I’ve been fortunate to have made friends in many groups. I have family who lives close by. Church. Kids programs and school. These people, family, and friends have helped and guided me through marriage, children, illness, and death. For that, I am very grateful.
One of my groups formed through Jazzercise. Many of us participated in the program at one center, and over time, moved to another. One man about twenty years older than me joined and became my friend. We see each other every day. Over time, other classmates became close, too. It dawned on me not long ago we had created a village. A community. Family. Friends.
Some of us play mahjong together. Some of us eat burgers. We talk about our vacations, our kids, grandchildren, tv shows, sports, provide food (especially cake!), and movies. Health and happiness. Life and death. We laugh. We cry. Through thick and thin.
Today, the Jazzercise 7 am’ers took a new step. Twenty of us gathered for breakfast. We enjoyed an hour of catching up, sharing stories, pictures, and devoured good food. My heart filled with joy.
It is never too late to join a new community or start a new one. Do you workout? Play bridge or mahjong? Belong to a book club? Work in a shelter? Fix food?
Friendships are all around us! And soon, a village, a community, family, friends is formed. What a wonderful thing to have.
New Job. New Love. And Murder. Hattie Cook’s dream job is down the toilet and her new SUV violated. Desperate for cash
to cover the basic necessities of rent and food, she takes a temporary job where she uncovers an embezzling scam tied to the death of a former employee–the very one she replaced.
When the police determine there’s more to the death of a former Buy Rite employee, Detective Allan Charles Wellborn steps in to lead the
investigation. Overly dedicated, always perfect, he puts his job first, even if doing so ultimately hurts the one he loves.
Can the killer be found before Hattie’s time is up?
Excerpt:
“Want to come up and look at my etchings?”
Translated: A roll in the hay.
Or the ever popular “Would you like to meet Mr. Lizard?”
Translated: Mr. Wiggly Worm.
“How about coming to my place for a drink?”
Translated: To ply me with multiple drinks and the requisite roll in the hay.
I hadn’t fallen for those then and wasn’t going to be a sucker now.
He stuck his hands on his hip and said, “I know what you’re thinking. I’m not a stalker, murderer, or
rapist.”
Apparently, he could read minds.
“Just a minute.” I closed the door partially to release the chain, then opened it. “Why can’t
you just tell me whatever it is?”
“No. I want to show you—”
“Not a Picasso?” I asked.
“No.”
“Not an iguana?”
A perplexed expression crossed his face. “A what?”
“Not your pet worm?”
“What pet worm?”
“Not—”
“Look, I don’t know what you’re thinking. The only worms I know about are for fishing.”
Have a rocking good time with the Hattie Cooks romantic comedy mysteries. Find yours at:
Amazon ebook: http://www.amazon.com/Temporarily-Employed-Vicki-Batman-ebook/dp/B00N4J5FDQ/
Amazon paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Temporarily-Employed-Vicki-Batman/dp/1628304979/
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/temporarily-employed-vicki-batman/1120553662?ean=9781628304978/
Word by Word 
You’re new to me, Vicki, and I ‘m already smiling…Always a good sign!
I’m really ancient and always enjoyed living in a community (first one on a mountain-side: Mountain Hare in South Wales, as an evacuee in WW11 ) second-time, many moons ; marriage, three sons and retirement, later… on a Spanish urbanisation. Have been here: Playa Flamenca, near Torrevieja for 23, happy years, and have met many, charismatic people. I should have written a book about them, but wrote short stories and many articles they appeared in; disguised of course. I also wrote a local Newsletter, which was fun.
I must check your books out! Cheers. All the very best.
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so nice to hear from you, Joy! What an amazing life adventure you have had so far. Rock on and yes, check on my books. Hugs. Vb
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Hey, Vicki. I love your post and I whole heartedly agree. It takes a village. I use the phrase often with my various church committee work and of course with writing books. It totally takes a village to get a book to publications.
I don’t like to exercise with a group, but I do play Mah Jongg at my church. A group used to meet at a Senior Center, and when they closed their space for renovation, they moved over to our church. It’s my special “Play day.” No work is done and after a day of Mah Jongg, I come home exhausted from all the brain work. Our various groups are important to our health–emotional, physical, and spiritual. I’ll share. 🙂
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