I have been control-freaking my life lately in order to meet all my goals. I have been scheduling myself from when I wake up, until when I go to bed. I have been very disciplined, but sometimes things happen that you can’t plan for. Case in point: I was on my way to work– arms full of books and papers, trying to balance my umbrella– when I saw that someone had busted the windows out of my raggedy car and snatched my pathetic little radio. I just took my unhappy self back into the apartment and called the police and the Gecko.
On a cold miserable day like this, I need me some Kendra.
Kendra Clayton is the protagonist of the mystery series by Angela Henry. I love reading the adventures of a GED teacher who finds herself at the center of all the action in her Ohio hometown.
When I find myself stressing out and want to escape, this is exactly the type of book I like to curl up with. Angela’s books are sort of like the Sue Grafton alphabet series, but with a sister-girl touch. The other characters are delightful, too and there is just enough romance to keep it interesting.
Angela sent me the latest in the series, “Schooled in Lies.” I noticed that the cover was different than the others. From her blog I learned that her publisher had opted not to renew the series. Angela Henry is a determined and resilient as her characters. She published the latest book herself.
I have to go to work in a little while, but while I wait for the cops to show up, I am taking a little Kendra-break.

This is one of my favorties. An elegy for her sister
here rests
my sister Josephine
born in ’29
and dead these 15 years
who carried a book on every stroll.
when daddy was dying
she left the streets
and moved him back home
to tend him.
her pimp came too
her Diamond Dick
and they would take turns
reading
a bible aloud through the house.
when you poem this
and you will, she would say
remember the Book of Job.
happy birthday and hope
to you Jospehine
one of the easts
most wanted.
may heaven be filled
with literate men
may they bed you
with respect.

The poet Lucille Clifton says one should wish to celebrate, more than one should wish to be celebrated. So here she is, reading her poem, “Won’t You Celebrate With Me.”