I’ve come to the conclusion that I have what it takes to become a successful private eye. (Of course I don’t really know all that much about what PI’s really do, outside what I’ve seen in movies and read in The Spellman series, but I imagine I’d be great).

Number one, I have the whole incognito thing going for me, and I doubt I’d even need to don a single disguise. For whatever reason, people just do not seem to notice me. I regularly have people re-introducing themselves to me. For a while I just smiled, shook hands, and let it pass without comment, but now I’m calling them on it, reminding them exactly when and where we have been previously introduced. They’re always befuddled by me. And I can’t help but wonder if these people are just woefully unobservant or I personally am just uber-observant. I suspect the former, and I doubt if push came to shove, these people could even pick me out of a line-up.

So far, so good, right?

Number two, I deal better with computers than I do with people–computers are much more efficient and they don’t hold grudges. All those database searches, background checks, etc, etc that I’d need to put in as a PI–no problem! I’m even an excellent typist (if I do say so myself).

Number 3, stakeouts would be a piece of cake–assuming I started up my investigations services in a more temperate part of the country–or invested in some sort of battery-operated air conditioner. Pack a couple of paperbacks and a snack, and I could hole up in my car for as long as my bladder could hold me. And don’t worry–the book wouldn’t be too much of a distraction. At this point I’m totally used to reading while watching my kids, so when necessary, I look up from the page every few seconds. Plenty of time to catch someone in the act of something.

Number 4, tailing a perp’s car should not pose a problem either. Right now I own a beige Chevy Suburban, which may as well be standard issue for this part of the country. It also provides good cover for imperfect driving and parking, thanks to the frazzled moms who’ve set that questionable trend. Admittedly, if I were to move, I’d have to switch vehicles in an attempt to blend in. Oh, and I already have a GPS!

That’s all I’ve got so far, but as I see it, this may very well be my calling…

I have just finished a lovely, light, summery read, and so, of course, I must tell you about it. It is titled Mr. Malcolm’s List, and it is authored by Suzanne Allain and independently published by LeMoyne House. I have a bit of prior experience with Ms. Allain’s writing, and having loved her first book, Incognito, decided I must have her second. It was delivered from Amazon last week.

Far from being disappointed, I was delighted. This second book, like the first, draws a good bit of its charm from character confusion, whether it be mistaken identities, misinterpretation or simple misdeeds. It is Austen-esque in its clever storyline and well-drawn characters, but it is unencumbered by the heaviness that sometimes accompanies Ms. Austen’s work. Mr. Malcolm’s List is a romantic comedy of errors, or as Ms. Allain puts it, “A Farce of Historic Proportions”.

When you’re feeling the pull of Regency England, lay back on your retiring couch with a spot of tea and Mr. Malcolm’s List. I promise you a lovely afternoon.

Huzzah! Hooray! Yesterday was the last day of Mother’s Day Out–I am officially retired from that line of work! And whew!–what a relief! There were no regrets or tearful goodbyes. I very nearly cheered them on their way. My husband asked me what I’d be doing with all my extra free time. Evidently he considers three days a lot of extra free time. Because I have exactly two Tuesdays and one Thursday now blissfully free before the boys are home for the summer. In total I have only eight and half more days before school’s out.

And then we launch into the great summer reading programs at our local libraries and the chance to get a free book at Barnes & Noble. Isn’t this a cool poster??

Doesn’t it just make you think of picnics, tubing, and ice cold dips in the creek? So far, I don’t have any plans for any of those activities this summer, but I’m going to try to work some of them in. I also want to experiment with new homemade ice cream flavors, homemade bread, and maybe some icebox pies. (There are plenty of baking recipes I want to try, but in the summer, I try to keep the oven off as much as possible). And, of course, there will be the annual summer trip to the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory in Brenham. I’ve just recently discovered a (relatively) new flavor, and it’s carton as almost as delectable looking as the ice cream is to eat. Pinapple, strawberry swirl, and pecans??? Heaven!

Photo borrowed from here.

What do you have planned for the summer? Any good reads? Project recommendations? Ice cream flavors I simply MUST try?? Do tell…