MONDAY MUSINGS: THE TAXMAN COMETH

Have I mentioned lately I'm ready for Spring?

Fortunately, he isn't taking but giving, although not as generously as he has in the past, but hey, I'll take what I can get. J  I have friends going through shoe boxes and pulling out their hair. I just gather everything together and keep a master list and hand it off to a very skilled bookkeeper/tax preparer. Bless her heart.

I've thoroughly enjoyed my day off Sunday. I needed it. I got fresh baked donuts and I had, not one, but two of the yummy things (unusual because I rarely eat them. I love them but they don't love me back). I also got to snooze and rest. Also finished reading a good book by Jayne Ann Krentz Copper Beach (Dark Legacy book one). The weather was perfect for snuggling up and reading. I was in the mood to watch a movie Saturday night, but not a new one. So I watched Vogage Home, my all time favorite of the Star Trek movies. I love the humor and drama of it. Spock is also a favorite, followed by Scotty and McCoy. One of my favorite touches Nimoy did for this movie (I have a list), is when Sarek asked Spock if he had a message for his mother and he replied, "Tell her I feel fine." Sarek eyebrow lifts, which made me smile, but there is a look in his eye that says he understands.

For those of you who enjoy Jayne Ann Krentz, as much as I; check out her latest, Copper Beach. Well done story and she does suspense well. I enjoy her blend of romance and danger and the way she creates a villain—or two. It's been interesting and entertaining to watch her blend the paranormal elements she's developed in her historical alchemists and futuristic stories and skillfully bring those unique elements together into a solid contemporary setting. She makes it a compelling read. I also loved the addition of a junkyard dog aka condo dog. Newton was cool! I'm looking forward to Judson and Gwen's story!

AMAZON, B&N

COPPER BEACH (Dark Legacy Novel)
Jayne Ann Krentz

A rare book and an ancient code...

Within the pages of very rare books some centuries old lie the secrets of the paranormal. Abby Radwell’s unusual psychic talent has made her an expert in such volumes—and has sometimes taken her into dangerous territory. After a deadly incident in the private library of an obsessive collector, Abby receives a blackmail threat, and rumors swirl that an old alchemical text known as The Key has reappeared on the black market.

Convinced that she needs an investigator who can also play bodyguard, she hires Sam Coppersmith, a specialist in paranormal crystals and amber—“hot rocks.” Passion flares immediately between them, but neither entirely trusts the other. When it comes to dealing with a killer who has paranormal abilities, and a blackmailer who will stop at nothing to obtain an ancient alchemical code, no one is safe. Excerpt (Amazon)

For those who may have wondered? Oh, yes. We got more snow. I feel like I should be singing Jingle Bells or something.  I'm so over snow! It's almost April—enough already. One of the nice things about Missouri is it's ability to turn off one season and start the next one the following day. I'm waiting—*grumbles and curses while searching for the switch.* Damn. I can't find it. Hope it's not broken.

My guest on Wednesday is Gina Lamm. Be sure to check back then.

Oh, and: 

Thank you Mark Koopman!

 Happy Birthday to Talli Roland! Hope you have a simply marvelous day!
 

A BIT OF THE CELTIC GREEN

IRISH COFFEE

Ingredients

1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee 

1 tablespoon of brown sugar

1 jigger Irish whiskey

Heavy cream, slightly whipped 

Directions fill mug with hot water to preheat it, then empty. 

Pour piping hot coffee into warmed glass until it is about 3/4 full.

Add the brown sugar and stir until completely dissolved.Blend in 

Irish whiskey. Top with a collar of the whipped heavy cream by

pouring gently over back of spoon. Serve hot.

My family isn't really Irish, perse, (although we do have Irish in the background) nor we even Catholic. We’re Celtic.

But everyone is Irish on St. Paddy’s day, right?

 

Celtic is the term for the Scot, Irish, and Welsh. They’re the Celts. They were the fierce warriors, the bards, the artisans, and the song masters. They worked hard and played hard and still do, for the most part. Music? Oh my word, the Celts can make some fine music.

In my family, we have a tradition of coming together for St. Paddy’s. My brother Rob is the host and has been for many years. He loves to throw a good party. He spends months planning the decorations—and trust me, there’s enough green to make the trees weep in envy. His house and property sits nestled in the hills surround by trees, just on the border of town. The heart of the town is only minutes away. Rob has a pool house and bar area for the party. It’s where we gather many times during the year for cookouts, swimming parties, New Years, or just visiting. You can sit on the wide porch or pop inside to the fully stocked bar and play a game or two of darts or, if you prefer, go up the steps leading to the decks surrounding the pool. He has a speaker system hidden in the vines and trellises near the roof outside and lots of pillows, small bistro tables and comfy chairs to sit.

Some prep work

St. Paddy’s is a family party filled with food, laughter, plenty to drink (but no green beer-shudder), dancing and singing. We rock the joint. The party usually begins in the afternoon and finishes up in the wee hours with all the little ones sleeping, jumbled up like puppies, in mounds of blankets in the corner.

My Mom

I laughingly say I come from a litter of nine. I get the raised brow from my mom when I say it. None of her children have produced such an abundance of children, but between us there is always a huge crowd of kids running around. In the afternoon there are games for all. 

There are horseshoes, darts, and soccer, impromptu caber tosses, a bit of shot put between the boys. You can see arm wrestling between young and old. Or just sitting around and telling tales. Our parties span the ages from upper seventies to infants. Neighbors know there is a party at Rob’s on St. Paddy’s—you can’t miss the music and laughter. Many stop in, some stay to eat, play and dance or join in the singing, others just visit a bit enjoying the food and merriment and go home. 

While my brother and his partner lay out a feast, we all bring food. Just family alone can number over fifty people. The tables groan. It’s a huge banquet spread out before us all. Food is brought out all through the day. Dancing is always present and that includes a flock of little ones either in a group or with the grownups. Late afternoon and early evening brings the bonfire and singing and calls out to different ones to share a tune. Tis a beautiful thing to watch and be a part of.

We may not be in the old country, either Scotland or Ireland, but it’s our country, and we make our own traditions and they’re very dear to us all.

List of those participating in the blog hop