A miscellany of thoughts about dogs, cats, writing, life in the Ozarks, & occasional book reviews
Dogs have been used in law enforcement for centuries. The K-9 has an extraordinary sense of smell which has proven exceptionally helpful in detecting narcotics, explosives, and other contraband. Most recently, specially trained dogs are assisting in the detection of cultural artifacts being acquired illegally and smuggled out of war-torn countries and conflict zones. According …
Continue reading Smugglers Beware!
I come from a long line of patriots. Among them is American Naval Commander John Paul Jones, born in Scotland, who helped establish the United States Navy during the Revolutionary War. (He was my third cousin seven times removed on my father's side.) World War I saw my paternal grandfather James Mackenzie Holmes in action …
Continue reading A Legacy of Honor
August 14-25, 2023 Virtual Book Tour The chance to unearth secrets of the past is a dream come true for American college student Maddie McGuire when she's granted an internship at the ancient Roman Baths in England. Her visions of archeological discoveries are waylaid, though, by mysterious events, suspicious packages, and unfriendly co-workers who assign …
Continue reading A Cotswold Crimes Mystery Review
Exploring the origins of dog breeds is an ongoing passion of mine. You may remember I've already shared some fascinating information about two breeds that originated in Scotland: Shetland Sheepdogs (aka Shelties) and Golden Retrievers. Of the fifteen Scottish breeds still in existence today, six were purposely bred to herd and drive livestock. One of …
Continue reading The Border Collie of Scotland
According to DNA researchers, nearly half of my ethnic roots can be traced to the Scottish Highlands and the Shetland Islands. That prompted me to start my study of dog breeds there, beginning with Shetland Sheepdogs (commonly known as Shelties). I knew that, while the specific original breeds involved are unclear, it appears today’s Shelties …
Continue reading Dogs of the Scottish Highlands