Thankful

Wendall -- every other Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving. I thought I’d take this opportunity to write about a few things I’m grateful for today.

First, I am so grateful for my husband. Today is the anniversary of our first date and I want to thank him for making me laugh every day for the last twenty-three years. 

 

We never pass up a chance at a photo booth.

 

The king of funny faces.

He sent off for an inflatable Dino from Japan.

I am also grateful to the Murder is Everywhere crew. It is a privilege and a pleasure to have spent almost two years now with all of you interesting, talented, erudite writers and to be a part of the blog. I’m also grateful for all of you who follow us.

 

My first Bouchercon with most of the writers from MIE.

 

As always, I’m grateful to Stevie Wonder for still being alive. Same goes for Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Stephen Stills, Bob Dylan, Rickie Lee Jones, Stevie Nicks, Keith Richards, and on and on. For more details on how music is vital to me, see my blog from November 14.

 

 

I am grateful that James and I now have a balcony. It may overlook a freeway (we pretend the constant sound is the ocean) but it’s a private place outside to read, drink coffee and cocktails, and watch the hummingbirds while the sun rises and sets. Makes all the difference.

 

 

I am grateful to all my professors at UNC, especially the late Doris Betts, who gave me the best reading lists and taught me to think, always dig deeper, and check my sources.

 

My writing and thinking mentor, Doris Betts.

 

I’m grateful to live in California, where succulents abound.

 

Huntington Gardens.

 

A palm tree from my neighborhood.

 

I’m grateful to have grown up in the 70s, where great, profound, irreverent, and hilarious movies were in theaters every week.

 

To be a moviegoes when Altman was at his peak was a privilege.

When news was news.

No words for how prophetic this was.

When Jill Clayburgh, Diane Keaton, and Sally Field were movie stars.

Still stunning.

My idol and still one of my favorite films.

"Serpentine!"

Too many funny lines to quote.

I’m grateful that mystery organizations, librarians, and independent bookstores exist and for all the amazing people who have helped me with my research, read early drafts, chosen my stories for anthologies, and generally supported me as a writer, especially my sister, Kim. The rest of you know who you are.

 

At Chevalier's with Tim Hallinan.

 

My very first signing with Anne Saller at Book Carnival.

My first published story, thanks to Naomi Hirahara.

 

Also grateful I can still hear, see, and type!

 

Have a great holiday.

 

--Wendall