I intended to get right up at 5 am and get this blog entry started but then I got sidetracked by Sue Grafton’s newest T is for Trespass. It’s a snowy morning here in Denver and with my coffee and a cozy corner to curl up in, I decided to finish the book. I think it’s one of her best. There were a couple of times when I was screaming, call the niece, but besides that, the story is compelling and for me, hits very close to home. I had a great-aunt who was taken advantage of by a “care giver” and while we don’t believe she was ever physically abused, the woman stole from her and I’m sure threatened her either subtly or overtly to keep quiet about it. It wasn’t until the woman got too greedy and it became obvious she was writing checks and forging my aunt’s signature that we became aware of the situation. Even then, the “bonding” agency refused to do anything about it because my aunt wouldn’t press charges. Like she would. She was a sickly 85 year old. Moral of the story—bonding doesn’t mean crap. Checking references doesn’t mean crap. The sad truth is, there is no way to protect the elderly unless you are lucky enough to find the perfect assisted living facility (and can talk the person into leaving her home) or can take care of the person in your own home (again, providing you can talk the person into moving in.) It’s a lose/lose situation. I’m extremely lucky in that I have an angel of a sister who cares for my own 94-year-old father.
Okay—that was depressing. Anyway, I intended to talk about a fun subject today—Christmas. I hope yours was wonderful. My daughter didn’t join us from her home in Chicago because for the last three months she’s been going through the remodel from hell. Luckily, it did finally get finished but not in time for her to plan a trip. As it was, she may not have made it anyway because air traffic in Chicago was pretty much not happening. But she had her new dog Ali for company and it sounded on the phone like she was reveling in finally being able to cook in her new kitchen and take a shower in her new bathroom. I think I mentioned that after she had to put her cat down, she went to the shelter to donate left over cat food and this wonderful dog followed her home. Here’s a picture. I can safely say, she’s converted completely from being a cat person to a dog person.
So, back to Christmas. My husband and I spent Christmas Eve with some wonderful friends, Jim and Betty Harper and their family. Great dinner, great company, great camaraderie. It was an honor to be included.
Christmas Day found us in the middle of a snowstorm but there was no way in hell we weren’t going to make the trek to our friend Sam Reeve’s house for the festivities. Sam is a chef—not a professional chef, but a chef none-the-less. He even made up souvenir menu. Here it is--well, I intended to post the menu but blogger tells me its in the wrong format. Maybe Sam will send it to me in a jpg file? Sam, do you hear me?
Mario attended as well as an assortment of what we call the Displaced Persons Bunch who are all from different parts of the country and have no family with which to celebrate. No, that’s not exactly right. As another good friend Joanne Hoefer pointed out, we are the family of choice instead of happenstance. I won’t even tell you how many bottles of sparkling wine, beer and other libations we managed to kill off in the course of eight hours but I think it averaged at least two bottles a person. Taken over an entire day of eating, I guess that’s not really so bad.
To wrap things up, here are a few pics from signings earlier in the month in Southern California--first two are at Mystery & Imagination in Glendale, the second are from Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego. The Denver launch is still in the process of editing. We don’t really know how to use the new camera yet. Hopefully, they’ll get better. BTW, thanks so much to all of you who’ve bought Watcher and have commented on it. I appreciate it. Numbers have been respectable and again, thank you. Also, a reminder, January I’ll be the topic of discussion on Barnes & Noble
Paranormal/Urban Fantasy loop. Please feel free to jump in and comment on the good, the bad and the ugly.
Oh, and before I forget-- Happy New Year. I hope it turns out to be the best year ever for all of us (hear that Susan?)