Donna's Muse Papers

My new book, In the Garden with the Pruning Shears , is described as a cozy mystery. There are many blogs exploring the definition of a cozy mystery. It is a mystery sub-genre of the crime novel genre that usually does not have explicit sex or violence or strong language. That is the simple explanation. The sleuths are clever, sometimes bumbling characters, but usually likeable, and usually manage to get into some sort of trouble while bringing the murderer to justice. There can be a hint of romance, but never sex. Blood is kept to a minimum. Many times the murder took place prior to the beginning of the book, so there is not a witness to the violent act, not even the reader sees it happen. Click to buy When I think cozy mystery I visualize curling up on a winter day in a big chair, ideally in front of a fireplace, but at least in a warm and cozy spot. Perhaps in front of a sunny window, feeling like a cat, or wrapped in a snuggly throw or quilt with a cup of hot tea nearb

My bathroom is under repair – so my toilet is sitting in the spare bedroom while the floor in the bathroom is being reinforced. It is an old house and I love living in it. My landlord is great about fixing things. It isn’t his fault I spent last night using a porta john set up under my carport. I decided it would be an adventure. In my younger days we did a lot of camping so it sure beat going in the woods. But, I am getting a little old for adventures of that kind. It was cold outside last night. The whole experience reminded me of Daddy telling me the story of when he was a little boy and in winter with two feet of snow on the ground he didn’t want to go to the outhouse at night. So, he peed in an earthenware vinegar jug. He'd kept that jug, storing it on a shelf in his workshop. I told him I wanted him to leave me the jug in his will so I would have it to remember him and his story. I have the jug on a shelf in my barrister bookcase. I wrote a poem about Daddy's lit