The Cozy Mystery List Blog

I am hoping that everyone of you is enjoying this time of the year, when people seem to be on their very best behavior.

It’s the time of year for reflection… Have we been naughty or nice? Have there been times when we have been lazy about helping others? Have we made a difference to others?

As I ask myself these questions, I think about the people who have made a difference in my life, and I am truly thankful. I know that as I get older, I am becoming more impatient with what I consider incompetence. I do, however, try to curb my tongue and not let that impatience show… at least not too often!

So, I am going to set aside some time to reflect on this question: Have I been naughty or nice? And, if the answer is nice with a little naughty thrown in, what can I do to not have that very same dilemma next year?

Bah Humbug!  

I know that I wrote several times about how disappointed I was when they cancelled the Bonnie Hunt Show. I really did miss that feel-good show, and tried to replace it with other talk shows that I sampled, none of which I found myself wanting to “commit to” watching every day.

Let me mention that we don’t get the newspaper. We don’t pull a Paul Simon (“I get the news I need on the weather report…”), rather, we get our news from the internet. So, I had a novel idea… Why don’t I find a morning show that suits me… something that I can get invested in… a show with hosts who I feel I could listen to five days a week. That might solve both my gathering-of-news and my feel-good show problem, and give me something I can leave on while cooking dinner (I tape everything!) or while I perform some other mindless activity. (Hmmm… I wonder if my cooking reflects my attitude about it being a mindless activity?!?)

Eureka! I found the show!!! The last three months I have been watching/listening to the CBS Early Morning Show. I truly enjoy Harry Smith at the helm of the two hour show. Smith, along with Maggie Rodriguez and Dave Price, gave me another show that I thought was top rate, and I actually looked forward to seeing them.

Kiss of Death!!! I tell you, it never fails! There are two things of which I am sure: 1. When I get in the shortest line at the grocery store, invariably someone in front of me will need the cashier to go retrieve a pack of cigarettes from the locked-down area at the front of the store. OR 2. When I find a show that I really like, it is only a matter of time before it will be cancelled.

In short, CBS has decided to replace Harry Smith, Maggie Rodriguez, and Dave Price with a whole new team of anchors. I guess it’s time for me to start listening to music… off of DVDs that we own. That way, they can’t be cancelled!

***I’m sorry, but I have decided not to post any more comments about this topic. Today (January 4, 2011) I am seeing that I’m being inundated with so many comments from people who are as unhappy about this change in hosts as I am. But, as this is a blog about Cozy Mystery books, I am going to have to agree with you all about how bad this decision is, but am not going to post any more comments.***

Welcome Winter!

My husband and I are so happy about once again having both of our children here for Christmas. Our daughter flew in from Cambridge yesterday (her winter break) and already I am finding myself dreading when she has to go back in two weeks. When our children were at the University of Texas/Austin they got something like four to five weeks off between sessions, but our daughter has to return to school for something they call “Winter Term” >>> which is not an elective-type of thing. All students in the program attend the three week session. She is excited about the class she will be attending, so that part  is good. >>> It’s just not so great for her mom!

My husband and son are going to be taking a few days off both weeks that she is home, which will be very nice for all of us. Sprite (our 16 year old puppy) isn’t too excited about it, but she doesn’t get very excited about anything these days… except for her “special treat,” which she only gets when she has performed a trick. And of course, when I say “performed a trick” I mean has tolerated me grooming her in some fashion, which, let’s face it, isn’t anything more than her sitting and “allowing me” to do the actual “trick.”