Leslie Keller Books

Rabbit friend from Tranquility Trail rescue website This month is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit month.  Sadly, many people adopt baby rabbits around Easter and then realize they, like all babies, grow up.  Personally, I find rabbits adorable no matter what size, domestic or wild. They have such an innocence and seem to take such joy in life. Rabbits were originally domesticated for their fur, a fact that is heartbreaking to me. As a result, rabbits haven't been raised as domestic pets for as long as dogs or cats. As such many people have a different expectation of how they will be as a pet.  According to the MSPCA more rabbits are surrendered to them than puppies every year. Parents purchase rabbits thinking they are an easy first pet for a child. However, rabbits require more delicate handling and sensitive care than dogs or cats. In nature, they are prey animals and their response to run when they feel threatened is instinctive. Remember wild rabbits would not make ...

I thought all that cold air and high attitude would make it hard to find crazy criminals in Colorado, but apparently the opposite is true.  Here is a sampling to make you chuckle. Newser Editors, posted September 27, 2018 The heist went exactly as planned: Overnight thieves drove a stolen van right through the front doors of a marijuana shop in Colorado Springs, grabbed as much pot as they could carry, abandoned the van, and fled in a getaway vehicle, reports the Colorado Springs Gazette. The only hitch? All the "marijuana" they grabbed was actually oregano, says the owners of the Native Roots Dispensary. The still-at-large thieves, believed to be teenagers, grabbed all the stuff in display cases, and those cases don't contain the real thing, reports KKTV. Had the thieves made it into a locked "bud room," the story would have been different. Posted on https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/colorado/colorado-criminals/ A 68-year-old Denver man was ar...

Photos from https://www.sheridanwyorodeo.com I recently watched a nature show on PBS about horses. It was fascinating and made me miss riding on a regular basis. Unless you have a love of horses you may not fully grasp the connection between a human and horse. Their intelligence is amazing and their capacity for affection never ending. When I had my horse Wistful Morning, a gorgeous sixteen-hand chestnut, he would come from the field when I whistled.  Each morning he would hang his head outside his stall and give a deep whinny for his breakfast. I will never forget that sight or the love we shared. I thought nothing of tossing my younger sisters on his back with only a halter and no saddle. He was as gentle as he was strong. But I digress. If you have read my prior posts, you know I’m not a lover of rodeo. I consider many of the events to be cruel to the animals forced to participate. However, there are some which I find delightful and illustrate the agility a...

It just happens that I've dined at two of the Fox Restaurant Concepts restaurants in less than a month.  Thanks to a very generous friend who sent me a gift certificate I decided to try The Arrogant Butcher in downtown Phoenix.  I was concerned that this location would not have convenient parking. I don't go downtown very often and I know parking can be limited. Fortunately, there wasn't a basketball game happening, nor any other major events, and there is a parking garage around the corner. If you go, be sure to get your ticket validated to save on parking. I was also lucky to have gotten a reservation for three at 5:30 on a Saturday night, during peak season in Arizona.  Originally, I tried an online reservation but the only table I was offered was on the patio. Since we've had unusually cold weather, that wasn't an option. However, when I called the restaurant, there was an inside table available. The restaurant wasn't busy when we arrived but soon fill...

This is not a cozy mystery. The main character, Zoe Bentley is s forensic psychologist who is working as a contractor for the FBI in Virginia.  We learn who she is quickly and with an adept hand by the author. I loved this line, "She went downstairs and slid into her cherry-colored Ford Fiesta."  The cherry color tells us she likes to be bold but she doesn't have money or doesn't manage what she has.  I'm not knocking the car but it's not known as one which is driven by a successful psychologist with lots of money to spend. Zoe is dedicated to the point of obsession about the cases she works. But she harbors a secret from her past which influences her judgement. The author introduces the very likable Tatum Gray, FBI agent whose promotion is more of a punishment when he is transferred from California to Virginia and assigned to work on a prominent case in Chicago.  Despite the different locales, the book works well. It's not always easy to intro...

There are an unlimited number of ways you can use tequila but the standard is the Margarita.  This is a recipe I love. Cranberry Margarita 1 1/2 ounce Mezcal or tequila - You can use either Mezcal or Tequila (silver or gold)  Mezcal is typically smokier in flavor than tequila 1/2 ounce Orange liqueur - use Triple Sec, Grand Marnier or Cointreau Thawed cranberry juice concentrate - slightly slushy is best 1 1/2 ounce Lime juice Lime flavored soda Note:  you can also substitute frozen margarita mix and skip the lime juice. Add the tequila, triple sec, and cranberry juice concentrate and follow the steps below. Mix all ingredients, except the soda in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well to mix. Rub a cocktail glass with the edge of a lime. Dip the glass rim in a plate with sugar or salt - based on your preference. Pour the mix into the glass and top with the soda. Garnish with a whole cranberry or simply a wedge of lime. Remember to drink res...