We all know that.  And here it is again.  Spring forward.  The loss of an hour of sleep.  The disruption of my biological clock for a day or two and a low-hanging crappy mood to go with it.  Dandy.


I managed to haul my self to the Y late this morning and hiked to nowhere on a treadmill for twenty minutes.  They're rearranging and increasing the trainer area so they took out the four rear-facing treadmills I liked to use.  Now I have to get into the phalanx of other treadmill-ers and feel like they're watching and judging me.  They're not, or course, any more than I watch or judge them but, there you go, that's my loony mind playing tricks on me. I'll do it again in a couple days and put it on here first so I can't crap out.

I stopped at the grocery after the Y for some oranges and treated myself to a bunch of daffodils.  As soon as I got them home and into this flamingo mug they started opening.  That's the kind of enthusiasm I like in a bunch of flowers.  They remind me of the rows of daffodils out at my grandparents' farm in Evansville, IN.  The rows seemed very long, I'm sure they were not that long, and that's where the Easter Bunny hid the eggs.  Up here the daffodils aren't blooming at Easter and the bunny doesn't hide eggs outside, even when Easter's as late as possible.  *sigh*



Instead of sitting and grousing over my pillow knitting project, I searched on Ravelry and found a pattern for a pair of fingerless mitts out of a skein of wool & cotton yarn I got from MW last night at Friday Knitting.  A lady he knows is getting out of knitting (!!!) so she gave him four big bags of yarn to keep or share.  He shared.  A lot.  I managed to only bring home five more skeins of yarn and I got started using up one today.  It wasn't until I got through the cuff that I realized that black yarn isn't the easiest to knit with unless you're sitting in the blazing sun or right under the light.  That's okay, I'll pull my warshrag out of the car door and knit on that tomorrow when I meet friends at Zambaldi for a little beer and knit afternoon.    DS brewed the beer that he made for their wedding again and called it Clan Malcolm.  It's a Scottish Ale, even I like it, and since I owe CS a beer I planned a little afternoon of beering and knitting.  This is getting to be a habit.  I'm glad.  It's a fun place, they have soft pretzels, and I get to see DS and DIL1.  What's not to love?

07--Barbara Malcolm, Three Cheers for Murder. 

Marlene unlocked the door to Kitty’s Korner, raised the shades, and turned the sign from Closed to Open.  Walking back to her desk she remembered their conversation at lunch and thought perhaps she revealed too much.  By the time she was seated at her desk and had gotten settled back to work she was confident that she covered any slip she might have made in the heat of emotion.  She listened to her messages and found one from Sheila Winter from the Chamber of Commerce requesting an interview.  Marlene remembered that Cecilia mentioned that she’d contacted them asking the Chamber to compile a pamphlet featuring the specialty businesses in their little neighborhood, so she called and set up an appointment for later that day.

   For her part, Cecilia had a hard time concentrating for the remainder of the afternoon.  She thought of the look on Marlene’s face when she pressed her for an opinion about the murders.  Also Marlene had started to say something else when she was talking about the person who killed the three young women. 

            Late in the afternoon Marlene was interviewed by Sheila Winter, an employee of the Chamber of Commerce. Sheila was enthusiastic about her job and slightly envious of Marlene’s independence.  Marlene was initially morose, giving mumbled answers.  As the interview continued Marlene became more gregarious as she realized Sheila was sincerely nice and truly interested in her and her life.

“What’s your full name?” Sheila began.

Quietly she replied, “Marlene Antonia Brownloe

“How old are you, Marlene?”

“27"

“So, how did you get into the book business?”

Marlene answered diffidently, not so sure she liked being quizzed like that.  “I inherited the store from my mother.  I’ve always lived upstairs.”

Sheila’s voice sounded envious.  “Didn’t you love growing up in a bookstore?”

Dismissively, Marlene replied, “Not really.”

“But you had instant access to so many exciting and interesting books!  Didn’t your mom order anything you wanted?”

“No. She did order tons of self-improvement books aimed at “helping” me become more like “the Y’s”.”

“What do you mean “The Y’s”?  Who’re they?” Sheila asked curiously.

Marlene sighed, “The Y’s” are three girls my mother used to hold up to me as examples of the way she’d have liked me to be like.  Tiffy, Kimmy, and Teddy were always better dressed, well-groomed and were cheerleaders my mother coached throughout high school and college.”

“Didn’t you like them?”

“No. They were and are shallow, vapid women only concerned with their looks and status in life.”  Marlene’s face became hardened and her voice tightened.  So, Sheila changed the subject.

“Where did you go to school and what did you study in college?”

            Relaxing a bit at the change in direction Marlene replied, “I went to school right here at Ashville College.  I began studying botany.  I’ve always been interested in plants and herbs.  Then I became interested in anthropology, spending the summer after my junior year at an archeological dig in the Southwest.  But the next winter my mother died in an automobile accident and I had to keep the store running to be able to continue in school so I changed my major and ended up graduating with a degree in literature like so many other young women.”

“But doesn’t your degree help in your book business?”

“Yes, I guess it does.  At least I know where to look for things,” Marlene answered with a small laugh.

“What sort of books do you yourself most enjoy?”

Her smile broadening Marlene said, “I like the classics, especially John Steinbeck, travel books, and I must confess I’m addicted to romance novels.”  This last with an embarrassed smile.

Lowering her gaze to make notes, Sheila continued, “Does your bookstore concentrate on any particular type of book?”

“No, we’ve always had a broad range of books.  These last couple of years with the emergence of Internet sites like Amazon.com more and more of the business has become special orders and out-of-print searches.  I have gotten a bit of a reputation as a rare book dealer,” Marlene finished rather proudly.

“That’s nice.  Anyone special in your life?” Sheila asked with a smile.

Marlene’s smile was erased, “No.”

Sheila’s smile spread to her eyes and she leaned toward Marlene conspiratorially, “Oh come on.  An attractive young woman with her own successful business?  No Romeo’s pining away for you?  You can tell me.”

Marlene’s face closed abruptly, and she ground out, “No.  There was a guy I met on the dig all those summers ago, but he went to Arizona State and once the summer was over the romance was over too.  Guess he found a cheerleader he liked better.”

It got over 45 degrees today but the wind was up so opening a window was chilly.  Boo!  I have high hopes for tomorrow when it's supposed to be near 60 degrees.  Then rain on Monday and maybe a rain and snow mix for Wednesday.  Yippee.  I think Mother Nature needs a timeout.

This should be an interesting week--there's a full moon, Daylight Savings Time starts, and Friday is the 13th.  I'll be under the bed.
--Barbara

Green!

I went out to check the mailbox (AT&T junk mail and a Joann Fabrics flyer) and checked on the status of the bulbs sprouting across the front of the house while I was out there.  I love the little fingers of green leaves that poke out so hopefully this time of year.  These daffodils have been planted there in that spot for 41 years.  I know this because I was eight months pregnant when I planted them and DS will be 42 on his next birthday.  (how can my little boy be that old? time sure flies...)

This squirrel came for a quick drink today.  It was sunny all day even though it only got to about 36 degrees and felt like 28.  It's supposed to get up near 50 degrees on Sunday.  What's up with that?  We'll probably have a blizzard next week to put us in our place after such drastic and balmy temps.




Here's how far I got knitting on Mod Pillow square #4.  Starting this one was a little easier than the previous one so I guess I'll keep knitting on it... although I fully intend to find something else to knit tomorrow.  I can have two things going at once.  Really.  And I still am hating on the pillow but I'm too stubborn to quit.


I went online to see the list of available speakers and subjects for the Writer's Institute conference I'm going to in a couple weeks.  I found a few things I want to be sure not to miss.  Of course, two of the things I'd like to attend are being held simultaneously.  Sheesh.  Guess I'll flip a coin.

06 March--Barbara Malcolm, Three Cheers for Murder. 

At one o’clock Cecilia put a sign in the door “Back in one hour” and collected Marlene and they walked down the block to the deli.  Finding a small table in the center of the room, they settled down to enjoy their chicken tandoori and rice.  Overhearing conversations around them, all about the three murders.  Cecilia listened, took a deep breath and plunged in.  “So, what do you think about those deaths?  I’m so sorry to think that three young women could be murdered here in Ashville in such a short time and the police don’t seem to have a clue.” 

Marlene looked up from her meal and shrugged, “You know, I had so much of “the Y’s” when I was a teenager, and beyond, I must confess I haven’t paid a bit of attention to the news.”             

“Really?  I don’t see how you can avoid it.  It’s all over the TV and the papers.” 

“I don’t read the papers or watch the news on television.  All there is is mindless crap in either.  Television is pap for the undereducated and unintelligent, and the newspapers are the mouthpieces for right-wing fundamentalists who wouldn’t know objective journalism if it bit them on the ass.  If you want my opinion, don’t be surprised to find the person who committed the crimes is a jealous husband, or wife for that matter, since those three built their reputations at flirts early and practice often.  People like that deserve to die because they’re cruel and heartless.  Whoever sent them on their way did all of us a big favor.”

Cecilia was stunned by the vehemence of Marlene’s response.  She thought, Well, I guess I asked for it, but decided to press on.  “But you must be aware of all the gossip flying around town about the weapon.  I heard it was a big hunting knife.  They said Tiffy was nearly decapitated.  And Kimmy, I’ll bet it was that tennis pro, Lars.  And I heard on the news this morning that some homeless man is being questioned about Teddy’s murder.  You know, I always thought she was at risk working down there at that shelter with all those desperate people.”        

Marlene looked up; her face mottled with emotion.  “Cecilia, can’t you understand that I’m just not interested in the fate of those dreadful, nasty women.  As far as I’m concerned, whoever killed them did the world a favor.  Now can we just drop the subject.  I thought we were going to talk about the city council meeting and your petition.” 

Cecilia took a deep breath.  “Oh, right.  I almost forgot hearing everyone around us gossiping about the murders.  Okay, here’s my idea about the meeting...” 

The rest of their lunch was devoted to planning their proposal about enhancing their business district. 

            Walking back to reopen their stores, Cecilia and Marlene were still talking about the petition and that most of the neighboring businesses have signed.  Both women were hopeful about the chances that they’d finally get the support from the city government they felt they needed to stay in business. 

I am determined to go to the Y and walk on the treadmill tomorrow.  I figure if I write it on here I'll actually go and do it.
--Barbara

That Was A Good Idea

 
Tonight for supper I heated up half of one of the herbed chicken breasts with a serving of WW marinara sauce with fresh asparagus on the side.  That was a good idea.  It was so delicious that I think I'll do it again tomorrow.




 
I don't often buy music but after seeing an interview with him on CBS Sunday Morning I had to invest in James Taylor's new CD, American Standards.  He says in the liner notes that when he was a kid they listened to show tunes so those were his first loves in music.  Good stuff.



I finished square number three of the Mod Pillow cover today.  Only six more to go, thank god. I noticed that the squares seem to have nipples, the center rounds protruding in a provocative manner.  I'm really hoping it blocks out.  I'm also hoping that with repetition I'll get more comfortable casting on stitches and starting the next square.  I finished this one after dark and won't cast on the next one until tomorrow when it's light out.  It's easier to weasel the needle into those tight little stitches in daylight.


There wasn't much daylight today, well, no sunlight anyway.  It rained.  No, really.  Here it is March 5 and it's raining in Green Bay.  Not a drenching rain, but rain showers, little spatters of rain, just enough to have the wipers on the lowest intermittent setting.  It's supposed to be windy and colder tomorrow and then get up into the 40s and 50s over the weekend.  And rain on Monday.  I... I just don't get it.  This is one weird winter.

05 March--Barbara Malcolm, Three Cheers for Murder. 

The early morning of Tuesday, June 15 found Cecilia sitting at her breakfast transfixed by the television.  She listened in disbelief to a news report of the murder of Teddy Allgood.  According to the reporter a homeless man heard a struggle in the alley behind her shelter, called out, and running down the alley, discovered the lifeless body.  “Police are investigating.” 

I’ll bet the police are going wild, Cecilia thought.  Three murders in just over a week.  Not many clues, if Alan’s telling her everything.  She began to go over the events of the last week, the brutal deaths of three young women.  A cold feeling started to grow in the pit of her stomach when she thought of the rapid transformation of Marlene seeming to accelerate after each murder. Marlene’s suddenly deep relationship with Lt. Graybow.  Could the love affair be an effort to deflect police suspicion?  Could her friend be the murderer?  Could the lifelong hatred Marlene harbored for the three women her mother seemed to prefer over her have finally boiled over into action? 

Cecilia lifted her coffee cup, took a sip, and found it ice cold.  How long had she been sitting there thinking?  She looked at the clock.  It’s 9:30!  Barely time for a quick shower before racing to open the store by 10.  All thoughts of murder left her while she hurried to get to work.

Arriving barely before 10, Cecilia opened the store and spent a few minutes going over her stock to figure out what needed to be replenished.  After compiling her inventory, she decided to call and arrange a lunch date with Marlene.  Surely with all the gossip going around town it won’t seem odd to talk about the murders.  Maybe she can find out some information to help Alan with his case.  That is, if she can convince him that what he calls her “woman’s intuition” is valid.  Men!

She called Marlene and invited her to lunch at the New Delhi Deli that just opened down the street.  It took a little persuasion to convince Marlene to close from 1 to 2 but Cecilia insisted that they need to brainstorm before their plea to the city council.  The rest of the morning flew by as Cecilia assisted a bride-to-be and her mother select gifts for the bridesmaids.  As she ushered them out the door Cecilia was glad that she wasn't involved in that wedding.  The mother had very definite ideas about things, overriding everything the bride seemed to want.  If the bride said, “Lavender”, the mother said “Freesia.”  If she wanted bath salts, the mother firmly said bath oil.  Cecilia wagered that the bride would be very happy when the entire ordeal was over. 

I had a good trainer session today.  We did some leg work and lots of shoulder work so that I stay flexible and strong.  For the first time the thirty minutes seemed to fly by.  That's a good thing, right?

Did you know that you can go online to usps.com and order stamps to be mailed to you for no extra charge?  I figured it out a while back so now I go there, shop for the best stamps, and they send them right to me.  No more rubbing elbows with people out at the post office and hoping that they've got the cool stamps.  This time I got "spooky scenes", "orchids", "Woodstock 50 years", and "the Year of the Rat."  I love stamps; I try to pick the right stamp for the person I'm mailing things to.  I suspect that no one but me does that anymore because I suspect that I'm about the only person that mails stuff anymore. Except for junk mail and random coupons.
--Barbara