Notice most of the fairgoers are men. Note the fashions. There's no sideshows anymore.

I have to admit the tram hasn't changed in over fifity years, except the tractiors now run on soy biodiesel fuel.

We still have a fair queen every year, but I don't think they have a swimsuit contest. Each county sends their own 4-H Fair Contest Queen to compete. Often the competitors participate in a fashion show of clothes they designed and sewed 
themselves.

In 1964, the Beatles arrived to play at the Indiana State Fair. Many bands play at the state fair every year.

Each year my daughter and I attend the fair. It's great fun seeing the animals, exhibits, feeding the animals at the petting zoo, cheering on the racing pigs this year,  fair food, photo opps, and meandering through the flea market.

The Midway is a big draw with its various rides and games of chance. On my first visit to the fair with my now husband, he won a dragon and unicorn for me, which made me the envy of many children. :) I still have both stuffed animals. I can see my characters Tenny and Blue from The Tenacious Librarian Series wandering the fair grounds. Blue would definitely hang out with the dairy cows. Hope you enjoyed your visit to the Indiana State Fair.

Photos from Indianapolis Star, self-taken, or from the Glass Barn.

​Tagline: When legends come to life, a librarian's detective skills are put to the test.
I never thought my quiet little town would become the center of attention, but here we are. A low-budget movie production company has descended upon us, determined to resurrect a local legendary monster. As the town librarian and amateur sleuth extraordinaire, I couldn't resist digging deeper into their suspicious activities.
 
My best bud Blue, always up for an adventure, joins me in unraveling the secrets behind the movie crew. There's something fishy about them, and I suspect they're up to more than just making a film. But that's not the only challenge I face.
 
Rita, my nemesis, has escaped from prison, and she blames me for her incarceration. It seems she hasn't forgotten our last encounter when she tried to end my life. With her lurking in the shadows, I have to stay one step ahead and protect myself and my loved ones.
 
Oh, and did I mention Precious, the mischievous raccoon? He's always by my side, getting into trouble and helping me crack the case in her own unique way. Together, we'll uncover the truth behind the movie production and the legend it aims to resurrect.
 
In a town where everyone is busy perfecting their acting skills, we're about to discover that some performances are too real for comfort. Join me on this thrilling adventure as we navigate through movie dreams, dormant fears, and a town buzzing with excitement. When legends come to life, a librarian's detective skills are put to the test. Will I solve the mystery before it's too late?
 

Get Your Copy Today at Amazon.

 Ireland is the land of lakes, standing stone circles, myths, and sheep. Because we went in the spring, there were plenty of lambs. The  sheep are often sprayed  with paint as a form of identification. Soon after the lambs are born they get a dab of color, too.

The fields are usually divided by hedge groves  or ancient stone fences. There are a few wood and wire fences to keep both lambs and cows contained.

Lamb meat while expensive in the United States is an affordable dish in Ireland. Woolen stores are everywhere and sell the most beautifully woven merino wool scarves.

This is a Hawthorne tree and is considered a fairy tree. Roads and building projects  have been planned around in such trees in Ireland. Our guide told us a story where a road was either built around or cut down the Hawthorne tree and wrecks kept happening there. They eventually changed the road and offered an apology to the fairies.

​

Ireland is an island surrounded by the Alantic ocean, but inside the mountains, you have magnificent lakes. A good part of Ireland is National Parks land including the lakes. The parks are open for all to visit. Boats and kayaks are available for rent. We chose a boat tour with a guide who not only had a motor on his boat, but knew all the tales that go along with the magnicient, scenery.

One of our day trips was to Innisfallen Island, which is now deserted, except for the deer. It had been once a monastery. In ancient times, it was believed to be a place of learning for both men and women. There's a possibility it could have served as a leper colony, too. Now it is a park belonging to Killarney. People often picnic on this peaceful place while exploring the ruins. It is only acessible by boat.

There was a whimisical atmosphere about my Irish sojurn. There were swings everywhere and I did stop for a few pumps of the legs. Some of the swings were over water testing my resolve. I tried out those swings, too and didn't end up in the chilly water.

Here I am crawling out of OWEYNAGAT , which is sometimes called the entrance to the Irish Underworld or the Cave of Cats. It is dark, muddy, and amazing. It gets bigger once you get inside. I You'll have to try it out for yourself.
Find out more about Irish Caves.

It is fitting we end our visit to Ireland with sunset over the Killarney countryside.

I think I believed in Santa longer than most children.  The reason is that he called me!  This was in the early 1950s, before kids were disillusioned through modern technology.  Mom answered the phone and, after listening a minute, held the handset out saying, "It's for you." 

Probably the first time that had happened to me.  I tentatively said, "Hello?"  and a gravelly voice replied, "Ho, ho, ho!  Merry Christmas, Robin!" 

I could hear jingle bells and Santa turned away from the phone to call one of the reindeer from wandering off.  Then he told me that he was calling the children on his "Nice" list to check what they wanted for Christmas.  We had a lovely, but short, discussion (he had a lot of children to check on) and then, with more jingle bells and commands to elves and reindeer, he hung up. 

​ I found out years later that it was "Uncle" Charlie Brophy, a friend of my parents'.  They had been as surprised as I was when he called.  It was just something he had decided to do for the younger kids of his friends and neighbors.

Morgan here. What a sweet thing for Uncle Charlie to do.

My favorite Christmas memory is from when I was a lot younger. My mom wanted to bake sugar cookies with us and we needed a few ingredients from the store (flour, sugar, salt, etc). She sent me into the store with a sandwich baggy full of loose coins.

Thinking back… she was probably embarrassed to do it herself. I faithfully grabbed all of the ingredients on the list she had given me and set them on the conveyer belt to check out. When the cashier rang everything up and I counted out each coin from my bag, I didn’t have enough. The cashier asked me to choose an item to put back. I tried telling her that my mom had sent me into the store to buy all of the necessary ingredients we needed to make cookies for Santa and I needed it all. I was devastated. Everything was vital to making the cookies.

Finally, I chose the salt. The woman in line behind me told the cashier that she would take the salt. My young pride was upset. How dare she take MY salt. The salt that I couldn’t pay for. I slowly walked out of the store to my mom, who was waiting in the car for me. How was I going to tell her that I couldn’t get everything she’d asked for? I failed the job she had given me. Now, we wouldn’t be able to make cookies.

As I was just about to exit the store, the woman who was behind me in line called out to me. I turned around and she had the salt container in her outstretched hands. She told me that she wanted me to have it. She remembered being a struggling single mom and that she wanted me to tell my mom Merry Christmas. Through my tears, I thanked her and gave her a hug.

 When I got back into the car with my mom, I told her everything. How I didn’t have enough money for everything and that I had to return an item and I’d chosen the salt. How the woman behind me in line said that she would buy the salt and how upset I was. Then, I told her what that same woman had done, she’d purchased the salt for us and that she’d asked me to tell my mom that she was doing great and to have a Merry Christmas. My mom and I sat in our car crying for a few minutes before she turned to me and said, “That is the true meaning of Christmas.”

Now that I’m older and have a family of my own, I still cannot make sugar cookies without thinking of that nameless woman and silently thanking her for her kindness.
​
What an incredible tale of compassion. Thanks for sharing it, Shelby.

One of my favorite Christmas’s took place in 1975. My father was in the U.S. Air Force and we had recently returned to the United States from living abroad in West Germany. In December of 1975 my father decided he would drive the family to Washington State so my mother could visit with her Uncle Bob and her grandparents.

It was quite an experience for us. We had our school work to do but we also visited so many new historical places .
We participated in a Christmas Boat Parade. We went to Mount Rainier and Northwest Trek. We went up in the Space Needle in Seattle, Washington.

It was so much fun.

It sounds like a wonderful time. Happy memories.

Bullies, Bovines, and a Bookmobile
​Blurb:
​
An unexpected illness of the aunt who raised her, draws reference librarian Tenny back into the tangle of small time life complete with unrequited love, and a mean girl with an agenda. Her goal is to nurse her aunt back to health and start a local library in the process. Unfortunately, she stumbles onto a bovine secret and a life-long rivalry. Can she untangle the mystery while creating a rural bookmobile service?

​Available for only .99 cents preorder on Amazon.

A Bookworm of a Suspect

​All proceeds will be donated to "The Free Book Bus" a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

From bookstores to libraries, mischief and murder is on the rise.
Follow 30 sleuths as they tackle the ultimate case, to catch a bookworm red-handed.

Will their love of books solve the case before it's too late?
Spend the next month solving a mystery a day from the best cozy mystery authors in the industry.

Featuring bestsellers such as: Verena DeLuca, NAK Baldron, Denise Jaden, Iris March, Nicolette Pierce, Jessica Baker, Krista Lockheart Lisa Bouchard, Lise McClendon, Julie Anne Lindsey, Stella Bixby, K.L. Montgomery, Anne Shillolo, Polly Holmes, Kathryn Mykel, Angela K. Ryan, M K Scott, Brittany E. Brinegar, Mary Lucal, Elle Wren Burke, C. Farren, Alicia Ellis, Jennifer S. Alderson, Kelly Brakenhoff, Rune Stroud, Mary B. Barbee, Elle Hartford, ACF Bookens, Adriana Licio, Kate Darroch and more.

Only .99 preorder at your favorite online bookstores.

What happens with thirty cozy mystery authors come together for a fun anthology that benefits the Free Book Bus, a non-profit organization that delivers free books to children? It's a win-win for the children and cozy mystery fans.

Pre-order your own A Bookworm of a Suspect for only .99 cents. Enjoy thirty tales from thirty talented authors. Here's a little more about my story, which involves Donna and Mark from my Painted Lady Inn Mysteries series.

M.K. Scott,  A Cat’s Tale

A curious cat leads Detective Mark Taber and amateur sleuth wife, Donna, to a murdered man inside an empty bookstore. Despite warnings not to interfere by the local authorities, Donna finds herself pulled into a deadly game of cat and mouse.
​
Amazon Link to Related Series: https://www.amazon.com/The-Painted-Lady-Inn-Mysteries-12-book-series/dp/B087LQWWN4

My mother loved to travel and often took us on family vacations. She has since passed on, but I like to think she traveled with us. Too often, people wait too long to take a dream trip. We've been waiting two years for ours. Come travel with us.

Galapagos Islands is considered a national park with a very interesting history. It served as a pirates hideout due to the morning mists from the currents, a whaler's paradise due to whales, a penal colony, and finally a protected wildlife sanctuary.  Animals have no fear of humans since they are neither hunted or harassed. The finches will land right next to you for a crumb from your sandwich. 
 
The Island of Floreana  could be its own mystery novel. Back in the seventies, nine people chose to live there, only one remains, and she's a little fuzzy about the details about what happened to everyone else.  A few of the islands have human populations, but must rely on supplies from Ecuador. Conservation is number one consideration with no plastic bottles in Galapagos. They have machines that dispense water and coffee, but a customer must provide their own container. All soda and water are in glass bottles.
​​

There are so many incredible animals in the Galapagos including sea lions, penguins, iguanas, flamingoes, sea turtles, and gIant tortoise to name a few. (Only 1 in 1000 baby sea turtles actually reaches the sea.)

There are all sorts of birds including the famous blue footed booby, Darwin Finches, pelicans, gulls, Galapagos Hawk, and the Frigate Bird. If anyone remembers Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds movie, it will give you a feel what it was like visiting the island where all the huge, black frigate birds filled the sky crying their slightly eerie call. Thankfully, they didn't attack and there were plenty of fluffly baby frigates to ooh and ah over.  A baby is anywhere from twelve to eighteen inches long.

For those of you planning a similar trip, I should warn you about lots of hiking, speeding around in inflatable boats and wet landings. Wet landings are where you jump out of the boat and wade to shore. Dry landings are where you jump out of a rocking boat and hope you hit land. We fared well. No sun burn, no bug bites, and over six hundred photos.

 Our bucket list trip to Galapagos really stretched our horizons and forced us to remember our high school Spanish. We saw animals up close, snorkeled, and kayaked. We planted trees to help rebuild forests crowded out by invasive species. One of the invasive species was surprisingly blackberry brambles. The blackberries were brought by immigrants from Ecuador hoping to grow familiar berries.


It's an amazing experience to walk through a field of migrating giant tortoises. Our guide told us once a tortoise reaches a hundred years, it refuses to migrate since they always come back to the same place in the spring. Wisdom comes with age.

Color is very important to attract a mate. Boobies with the bluest feet attract the most mates. It's the same with the Sally Go Lightly  Crab. The brighter the color, the more chance a female crab will notice it.

Galapagos Islands Park allows only so many visitors per year, so we feel extremely lucky to visit in our lifetime. We were on a small craft with only ninety-four guests. Most everyone flew in from Quito. We were the only ones to fly in from Guayaquil. For a few hours, we were the only guests on the boat. :)