Let's Talk with Maggie Toussaint
Let’s Talk with Maggie Toussaint
September 6, 2018
Things That Confound Me
While my Dreamwalker Mystery sleuth Baxley Powell isn’t easily confounded, I certainly am. For instance, I don’t know how the same sweet young woman got tricked into recording pitches for so many credit card companies and vacation getaway places. She’s been Emily, Elizabeth, and a few other names. These calls come in at all hours of the day and evening and often display local phone numbers. It’s to the point where if I don’t recognize the phone number, I’m not picking up the call.
Other things that confound me: the number of bugs that meet their maker on my windshield, the relentless growth of weeds, the disappearance of a stain as you put laundry in the machine and the reappearance of it fresh from the dryer, why I pair pink and green all the time, why thunder makes me cringe but lightning does not, why I love flowers but I’m allergic to them, and more. When I get confounded, I get lost in my thoughts and need a distraction.
In Confound It, Baxley has all kinds of figuring-out mojo and that makes her a great sleuth. She takes each case in stride, though it’s always something new and unsettling. The difference between her and me is that she knows she’ll figure it out. Luckily, she’s preoccupied with murder instead of laundry stains, kamikaze bugs, and the like. She’s plucky, determined, and supersized with extrasensory talent.
Chime in with something that confounds you. One commenter, selected by random.org, will win a kindle version of my Lindsey & Ike novella, Really, Truly Dead.
<> And while you’re here, remember to enter our Gift Card Giveaway which runs September 1-18, 2018. Click HERE! <>
Posted in Let's Talk, with Maggie Toussaint • Tags: BLB Discussion, confound it, giveaway, Maggie Toussaint | 19 Comments
When I see a deer “sleeping” in the road, I always stop and wonder if they are as careless running through the woods. I mean, do they regularly get run over by rogue raccoons? There are no crossing lights in the woods, after all…
I’ve had deer jump in front of my car before. I’m sure they have a different perspective about who had the right of way, but still. They should always cross at the “Deer Crossing” signs, right? They’re such good readers after all.
People who can’t — or won’t — follow simple traffic rules. I mean SIMPLE rules, like stop at stop signs. Or stay on the right side of the road.
Absolutely! That’s crazy to see someone driving on the wrong side of the road.Rolling stop signs is bad, but so is driving at excessive speeds like it’s a NASCAR event.
People that thinks that the laws don’t apply to them. My husband and daughter both work in the law enforcement field and see a lot of that.
Oh, Mandy. I hear you. That is truly confounding to me too. Our society is shifting in its demographic and its group mindset and that frightens me. I wonder where exactly we’re headed on this new track.
People who are prejudice. I don’t understand why anyone would hate someone else because of their color, religion, sexual preference, etc. They might as well hate themselves too because they are the object of someone else’s hate.
Sometimes I feel like my eyes have seen too much. Anyone else feel that? Everyone is trying to protect their family and survive. Human nature isn’t as far removed from animals as we’d like to think. Animals discriminate too. What will make us finally treat everyone as equal? You’d think our world could’ve figured that out by now. Definitely a confounding point for me too.
People who can’t agree to disagree.
Oh, Kara. You’ve hit the nail squarely on the head. This is affecting our entire country right now, maybe even the world. Whoever said we all had to agree? It’s okay to disagree but no one needs to be ugly or confrontational about it. Today’s society is missing a tapestry of civility that used to be present. I don’t doubt for a moment that people in the moment haven’t had similar arguments and disagreements, but it never felt so personal as now. Sheesh. Thank God for fiction.
When someone has to turn fast and close right in front of me..and there is no one behind me on the road?? Seriously, you couldn’t wait 5 seconds until I pass you to turn ????
I don’t understand this mentality either. Either people think they’re immortal or entitled. It puts all of us at risk. In Driver’s Ed, light years ago, our instructor preached about Defensive Driving. He would be thrilled to know how proficient I’ve had to become about the whole defensive mode on the road. But still. Our roadways are scary at times when we least expect it.
I’m confounded by how people are driving lately. Why is everybody in such a hurry that they have to drive like maniacs?
Amen to that , Sister! As my dad used to say, “Where’s the Fire?” These days there is no fire. It’s all about pretending its a chase scene in a video game. Honest to goodness, I cringe at some of the interstate maneuvers that take place around us. How can these drivers have such a disregard for life?
I’m also confounded about how scammers manage to call our phones with local area codes. I already don’t pick up calls from 800 numbers, now I can’t even trust my own area code. I figure if it’s important, the caller will leave a message.
This bothers me too, Cathi! I’m flummoxed by the volume of calls I get on my home phone and mobile. Blocking the number does no good because they are on to that trick. Like you say, the best practice is to check for messages afterward.
For me its families who don’t talk to each other over disagreements and egos. Life is soooo short…. we need to cherish our moments together!
So true, Soniya. I think it’s all too easy to fall victim to our emotions and pride and let loneliness fill that gap where family should be. Family is worth making the extra effort.
With such a robust discussion, I decided to award two winners. Cathi Gil and Soniya have won an ebook from me. Because I posted online that it was the entire Lindsey & Ike anthology, winners have the option of the anthology or the first novella in this series.