Book Store Closing

I posted earlier this week on Facebook about my Monday visit to the Pasadena, California, Barnes and Noble.

 

I'd been to a couple of bookstores the week before, after December began, but my December Harlequin Romantic Suspense COVERT ATTRACTION wasn't yet on the shelves.  It was there, though, at the Pasadena B&N, three copies that I got to sign.  Also on the shelves were several copies of my Pet Rescue Mysteries.  I was thrilled. 

 

 

I was also sad.  This Barnes and Noble is closing as of December 31. 

I enjoy going to Pasadena for different reasons, including its bookstores.  Vroman's is always fun.  So is Book 'Em Mysteries, which I visit before each of the Sisters in Crime Los Angeles meetings since the South Pasadena library--venue for the SinCLA meetings--and Book 'Em are within close walking distance of one another.  As far as I know, both of those stores are doing okay. 

But not that B&N.   

I admit that, although I have a Kindle and enjoy using it, I'm still hooked on physical books.  That means I'm also hooked on brick-and-mortar bookstores, although I have been known to order books online, too.   

It's sad to realize that my next book, TEACUP TURBULENCE, the fifth Pet Rescue Mystery, won't ever see the inside of that particular B&N since it's a January 2014 release.  I won't get to sign copies there.  I won't get to buy other books there unless I hurry back before the end of this year.

 

Sigh.

 

There are other B&Ns around, and some are closer to me.  I won't have to totally wean myself from Barnes and Nobles, just that one.  But that still makes me sad. 

So how about you--how are bookstores in your area doing?  And what's your opinion of them?

O Little Town . . .

Riddle: There are 12 kids in a classroom. 6 kids are wearing socks and 4 are wearing shoes. 3 kids are wearing both. How many are barefoot?

Want some delightfully different music – really, really different – for Christmas?  Get a copy of “Oy to the World,” a collection of Christmas music done klezmer style.  Their rendition of “Joy to the World” made me laugh out loud.  (Note: We found it on Amazon.)

I finally got some photos of my Fontanini Christmas Creche that I set up every year at my church.  But none of the three I took of the suspended angels came out – I don’t know why.  Here are some of what I have.

Here's the carpenter shop, next door to the Temple.  A man is blowing the Shofar (ram's horn), the Priest is before the curtain, the Rabbi has opened a scroll.  The carpenter and his apprentice are not paying attention.

On a table across the room the Three Kings are coming into sight.  One of them asks, "Are we there yet?"

The girl is Fontanini, the bi-color donkey is a piece by Candace Liddy a local sculptor.  She is supposed to be holding hands with a little boy, but I like her better petting the donkey.

 The story teller.  The little ones are not Fontanini, but they're close to scale.

One of my favorite scenes.  The Roman soldier has the roll and the unfortunate citizen's name is not on it.  "But I'm sure I registered!" he protests.



The Christmas season makes it hard to write.  I’ve got shopping and parties (for some reason this year there seem to be more than the usual number), and I’m on the Vestry at my church and the Board at my co-op (both are working on next year’s budget – and I’m very bad at numbers), and I’m trying to keep going with my renewed interest in crochet, punchneedle and needlepoint.  But I’m managing to make a little progress on A Needle Case.  I haven’t killed my victim yet, but I laid down a strong hint at a suspect yesterday, which I really enjoy doing.  A police detective once told me I have a criminal mind, and after all these years of fictional crime, I suspect he’s right!

Answer: As we know, 3 kids are wearing both. So, only 3 kids are wearing only socks (6 - 3 = 3), and 1 is wearing only shoes (4 - 3 = 1). So, in total, 3 + 3 + 1 = 7. Now, 12 kids are there, so, 12 - 7 = 5. That means 5 kids are barefoot.

Feeling S.A.D.? Cheer Up With These Natural Remedies!

You may notice that your mood becomes, well, less than sunny, when the days become shorter and the light wanes. This is known as S.A.D. or Seasonal Affective Disorder and up to 10% of folks in the U.S. have it. But you can take your cue from these smiling gingerbread folks and turn that frown upside down! Try these tips to feel better fast:   

1. Get a sunshine alarm clock. It’s called a dawn simulator and the light that comes from it will wake you up naturally. This light stimulates the pineal gland to produce serotonin, a kind of “natural Prozac” which can help us feel happier. Serotonin also affects  blood pressure, immunity, pain and daily body rhythms. Research shows that dawn simulators also help boost energy, productivity and quality of sleep. You may also want to use a bright light box for 2 to 3 hours in the morning as well.  

2. Hit your yoga mat. Researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine found that when volunteers practiced yoga it increased their GABA (gamma-aminobutyric) levels which can help ease depression and anxiety.

3. Go fish for essential nutrients. Eating fish and seafood can help banish the blues because they are full of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Choose cold water fish like cod, salmon and mackerel for the best benefit. Or you can take fish oil supplements, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), to improve the effectiveness of antidepressant medications. Nordic Naturals is a good brand. Alan Logan, N.D., author of The Brain Diet and an invited faculty member of Harvard Medical School’s Mind-Body Institute suggests taking omega 3, folic acid, B12, selenium, and zinc together. 

I hope that these tips help you to have Happier Holidays! You'll find more natural remedies in my new cozy mystery Scent to Kill: A Natural Remedies Mystery. Visit www.chrystlefiedler.com for more info. Until next Monday! Peace, Chrystle