THE ART OF SURVEYS I almost threw the envelope in the recycle bin as junk mail when my eyes fell across the return address: Arbitron Ratings Media Study. I recognized the name as the company that rates TV and radio programs based on audience surveys. I presumed one of those surveys wa

EVEN CONAN THE BARBARIAN HAD A MOTHER Last season, a friend recommended a TV series and out of respect for his opinion, I began watching. When a program is new, one should allow time for the actors to build a rapport with one another and for the writers to develop character. Over time

THE JOKE IS ON ME I got an e-mail from a friend last week that contained good news. She’d convinced her book club to read one of my novels, and she wanted to know where the members could find copies. I gave her the names of some outlets and later remembered the books left over from

BETTY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS I had coffee with a woman last week whose friendship I’ve enjoyed for years.  Spending time with her is like playing in a room full of champagne bubbles. She makes me laugh and so it’s hard to believe that in a week she turns 80. Good genes are one

Hi Carol, Got your message of condolesences and thank you for the thought.  I owned two cats before the doctor told me I was allergic, and despite his advice, I kept them until they both died when they reached sixteen.  It was quite a wrench and though Mat/Bodacious was not mine in

DON’T MESS WITH GOOGLE Tuesday, my computer guru dropped by to exchange my ergonomic keyboard for an old fashioned one. He’d decided my fancy device was causing me problems. In his mind, the best fix was to take me a step backward, electronically. I admit I have difficulty with al

Caroline, you paint such a vivid picture of Bodacious Scurvy— and his life. Your neighborhood has lost a wonderful friend. My sympathies.  – Carol Thomas Koon

DEULING MASTERS OF MAGIC I confess I’m a big Harry Potter fan. At the moment, I’m rereading the final book as a refresher for the November movie release: part 1 of a two part series. It’s been a while since I first read it and I’m discovering how much I’ve forgotten. I like

THE BROWNING COMPASS I finished Dominique Browning’s latest book, Slow Love. It took me only a few days and I enjoyed every minute of it. The story recounts the end of House & Garden, the magazine she edited for a number of years, managing to increase its circulation a hundred f

Hi everyone, Wishing you a happy holiday.  Commentary returns Tuesday, July 6. Caroline