Tag: cozy mystery

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Divabetic Reader #3: And Then There Were Crumbs By Eve Calder

I enjoy reading cozy mysteries like Then There Were Crumbs. I consider cozy mysteries to be the literary equivalent of a Suduko puzzle. I can put down a cozy mystery, pick it up two days or even a week later, and not miss a beat. Plus, I’m learning the art of cozy mystery storytelling as I’m reading. That’s a tip I got from two Best-Selling Authors, Tonya Kappes and Brenda Novak, on how to improve your writing.

Currently, I’m knee-deep in rewrites for this year’s Divabetic’s Mystery podcast, A Christmas Peril, debuting in September 2021. At this point, we have had several full-cast rehearsals, so I’m listening to rehearsal tapes and tightening up the script. One of the biggest challenges for me is to say more with fewer words. 

Eve Clader does a great job of storytelling in Then There Were Crumbs. 

However, I found that the biggest mystery could be the real identity of the author! My google search of ‘Eve Calder’ revealed ‘nada.’ I guess I’m not much of a super sleuth after all.

That said, I really enjoyed this book, the characters, the mystery, and the charming setting.

Agatha Christie said, “The best time to plan a book is while you’re doing the dishes.”

She was right! I was plotting out Divabetic’s Mystery podcast while my hands were submerged in sudsy water. So here’s the link to Divabetic’s Mystery podcast, Kill Me Madam.

I don’t know about you, but reading is one of my favorite past-times. But, unfortunately, the food described in the pages of whatever book I’m reading triggers hunger pain more time than not. This is why I don’t read Joanne Fluke‘s books. Her books are high-calorie, high-carb indulgences with tempting titles like Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder, Carrot Cake Murder, and Raspberry Danish Murder. 

To stay on track with my own personal health goals, I like to have a healthy snack handy. 

I believe developing healthy habits takes as much time and effort as developing bad habits, especially when it comes to snacks. Think about. In the time it takes to grab a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream from the grocery store freezer, you can reach for frozen fruit and vegetables in the same freezer.

Lucky for me, I found a delightful frozen vegetable snack option at my neighborhood grocery store.

While reading Then There Will Be Crumbs, I supported my health goals by snacking on Strong Roots’ Spinach Bites. After all, this book’s sugar ladened subtitle is A Cookie House Mystery!  While the townsfolk of Coral Cay, Florida were chewing on one cookie after another, I was eating several delicious spinach bites are wrapped up in a carrot and vegetable crumb.

The first ingredient listed on the food label is Spinach, so you know you’re actually eating an actual vegetable. One serving, 3 bites, has180 calories and 16 grams of carbohydrates. I enjoyed 3 servings while I read. 

Did I mention that they’re easy to prepare too! Open the bag, then just pop them in the oven for 10 minutes, and they’re ready.

Staying on track with my diabetes wellness while I read is one of my Summer 2021 goals. Join me! Visit divabetic.org

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Divabetic Celebrates Earth Day!

Today is World Earth Day!

Divabetic is happy to support awareness about pollution and to celebrate the environment of the blue planet. Our two previous Diabetes Mystery podcasts, Kill Me Madam and Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes pack strong Earth Day’s messages between all of the action, diabetes information, intrigue, laughs, and suspense!

We’re According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. consumes around 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually, and globally, around 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are used every year. In fact, four out of five grocery bags in the U.S. are plastic, but a person only uses a plastic bag for around 12 minutes before being discarded or stored.

The environmental costs of plastic remain at an all-time high. Since only five percent of plastics are effectively recycled, that means the remaining 95 percent are left all over the planet.

Plastic pollution is poisoning our oceans and land, injuring marine life, and affecting our health.

Plastic has been collecting in the marine environment since plastic production began in the 1950s — in fact, each square mile of the ocean contains more than 46,000 pieces of floating plastic. Eight million metric tons of plastics make their way into the ocean each year.

You can do your bit to help end plastic pollution by finding out how many plastic items you consume every year and make a pledge to reduce the amount.

How You Can Reduce Plastic In Your Daily Life

Avoid using straws. Do you really need a straw? When at a restaurant, ask that no straw be brought out with your drink.

Stop using disposable silverware.

Use reusable produce bags

Buy in bulk

Stop buying bottled water

Buy cardboard over plastic

Avoid fabrics with plastic microfibers, such as nylon and polyester.

Since you can buy your own water filtration system, there is no need to buy bottled water. It’s just a waste of plastic. Plus, this is one of the easiest targets for reducing waste. And, for water on the go, keep a refillable bottle around.

Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes is set in the fictitiously decadent world-renowned Gingerbread Men Cookie Baking Competition in New York’s Central Park Zoo. Mr. Divabetic’s healthy culinary misadventures continue in this year’s escapade as he enters the competition with headless cookies and pureed kale hot cocoa for the judges to sample. As if this dreadful combination wasn’t bad enough to land him at the bottom of the throwdown, his mother, Mama Rose Marie, is accused of poisoning one of the celebrity judges! Things go from bad to worse when the snake phobic Mr. Divabetic hears about the giant python’s escape.

Now, the happy healthcare host must decide to face his fear of snakes and recipe rejection or throw in his apron and risk getting caught up in another murder investigation. Can Mr. Divabetic and his team of amateur sleuths hunt down the real killer and get Mama Rose Marie out of jail? Will he be the next murder victim? Can he ever create an edible recipe?

The cast of Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes features Mama Rose Marie, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and MaryAnn Nicolay BA, DTR), The Happy Diabetic Chef Robert Lewis, Seveda Williams, Coach The Cure’s Trisha Artman, Jillian Walsh, Wendy Radford, Dave Jones, Lorraine Brooks, and Max Szadek.

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from the original Broadway cast recording of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes courtesy of SONY MUSIC.

There’s a good indication that murder might be part of the recipe when Nantucket’s ten-time reigning Baking Champion’s last name is ‘Coffin’. But resentment, greed, and Britannia’s own bad dealings turn everyone into a suspect when she’s found dead in the parking lot just before the Annual Decadents on Deck! Bake Off competition is about to kick off.

Delusional baker and amateur sleuth Mr. Divabetic is even shocked to find himself being treated as a suspect in the case by the local police, after meeting her just once!

As if his life wasn’t crazy enough before, escaping a murderous mishap in New York and attempting a fresh start in Nantucket has turned into a complete and utter baking disaster, now Max, along with his friends and nosy mother, have to add tracking down a murderer to his To-Do list, as well.

Can our team hunt down the real murderer before they strike again? Will he become the next victim? Can Max ever manage to bake a cake that’s actually edible?

Kill Me Madam podcast cast includes USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Coach The Cure‘s Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, Seveda Williams, and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Broadway Cast Album of ‘Call Me Madam’ courtesy of SONY Music.

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Diamonds the Python stars in Divabetic’s Mystery Podcast

Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller gets ‘coz’y with a giant python named ‘Diamonds’ in Divabetic‘s Mystery podcast, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes. 

The mystery is set in the fictitiously decadent world-renowned Gingerbread Men Cookie Baking Competition in New York’s Central Park Zoo. Mr. Divabetic’s healthy culinary misadventures continue in this year’s escapade as he enters the competition with headless cookies and pureed kale hot cocoa for the judges to sample. As if this dreadful combination wasn’t bad enough to land him at the bottom of the throwdown, his mother, Mama Rose Marie, is accused of poisoning one of the celebrity judges! Things go from bad to worse when the snake phobic Mr. Divabetic hears about the giant python’s escape.

Now, the happy healthcare host must decide to face his fear of snakes and recipe rejection or throw in his apron and risk getting caught up in another murder investigation. Can Mr. Divabetic and his team of amateur sleuths hunt down the real killer and get Mama Rose Marie out of jail? Will he be the next murder victim? Can he ever create an edible recipe?

The cast of Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes features Mama Rose Marie, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and MaryAnn Nicolay BA, DTR), The Happy Diabetic Chef Robert Lewis, Seveda Williams, Coach The Cure’s Trisha Artman, Jillian Walsh, Wendy Radford, Dave Jones, Lorraine Brooks and Max Szadek.

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from the original Broadway cast recording of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes courtesy of SONY MUSIC.

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Happy Birthday, Mama Rose Marie!

Happy birthday to a very special woman at Divabetic, Mama Rose Marie!

Mama Rose Marie has helped to shape our organization and outreach efforts since 2003. She  generously shares her decorating talents, upbeat personality and motherly love with all the divas at risk, affected by and living with diabetes at numerous Divabetic outreach events including ‘Divabetic – Makevoer Your Diabetes’.

 

Divabetic’s Mother Your Diabetes video series presents diabetes wellness advice with a spoonful of motherly love.

Mama Rose Marie stars in Divabetic’s latest mystery radio podcast, ‘Kill Me Madam’.

There’s a good indication that murder might be part of the recipe when Nantucket’s ten time reigning Baking Champion’s last name is ‘Coffin’. But resentment, greed and Britannia’s own bad dealings turn everyone into a suspect when she’s found dead in the parking lot just before the Annual Decadents on Deck! Bake Off competition is about to kick off.

Delusional baker and amateur sleuth Mr. Divabetic is even shocked to find himself being treated as a suspect in the case by the local police, after meeting her just once!

As if his life wasn’t crazy enough before, escaping a murderous mishap in New York and attempting a fresh start in Nantucket has turned into a complete and utter baking disaster, now Max, along with his friends and nosy mother, have to add tracking down a murderer to his To-Do list, as well.

Can our team hunt down the real murderer before they strike again? Will he become the next victim? Can Max ever manage to bake a cake that’s actually edible?

Divabetic’s Mystery podcast cast includes USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Coach The Cure‘s Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, Seveda Williams, and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Broadway Cast Album of ‘Call Me Madam’ courtesy of SONY Music.

 

Divabetic’s Mother Your Diabetes video series presents diabetes wellness advice with a spoonful of motherly love.

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Divabetic’s Top 3 Podcasts of 2020

This year’s Top 3 Divabetic podcasts came together a little differently than before. Our top rated podcast from October featured an exclusive interview with singer, songwriter Angela Bofill. Angela’s fighting spirit after experiencing two strokes is truly inspirational. Additionally, it seems all the extra rehearsals and script revisions have paid off as our annual mystery podcast topped the Luther Vandross tribute for the first time in the ratings. We think you’ll enjoy these three shows no matter your situation in life right now.

#3: Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute Podcast

We’re celebrating the musical legacy of Luther Vandross and raising awareness for diabetes health-related complications (such as vision loss) on Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast.

Diabetic eye disease, caused by diabetes, is a leading cause of blindness and vision loss. Because of the high risk for eye disease, all people with type 2 diabetes should receive an annual dilated eye exam.

A 2019 Vision Source study of 1,000 U.S. consumers found that more than 50% had issues with their vision in the past year, and 34% did not go for a professional eye exam. The major barriers to having an annual eye exam included not thinking they needed one (33%), unsure of where to go (25%), lack of insurance, (22%) and expense (22%).

Comprehensive eye exams are key to overall wellness and preserving a high quality of life. In addition to evaluating vision, annual eye exams can detect serious health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, and even cancer.

Guests include Andre “Doctor Dre” Brown, Nat Adderley Jr.,  Dr. Khoshnevis, Danny Clay, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE.  Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Luther Vandross’s album, ‘The Night I Fell In Love’ courtesy of SONY Music.

#2: Divabetic’s Mystery Podcast: Kill Me Madam

There’s a good indication that murder might be part of the recipe when Nantucket’s ten time reigning Baking Champion’s last name is ‘Coffin’. But resentment, greed and Britannia’s own bad dealings turn everyone into a suspect when she’s found dead in the parking lot just before the Annual Decadents on Deck! Bake Off competition is about to kick off.

Delusional baker and amateur sleuth Mr. Divabetic is even shocked to find himself being treated as a suspect in the case by the local police, after meeting her just once!

As if his life wasn’t crazy enough before, escaping a murderous mishap in New York and attempting a fresh start in Nantucket has turned into a complete and utter baking disaster, now Max, along with his friends and nosy mother, have to add tracking down a murderer to his To-Do list, as well.

Can our team hunt down the real murderer before they strike again? Will he become the next victim? Can Max ever manage to bake a cake that’s actually edible?

Divabetic’s Mystery podcast cast includes USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Coach The Cure‘s Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, Seveda Williams, and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Broadway Cast Album of ‘Call Me Madam’ courtesy of SONY Music.

#1: Diabetes Late Nite Podcast Inspired by Angela Bofill

We’re talking about the symptoms, causes and prevention of stroke with musical inspiration from Angela Bofill.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the US. As many as 5 to 14 percent of stroke survivors have a second stroke within one year.

With her strong, distinctive alto, Angela Bofill carved a niche as an outstanding interpreter of soul ballads and became a mainstay on the Quiet Storm radio format.

Angela Bofill suffered two strokes but neither stroke could take away her positive, humorous personality and her fighter spirit. After she lost the ability to sing, she returned to the stage for “The Angela Bofill Experience” in which she skillfully narrated her life story, while her band and other singers .

Podcast guests include Angela Bofill, Catherine Schuller, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Neva White DNP, CRNP- BC, CDE, and Rose Hall from Tessie’s Teas.

Throughout the podcast we will feature music from Angela Bofill’s albums Angie and Angel of the Night courtesy of SONY Music.

Coming Up: Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Aaliyah

We’re talking about a ‘New Year, New You‘ attitude about living with diabetes with musical inspiration from Aaliyah on Diabetes Late Nite scheduled for Tuesday, January 12, 2020.

Although Aaliyah died at the age of 22 and had a short music career due to her early passing, the singer’s music helped to redefine R&B, pop, and even hip-hop. And her legacy continues to live on. Her hard work ethic, creativity, and her sweet demeanor have inspired fans over the past two decades.

Diabetes Late Nite podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Pendulum Glucose Control‘s Colleen Cutcliffe, Ph. D., CEO and co-founder of Pendulum Therapeutics and Virginia Valentine, APRN, BC-ADM, CDE, FAADE, Dr. Darren Wayne from MealBetix and Yoga For Diabetes Author Rachel Zinman.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Aaliyah’s Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number album courtesy of SONY Music.

Tune in over 140 Diva TalkRadio podcasts available for free on i-tunes (search ‘Divabetic’).

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Divabetic Cozy Mystery: Kill Me Madam, Part 9

Looks like someone is coming but it’s too late to save Max. Millicent Merriweather turns around, intending to shoot our approaching team, but her numbed feet cause her to trip over a nail sticking out of the rotting deck. Peggy rushes forward and holds Millicent down as she tries to stand up. In the tussle, the stolen pearl handled pistol skids across the deck and Mama Rose Marie grabs it and points it at Millicent.  

Mama Rose Marie: Where is my son?

Millicent: Swimming with the fishes.

Peggy: That’s not possible. He can’t be dead. I put blanks in that pistol after I found it behind Millicent’s cash register. Millicent is always threatening to kill anyone who uses a Groupon. There’s no way she should have access to a loaded gun.

Tonya: Look, there he is!

Narrator:  Max’s head bobs up in the water. After climbing up the ladder, he is toweling off on deck.

Mama Rose Marie: Thank Goodness, you’re safe. Once you dry off, Bartholomew, you’ll be as good as new.

Max:  New? Never. Different? Maybe. I’m not going to pretend to be someone else to win a contest. From now on, I’m staying true to who I am no matter how the chips may fall.

Tonya: Don’t you mean no matter how the dead bodies may fall?

Peggy: I’ve got some good news. We have a new Decadent Desserts on Deck Champion.

Max: I …I won?

Tonya: What? Was everyone else disqualified?

Peggy: I’m sorry Max – you never finished making your pie, so you WERE disqualified. But I think this check just might make up for it. Does this lift your spirits?

Max: Wow, what’s this for?

Peggy: Think of it as an advance on future pie orders. Your vegan key lime pie made with cashews and a pecan pie crust is such an interesting twist on the traditional recipe that I want to offer it to my customers.

Patricia: My patients who switch to vegan diets see their blood pressure decrease as well as their risk for heart disease.

MaryAnn: Max, you did it! You finally sold a recipe! Let’s celebrate.

Tonya: Hold your horses. We still haven’t found the stolen whales’ teeth!

Peggy: Loretta told me she hasn’t had any luck finding them.

Max: Mom, why do you have a funny look on your face?

Mama Rose Marie: We need to go check the oven.

Max: In the prep kitchen? But I turned it off before we left this morning.

Mama Rose Marie: No, no, not that oven! C’mon. Follow me.

Narrator: Mama Rose Marie leads our team back to the fabled Hussey mansion overhanging the Nantucket Sound. 

SOUND EFFECT: Sea gulls

Mama Rose Marie: Peggy, didn’t you say Britannia won ten First Place ribbons with her winning pie crust? Is that right?

Peggy: Do you mean what I said about ‘blind baking’?

Max: Mom, what do her baking skills have to do with the whales’ teeth?

Mama Rose Marie: Tanya, open that oven door.

Tonya: Well, I’ll be. The stolen whales’ teeth are right here in Britannia’s pie crusts!

Peggy: Only Britannia would think to hide them there. Let me call Loretta.

Patricia: Max, please don’t get any ideas about adding whales’ teeth to your next gluten free recipe!

MaryAnn: By the look on his face. I think he’s seriously considering it.

Max: No! Look at Peggy’s check. It’s the exact amount of the entry fee for the baking contest in Martha’s Vineyard.

Mama Rose Marie: How can you think of entering another baking contest after what happened?

Max: We don’t have any choice. I gave Britannia all my cash for the food processor and I maxed out my credit cards on these pirate costumes.

Patricia: You mean we’re stuck here?

Tonya: Yippee! I’m ready to sink my teeth into another murder!

MaryAnn: Let’s just cash the check and go home.

Max: But I can make a lot more money winning the grand prize in Martha’s Vineyard with a new recipe! How about a rhubarb quinoa brownie?

Mama Rose Marie: Oh, no, here we go again!

Narrator: Another mystery solved by our crack team of amateur sleuths. We’ve all learned a few things from this story.  Running away from your diabetes-related problems can lead to bigger issues. Any warning signs that something’s not right concerning your diabetes health should not be ignored.

We are always grateful to Sony Music for allowing us to feature their music. Tonight’s music was from the original Broadway recording of ‘Call Me Madam’ starring Dinah Shore. 

 

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Divabetic Cozy Mystery: Kill Me Madam, Part 8

Narrator: With no time to spare before the competition’s official start, Max hurries below deck to retrieve his food processor.

SOUND EFFECT: footstep (man clopping) 

Narrator: Making his way back to the deck, Max is ambushed by a woman who is blocking his path.  It’s the stylish Millicent Merriweather.  And she’s holding the stolen pearl handled pistol.

Millicent: Stop right there and hand over that box!

Max: This box? It’s just a kitchen appliance! Granted it has 8 speeds and reversible blades but still –

Millicent:  I saw you handing cash to Britannia for that food processor in the parking lot after you left without buying anything. I searched Britannia’s trunk after I ran her over and the whales’ there weren’t there.  The only place they can be is in that box.

Max: So that’s why Britannia put those Botox receipts in my pocket. She was warning me about you. They’re yours! You get Botox shots to numb your feet so you can wear sky high heels.

Millicent: It’s a small price to pay for how great my legs look in these Manolo Blahniks. Now this gun is going to eliminate another source of my pain.

Max: Wait! Those heels don’t have any scuff marks. If a robber had dragged you into the storeroom then there would at least be scuff marks or a broken heel.

Millicent: Yes, Captain Obvious, I faked the robbery to give me an alibi. Britannia Coffin betrayed me. I had no choice but to kill her. We planned this heist for months. She couldn’t pull it off alone in her condition. We agreed she would get the insurance money and I would sell the teeth to the highest bidder. I even had a buyer lined up but then she went behind my back and made a deal herself.

Max: That’s why you killed her?

Millicent: The retail business is dead thanks to Amazon. Those whales’ teeth were my ticket to a new life. After she came into my shop this morning and didn’t bring me the whales’ teeth like we’d agreed, I thought Britannia might be planning to double cross me. That’s when I called the buyer and found out she’d made a new deal with him and had cut me out. Then I remembered seeing her give you that box in the parking lot. I was heading over to her house to confront her when I saw her coming out of the Treasure Island Antique Shoppe. I just saw red!!! She was an easy target without her poles.

Max: You won’t get away with this. My friends are probably already looking for me.

Millicent: Open that box and give me what’s inside!

Max: Look! It’s only a food processor.

Millicent: I can’t see. Move your mangy stuffed parrot out of my way. Where are they?

Max: I swear I don’t know.  I don’t have them. But why don’t you let me help you find them?

Millicent: Not unless they are at the bottom of the ocean. Let’s go, Jolly Roger!

Max: No, you don’t want to do this!

Millicent: You know too much! I’m going to make you walk the plank like in one of those old pirate movies. You’re already dressed for the part.

Max: You do know I can swim, right?

Millicent: Not with a bullet in you. Goodbye, Captain Bartholomew Maxwell!

SOUND EFFECT: gun shot and splash

Narrator: Max falls headfirst into the ocean with his food processor.

TO BE CONTINUED 

Divabetic’s Mystery podcast, Kill Me Madam, cast includes USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Coach The Cure‘s Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, Seveda Williams, and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Broadway Cast Album of ‘Call Me Madam’ courtesy of SONY Music.

 

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Tea Party with special guests, Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller, Tessie’s Teas’ owner Rose Hall and Harlem Heaven’s Hats owner Evetta Petty on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

FREE REGISTER – REGISTER NOW 

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Divabetic Cozy Mystery: Kill Me Madam, Part 7

With less than two hours before the official start of the competition, our amateur sleuths, attired in full pirate regalia, hurry to Britannia Coffin’s historic mansion on the cliff overlooking the ocean. They scramble over a wall of sandbags and enter through the unlocked back door.

Patricia: These gold framed portraits lining the hall must be the Hussey family ancestors.

Mama Rose Marie: And I’ll bet that room at the end of the hall is Britannia’s office.

Max: I can’t believe I let you talk me into coming here! If I get arrested, it’s all Renata Whisk’s fault!

Tonya: Renata Whisk didn’t buy the food processor – you did, Bartholomew!

Patricia: Well, Loretta is certain Britannia stole the whales’ teeth. If that’s true. They must be here somewhere.

MaryAnn: Let’s look around. Maybe they’re in one of these boxes?

Mama Rose Marie: This box is filled with insulin pens, vials and cartridges.

Max: Same with this one! Maybe she was planning to donate these supplies.

Patricia: New, unopened medical supplies can be donated to the regions impacted by natural disasters. But, you need to make sure they haven’t expired.

Tonya: Look, what’s in this box. It’s loaded with herbal medicines and supplements.

MaryAnn: It looks like she was searching for a quick fix to manage her neuropathy.

Max: She was probably hoping to use it during the competition to alleviate her foot pain.

MaryAnn: She wasted her money. There is no quick fix. The best way to help minimize pain is to stick to proper diabetes self-care management.

Mama Rose Marie: Well, we’ve searched all these boxes and there’s no sign of the whales’ teeth.

MaryAnn: Hold on, look what I found on her desk.  This stack of overdue bills explains why Britannia was so desperate for money. She must’ve spent close to a million dollars on sandbags, flood insurance and healthcare. It looks like Loretta was telling us the truth about Britannia’s money problems.

Mama Rose Marie: Hmmm, the high costs of healthcare seems unavoidable. What can you do?

Patricia: Make certain you understand all your healthcare benefits. Many people don’t know what their plans will and will not cover until it’s too late.

Max: Yeah, but check out this card I just found. It says, “This year you’ll be the one dying with envy!” And look,  it is signed by Loretta.

Patricia: That sounds like a death threat to me.

Max: Geez, some people will do just about anything to win a baking competition!

Tonya: Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

SOUND EFFECT: Footsteps (shorter) needs a crash 

Mama Rose Marie: Shush! Everyone be quiet. I think I hear someone in the hall.

Loretta:  What’s going on?  How did you get in here?

Tonya: Loretta! We can ask you the same question. You scared us half to death.

Loretta: I’m looking for the stolen whales’ teeth. I’m certain Britannia stole them to collect on the insurance.

Tonya: Well, they’re not here.

Loretta: Why should I believe you? Look at you, you’re dressed as pirates. For all I know, you helped Britannia steal the whales’ teeth.

Max: No! I’m just a baking competitor.

Tonya: You see “Bartholomew” here has a bad habit of being in the right place at the wrong time when someone gets murdered. But he’s perfectly harmless. We’re trying to solve Britannia’s murder so the police don’t arrest him.

Loretta: Then the police need to interrogate Goldie Highcastle. Britannia couldn’t have robbed the museum by herself. There are too many stairs. She had to have an accomplice.

Tonya: You think Goldie helped Britannia rob the museum?

Loretta: Britannia asked Goldie if she knew of any tycoons interested in buying ivory when we were in her store this morning.

Max: Was she talking about the whales’ teeth?

Loretta: What else? Like I said earlier, those ivory teeth are worth $5 million dollars.

Tonya: That gives Goldie another motive for murder!

Loretta: I wouldn’t put it past her. Goldie makes a living profiting off other people’s misfortunes. She probably helped Britannia steal the whales’ teeth and then killed her so she could keep the money all to herself!

Max: So … You DIDN’T kill Britannia to win the baking competition?

Loretta: You must be joking! I had to withdraw from the competition this morning to search for the whales’ teeth. But if they’re not here, where else can they be?

SOUND EFFECT: Phone rings  

Max: Hello? This is Ma-x, I mean Max-well. Bartholomew Ma –. What’s up? (Pause) Oh no! That’s terrible.

Tonya: Another murder?

Max: Worse. The finals are about to start, and I still need to finish making my pie!

TO BE CONTINUED 

Divabetic’s Mystery podcast, Kill Me Madam, cast includes USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Coach The Cure‘s Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, Seveda Williams, and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Broadway Cast Album of ‘Call Me Madam’ courtesy of SONY Music.

 

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Tea Party with special guests, Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller, Tessie’s Teas’ owner Rose Hall and Harlem Heaven’s Hats owner Evetta Petty on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

FREE REGISTER – REGISTER NOW 

 

Posted on

Divabetic Cozy Mystery: Kill Me Madam, Part 6

Our team boards the Tall Ship Lynx for the Decadent Desserts on Deck Baking Competition. The Lynx was one of the first ships to defend America’s freedom by evading the British naval fleet.

After a moment of silence for Britannia Coffin the competition begins. 

Even in a fog of ginger, cinnamon, and chocolate, Max stands out from the rest of the competitors. He’s wearing a pirate disguise – in fact, he’s the only one in a costume. Max starts his preparations in hope of fulfilling his ultimate dream of becoming the next Food Network star.

Max: Tonya! Stop calling me Davy Jones.

Tonya: For Pete’s Sakes, Max. Your outfit is scaring all the children!

Mama Rose Marie: Now, now, dear. It’s time to focus on your pie recipe. I’m so glad that Millicent convinced them not to cancel the competition.

Tonya: People are lining up to take selfies with Britannia’s Nordic poles! This competition is great!

Max: For once I agree with you, Tonya – It is great. I’m sure to win with the velvet smoothness of the key lime cashew filling, and the crunchy pecan pie crust – YUM!

Tonya: I wasn’t talking about your pie, Max. I meant this competition is helping us solve the murder. I’ve overheard several people talking about how much they hated Britannia. Now where do you think Loretta is on this boat?

Max: Stop bothering me. I need to pay attention to chopping these nuts. This knife is sharp.

Tonya: Where’s your snazzy food processor?

Max: I stashed it below the deck. I don’t want anyone to see it. They might put two and two together and link me to the murder.

Tonya: Avoidance behavior is only going to make matters worse, Max. You should use it. With any luck, the killer will come forward once they see it!

Mama Rose Marie: She has a point, dear.

Max: Neither one of you really believes in me or in my baking ability. You just wanted me to be a decoy to catch the killer.

Mama Rose Marie Now, son, I think the hot sun’s getting to you.

Max: Prove it. Say something nice about my baking.

Tonya: Umm, You always get the oven temperature right.

Max: And . . .?

Tonya: Uh, Max. Rose Marie, help me out here? That knife he’s pointing at me is really sharp.

Mama Rose Marie: You’re good at measuring ingredients, son. Really wonderful!

Max: Well … I’ve got some news for you two.  My baking skills are ten times better than your detective skills. Otherwise, one of you would have realized by now that I wasn’t the last person to see Britannia Coffin alive.

Mama Rose Marie: What? How can you be sure?

Max: Britannia had her walking poles with her when she sold me the food processor. If I had been the last person to see her alive then why were they in Goldie’s umbrella stand? Obviously she met someone else. And whoever that person is, is the killer! Now, go bother someone else, let me focus on winning.

Patricia: (interrupting) Maa … I mean Bartholomew, one of the celebrity judges is Renata Whisk from last year’s Gingerbread Men competition. Doesn’t she hate you?

Max: How much more can I take?

MaryAnn: Right now, she is on the other side of the deck waving that police sketch of you around. She’s telling everyone about how your poisoned kale hot cocoa  killed everyone’s favorite TV chef, Sweet Sally Buttercup!

Patricia: Max, that silly pirate costume won’t stop Renata from recognizing you!

Max: What should I do?

Tonya: Did you bring any extra pirate costumes for us?

Max: They’re over there in a bag. Why?

Tonya: We’re going to put them on and get off this boat now. We’ll hightail it to Britannia’s mansion before Renata can blow your cover and you’re arrested. Let’s go Captain Bartholomew!

TO BE CONTINUED 

Divabetic’s Mystery podcast, Kill Me Madam, cast includes USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Coach The Cure‘s Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, Seveda Williams, and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Broadway Cast Album of ‘Call Me Madam’ courtesy of SONY Music.

 

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Tea Party with special guests, Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller, Tessie’s Teas’ owner Rose Hall and Harlem Heaven’s Hats owner Evetta Petty on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

FREE REGISTER – REGISTER NOW 

 

Posted on

Divabetic Cozy Mystery: Kill Me Madam, Part 5

Our team of amateur sleuths, Tonya Kappes, Mama Rose Marie, Patricia Addie-Gentle, MaryAnn Nicolay and Mr. Divabetic, heads to the Hawden House Museum to meet Loretta Hussey.  

The beautiful Hawden House museum is housed in a Greek Revival mansion that was built by whaling merchant and silver retailer William Hawden. Its collection highlights the history of Nantucket through the whaling and trading industries. (Closed for the 2020 season. All Historic Property grounds and gardens are open to the public and accessible during daylight hours.)

Loretta: Hey you in the pirate costume. Put on this sandwich board to help us advertise admission.

Max: Me? Why?

Loretta: Aren’t you from the temp agency to help us sell tickets!  All the whales’ teeth in our collection have been stolen. Tourists will stop coming when they find out our biggest attraction is gone!!

The first floor at the Hadwen House showcases the Nantucket Historical Association’s decorative arts. The very finest objects in the collection are on display in period rooms showcasing furniture, china and ceramics, textiles, and silver.

Tonya: Don’t you think your tourism will be more affected by Britannia Coffin’s murder?

Loretta: That woman! She’s always blamed me for what my great grandfather did.

Max: What did he do?

Loretta: According to Britannia he was responsible for the loss of her family’s whaleship Essex that left them penniless. I think she’s the one who stole the scrimshaw whales’ teeth. It makes perfect sense. They belonged to her!

Scrimshaw is the art of engraving images on ivory—whale teeth and bone and walrus tusks—a folk art practiced by men aboard whaleships during the nineteenth century. Sailors made scrimshaw in an amazing variety, including decorative objects, utilitarian devices, and jewelry. It is one of the earliest recognized American crafts and remains one of the most highly desired forms of folk art for collectors of Americana.

Max: Then why would she steal them?

Loretta: To collect the insurance money. She came in earlier today with some flimsy excuse about not liking how the whales’ teeth were displayed. She made me open the case so she could rearrange them. I’m sure she saw where I kept the keys.

Tonya: So why did you threaten her at The Kitchen Island store this morning? Didn’t you tell Britannia she would get what she deserved?

Loretta: Oh, that. I meant the baking competition. She was going to lose this time. That’s all.

Max: Really? After beating you ten times?

Loretta: Look, I’m not the only one happy that Britannia Coffin is dead. Goldie almost went bankrupt! She had so many legal bills from fighting that slip and fall scheme cooked up by Britannia and Peggy’s husband, Floyd.

Tonya: But wasn’t Britannia rich?

Loretta: Not anymore. Her last ditch efforts to save my family’s home from toppling into the Atlantic Ocean cost her a pretty penny.

Max: Peggy told us climate change was affecting the lobster business, but I didn’t realize it was also eroding the shoreline.

Loretta: It took my old neighbor’s house falling into the ocean for her to finally take action.

MaryAnn: She sounds like a lot of people living with diabetes. They put off managing their blood sugars until after they experience a serious health-related complication.

Loretta: Britannia’s problems were all her own fault! She just sat up in her house scheming and baking pie after pie after pie. Her sweet tooth led straight to her diabetes!

MaryAnn: That’s a myth! Eating too much sugar doesn’t cause diabetes. Diabetes is caused by something disrupting the body’s ability to turn the food you eat into energy.

Patricia: Couldn’t they move her house farther back from the cliff?  To save it?

Loretta: Moving a large foundation like that is very expensive. It would cost millions of dollars!

Tonya: Aren’t those stolen whales’ teeth worth millions of dollars?

Loretta: They are insured for $5 million dollars to be exact. They are scrimshaw whales’ teeth intricately carved by the famous artist Frederick Myrick.

The Nantucket Historical Association‘s scrimshaw collection is considered one of the most important collections in the world. Highlights of the collection include some of the earliest and rarest sperm whale teeth, engraved by the most famous of all scrimshaw artists, Nantucketers Frederick Myrick and Edward Burdett.

Mama Rose Marie: Well, something as big and unique as that shouldn’t be too hard to find.

Loretta: Oh no, they are smaller than you think. Some are no larger than this dinner plate from our historical collection.

Max: You mean that’s not a dessert plate you’re holding? It’s so small.

Patricia: American dinner plates have gotten much larger over the years along just like portion sizes.

MaryAnn: Plate size and portion size go hand in hand. Using smaller plates is a great tactic for eating less!

Tonya: Alright, let’s get back to the robbery and the murder – are the whales’ teeth the only things missing?

Loretta: No, a pearl handled pistol was also taken. You certainly have a lot of questions.

Tonya: We’re helping the police piece together a timeline for the murder.

Loretta: I heard the police are looking for some strange guy who was in the parking lot. Apparently, he might be the killer! Hold on, let me get that police sketch.

Mama Rose Marie: Oh, Bartholomew, look at the time!! We have to get to the boat for the baking competition.

TO BE CONTINUED 

Divabetic’s Mystery podcast, Kill Me Madam, cast includes USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Coach The Cure‘s Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, Seveda Williams, and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Broadway Cast Album of ‘Call Me Madam’ courtesy of SONY Music.

RELATED DIABETES WELLNESS  INFORMATION

The Diabetes Plate Method is an easy “formula” that helps you eat right with every bite. READ MORE
The plate method is a simple, visual way to make sure you get enough non-starchy vegetables and lean protein, and limit the amount of higher-carb food that has the greatest potential to spike your blood sugar. READ MORE
How to practice portion size. Your fist is roughly the size of a cup or a medium-size piece of fruit, such as an apple. When it comes to lean protein, the palm of your hand (without the fingers) equates to about 3 ounces of meat, seafood, or poultry. READ MORE
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