Happy Holidays to everyone. I hope everyone had a joyous Christmas and are still enjoying the holiday season.

I know with the approaching new year, many of us are pondering ways to improve ourselves by resolving to do things differently.

Instead of casually or carelessly making the traditional "New Year's resolution" and finding we've totally lost interest, failed or forgotten what it was by March, let's try to make one that can carry more power and be more life changing than any we've ever made before.

Let's resolve to become more conscious of the thoughts we entertain and realize the more peaceful and positive they are, the better our chances of achieving our goals.

There is a saying that goes "Watch your thoughts for they become words, watch your words for they become actions, watch your actions for they build your character and watch your character because it becomes your destiny".

Here's hoping all of you have a wonderful, healthy, happy, safe and prosperous new year.

I've just finished re-reading several Elizabeth Peters books. For those of you who are unfamiliar with her work, in my opinion she was one of the best mystery writers of my era.

Although her "Amelia Peabody" series may not be considered "classics", her stories are incredibly entertaining and her characters can stand toe to toe with anything Agatha Christie could create.

Amelia Peabody Emerson is a nineteenth century, well bred, intelligent, attractive and fearless female archaeologist. Her illustrious, impetuous and intellectually brilliant husband, Radcliff Emerson is described as being devastatingly handsome, wildly courageous and hilariously devoted to his wife and son.

Together while exploring the ancient pyramids and tombs of Egypt they discover intrigue, mummies and mayhem - the mayhem usually created by their equally brilliant, precocious and adventurous young son Walter Peabody Emerson, a.k.a. Ramses.

All of this is charmingly and elegantly written with incredible taste, humor and a must read for mystery fans everywhere.