Getting Ready for Malice

Writers Who Kill - KM, Me, Jim, Shari & E.B.

Today I’m on my way to Malice Domestic; my tenth year of going to this conference. The first time I went it was with my best friend Phyllis and my two cousins Sally and Linda. Then it took place at the Marriot in Crystal City. We had two rooms reserved, my cousins in one and my friend and I in the other one. We ate our evening meals together. I didn’t go to the Agatha Banquet that year. During the days my cousins and friend toured the D.C. taking the transit that came near the underground mall by the hotel, while I spent all my time at the conference meeting new people and enjoying the panel discussions. It was when I first discovered Sisters in Crime as well as the Guppies and signed up to be a member of each that year. In going back to my journal for that year, I mentioned seeing some big name authors whose books I’d read like Margaret Maron, Nancy Pickard, Dorothy Cannell and Carolyn Hart.

Luci Hamsson Zahray the poison lady is always there.

All four of us went back the following year, too, but the year after that my friend didn’t want to go, but my cousins did and we tripled up in one room. Again they toured the DC and Alexandria, while I stayed with the conference. The following year my cousins didn’t want to go, but by then I was with a mystery writing group in the Cleveland area, and got a ride there with Amanda Flower and her mother. I roomed that year with Beth Groundwater. The next year I went again with Amanda Flower and her mother and roomed with Casey Daniels. The next few years I rode there with Irma Baker and on in 2014 I roomed with Kathleen (KM) Rockwood for the first time. I hadn’t met her other than online before that time. We’ve been rooming together ever since. The last two years I drove to her home south of Gettysburg and she drove from there. This year I will be riding again with Irma, but still staying with Kathleen, who is a good roommate.

The books I read except for one returned to the library

So now I’m getting ready to go again with a whole list of things that must be done before I leave. One of which is to finish reading the books of my panelists on “Murder Small Town,” some of the five panelists have two series. I only have half of one book still to go so that will be okay. Then I have to work on questions for the group and for each individual author. Three of my panelists I had for the panel “Small Town Murders,” last year at Malice. I also volunteered to bring something for the silent auction. I still need to shop for some of the things and put a basket together. I need to pack my books I’ll be taking for Mystery Loves Company to sell as well as pack my clothes, etc.

A group picture of all the Guppies last year.

Then there were the things I needed to do before I left that involved my critters and other things. My friend Laura is housesitting and caring for all my critters that she loves, but I left this morning, and she can’t come until Friday evening so I had to arrange with my granddaughter to come over before I left so I could go over all the things that needed done the days she’ll take care of them. Laura came Monday evening to go over anything different like the new prescription for Maggie’s arthritis in her left leg. I always print out a list for the animal care of my critters including phone numbers to call for the vet, my children, and my Tracphone, although most of the time that is turned off. I also added the telephone number of the hotel.

 

Jim moderating a panel with Frankie Y. Bailey & other panelists.

On my list of things to do was to clean my house somewhat, mow my lawns broken up into sections by gardens; at least most of them if not all. I did mow the front yard, beside my house, the back yard and in front of the barn, and I do not use a riding mower. Of course, the bird feeders would need filled, inside bird cages cleaned as well as the litter boxes. I needed a haircut before I left. I had to return library books I read for my book clubs and one that was for one of my panelists, too. Of course, I needed to get money out of the ATM and call my bank to tell them I’d be out of town.  Make sure there’s lots of bottled water for my friend because most people don’t like my well water even if I do. I needed to make sure I had plenty of food for Maggie and the cats before I left, too. And even though it’s not totally necessary, I did want to write more chapters for my tenth book that’s close to being finished. And it would be awfully nice if I could find the little white cord I plug into my camera and then into my computer to download my pictures. I have a feeling one of my cats made off with it. 

Another WWK picture with Shari, me, Jim and Paula

Have you ever gone to Malice Domestic?

When you leave home for a while what preparations do you need to do?