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Menagerie
à deux...
As
someone who grew up believing that dogs, not diamonds, are a
girl's best friend, my conversion to 'cat person'
came as a bit of a surprise. I had stopped in at the local pet
shop for
birdseed one afternoon and, as usual, couldn't
resist
paying a visit to the adoption centre. There he was, all alone
and meowing, "get me outa here!" I tried telling him
that it wouldn't work—we're from two different worlds—but,
you guessed it, I came home with a lot
more than birdseed.
Meet
Sam, aka 'Samwise' or 'Disreputable
Cat' whose scarred ear hints at his
history as a brawler. He's an
American
Shorthair with a quirky personality and definite
sense of humour. I guess that comes in handy when you're
the bird's personal cat. Especially when that bird is a bit of
a celebrity.
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And
the handsome fellow in the photos to the left is Jazz, lineolated
parakeet extraordinaire. If you've never met a linnie, pay a visit
to Homestead's
Hatchery. Among the wonderful photos there, you'll find a baby
pic of Jazz at 9 weeks. (He was called 'Columbus' at the time,
because he so loved to explore.)
Jazz's
celebrity status is thanks to mystery author Barbara
Colley, whose wonderful sleuth in the Charlotte LaRue Mystery
Series has a pet parakeet named Sweety Boy. I've been sharing Jazz's
antics with Barb since the day he came home and as Sweety Boy's
real-life alter ego, Jazz is mentioned on the acknowledgements
page of Death Tidies Up. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries,
Jazz and I highly recommend this series, set in New Orleans and
featuring Charlotte LaRue, maid for hire, amateur sleuth, and 'bird
person'. |
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How
do writers research? Any way we can!
In
the Air! Here's what Markham Month Magazine had
to say."When
she started working on her new book, Cheryl Cooke Harrington had
no idea she'd
wind up piloting an
airplane. But that's the situation this romance writer found herself
in while researching for an upcoming book. Says Harrington, "The research
can take you in all sorts of wonderful directions." In the case of Sparks Fly, that direction was up! So come
fly with me! There'll
be an excerpt waiting for you when we land.
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