BLACK HISTORY MONTH by Sheryl Jordan

Origins

The observation of Black history was originally called “Negro History Week” in 1926. Carter G. Woodson, a historian of African American Life and History, established it. The week was chosen to coincide with Abraham Lincoln’s and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays, February 12^, 1809, and February 14, 1818. President Gerald Ford officially recognized February as Black History Month in 1976, and since then, it has been celebrated annually in the United States and Canada.

WHO PUT THE COZY IN MYSTERIES? BY: KIMBERLY R. THORN

Who Put the Cozy in Mysteries?                            By: Kimberly R. Thorn

Some people credit ‘Golden Age’ authors like Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers with writing some of the very first considered cozy mysteries.  Others credit the genre as being more of a modern return to stories like these Golden Age writers wrote.  Ones with the murder not being as deep, dark and bloodthirsty.  Where the writers present the mystery as more of a puzzle for the reader to solve in real time with the sleuth.

What Ingredients Are Needed for a Cozy?

~ Includes an amateur sleuth.  It helps is they at least are considered a suspect at least first, as the actual police or detective do not like our sleuth meddling in their work.

VALENTINES DAY IN VALENTINES, VIRGINIA by Teresa Inge

In the early days of my relationship with AJ—who would later become my husband—he made an annual trek to Valentines, Virginia to mail a Valentine’s Day card to me bearing the distinctive Valentines, Virginia postmark. Back then, I lived in North Carolina while he was in Virginia, making each card a cherished memory.  

Because Virginia is famously known for its “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan, nowhere does the spirit of Valentine’s Day shine brighter than in Valentines, Virginia. As February arrives, this charming small-town transforms into a celebration of romance with a scenic backdrop for the holiday. With its friendly atmosphere and unique traditions, Valentines welcomes both locals and visitors to join in the festivities. 

WHAT ORGANIZING TYPE ARE YOU? by Yvonne Saxon

Beware of online quizzes! There you are, minding your own business, staying out of the cold by surfing the Internet, and there it is in big bold letters “What type of organizer are you?” You’ve heard of personality types, but did you know you have a distinct organizing type? Well, of course you need to know what yours is, don’t you? You’re in luck—I took a deep dive into organizing types so you wouldn’t have to.

Now I thought I already knew mine, but I typed “How to find your organizing type” in the search box anyway. First, I found the quizzes. Numerous sites assured me that I could take their quiz and by understanding my own organizing style get my house in order and it could stay that way! I couldn’t wait, so I dove right in.