Shifting
with the world in rapid change can be a headache for sure. We humans are
comfortable with everything when it stays the same, even if sometimes it ought
to be different. Yes, the pandemic was scary. That was and is a bad thing. Most
of us lined up for the vaccinations and felt thankful there was some
protection. I admit I fell in love with the masks and haven’t had a bad cold or
any upper respiratory infection since I started wearing one out in public.
That’s a good thing. I may be clutching one of my trusty masks for a long time
to come. It’s just too easy a protection to ignore. I know some folks don’t
feel that way and that’s their right, but for me and my house, we mask.
On the
other hand, I’m connected to a family plant nursery. During the pandemic, a
renewed interest in farming, house plants, and gardening surged to the top of
the hobby list. We were amazed how fast our plants were scuttling out the doors
of the greenhouses with folks snatching and grabbing for more.
We planned an anniversary
festival with artist and authors setting up for interest. So plants, paintings,
and books. What could be more interesting than that! It was a success and so
fun. What is the bad news?
Supplies are
precious. We may not have enough pots to present our plants this season. We are
scrambling and repainting and reusing old ones we can find. Other perennials
are presenting in one too big or too small. We must use ingenuity, creativity,
and sheer determination to have a successful season. Big supply boats are stuck
in canals and such. Nothing we can do except encourage US businesses to pay
attention and invent a new factory or two. I shudder to think we must go back
to the ‘dig your own.’
My bad news
on a personal level was the fall I took tripping over my easel. (Another fun
hobby during the pandemic.) No, my nose isn’t broken, but you aren’t allowed to
laugh when you see me.
The good
news? Oh, it’s the very best. I have a Cozy Mystery release that debuted in the
latter part of April. Ta Da! Check out the pretty greenhouse on the front cover
of Murder by Proxy, the fifth of the Detective Kevin Fowler Cozy
Mysteries. That’s a clue, by the way. An attitude of thankfulness goes a
long way to reconciling the not so good.
Happy reading and happy gardening as we flex with the good
and bend with the bad taken in perspective. If you’re looking for me, you know where
to find me. I’ll be repotting succulents in Greenhouse 3.
A blizzard blows in big-city crimes which spill
into the peaceful small town of Hubbard, New York, catching the attention of
Detective Kevin Fowler and staff. What unusual acts engage the Secret Service
with the local cops? A young man is found badly beaten in the heated greenhouse
of the Young Family Plant Nursery. Early spring melt reveals a sinister vehicle
with a deadly cargo, even as the master of the greenhouse welcomes part-time
alumni.
Romance swirls, tumbles, and produces surprising
changes among the group of friends at Buddy and Rita’s diner. Beverly hires a
young, ambitious reporter to work at the growing newspaper and starts a new
adventure of her own, while Kevin watches over the townspeople of Hubbard. The
mystery of a toxic skunk is finally routed by troublesome out-of-towners. An
unexpected wedding shocks everyone but the Young Family. Spring has arrived and
May is in full bloom in the Western New York small-town Americana, as another
beautiful bride walks toward the flower-laded bower under the approving eyes of
a group of fond friends.
Emma Lane is a gifted author who writes cozy mysteries as Janis Lane, Regency as Emma, and spice as Sunny Lane.
She lives in Western New York where winter is snowy, spring arrives with rave reviews, summer days are long and velvet, and fall leaves are riotous in color. At long last she enjoys the perfect bow window for her desk where she is treated to a year-round panoramic view of nature. Her computer opens up a fourth fascinating window to the world. Her patient husband is always available to help with a plot twist and encourage Emma to never quit. Her day job is working with flowers at Herbtique and Plant Nursery, the nursery she and her son own.
Look for information about writing and plants on Emma’s new website. Leave a comment or a gardening question and put a smile on Emma’s face.
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