Marla Cooper

‘Tis the Season — for Gratitude

IMG_9337Happy Thanksgiving week, y’all!

For several years now, we’ve had a Thanksgiving Day tradition that’s involved a few of our closest friends, comfy pants, bad movies, and, of course, a turkey dinner. It’s fun and low pressure, and while it’s not heavy on tradition, we always take a moment to reflect on what we’re thankful for.

It’s a little rude to hog the mic when everyone’s giving thanks at Thanksgiving, so I’m going to take a moment to recap some of the things I’m most thankful for this past year.

I’m grateful for other mystery writers. I’ve dabbled in other genres, and I just have to say, mystery writers are the best. They’re always supportive, surprisingly noncompetitive, a little twisted (but in a good way), and wicked fun.

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After-party at Left Coast Crime Honolulu.

I’m grateful that I have a husband who loves to cook. I used to cook, but I’ve happily let my skills atrophy. As I wrote in my gratitude journal: “I could probably still feed myself, but it would involve a lot more soup.”

My writing group. I joined right after I had finished the manuscript for DYING ON THE VINE, and they jumped in and read the whole thing and gave me great advice. They’re an amazing group of women — and we all just traveled to the Hudson River Valley for a “writing retreat” (which, let’s be honest, for some of us was a “hang out and drink wine” retreat) at the home of one of our members emeritus.

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Autumn in the Hudson Valley

I’m thankful that even though I didn’t win the cool red typewriter in the silent auction last spring, I did win a Sonicare toothbrush, because a) finding another typewriter just like it gives me something to aspire to, and b) my teeth have never been healthier.

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I may not have won, but I can still stalk it on Ebay!

Road trips. A couple of weeks ago, I drove from Oakland to Austin. I hiked through red rock formations in Sedona, saw an inspiring immersive art installation in Santa Fe (Meow Wolf, for the win!), had the best steak I’ve ever had at the Big Texan Steak Ranch, and checked Amarillo’s Cadillac Ranch off my bucket list.

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You can’t tell from the pic, but it was only 35 degrees outside that day!

I swear I’m not just pandering here, but I’m so thankful for my fellow Chicks on the Case. I’m grateful for our silly text threads, the moral support, the fast answers when one of us needs advice, and the fact that I could call any one of them and say, “Can I crash your Thanksgiving?” and they’d probably say yes.

And finally, I’m grateful for our readers! You’re the reason we do what we do. So have an extra slice of pie this Thursday and know just how much we appreciate you!

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Okay, your turn: What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

 

32 thoughts on “‘Tis the Season — for Gratitude”

  3. I’m thankful for mystery writers who keep me buried in good books.

    I’m thankful for my job which gives me money to buy said books even if it keeps me from having time to read it.

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  5. Marla! a) I’m coveting that red typewriter, just a little. b) I’m hungry for a steak now. c) You are as sweet and cute as pumpkin pie! Happy Thanksgiving — and feel free to crash!

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    1. Vickie! I’ll take you to Amarillo for steak anytime you want! Now I’m also grateful for friends like you who say things like, “You are as sweet and cute as pumpkin pie!” Happy Thanksgiving!!

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  6. My list is quite similar to yours. Marla–I’m Thankful for the generous, supportive, and fun-as-all-getout community of writers and readers that my becoming a mystery author has introduced me to. I’m thankful that I have delicious food to eat every day (and that I lIKE to cook it!). And I’m thankful for my fabulous fellow Chicks. But the older I get, the more I’m thankful simply for my health. As they say in Italian, Alla salute–here’s to all our heath!

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    1. Yes! Mystery writers are the best. I didn’t know that when I started out, so I’m amazed at how lucky I got that I picked the right genre! You’re awesome and I’m so glad you’re part of the community. 🙂

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  8. M, you said it for all of us! Love this post and the fab pix. My mom lives in the lower part of the Hudson Valley – Croton/Ossining – and it is GORGEOUS.

    Oh, and you know what we’re thankful for? YOU!

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    1. You’re the best, Ellen! I could have made this blog post about each one of you individually, because I truly am thankful for each and every one of you. Thanks for being talented and awesome and inspiring me to keep going!

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  9. What a great kick-off to Turkey Week–thanks, Marla, for the fun and heartfelt post, and backatcha on all the kind words. I have to say, this Thanksgiving I’m feeling more grateful than ever for my mystery friends, and especially the Chicks and all of the fun reader and author friends who hang out with us here. Alla salute to all!

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    1. I’m feeling all mushy over here! I wish everyone could come over for Thanksgiving dinner (or maybe a Friday leftovers party?). I’m so glad we met early on so we could take this journey together!

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    1. Leslie: ROAD TRIP!!! I had actually never heard of Meow Wolf, and it was really random how I ended up there: I was mapping the hotel and Google Maps showed Meow Wolf on the map in big letters, almost like a hint. Of course I googled it, because with a name like Meow Wolf, how could I not. I was immediately like: “New plan!”

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  11. Love this, M! Am thankful for family, friends, mystery peeps, and more. Wish we could all come together around the table this week, but…will be thinking of everyone and sending holiday hugs from afar! ❤️

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  12. I, too, am thankful for my health, and certainly don’t take it for granted any longer. I’m thankful my kids are all launched and productive. And I am more grateful than I can even express to be part of the mystery community, especially thankful that Cynthia got a bee in her bonnet about starting a CO chapter of SinC. I’ve been riding her coattails ever since. I might still be where I am today without it, but it wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun! Always thankful for friends.

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    1. Love you, B. And ha ha! I did get a bee in my bonnet for sure but then you and the other founders…um…put on bonnets with bees too…and we all buzzed toward…yeah, this comparison is getting away from me but point is: we did it together. So thankful for our chapter and the mystery community and beloved friends!

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