I made Mary Jane slippers!

I've wanted to make a pair of these for myself for awhile now but these Mary Jane slippers kept getting pushed to the back of my priority list.  Between knitting and crocheting items for friends, relatives and the homeless, it was hard to find time to work on these.  But, I finally managed to fit them in by working on them a bit at a time.  I found that the best time was after a recording and/or editing session to help me unwind.  The pattern I used is called 'Mary Jane Slippers' and was created by Lisa Gutierrez.  You can find it here along with pictures of different pairs that Lisa crocheted using a different color for the trim.  I decided to go all black with mine.  

Sort of a side view.

I did consider putting red buttons on mine but decided I really liked these silvery/clear ones.  The slippers are very comfy and look nice around the house with my usual narrating uniform of a tee shirt and black leggings.  I used Red Heart Super Saver yarn so these should last a long time. 

My interview by writer and blogger Julie Valerie

Julie Valerie

I've been following Julie Valerie's blog, Julie Valerie's Book Blog, for a few months now.  Julie is a writer, reader and blogger and I always find her topics interesting and enjoy checking out what she posts.  Julie asked me if I would mind submitting to an interview about being a book narrator.  I was happy to comply.  She came up with questions and I did my best to answer them.  I also answered a few questions posted by folks who left questions about my responses.  If you're interested in seeing what Julie asked and my answers, you can check out the post here.

Big estate sales, small purchases

Duane, Linda and I hit two estate sales early this morning.  The first one was another one in the section of town known as 'Old Carrollwood' and had a big variety of items.  The couple who had owned the house traveled a lot so there was quite a bit of nice art, ceramics, etc.  Unfortunately, the company handling the estate sale was the one that only allows 10 people at a time into the house.  We first hit one of their sales last summer and said 'never again' but since they did specify in their ad about the 'people limit' we thought there might be fewer buyers.  We were right about that.  Normally a sale like this would have a very long line but this one didn't and we didn't have to wait very long to get in.  There were a number of people loudly grumbling about how ridiculous it was to have to wait but I guess this company has had problems with theft.  With so many small items for sale, I can see where it would be easy for someone to slip items into a pocket, etc.  

I was tempted by several items, particularly some of the art, but the few people who were in the house when our little trio got in were really scarfing stuff up.  I wasn't interested enough to push my newly sharpened elbows in and go after any of the spoils.  Duane did buy a set of china English egg coddlers.  Very nice. 

At the second sale, I found a pretty serving tray.  I like to use trays when I have company to serve cookies, etc.  Linda found some decorative candy wrappers and Duane bought some cake decorating items. 

Afterwards, we hit a nearby Starbucks and spent a lot of time gabbing while we had a snack.  Ah, the fun is in the hunt.

Our purchases.

Science Fiction short story now available on Audible

The sci/fi short story I recorded, Invisible Death by Anthony Pelcher, just went on sale today at Audible.

Darius Darrow, a brilliant scientist and inventor, died suddenly and violently in his home laboratory while his chemist wife, Susan, was nearby. No one was seen entering or leaving the home during the crime. The perpetrator stole Darrow's latest invention while committing the murder. The police and the head of the company who paid royalties on some of Darrow's patents begin the search for his killer. Death threats in the form of letters sent to the company head begin arriving after the murder demanding money or warning there would be more killings. What had Darrow invented that someone would want badly enough to kill him for it?

A fun who-done-it from the Golden Age of science fiction.  The story may be purchased here.  

Recording update

My latest audiobook just debuted on Audible  --  Sanctuary by Edith Wharton.

Young bride-to-be Kate Orme discovers something disturbing about the character of the man she is to marry shortly before the wedding. Years later, after raising their son, Kate realizes that he, too, is now faced with a decision that will reflect upon his ethics and scruples. Will all the time she spent instilling values into her son be enough to keep him from behaving as his father would?  Edith Wharton addresses that age-old question of nature vs. nurture.

The book can be purchased from Audible here.  


Next up is a science fiction short story called Invisible Death by Anthony Pelcher.  This recording is now in post-production and should be available shortly.  Here's a summary:  Darius Darrow, a brilliant scientist and inventor, died suddenly and violently in his home laboratory while his chemist wife, Susan, was nearby.  No one was  seen entering or leaving the home during the crime.  The
perpetrator stole Darrow's latest invention while committing the murder.  The police and the head of the company who paid royalties on some of Darrow's patents begin the search for his killer.  Death threats in the form of letters sent to the company head begin arriving after the murder demanding money or there will be more killings.   What had Darrow invented that someone would want badly enough to kill him for it?

I'll post here and on my website when this story goes on sale.


I've just started recording the first book in a cozy mystery genre called  The Red Shoelace Killer by Susan Sundwall.  It's the first in the Minnie Markwood series.  Terrific characters in this book, particularly Minnie.


I'll have more on this book later as recording progresses.   Gotta get back to my booth...