Electric Avenue

 JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Today's topic came from two different sources. First, I was listening to a fascinating two-part story from the Search Engine podcast on the development and implementation of Waymo driverless vehicles, which are always electric cars. 

Secondly, I bought gas. Ouch! I'm filling up at the half-way mark, and in eight days, the super-discount cash-only station I go to went up by fifteen cents per gallon. I wonder if this will get buyers more interested in electric vehicles? I thought, as $26 disappeared into my tank in less than two minutes.

 

I've been intrigued for a long time, but before even considering going electric, I'd have to do some major upgrades to my 200+ year-old home. Currently, I have ONE electric outlet outside, and that's on the porch ceiling (I theorize the then-owners were thinking about Christmas lights, because that's about its only use.) In addition, Maine is one of the top five states in electricity rates; the financially sensible way to 'fuel' an electric vehicle would be to get solar panels on my house and barn roofs. 

To be honest,  I've never actually driven a car that doesn't have a combustion engine. I had the opportunity a few years ago when we went to Norfolk to celebrate my darling Veronique's graduation. The Enterprise at National Airport offered me a GM Blazer EV, but the thought of driving a relatively unfamiliar route AND having to figure out how to recharge the thing was just too intimidating. 

How about you, Reds? Do you have an electric vehicle, or have you driven one? What do you think about them, and do you have obstacles like mine when thinking about buying one?

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  I have NO idea.  I was (gently) pushing to get a new car recently, and we looked at them, but everything the salesperson started to explain things, it seemed to open up a whole new world of difficult horribleness. We kept our old car. I still think we need a new one, but  if we get one, I think hybrid is the way to do. However they work...

DEBORAH CROMBIE: I did think about this when buying a new car last year--after seventeen years of driving my Honda.  But we weren't sure we were ready for all-electric, especially as things are so spread out in Texas. And the price tag on hybrids was just too high. Also, I was in love with the Mazda, and they are not yet making a hybrid. This may put them in a better position financially considering the current state of affairs and the damage done to the EV industry. Probably for the next car we will look at EVs.

LUCY BURDETTE: I am due for a new car and we will start shopping once back in Connecticut. I adore my Subaru Outback though it isn't flashy. It gets great mileage, drives well, is comfortable, and fits all of our stuff. (A lot!) 

However, John thinks that we should buy a hybrid and Subaru doesn't make an Outback version. He has a small electric vehicle, which he loves, though I'm not convinced. We will start the conversation this spring...

JENN McKINLAY: Youngest Hooligan just bought a used Tesla. I know there's a ban but as H2 pointed out it's used, so no billionaire made a profit off him. I was dubious but OMG! He has a long commute to the hospital and school and he was paying $70/week before the gas spike. Now he goes to a charging station where it takes 10-15 minutes and costs $8-12/week. And, real talk, it's one of the most comfortable cars I've ever ridden in--enough so that I'm considering an e-car for myself but my truck would have to die first. I love my Chevy Silverado. Not letting it go anytime soon.

RHYS BOWEN: For years now I've changed my car when the warranty expires.  Driving 800 miles between CA and AZ means I want no bad surprises. So an electric car has not been in consideration as I'd have to stop and charge it. But a hybrid... definitely my next car. I drive a Mercedes SUV and I love it, but it is horrible on gas. $100 fillup every time. So I'm looking at the Lexus NX SUV next time. I like being high up with good vision in my current car and easy access too.  

Sending Best Easter Wishes

DEBORAH CROMBIE: Happy Easter to those who celebrate today from all of us at Jungle Red! 

I imagine we are all celebrating the coming of spring, even if some of us are only seeing tantalizing hints. We are burgeoning here (such a good word!) The trees are cloaked in green, the Japanese maples are blazing red, and the roses are in their spring full flush. It is glorious!

Unfortunately, this means that the tree pollen is also burgeoning, and that is not nearly as pleasant. At the moment, it's elm pollen, although the pecan will be joining it any day now. Everything around our house is covered in a film of green powder. The birdbath, pond and patio fountain are all scummy and filled with tiny elm seeds. A few minutes outside enjoying the roses means sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes. Apparently the DFW area is way up there on the "increasing allergies" list. I certainly don't remember such an onslaught when I was a child. 

It's also mad planting time here, as we try to get things in pots and in the ground so that they can get started before it gets too hot. I brought back some beautiful bougainvilleas from our trip to Round Top. I've never seen that deep orange or the gold before and am looking forward to getting them in hanging baskets on our deck.

Since then I've made several "packed car" trips to local nurseries!

The backseat is totally stuffed as the cargo space was already full.

All this is on the to-do list for next week, but today we are looking forward to Easter lunch at my daughter and son-in-law's. There will be ham, a quiche and a ham and mushroom strata from our local bakery (Bresnan's, if anyone wants to check out the goodies, just for fun,) as well as a gorgeous carrot cake from a new French bakery here. It all sounds delicious, but the best part is just relaxing and spending time with our favorite people.

REDs and readers, are you celebrating today? If so, what are doing--and what are you eating??

Jonelle Patrick--Let's Talk Comfort Reads

DEBORAH CROMBIE: What fun to have the lovely Jonelle Patrick visiting us all the way from Tokyo this morning! I have no idea what time it is in Japan, but Jonelle is a treat any time of day. She has a new book coming out on April 21st, THE SAMURAI'S OCTUPUS. 

I can't wait to learn the significance of the title, but today she's here to chat about something else. Here's Jonelle!

LET’S TALK COMFORT READS

 

Good morning, Reds and fellow Readers! It’s me, Jonelle, waving at you from Tokyo.

 

The divine Deb kindly invited me here today because I have a new book coming out in April, but first there’s something else I’ve been dying to ask the Reds and Readers about.

Did you open your email this morning and save Jungle Reds for last, knowing it’ll be a welcome antidote to whatever fresh outrage just screamed at you from the headlines? Like me, do you top up your cuppa and come here to be reassured that smart, thoughtful people still care about books and writing and each other? That there are still kind people on this earth who listen to each other, offer condolences in times of loss and sadness, encouragement to those with health woes, and joy at every new book release and award? I don’t know about you, but for me, Jungle Reds is one of those safe havens and islands of goodness I’ve come to rely on in this weary world.

But what do you do in the middle of the night when you need something more to whisk you away from your cares and worries? That’s what I’m here to ask about today.

 

Reds and Readers, what do you look for in a comfort read?

 

 

Sometime during covid I stopped reading thrillers—a genre I used to consume by the truckload—and started seeking out the kind of books that will gently but firmly lure me away from staring at the ceiling at 3:00 a.m. and worrying about test results or fretting over the problems of the world. I’m pretty sure the Reds and Readers are world-class experts on comfort reads, because so many of you write them and we so often recommend them to each other.

 

So…what defines a comfort read for YOU?

 

What must-haves do you look for in a comfort read?

 

What no-fly zones must a comfort read absolutely avoid?

 

What are your favorite comfort reads (and why)?

 

To get us started, want to hear mine?

 

Must-haves: Writing and plot so immersive I need to set a timer if I’ve got somewhere to be; a setting/situation that’s very different from the reality I’m escaping; a satisfying ending (everyone gets what they deserve, good or bad)

 

No-flys: Graphic violence or cruelty; evil triumphing over good in any lasting way

 

Favorite comfort reads: Mysteries have always been my all-purpose comfort read—especially if they take place elsewhere and elsewhen (i.e. not in the present-day USA)—because puzzling over a crime I know is going to be solved in 350 pages stops me from obsessing about the problems that are tougher to solve in real life. I’ve also started reading more historical fiction, because whatever dire straits and evil leaders and wretched conditions the characters have to endure, I know for a fact we survived that era. That the pendulum always swings, humanity lurches forward, and evil goes out of style again.

 

My latest go-to comfort reads:

 

The Wine of Angels by Phil Rickman

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

A Letter of Mary by Laurie King

In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming (this whole series, to be honest. Eek, have I developed a vicar fixation?)

Matrix by Lauren Groff

 

So tell me, Reds and Readers, what about you? What do YOU look for in a comfort read?

 

Jonelle Patrick writes what she reads. Her new mystery, The Samurai’s Octopus, takes place in Japan’s Yoshiwara pleasure quarter in the 1780s, where the shōgun rules with an iron fist but women hold all the cards. It’s a place where those with the most power must beg favor from those with the least, and one resourceful girl growing up at the House of Treasures just might bring down a high-ranking murderer if she manages to find the mother she’s never known. If you’re my long-lost twin when it comes to comfort reads, here’s where you can find out if The Samurai’s Octopus checks all your boxes too…

DEBS: Wow, what great questions! Thank you, Jonelle. I can't wait to see what everyone answers! 

Oh, and Jonelle, just wanted to add that your cover is gorgeous! I can't wait to dive into this book!