A multitasking ninja living in paradise

I'm a multitasking ninja, park ranger, and zookeeper all rolled into one. There are dozens of free-roaming, but demanding critters that inhabit my small bit of Isla Mujeres. They have come to expect food, water, and a secure place to live. I am their humble servant.

Geek the Kitchen Gecko

Geek the Kitchen Gecko, who lives behind the fridge, gives me a loud chuk, chuk, chuk greeting every morning when I turn on the coffee maker. Geek doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, except that he likes a shallow dish of clean water.

A few times, when he has tried to catch a drip from the kitchen tap it has resulted in a traumatic drop into a slippery-sided enclosure with no traction for his Velcro-like feet. Rather than chase a panicky lizard around the sink, or fish him out of Sparky's water bowl, I have settled on leaving a saucer of water on the kitchen counter - just for him. 

King of the Beach, Thomas

Occasionally, I pull the fridge away from the wall and vacuum his house, taking care not to suction him up with the poop. In return for our acceptance of his requirements, Geek the Gecko does his best to eliminate mosquitoes and ants. 

Before our famous seventeen-year-old Thomas the Cat passed away in April of 2016, there was a succession of kitchen geckos who had a brief and tension-filled existence. Lawrie and I intensely missed our Tommy, but the surviving household geckos had a disco party in celebration of his passing.

Boo, black with dark orange undertones

Boo, the mini-black-jaguar who started dropping in last fall for food and pats, hasn't shown an interest in eating Geek, yet. 

Maybe she knows that Geek has been mentioned in three of my mystery novels. Perhaps she is hoping that if she is kind to him, I will include her in a novel.

                   Stumpy the Iguana is about 15 years old 

While Geek patrols the interior of the house, the larger lizards inhabit rocky burrows outside. There is a herd of about twenty-five iguanas that mooch bits of fruit, veggies, and leftover pet food. 

They are similar to beach dogs, keeping a watchful eye on movements at Casa Rosa, Casa Feliz, our house, Casa K’aay Há, and Punta Piedra. Any indication that someone might be willing to feed them, and the whole group will converge in a scurrying mass, hoping to be the lucky one who gets the piece of mango or papaya. They like to leave the boring broccoli or celery bits for the night-time beach-cleaning crew, the hermit crabs.

          Hernando - I think ...

The free-roaming hermit crabs number in the hundreds. They are the most labour-intensive of our outdoor zoo critters. They require a daily supply of fresh, clean water in dishes shallow enough to be accessible to small creatures, an assortment of scraps to dine on, and a steady supply of new shells to move into as they outgrow their current domicile. Hermit crabs don’t create their own shells and must find larger homes on average every six months. Only certain shapes meet their requirements for comfort and accessibility. 

Hermit crab using a Pond's Cold Cream jar

The black and white turbo snail shells are their favourites, but the hermit crabs are in direct competition with tourists who also collect the beautiful and increasingly rare shells. Over the years, I have purchased hundreds of substitute shells for the hermit crab shell exchange program at our crab-i-tat. The crabs take one – leave one.  I usually mark the purchased shells with red, orange, or bright pink nail polish so that I can identify our frequent visitors.  And of course, since they are regularly swapping shells, it is virtually impossible to recognize a particular hermit crab. You can never be certain of who you are chatting with!

Regular visitors. 

Then there are the birds that visit every afternoon for a drink of clean water and a feather-cleaning bath. Soon after we moved here in 2008, we swept out the natural indents in the coral rocks just in front of our house. The birds quickly learned to rely on us for fresh water, happily congregating for a few minutes of social time in the late afternoon before heading to their roosting spots for the night. Even the iguanas, crabs, or passing cats and dogs drink from the pools.

Sea turtle nests - September, 2019

And giant sea turtles, did I mention those? Okay, I don't feed them, or provide houses, or even fresh water for the sea turtles, but it is fascinating when the nesting mamas come into the yard and make a heck of a mess. Even Lawrie, who loved a nice smooth beach, wouldn't grumble as he raked over their excavations.

As for my almost-famous divo Sparky, he is a pampered, but lovable, brat. His idea of a perfect day starts with a sunrise golf-cart ride and a swim in the ocean. When we return home, he likes to be served a small breakfast, and then he snoozes under my desk while I work on another novel. 

At lunchtime, Sparky enjoys a light snack followed by a mid-day walk on the beach. Late in the afternoon, he will start bumping me with his nose to remind me that he would like another cart ride before cocktail time. 

When we return home, we move to the upper ocean-side deck to enjoy our evening treats; wine for me, and a small snack for him. 

By seven in the evening, he's sound asleep. In the morning, he'll wake me up at o'dark-hundred to begin his day all over again. 

Being a ninja zookeeper at this house is a tough gig.

Cheers, Lynda, Sparky, and Boo

~

Murder and mayhem. Revenge and romance!

 5.0 out of 5 stars

5.0 out of 5 stars

You won't be disappointed! #5 is a success in the continuation of the Isla Mujeres Island series.

September 3, 2019

Format: Kindle Edition

Lynda has once again written a great story of fiction that engages your reading experience with your mind too become real as life. For those of us who love Isla Mujeres and our favourite places on the island, reading this series is like being transported to Isla and becoming friends with the characters and being involved in the story. Congratulations to Lynda, my favorite island writer.

  

A writer's life - it's all fun and games until ....

My dog thinks I'm awesome!

“That was fabulous. When are you releasing the next one?”   

I recently published the fifth novel in my Isla Mujeres Mystery series, Terror Isla, and had enthusiastic fans asking the next day when #6 was due. I took it as a very nice compliment!

I admit, I have posed the same question to many of my favourite authors, such as Carmen Amato, Jinx Schwartz, A.E. Howe, Dawn Lee McKenna, and Nick Russell.

I can almost hear their teeth gnashing in the background. “For pity's sake, I just published that book. Let me take a breath, get some laundry done, or at least walk my dog.”

“Yeah, yeah. Your break is over, now get back to work.”

You are keeping me awake!

I recently stayed awake until two in the morning reading the latest A.E. Howe, Investigator Larry Macklin novel, Spring’s Promise, and then realized his next release wasn’t due until the winter of 2020; that’s more than a year!

Sparky huffed when I groaned aloud, waking him from his beauty sleep.

I was dead tired from reading so late that when I tried to put a travel lid on my morning coffee, I neglected to notice the height of the foamy milk. I shoved on the cap and was promptly sprayed with warm milk and hot coffee. What a great start to the day.

I am in awe of prolific authors who are committed to their craft, producing numerous books with entertaining storylines, quirky characters, and page-turning plots. It’s a tough gig to keep inventing new and believable scenarios for a cast of well-known and at times demanding, egotistical characters. Fictional characters have been known to rebel and change the storyline without the author’s consent. It’s happened to me – more than once.

However, these authors know how to craft a great story and don't seem to take any flak from their characters.

Carmen Amato has a winning series featuring Detective Emilia Cruz in Acapulco, Mexico, plus three standalone thrillers. She recently released Book #7, Russian Mojito. Here's the link: Carmen Amato, Russian Mojito Detective Emilia Cruz

“Survivor of a deadly cartel ambush, Detective Emilia Cruz returns to Acapulco to recover from the trauma. Before she can catch her breath, however, her penniless stepfather is kidnapped.”

Jinx Schwartz, a fiery redhead from Texas, recently published book #11, Just a Happy Camper, in the Hetta Coffey series. Click on this link: Jinx Schwartz Just a Happy Camper

“Hetta Coffey is a sassy Texan with a snazzy yacht, and she's not afraid to use it. She's cruising Mexico's hauntingly beautiful Sea of Cortez when she gets a job offer, she can't refuse.”

A.E. Howe lives in and writes about Florida. He just launched book #13 in the Investigator Larry Macklin’s series. Here's the link to the new book: A.E.Howe Springs Promises Larry Macklin Mysteries

“Excitement is in the air at the Adams County Sheriff’s Office as the date approaches for investigator Larry Macklin’s wedding to his long-time love, Cara. But fate has other plans, and Larry soon finds his personal life taking a backseat to an odd duo of murders.”

Howe also has a humorous new series, The Baron Blasko Mysteries, about a vampire living in a basement. I haven’t tried these yet, but they are on my list.

Dawn Lee McKenna is another amazingly productive author who has twenty or more books, featuring characters in three separate series: The Forgotten Coast Suspense, The Still Water Suspense, and, most recently, The Dismal Florida Suspense series. 

Wow! Just wow. Just one click and it's yours: Dawn Lee McKenna Dismal Florida series

But in this group of my five favourite authors, the prolific award has to go to Nick Russell, who has at least twenty-five novels published. He has two very successful series: Big Lake and John Lee Quarrels. I love ‘em all. His latest, Sweet Tea and Jesus, was fabulous, and he says he is close to releasing another book. The man is a writing machine. Click here to discover fun reads: Nick Russell, John Lee Quarrels series

When a hidden gunman ambushes D.W. Swindle in the driveway of his own home, leaving the Somerton County Sheriff barely clinging to life, every one of his deputies and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is on the hunt for the attacker.

I aspire to be as successful as these folks. I am planning to publish book #6 in March of 2020, but Sparky and I are still discussing the storyline. 

He wants his contract renegotiated after being traumatized in book #5, Terror Isla. 

Here's the link: Isla Mujeres Mystery Terror Isla

To make matters worse, friends Betsy Snider and Tony Garcia just gave me this t-shirt. There is a cute photo of my divo dog, and the words Sparky's Staff, printed on the back. Yep, that's me. The staff.

Cheers from paradise,

Sparky and his staff

Available in online book stores! Grab your copy today!

Captured! Small dogs and fishing nets don't mix.

It's early in the morning, and Sparky and I are ambling along the malecón on the western side of the island. 

We are poking along at Sparky-speed. Sniff. Pee. Sniff. Pee. And then he added a bit of vigorous dirt kicking to clarify the situation. 

"This is my mark." 

I have my camera with me and photograph the fishing nets strung across the beach.

Looking for the 'Lady Fish' run

For some reason, my eye is always drawn to the boats and nets, probably because they represent a way of life that is slowly disappearing from the island. 

Until tourism started to boom in the 1980s, the traditional way of making a living for islanders was catching fish or diving for lobsters and conch. 

The open-deck panga-style boats and crews head out early in the mornings to pull in the hopefully heavy nets. 

If they are lucky, four or five fishermen per boat will be needed to haul the catch into the boat.  

Cleaning and repairing nets

In the evening, the reverse happens, the fishing crews return to their favourite locations and reset the nets, hoping for a successful night.

When the weather turns grumpy, the Port Captain closes the port, restricting the size of the boat that can leave the harbor until he gives the all clear.  

During port closures, the fishermen repair and clean their equipment. 

Weaving a new net

They string the nets between palm trees, searching for rips, pulling off bits of seaweed that have been snagged in the weave.  

On very stormy days, the mending takes place under covered basketball domes.  

Watching the fishermen repair tears in the netting is very reminiscent of the folks who weave hammocks.  

Holding a wooden bobbin in one hand and a tough nylon line in the other, their hands weave in and out, neatly filling in the torn area.  It’s a beautiful skill.

But what happens when a small, inquisitive dog investigates the nearly invisible webbing? Nothing good, let me assure you.

Captured, and not happy!

This morning, he followed his nose into the small tunnel created where the mesh was lifted off the ground. Then he tried to get out by walking straight through the tough nylon filaments. 

Thankfully, I noticed his struggles and was able to calm him down long enough for me to crawl in the same small space and untangle him without damaging the netting or hurting my pooch. 

Life is never dull with The Sparkinator.

Cheers, Lynda and Sparky

Sparky, happy to be untangled and free.

Murder and mayhem. Revenge and Romance.

Isla Mujeres Mysteries

or  

Death in the Vineyards Mysteries

Available in online book stores, or locally!

@Coles Penticton

@Coles Vernon

@Ruby Blues Winery

Where were you when the towers fell?

Twin Towers, internet image 

September 11^th, 2001, is one of the dates that people will clearly remember where they were, and what they were doing when the world as we knew it changed forever; the day the Twin Towers in New York City were destroyed.

Lawrie and I were on a four-day getaway from our jobs. We had driven from our home in the Okanagan Valley of BC, Canada, to Yellowstone National Park, located where the states of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming meet. It was a quick, laughter-filled trip to visit the imaginary Yogi Bear in his home at Jellystone Park.

The day before, enjoying Jellystone Park

Early in the morning of September 11^th, we checked out of our hotel and stopped for coffee at a cute café in Helena, Montana, that offered baked goods and lattes. As we waited for our coffee to be crafted, the news suddenly switched to a live report from New York City; a plane had struck one of the towers. As we stood with our mouths hanging open, we watched a second plane hit the other tower. A chill of fear rolled up my spine. This was incomprehensible.

“We have to get back across the border. Now!” Lawrie said.

Helena for coffee

“Yep. Let’s go.” I agreed. We had no idea what was going on, but we were not in our own country, and all we could think of was getting safely home before the border closed. We paid for our coffees and sprinted back to our Pontiac Firebird.

We had a Sirius satellite radio in the car and set it to the public broadcast system, listening intently for more information.

We drove slightly over the speed limit, heading to the border between Orville, Washington, and Osoyoos, BC, Canada. It was the easiest crossing for us as we were familiar with the I-90 route passing through Missoula, Montana, and Spokane, Washington. We didn’t have smartphones or Google Maps in 2001, but we knew it was about a thirteen to fourteen-hour drive to our house.

A short time later, we had to pull the car over and listen in disbelief as the broadcaster explained that the towers had collapsed, and that another plane had crashed before hitting the White House. We had no words, we just listened in stunned silence. Lawrie sadly shook his head and restarted the car. He swung onto the road and continued driving towards home.

Lawrie, Jellystone Park on Sept 10th, 2001

Fortunately for us, we always shared the driving and could just keep moving northwest, only stopping for gas for the car, more coffee, a little food, and bathroom breaks for us. Every stop was stressful; people cried and hugged each other, or silently stared at the televisions reporting yet more tragedies and destruction.

We arrived around midnight at the Orville/Osoyoos crossing. We were the only vehicle at the normally busy facility. We asked the customs agents if the border was closing. They said they weren’t sure, but at the moment, we were good to cross over.

“Drive safely!” I remember the guy saying as we drove away. That was the first time we had ever heard a comment like that from a customs agent. His world had been badly rattled, too.

Bison in Yellowstone Park

The winding dark road between Osoyoos and Penticton was more difficult than the previous thirteen hours on the main highway. The dark country road passed by vineyards and orchards with hungry deer haphazardly crossing in front of our vehicle. We had a few near misses, but managed to arrive at our house without an accident.

What the hell had happened to our world?

I remember the eerie silence – worldwide, the planes had been grounded. People were offloaded at odd locations around the world. In Gander, Newfoundland, a tiny community of about 10,000 residents on the farthest edge of Canada, helped 6700 passengers from 38 planes. For three days, our world was as silent as my childhood memories, before commercial aircraft flights became common and affordable. I remember the fear, the uncertainty, and the bewilderment. 

My neighbour Sue was on her own for a few days. She wasn’t answering her phone, so I paid her an unscheduled visit.

“Sue, Sue. Are you okay?” I yelled as I knocked loudly, then opened her front door.

Both she and her hubby Lloyd were very surprised. I am pretty sure she wished she had never given us a spare key to their house, if you get my drift. My impromptu visit provided a little neighbourly humour in a very stressful time.

Our world was changed forever by this tragedy. Strength and peace to those who lost their loved ones on this day in 2001.

Sunrise September 11th, 2019 Isla Mujeres

 ~

Available on online book stores. 

Grab your copy today!

Almost famous! Well, sort of famous ....

Isla Mujeres Mystery series - 

Yippee! We are almost famous. All 5 of our Isla Mujeres Mystery novels are in the top 100 this morning: Terror Isla #31, Temptation Isla #71, Tormenta Isla #77, Trouble Isla #84, and Treasure Isla #89.

Thank you, everyone, for your purchases, support, and reviews!

Cheers, Lynda and Sparky

Hi, this is Sparky. I just published Terror Isla

Lots of great reading in the Sep. 8 Sunday snapshot of top 100 paid Kindle sales rankings by members of Mexico Writers. Luis Alberto Urrea, Jinx Schwartz, and Dv Berkom dominate the top 30. Nice moves up include Edie Littlefield Sundby, Catherine Marenghi, Lynda L. Lock, John Scherber, Dr. Linda Sonna, and Penn Wallace. CONGRATS to all!

1. Dreamland – Sam Quinones

2. House of Broken Angels – Luis Alberto Urrea

3. Just A Happy Camper (Hetta Coffey Series, Book 11) – Jinx Schwartz

4. Leine Basso Thrillers Box Set (Books 1-3) – Dv Berkom

5. Serial Date: A Leine Basso Thriller – Dv Berkom

6. A Killing Truth – Dv Berkom

7. Why We Left: An Anthology of American Women Expats (Janet Blaser, Author; with Dianne Hofner Saphiere, Kerry Watson, Judy Whitaker, and 23 others)

8. The Mission Walker – Edie Littlefield Sundby

9. Baja Get Away – Jinx Schwartz

10. The Devil's Highway: A True Story – Luis Alberto Urrea

11. Glad Farm: A Memoir – Catherine Marenghi

12. Just For The Birds (Hetta Coffey Series, Book 10) – Jinx Schwartz

13. Just Add Water (Hetta Coffey Series, Book 1) – Jinx Schwartz

14. Rain of Gold – Victor Villasenor

15. Just Follow the Money (Hetta Coffey Series, Book 9) – Jinx Schwartz

16. Cargo: A Leine Basso Thriller – DV Berkom

17. Millionaire Expat: How to Build Wealth Living Overseas – Andrew Hallam

18. Just Different Devils (Hetta Coffey Series, Book 7) – Jinx Schwartz

19. Just the Pits (Hetta Coffey Series, Book 5) – Jinx Schwartz

20. Absolution: A Leine Basso Thriller – Dv Berkom

21. The Body Market: A Leine Basso Thriller – Dv Berkom

22. Bad Traffick: A Leine Basso Thriller – Dv Berkom

23. The Last Deception: A Leine Basso Thriller – Dv Berkom

24. Just Pardon My French (Hetta Coffey Series, Book 8) – Jinx Schwartz

25. The Nag Hammadi Library – Gustavo Vazquez

26. Into the Beautiful North – Luis Alberto Urrea

27. Just Needs Killin’ (Hetta Coffey Series, Book 6) – Jinx Schwartz

28. The Hummingbird's Daughter – Luis Alberto Urrea

29. Millionaire Teacher (2nd edition) – Andrew Hallam

30. Just Deserts (Hetta Coffey Series, Book 4) – Jinx Schwartz

31. Terror Isla (Isla Mujeres Mystery Book 5) – Lynda L. Lock

32. Land of Mountains – Jinx Schwartz

33. Cliff Diver (Detective Emilia Cruz Book 1) – Carmen Amato

34. The Santa Muerte: The Origins, History, and Secrets of the Mexican Folk Saint – Gustavo Vazquez

35. THE BOOK DOCTOR (Murder in Mexico Book 10) – John Scherber

36. The Last Great Dance on Earth – Sandra Gulland

37. Rich Notary, Poor Notary (Home Based Business Book I) – George Puckett

38. The Hidden Light of Mexico City – Carmen Amato

39. Russian Mojito (Detective Emilia Cruz Book 7) – Carmen Amato

40. Incorporate & Grow Rich! – Diane Kennedy

41. Walking Tours of Queretaro of Santiago – William J. Conaway

42. Just Add Salt (Hetta Coffey Series, Book 2) – Jinx Schwartz

43. The Lady in Gold – Anne-Marie O'Connor

44. The Kate Jones Thriller Series, Vol. 1 – Dv Berkom

45. The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul – Deborah Rodriguez

46. Mary Magdalene: The Life and Legacy of the Woman Who Witnessed the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus – Gustavo Vazquez

47. Just Add Trouble (Hetta Coffey Series, Book 3) – Jinx Schwartz

48. Troubled Sea – Jinx Schwartz

49. Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing – Ted Conover

50. Mexico City: An Opinionated Guide – Jim Johnston

51. The Everything Craps Strategy Book – Larry Edell

52. The Fair Ophelia – Ted Conover

53. Dark Return: A Leine Basso Thriller – Dv Berkom

54. The Lost Books of the Old Testament – Gustavo Vazquez

55. Millionaire Teacher (1stedition) – Andrew Hallam

56. Our First Lady Pope – Victor Villasenor

57. Tijuana Book of the Dead – Luis Alberto Urrea

58. Mysterious Mexico: A History of Ghosts, Legends, and Perplexing Places across the Mexican States – Gustavo Vazquez

59. El Narco: Inside Mexico’s Criminal Insurgency – Ioan Grillo

60. Vigilante Dead: A Kate Jones Thriller – Dv Berkom

61. ANGEL FACE (Murder in Mexico Book 13) – John Scherber

62. Hetta Coffey Collection Boxed Set Books 1-4 – Jinx Schwartz

63. If Only I Had A Place: The Aspiring Expat's Guide to Renting Luxuriously in Mexico for Less – Kerry Baker

64. The Shadow Queen – Sandra Gulland

65. Pancho Villa: The Life and Legacy of the Famous Mexican Revolutionary- Gustavo Vazquez

66. Homelands: Four Friends, Two Countries, and the Fate of the Great Mexican-American Migration – Alfredo Corchado

67. Mexican Days: Journeys into the Heart of Mexico – Tony Cohan

68. Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico (Book 1) – Terry L Turrell

69. Kabul Beauty School – Deborah Rodriguez

70. Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe – Sandra Gulland

71. Temptation Isla (Isla Mujeres Mystery Book 4)– Lynda L. Lock

72. First Stop in the New World – David Lida

73. Tortillas & Peanut Butter: True Confessions of an American Mom Turned Mexican Smuggler – Dr. Linda Sonna

74. Crossing Over: A Mexican Family on the Migrant Trail – Rúben Rubén Martínez

75. The Everything Tween Book: A Parent’s Guide to Surviving the Turbulent Pre-Teen Years – Dr. Linda Sonna

76. Gangster Warlords – Ioan Grillo

77. Tormenta Isla: Isla Mujeres Mystery #3 – Lynda L. Lock

78. The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. – Sandra Gulland

79. The Risotto Guru: Adventures in Eating Italian – Laura Fraser

80. Simon Magus: The Life of the Samaritan Who Converted to Christianity and Confronted Peter the Apostle in the 1st Century – Gustav Vazquez

81. The Art of Ritual: Creating and Performing Ceremonies for Growth and Change – Sydney Metrick

82. The Global Expatriate's Guide to Investing – Andrew Hallam

83. Burro Genius – Victor Villasenor

84. Trouble Isla (Isla Mujeres Mystery Series Book 2) – Lynda L. Lock

85. Baja Legends – Greg Niemann

86. Livin' In Mexico: The Real Story – Brian Burke

87. Queen of America: A Novel – Luis Alberto Urrea

88. The Cartel Strikes Back: Ted Higuera Series Book 5 – Penn Wallace

89. Treasure Isla (Isla Mujeres Mystery Series Book 1) – Lynda L. Lock

90. The Mexican Connection: Ted Higuera Series Book 3 – Penn Wallace

91. The Last Cadillac – Nancy Nau Sullivan

92. Hacker for Hire: Ted Higuera Series Book 2 – Penn Wallace

93. Bikini Baristas: Ted Higuera Series Book 4 – Penn Wallace

94. Cyberwarfare: Ted Higuera Series Book 6 – Penn Wallace

95. Maximiliano de Habsburgo: La Vida del Emperador Europeo de Mexico – Gustavo Vazquez

96. 43 Missing – Carmen Amato

97. The Secret Wife – Janice Campbell-Paul

98. The New Global Student – Maya Frost

99. Unlikely Warrior: A Jewish Soldier in Hitler’s Army – Georg Rauch & Phyllis Porter Rauch

100. Midnight in Mexico: A Reporter’s Journey Through a Country’s Descent into Darkness – Alfredo Corchado