VARIOUS

I went to Excelsior on Sunday to see the movie, “Secretariat.” Excelsior is the home town of my amateur sleuth, Betsy Devonshire, but it’s also a real town, about eighteen minutes from my home in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. I like to go out there every so often to remind myself of the little details about the town that I could use in the books. It’s nice not having to make up the setting for my sleuth.

“Secretariat” is a great movie. Some of the reviewers thought it too corny, too sentimental, and, since it was about the famous racehorse who was the most recent winner of the Triple Crown (the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont), the climatic race scene wasn’t very dramatic. I beg to differ. The movie-makers did a great job of showing the four races depicted, capturing the excitement and beauty of thousand-pound animals running with all their hearts; and watching Secretariat just blow the competition away in the third of the Triple Crown races was great! I had forgotten what a blow-out it was: not only smashing the track record, he won by something like thirty-eight lengths, all by itself a record. Plus it was a pleasure to watch a heroine succeed beyond all expectations without turning to violence or sex. A sweet, feel-good movie. We all need to see one of those every once in awhile.

I now own a Kindle. I’m still learning how to use it, but I find it wonderful for travel. It fits in my purse and I can bring practically any number of books along on my trips. Right now I’m buying Agatha Christie novels, because it gives me an extra fillip of pleasure to read something so old on something so new. Do you own one? Do you like it? Do you think it rings the death knell for small, independent bookstores?

I have managed to meet both of my writing heroes: Donald E. Westlake and Terry Pratchett. Both proved gracious and witty, a super combination. I did once meet an author who was rude and obnoxious. I have not bought another of his books since. And no, I won’t mention his name. I have, however, pledged that I will try always to be patient and kind to any fan – or prospective fan - I encounter. I would also, some day, like to write just one something even half as good as their work.

My fall allergies are still running strong. Ordinarily by now, this far into November in Minneapolis, we’ve had a couple of killing frosts, if not an inch or two of snow, and the ragweed is gone till next year. I love lingering autumns, but my nose doesn’t.