. . . Since I last posted! We spent two weeks traveling to California and back to visit our son – a much-anticipated trip! We travelled on Amtrak’s Soutwest Chief. I’ll share some photos of our trip at the bottom of the post.
This was a big deal; in general, 98% of my travel takes place vicariously through my reading. There was lots of planning, some stress, and finally I got to hug my son, whom we had not seen since last September, and had NEVER seen in the state he now calls home.
The trip was all I had hoped it would be, but I did find a little time to read a couple of fun cozy mysteries as I wound down in the late evenings – books one and two of Monica Knightley’s Stratford Upon Avondale Mysteries. I’ve reviewed both of them; the first is called Alas, She Drowned, and it’s followed by Come, Bitter Poison. There are ten books in this series in which ex-novice nun and tea room owner Maggie O’Flynn, who writes steamy romance novels on the sly, takes it upon herself to solve murder after murder. They’re quick, entertaining reads – not too heavy to read on a trip.
Here are the promised vacation photos; I’m a reader and writer rather than a photographer, so consider these just a friend showing you their vacation snapshots. As far as the blog goes, I’m back in the saddle, so look for a resurrection of Monday Morning Poetry tomorrow and a little travel quiz later in the week.



