Albino Moose spotted!

Some lucky traveler had the opportunity to snap this picture on a highway near Marenisco, Michigan. Here in the Upper Peninsula we love our wildlife, every color, every size, every temperament. These two albinos look gentle, but don't let that fool you. A moose will always stand its ground and watch you. If it starts stomping, you are in deep trouble. In that case, head for the hills or a tree or if you have no place to go, play dead.

How To Look Like a Natural Born Yooper

The snow is getting ready to fly and the temperature is about to plummet. In the Michigan Upper Peninsula we're ready for anything. Even the tourists (aka out-of-state hunters). We can see them coming a mile away, packed into mini-vans and station wagons and not dressed at all right for the climate. Here's what you need to wear to sort of fit in. Not to mention, stay warm:

1. Sorel boots.
2. A good wool hat with ear flaps. Try a Stormy Kromer.
3. Since we're into hunting season, wear a blaze orange hunting jacket, whether you hunt or not. Women, our men love a women in orange.
4. Snow mobile bibs. Pick them up at Fleet Farm.
5. Leather gloves.
6. Wool socks.

Okay, you're set. Just don't open your mouth or we'll know the difference, eh?

And More Pastie Shops

Can you guess where these are? Hint: M35 between Menominee and Escanaba.

Michigan Upper Peninsula Pasties

Pasties!(pronounced pass-tees) We love them. For the uninitiated, pasties consist of folded pastry (like pie dough) about the size of a man's hand. It's filled with meat, potatoes, vegetables, and secret spices that vary depending on the chef's preference.
And you thought they were those little things exotic dancers wear, eh. Ha.
This is a photo of our favorite pasty shop in Escanaba. Gram's Pasties. 2418 Ludington. Anytime Deb is in the U.P. we meet there, sit on stools right at the counter, and dig in. The tradition is to douse your pasty with ketchup, but they offer gravy for the tourists, so you might as well try that, too, since you probably are just passing through. Otherwise, you'd know about Gram's already.

We (that's Gertie and Deb) have a knock-down tried-and-true recipe for pasties. If you want it, you'll just have to read Murder Grins and Bears It because the recipe is in the back. Enjoy.

Kitty's Fried Doughnuts

My friend Kitty's favorite recipe from Murder Passes the Buck:

Finns and Swedes love their bakery. A cup of strong coffee and a doughnut will make them happy all day long. Kitty has been known to carry these around in her purse in case she gets hungry later. The secret to perfect doughnuts is the mashed potato.
Don’t forget to dunk them in coffee.

Makes a bunch

5 cups white flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup mashed potatoes
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup melted butter
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
oil for frying
powdered sugar or granulated sugar
cinnamon (optional)

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add mashed potatoes and sugar. Mix well. Blend in eggs and melted butter. In separate bowl, combine buttermilk, vanilla, and lemon rind. Add to flour mix, blend well, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes.

Roll out dough and cut with doughnut cutter. Fry in oil in pan or in deep fryer until golden brown, turn with fork, brown other side. Remove, lay on paper towel to drain and cool. Shake doughnuts in bag with granulated sugar or powdered sugar. Try 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon for a special treat. Serve warm.

Where Do Writers Get Ideas?

From real life, of course. From experience. From melding and molding the personalities we meet along our journey to develop our characters. Maybe we exaggerate their quirks a little (or a lot), but it all starts with a solid base in reality.


Same with settings. This is Herb's Bar. Herb's is an integral part of the series. There was a bit of fudging going on during the writing, the owners are different, changed to Gertie's nephews. But every silence when the door opens while the customers size up the new guy - that happens. Without fail. The music playing when Gertie stomps in is the same as you'll hear if you go there.

And just like in the book, nobody can remember anybody named Herb ever owning the place.

Bars like Herb's are where the action happens in our small towns. It's where the locals have a beer together in the late afternoon, then skedaddle before the younger bunch arrives. It's where Gertie pumps customers for information and grills Red and Ed (her nephews) about strangers and what they might have overheard from the working side of the bar.

So next time you're in the Michigan U.P. and you drive past a place called Herb's (hint: it's on M35), stop in for a cold one and tell them Gertie and Deb sent you. You may even meet this guy.

I'm Back

It's amazing how time flies when you're having fun. Or in my case, it flies when you're fighting for truth and justice. I didn't win my court case (the fine really hurt my pocketbook, as in ouch). But I've learned my lesson. Never flash a fake badge when the real law is around.

On a happier note:

Deb and I had a heck of a time getting Murder Passes the Buck out again. You wanted it. Here it is. And the Kindle addition is selling like hotcakes.

Deb's coming up my way this weekend and she's bringing her video recorder so we can shoot things. Like the places I hang out. We might even scoot down to the Escanaba River for some close ups. Stay tuned.

Gertie