The Cozy Mystery List Blog

I am back from my niece’s wedding>>> What a wonderful time! My sister (mother of the bride) sure worked her tail off! She decided to do the wedding herself, rather than hire a wedding planner, and let me tell you… weddings are now a big business! It’s amazing to me how many little details there are to take care of>>> from the little gift bags my sister left at the hotel to the gorgeous flower arrangements, hors d’oeuvres, main dinner course, location of the wedding, location of the reception, musicians for the wedding, wedding cake, photographer, monogrammed napkins, ETC. (I think that you can get the picture!)

My husband and I were married as an elopement thus saving loads of money and time. (We also managed to get the down payment for our first house in lieu of gifts.) I guess that we were just less romantic, more practical, and the fact that he was stationed in Panama at the time sort of ruled out a big wedding with lots of friends and family flying in… It’s one thing for people to go to another state for a wedding… but we drew the line at another country!

It’s good to be back home. I just thought that I would check in and say hello to any site readers who happen to catch the blog…

I have been remiss in blogging! Let me just say…I am having a wonderful time at my niece’s wedding here in the Windy City, and I should be heading back to San Antonio before too long. The bride is my very favorite niece. I have done two cross-country trips with her, and have felt a very deep love for her since she was itty-bitty. It is hard to believe that she is old enough to be getting married!

Actually, I am still at home but post-dating this blog. Some of you might wonder how I can unequivocally say that I am having a wonderful time… since this blog is being written days before I actually set out to Chicago.

Well… it’s like this! I am seeing my very favorite sister (my only sister, but indeed someone who I have looked up to and loved for many years), my younger “baby” brother (who happens to be one of my very favorite people), my mother and her beau (both truly appreciated by yours truly!), and of course, but sister’s family… husband, son, and the aforementioned daughter. I just cannot wait to see all of them… I haven’t seen my favorite nephew or brother-in-law for several years, so it will be great to finally get out there and give them hugs in person… rather than through my sister!

Anyway… as I said… this blog is being written before I even head out to Chicago, but I think that I can safely say that it will be a great time for all of us to reunite and watch our lovely bride step into married life!

Well, it has finally happened! One of my very favorite shows is changing to “keep up with the times,” and I am very sad to see it happening. I have gotten used to the idea that I now have specialist doctors calling me “Ma’am,” but this is just too much! (There’s your first hint… not just doctors, but “specialists”!!!!)

The show I am talking about is “Siskel and Ebert“>>> Yes, I know that it isn’t actually called that anymore, but that’s how my husband and I think of it. (Well, actually that might just be me. My husband is better at keeping up with the times!)

I started watching “Siskel and Ebert” way back when I had just turned 20 (I think) … It’s hard to believe that the show was on television way back in the late-ish ’70s! (That’s right, it has been on for more than a quarter of a century!) I remember when Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert would sit across the isle in balcony seats and “chat” about the current movies, back when the show was played on PBS. I found a lot of movies by watching that show… and I found even more movies to avoid by watching those two disagree more often than not. The two of them probably had the most famous thumbs ever… with one (thumb) motion of UP or DOWN, movies would get the red or green light. It was an easy way to be introduced to what was playing in theaters… My husband and I always made up our on minds based on the synopsis that the two of them would provide, with the trailers they would show. We knew that we could trust them to never divulge any spoilers.

We were deeply saddened by the death of Gene Siskel, and again saddened by Roger Ebert’s bout with cancer. The show has taken many twists and turns… and now is known as At the Movies. They no longer are able to use the thumbs up/down signature, but still continue with the synopsis/trailer parts of the show. We have stayed with the show through all of its changes… The two permanent hosts are Richard Roeper and Michael Phillips.

BUT!!! This is too much!!! When my husband told me about the changes that are going to be taking place starting this September, I thought… that’s not too bad… I know who Ben Lyons is… I’ve enjoyed watching him in the past. NOPE!!! Not Jeffrey Lyons… but his son!!! YOW!!! Am I getting too old for this Brave New World, or what?!? And, apparently there will be even be a new format!

I know I have blogged about teaching an old dog new tricks… But, I never really saw myself as THAT OLD!!! You know it’s bad when children of you cohorts are taking over prime positions!!! Well, I guess there is nothing to do but wait and see what these “young puppies” can do!