Graduating With Class

Katherine: Just like the SpaceX launch of NASA astronauts into a whole new, exciting era of space discovery, students are graduating into their own new and bright phase of life. From elementary school graduates to each graduating class through college and beyond - 

Congratulations! Well Done!

Amber: My friend Mira is graduating from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. I can't wait to congratulate her in person. She's going to stop by the Purse-onality gift shop when she's back in town and when I get off work I'm going to take her out to celebrate.

MJ: Welcome Mira! And best wishes to you on your life adventure. What is your degree in?

Mira: Hello! I will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Psychology.

Katherine: That's very impressive. You've certainly worked hard to achieve all that.

Amber: How are you doing classes there during this virus?

Mira: My classes have all been transferred to an online format. I definitely prefer having in person classes.

Amber: Is there anything you like about online classes?

Mira: I do like online classes because I can do my homework and my assignments at my own pace as long as I turn the assignments in at the right time.

Amber: Staying off campus is a drag. What do you miss most?

Mira: I definitely miss the happy vibe that is present on campus. It was so great walking through campus on the way to class and seeing my friends left and right.

Amber: Who are you living with now on the stay at home? I bet you guys never thought you'd be spending all this time together. Do you all get along? What do you do to make the best of it? Maybe whatever you do could be a good suggestion for other people too.

Mira: I am living with my 5 roommates in our home here in San Luis Obispo (SLO). We do get along! To make the best of it, we have tried to do as many activities as we can outside. One example of something that we did was organizing a spirit week. Every day was a different theme. For example, we had a sports day when we played games like spikeball and cornhole.

Amber: If you could pick anyone to be stranded together with, who would it be? Of course for me it would be Michael, or maybe my friend Julie because she's pretty chill and we study together and we like to listen to music..She plays guitar.

Mira: I would pick my 5 roommates now. It has been great to spend time together at the end of our senior year. We are just trying to take in everything that we can in SLO before we have to move out. 

Amber: Friends are the best! What does all this virus do to your graduation plans? Will you get to celebrate with your family?

Mira: The in-person Cal Poly graduation was cancelled but they are finding a way to recognize students virtually. We are also having a small graduation ceremony in our backyard the weekend that our official graduation ceremony was supposed to be. Unfortunately, my family won’t be able to make it to our makeshift ceremony but we will be able to celebrate when I get back to Seattle.

MJ: Your family will be celebrating with you in spirit, for sure. And you'll be able to feel that. A backyard ceremony is a smart idea and it will be beautiful in San Luis Obispo, I've lived there for a time years ago and loved it.

Amber: As a 2020 college graduate, so exciting, What is your advice for the world?

Mira: My advice for the world would consist of not taking anything for granted and never saying no. There are many things and events that I wish I participated in although did not at the time, that is my biggest regret of my college experience.

Amber: And do you have any advice for people like me who are through with high school and trying to figure out what they want to do with their life?

Mira: My advice for those people are to not feel pressure to know exactly what you want to do with your life going into college. My idea of what I was going to do following college was very different than what I am doing now but I am extremely happy for that. 

Amber: I'm still deciding on my major. I was thinking maybe Business. I've learned a lot managing the gift shop. I thought about Library Sciences, or maybe Astronomy I like that too. Now with this virus I'm thinking maybe something in medicine so I can really help the world.

MJ: Don't forget, history is a good major.

Amber: Anyway, what was your favorite class Mira, and why? 

Mira: My favorite class was Muscles and Locomotion. This was an upper division Biology class that was about the anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal systems, including energetics and biomechanics of locomotion. I am extremely interested in the human body and this class was absolutely amazing.

Amber: What are you doing after you graduate? Will you come back here to Bayside?

Mira: Following graduation, I will be moving home to Seattle for the summer and applying to Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate programs. After the summer, I will be moving back to San Luis Obispo in the fall and hopefully work at the physical therapy clinic I have worked at for the past year.

Amber: What's the first thing you're gonna do when the stay at home is over?

Mira: The first thing I am going to do following the lifting of the stay at home order will definitely be go to a restaurant to enjoy a drink and a nice meal!

Amber: Oh yeah! I'm with you on that! Well, I have to finish this display and clean up the shop. These macrame purses, I can't believe people carried them. I like to travel light. I just carry a wristlet with only my essentials. My favorite one is barely big enough for my phone. What's your favorite purse to carry?

Mira: My favorite one is a black Michael Kors purse. It matches with all outfits and is just big enough so that I can carry everything that I need wherever I go!

Katherine: Great choice Mira. What a wonderful designer. I still regret that I wasn't fast enough to get in on that IPO in 2011. Terrific purse in the picture.

Amber: Big congratulations to you on your graduation! Wow! I really admire you! I hope your graduation day is super!

MJ: Congratulations from me too Mira. All the best to you now, and for your bright future. My wish for you is that wherever you go, it will be with all of your heart.

Katherine:  Congratulations to all the graduates of 2020 - may all your dreams come true, and have lots of fun in the purse-suit!

Katherine with a K & Kimberlee with 2 E's

MJ: Katherine (with a K), help me welcome Kimberlee (with 2 E's) Mendoza, our talented book cover artist.

Katherine: Yes, welcome Kimberlee Mendoza. We just love our exciting cover. It certainly paints the picture for the suspenseful mystery inside, from designer bags to body bags. You're an award winning cover artist for The Wild Rose Press publishers. People can see a sample of your enticing work in addition to our Kat Out of the Bag on Covers By Kim. Our author was completely enchanted with your work. What got you started as a book cover artist?

Kimberlee: I was a graphic artist in the US Military and I'm an author. I had just got my book published at The Wild Rose press and saw an add for a cover artist. Since I had experience, I applied and got the job. I love it. It mixed my two worlds.

MJ: Kimberlee you lead an energetic life. You inspired my meditation today - Life is based on the capacity of energy in you, not outside of you. You're artist, author, playwright, teacher, speaker, comedienne, U.S. Army Veteran and that's barely the tip of your intrigue. As an author, do you feel like you have an extra intuition for your art work about what readers are looking for as a visual threshold to a good story?

Kimberlee: I think it helps to be an author and a reader. The more exposure I get to the industry from all sides, I think it helps me know what sells.

Katherine: Kimberlee, thank you for your service in the U.S. Army. I think you're an example of variety as the spice of life with all you do. Do you have a sentimental favorite of your cover works? Have you done any of the covers for your own books?

Kimberlee: Yes and yes. One of my favorite covers of all time was a book called Searching for Sophie. I don't know why, but I just really liked it. I have also been able to do a lot of my covers at The Wild Rose Press. It is great to be able to create art when you are so close to the characters.

MJ: What a cover. It's an invitation to explore an intriguing story. And how wonderful to create your own covers. People can find out more about you and your books on your website kimmendoza.com. As an author, do you feel like you have an extra intuition in your art work for what readers are looking for as a visual threshold to a good story?

Kimberlee: I think it helps to be an author and a reader. The more exposure I get to the industry from all sides, I think it helps me know what sells.

MJ: How is your sense of accomplishment different when you finish writing a book from when you finish creating a cover?

Kimberlee: They are a completely different feeling. I put my entire soul into a book. Covers is a job and someone else's vision, so I do not feel like I am losing a piece of me. I might be proud of the cover, but I try not to be connected to them. For one, an author always has the right to come back and say they "hate it" (and they do), so I try not to get too personal with the creation. When I first started out, it was devastating. So now, I just produce them and cross my fingers.

Katherine: Between the covers of our book Kat Out of the Bag, in the cast of characters we have an exciting, romantic pair. College student Amber who works at the Purse Museum gift shop, and her boyfriend Michael is new to Bayside. They actually end up in dire circumstances when they're entangled in a mystery of their own. They would be part of Generation Z, that you know quite a lot about. Can you tell us a little about your work with Generation Z?

Kimberlee: For my dissertation, I studied Generation Z for three years. They are an amazing group of people. Science shows that when people use technology, it alters the brain. Now imagine using technology while your brain was being developed? That is what has happened to Gen Z. Their brains are rewarded for doing the next thing. It is why they are what we call the "Now" Generation. They aren't waiting until they are 30 to start companies. They are starting them now. They were raised mostly by the driven X Generation, and it shows. Can you tell I love this topic? I could go on forever, but I won't.


MJ: What interesting insights. Do you have any thoughts you'd like to pass along to our readers who are interested in art, or in writing, or both?

Kimberlee: I think if you have an interest in both, you should pursue it. It is like any skill. It takes time and energy, but if you work at it, you can get good. I'm a big component for "just do it" when it comes to talent. I hate seeing talent wasted. Maybe that's why I'm a writing professor.

Katherine: What great advice. Like me, you've lived a life of two states. I've lived in Southern California, and also in Washington state, and both have had an influence on my fashions. You've lived in Southern California also, and in Texas. How have the cultures of your two states influenced your art work and your writing?

Kimberlee: I've actually lived in four (believe it or not; Arizona, New Jersey also while in the Army). I think what we see influences us to some degree. I am still 99% a Southern CA girl, and it shows in my writing and art, but over time, that could change.


Katherine: I'm a high percentage Southern CA girl too! With the artistic eye that you have, I was just wondering if you have a favorite purse, maybe because you love the design, or a visual picture on it, or sentimental reasons?

Kimberlee: Would you believe I don't carry a purse? If I have to, it's usually a backpack.  I am a wallet kind of girl and it usually has some kind of picture on it that represents me (writing, Wonder Woman, the Army, etc.).

Katherine: Oh that's matching wallet and purse-onality! MJ and I were both thrilled when our author said you'd be creating the cover for our prequel novella. Thank You! Can you share any hints of what you're thinking for the cover of this beach read?

Kimberlee: I haven't received the spec sheet yet. I'll have to get back to you on that.

Katherine: And so the suspense, and the fun, builds!

MJ: "Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." That's a quote from  Thomas Merton - a monk, writer, theologian, mystic poet, social activist and scholar. Seems so fitting because art, whether visual, or a story, launches the imagination of the creator, and also the viewer or reader. Kimberlee, you certainly have a talent for launching creative imaginations.

Katherine: Thank you so much for joining us Kimberlee Mendoza. We encourage our readers to visit your website kimmendoza.com, and we're looking forward to our next cover.

Kimberlee: Thank you. I appreciate your time. Congrats on your publication and happy sales!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!
I will miss my mother this weekend, but I was so fortunate to be with her for so many years. She lived to the age of 99. She is well into her 90's at the time of this picture of my mother, Pam Kendall and me. She loved to be happy, she loved to laugh and celebrate, she loved her family, she loved people, and people loved her back. She loved her dogs, and they adored her. She was interested in everything. Life energized her.
I've taken my blog back from Katherine and MJ so I can share my own mom for Mother's Day!

 
There is so much of my mother in Katherine Watson's grandmother in my book Kat Out of the Bag. So much of her spirit is in the story. I would read my mother parts of my drafts over the phone, because she lived in California and I'm in Washington state so I didn't see her often enough.

Pam Kendall was just out of her teens and living in England during WWII and the bombing of London. She was one of the infamous plane spotters, and also volunteered as an ambulance driver. After The War she married her sweetheart who had fought in the British Army in Burma. My mother and father enjoyed a fantastic, magical 49 year marriage.

I always think of roses associated with my mom. Her father used to give her roses on her birthday every year as she grew up, and we always gave her roses too. She was an English rose.

My mother grew up in Wales. They make fabulous purses there! They are called Welsh Tapestry purses, in all sorts of styles including shoulder bags, clutch, satchel, handbag, all styles that you can think of. This is one example. Notice the pretty kiss clasp. The trim and strap are leather. The tapestry is all a very colorful and thick wool, that is so soft to the touch.

Just look at the rich, intricate weave up close. 

And here's the silky, dark interior




Here's another beautiful example. This is a shoulder bag with leather trim and steel hardware.

The interior for this one is a lambskin leather, a little aged now but still fully intact.

Oh this beautiful, and durable weave!

 

My mother told me that when she was young purses were thought of as necessary only, not fun accessories or collected. When photos were taken, women would usually put their purse down somewhere out of the way, not to be included in the photo.

I like to think that a love of purses is something that I helped foster in my mother later. Here's her favorite purse, well worn after so very many years of use. We both shared a love of Prada!

Here's an amazing, vintage purse that my mother had kept all her life. Just look at the intricate carving in the silver hardware. That is carved on the inside as well. The chain metal is sewn to it. The coins pictured were inside the purse. They are dated 1920 and are English coins. I discovered these after my mother passed away, so I don't know but I'm guessing this belonged to her mother.

 

Here's another that I found in her belongings too, and the pen shows you how very petite these vintage purses were in that era.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom
Happy Mother's Day to all Mom's

K-9 Details - A Dogged Pursuit

MJ: My guest, Nancy Borylla is a dog lover, and very knowledgeable about K-9 police dogs. In our mystery Kat Out of the Bag local cop Jason Holmes and his dog and K-9 partner Hobbs have a thrilling role.

Katherine: I learned a lot about Hobbs, his dear personality, and also what skills Hobbs has in dire circumstances. In our sequel readers will also meet Jason's dog partner from his duty in the military. Nancy has some great dog stories to tell.

MJ: Nancy, super dog lover, tell us about yourself and when your love for dogs started.

Nancy:  I've been a dog lover all my life.  As a kid my first cousin was a dog named Snofoot.  We didn't get our family dog Whiskers until I was 12.  From that point on I've never been without a dog. When I was bouncing around trying to consider my future career, I took correspondence classes from a guard dog training school.  Through them I was referred to a local breeder from whom I got my first Doberman, Sultan. From there I got involved in obedience training and showing, rescue, serving on a local humane society board, and an animal control commission.  I've put 7 titles on 5 Dobermans over the years.

Katherine: Wow! Congratulations on such amazing team work and talent! And thank you for this lovely picture of yourself with your beloved dog Holly. You both look so happy and ready for your next adventure.

MJ: Taking time out to smell the flowers along the path of life. Beautiful.

Katherine: Nancy, you're a volunteer breed rep and co-rep Doberman and German Pinschers at the Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue. What does that entail? And can you tell us about some dogs you've met there and their personalities?

Nancy:  I'm actually taking a backseat these days.  I was the Doberman rep for several years off and on and placed many wonderful dogs in good new homes.  Most were just dogs that people got tired of, couldn't deal with the Doberman personality, lifestyle changes, etc.  But there have been a few that have totally broken my heart.  Jake was a large male who had been wandering around a neighborhood for three weeks before someone finally called animal control.  He was emaciated and could barely walk.  But he had the greatest temperament and found a great home with the mother of one of my co-reps. That's the type of case that makes one say the more I know people, the more I love my dog.

Katherine: I think our Bayside's finest Jason Holmes feels that way too. I've learned from him and his pawedner Hobbs that they do a lot of training together, including annual continuing education and exams they take and need to pass. Specific training exercises are important police work to prepare the partners both for dangerous encounters, but Hobbs thinks of these exercises as games. Can you tell us about your 4 legged friends on the police force and their partners? Can you tell us about your internship at your local police department?

Nancy: I was enrolled in ITT's school of criminal justice and for one of my classes I was able to intern at the local police station.  They already knew me as I'm on the police foundation that raises money for the department.  It wasn't very detailed work, but the others in the office were happy to show me what they each did and I really wanted to get a full time job there!  As for the K9s, my first major project on the foundation was selling stuffed police dogs.  We raised enough money to purchase Hobbs.  

Katherine: Our author has one of your stuffed K-9's that sits/stays in the corner of her writing desk in her studio! Now I know where it came from.

Nancy: I was graciously allowed to attend one of the K9 training sessions with Hobbs and Kira.  I was given the glove to wear and had I not let go I would have ended up on the floor!  Those dogs are STRONG! In training, when tracking a "subject", the dog is rewarded with lots of hugs and laughs by the subject.  So, yes, it's a bit like a game for them. You definitely need a dog with a stable temperament plus good obedience training.  It's one thing to attack, but you need to be able to "turn them off" as well.

Katherine:  Love seeing these dogs in action. Very intense. I've learned a lot about the tracking too. For example, I thought with our rainy weather in the Pacific Northwest that tracking would be difficult with puddles and such, but dead skin cells that are shed all the time actually can float on top of any water surface and so suspects can be tracked over water. Wind is the worst for dead cell tracking, as you can imagine that scatters the trail. Can you tell us some highlights about your own studies in the fascinating field of Criminology and Forensic Science?

Nancy: There is so much to learn in law enforcement.  You need a firm grasp and understanding of local, state and federal laws.  And there are many facets of the criminal justice system - police, detectives, forensic teams, corrections officers, etc. I did some papers on real life criminal situations, including OJ Simpson and the murder of prison guard Jamie Biendl.  There are so many factors involved in investigating crime scenes and suspects I don't think the general public fully understands or appreciates. After studying forensics, I used my new knowledge to delve into mysteries like the Titanic sinking and Egyptian pharoahs.  It's fascinating!

MJ: I really get into history and mystery. You make me want to know more, and I'd love to read those papers. When you're not researching and investigating, I think you savor the love and comfort between people and animals, with highly trained guide dogs and other helping animals?

Nancy: I have always been interested in Service Dogs.  One of my favorite books as a child was "Follow my Leader" about a German shepherd guide dog and his owner.  A friend was volunteering at the women's prison and through her I adopted two "paroled pets" from their program.  The pet program was developed for inmates to train service dogs for the disabled.  The dogs that don't qualify as service dogs are adopted out as pets.  It's a win/win/win situation - the dogs get out of shelters into good new homes, the inmates gain a marketable skill for when they are released and the new owners get the best dogs in the world.  This is actually the topic of the book I've been wanting to write for years!

MJ: My heart is warmed to hear about this vital program. Dogs to the rescue again, in so many ways. What a wonderful idea. You really must write that book. It would make a great read. Of course animals also have auras just like people do. Usually their auras contain 2 colors blending together close to the dog's body, although there's no limit to the number of colors. A shining and colorful aura reflects happiness. A fearful animal can show a cloudiness with a mix of grays and browns. Do you have advice for keeping a dog's aura shining, and a dog happy?

Nancy: Dogs need structure.  They are pack animals and that pack has a hierarchy whether it's other canines or humans.  It's important that an adult be the alpha leader in a human family with a dog.  For new owners I stress the No Free Lunch program immediately.  Leaders eat first.  Leaders go through doorways first.  So feed the dog last. Make them wait at the door.  Keep them off furniture to reinforce their subordinate position in your home.  That's not to say you can't sleep with your dog!  But until they get the idea that they have to be invited up, keep them off. Working dogs need a job to do.  There are so many options today of activities to do with your dog - nose work, agility, barn hunt, lure coursing,tracking.  Dogs are social animals and want to be with their pack, canine or human.  Make sure you spend lots of quality time with your pet and praise and treat for a job well done.

Katherine: Dogs and people all deserve quality time together. Dogs have some toys and treats and other essentials that are needed for them when they are away from home. Do you have a type of bag you prefer to carry for these things?

Nancy: I don't really have a bag for toys and treats, but they are always available. My dogs have mostly gone on vacations with me, except cruises!  Now that I'm retired and down to only one dog, she gets all of my attention and goes with me pretty much everywhere.

Katherine: Dogged travelers! Glad to hear that they pack light. I have an aversion to seeing small dogs carried in my designer purses. Otherwise, I suppose purse dogs can be fun, and especially that's handy if the dog tires easily. What are your thoughts about purse dogs?

Nancy: Personally I think it's silly.  Too many people treat their dogs like little toys instead of dogs and that can cause a lot of problems.  They are not little humans in dog suits!  I don't want to criticize anyone for having a purse dog.  It's just not my thing.  And I really don't think they belong in grocery stores, etc. 

MJ: You've blown my mind on the love of dogs, and understanding them better. Thanks so much for talking with us today, Nancy. You're so inspiring I want to help a shelter dog, and volunteer or donate some dollars to help.

Katherine: That would get some tails wagging.

Sending our author back to her studio now.
Get back to work on our sequel!

Parenthood Goes Viral

Katherine: Today we welcome our fun and energetic friend Jacquline Kang. She and her husband have a joyful household with 3 kids and 2 nephews. You can imagine the energy level that takes. Yet she found time to author an exciting book The Club. A really great read with incredible characters, and wow the protagonist Ireland Jacobson! With her job and security on the line, she must make difficult choices, rely on people she has just met, and hurt those she has known for years in order to heal, forgive and find her own personal inner strength.

MJ: I'm so happy you invited Jackie. She's got such an aura. She's a good person who thinks good and does good. Welcome Jackie.

Jackie: Thank you for having me. I’m so delighted to be a part of your conversation. It’s such a nice distraction during these interesting times.

Katherine: My goodness Jackie, what is parenting like during stay at home orders? It must be thrilling to have this time together, but it also has its challenges, doesn't it?

Jackie: Yes! Thrilling and Challenging are two words perfect for describing our new scenario. The thrill comes from being able to see each of my children grow and learn in a homeschooling environment, but the challenge comes from wearing all the different hats that are required to do it successfully.

I’ve found for my youngest children, staying on a schedule helps keep us all grounded. We wake up every day at 7:30 am. We get dressed, make our beds, have breakfast and brush teeth all before starting our “school day” promptly at 9:00 am. 

Our typical school day is structured into three, one-hour blocks of learning, focusing on writing, math, and reading or inquiry. We sprinkle in lots of snacks, recess and virtual learning as well. We’ve had the chance to do a lot more home science projects as well. We’ve done egg geodes, home-made lava lamps and airplane flying contests.

 MJ: That's a full schedule. Do you also take time for yourself? Meditation is how I re-center. Do you meditate? Today my thought is - Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain. Are you and your family dancing in this viral storm?

Jackie: (Laughing) We do indeed dance. You should see our family dance parties! We love to open the back doors of the house, bring out a speaker and dance on the porch. Being cooped up in the house all day can be stressful whether you have a large family like mine or if you are just by yourself. I agree that meditation can be a great way to center your mind, but I also believe physical activity is just as important. That and getting outside.

Katherine: Jackie, you've spent time as a personal trainer and a spa manager. Do you have tips for other parents out there on how to take time for self-care during this unusual time in our lives? And what tips for kids?

Jackie: I do have some tips I’d love to share, but first I think the most important message to get across is we need to live during this time with more grace and forgiveness. We have never been faced with these circumstances before. None of us could have prepared for what we are going through now, so to have any expectations that we should be doing it “the right” way is absurd. We have to do what is right for our family and for ourselves first and worry about the rest of it after.

But, with that being said, I do believe there are ways to keep up mental and physical health during our times inside. Like I mentioned earlier, physical movement is important for both adults and children to keep healthy both physically and mentally. There is a wealth of pre-recorded and live streams video available right now on You Tube. One my kids like is P.E. with Joe and one I like is HIGH Fitness.

When the weather is nice, I do my best to get the family outside for a walk or just be in the driveway doing jumping jacks. I also feel it’s important to take some time, whether it’s 30 minutes or an hour, to just be by yourself. In my circumstance there are a lot of people in my house and it can get a bit crazy. That little bit of time allows me to reset and come back ready to move forward. I would say the opposite is equally true if you live by yourself, take an hour out of your day to reach out and talk with someone on the phone or by chat. Connecting with people is human nature and good for your soul.

Katherine: Those are all great ideas. Did you use some of your personal trainer and spa experience in writing your book, The Club? As it says - Welcome to the club, where bodies are shaped, and lives are transformed.

Jackie: You know, I did. But not in the way you might expect. There aren’t a lot of health or wellness tips prevalent in The Club, so in that respect I didn’t get to use my experience as much as I would have liked to. But I did use my experience to create the setting for The Club. Being an employee at these locations let me transfer my knowledge of the inside workings of a health club into the book. I was also able to use a few of my accounting skills from working in both environments to strengthen the story line. I might have thrown in a mention of Green Juice for good measure too.

MJ:   Green things, you know that Earth Day is almost here, on  April 22nd. Of course, as a Flower Child devotee I connect with the earth every day. How are you celebrating the earth with at home activities? What are you and your kids doing?

Jackie: Well the kids and I actually started a vegetable garden this year. Being at home has allowed us to give the garden all the love and care it needs to grow and thrive. It’s been so fun reviewing the growth cycle of plants with the kids. We planted the seeds in containers, watched them sprout and then transferred the sprouted plants to the garden. I’m looking forward to having fresh vegetables with the kids later this summer. It’s also given us the chance to talk about how important it is to keep our earth healthy just like we keep ourselves healthy. Just like we don’t want to pollute our bodies with junk food we don’t want to pollute the earth with trash. It’s a very simplistic explanation but it’s age appropriate for my kids.

Katherine: Jackie you know that we share a passion for purses. Can you tell us a little about your own personal collection? Does it include vintage and contemporary? And for the toughest question ever - which one is your favorite?

Jackie: Katherine, I do love a good purse! I have a pretty good collection going on. I tend to stick to contemporary, but I’d love to grow my vintage collection. Right now, I only have one vintage Louise Vuitton and I keep it in its dust bag and box. I have everything from Stella McCartney vegan leather to Chanel quilted calfskin to Yves Saint Laurent beaded evening bags. It’s hard to say what my favorite bag is but right now I’m loving my green Celie Nano crossbody.

Katherine: What is your favorite Mom purse?

Jackie: 100% my Louis Vuitton Neverfull -because like the name implies, it can hold everything!

Katherine:  What is your favorite purse for the grocery store?

Jackie: This one might surprise you because it’s not a big-name brand, but I love the new company called Hammit. They have a crossbody bag that is just the right size to hold a phone, wallet and some hand sanitizer. It’s perfect for the grocery store because it’s hands free and you don’t have to worry about leaving it in the cart and wandering off on accident.

Katherine: What is your favorite date night purse with your hubby?

Jackie: My husband bought me my first Chanel on our anniversary so that is the one I always wear when I’m out with him. It’s a classic and it holds memories for me.

Katherine: What is your daughter's first purse?

Jackie: (Laughs) Well my fashionista daughters are only five and seven years old so they don’t have anything that would go in a museum, but they do have a few kid purses they love playing dress up with. Their favorite is probably their matching kitty cat bags.

MJ: Now that's one cool cat.

Katherine: Oh I adore the kitty cat bag. Very chic! My Bayside purse line within K. Watson Designs has a cat logo, inspired by my stealthy pet Purrada

Thank you so much for joining us today Jackie. Once the stay home time is over, I look forward to seeing you at our Purse-onality Museum in Bayside WA, and in the meantime, you can read all about it, and our exciting mystery in our book Kat Out of the Bag

Jackie: Thank you so much for having me Katherine and MJ, it’s been a blast talking with you. I can’t wait to check out the museum and all the purses! Rest assured my own purse will have a copy of Kat Out of the Bag in it.

Best wishes to you Jackie in your many pursuits and with your exciting new book. Everyone can find out more on your website at jacqulinekang.com, 

And much happiness to you and your hubby, your lovely family, and to all you parents and caretakers out there who have been given an amazing adventure in parenting.

Spilling the news - It's Out!

Kat Out of the Bag

Today is Release Day

It's out of the bag

Praise from Laura Childs (author Tea Shop mysteries)

"A little bit cozy, a little bit thriller. Wendy Kendall knows how to develop great characters and an exciting plot, then wallop it home."

Hey Katherine, I haven't seen our author so excited in awhile.

You're right MJ. I guess I'm pretty excited myself. It's not every day that the adventures and intrigue of Bayside Washington are released to the public on the pages of Kat Out of the Bag available online on Amazon

Remember how it all started?

Oh for Heaven's sake MJ, can we skip that, not my best moment. I always argued with Wendy Kendall that chapter one should have started later.

No way, that's the beginning of it all  . . . .

Katherine Watson slumped in a heap, littering the side of the road, all branding for her prestigious purse and fashion company, K. Watson Designs International abandoned. She struggled to sit up in her muddied Kevan Hall designer gown, the strategically seductive slit up the left leg of her gown was now in tatters, and a hole was growing under her left arm. Her once upswept, auburn hair hung flat like the dense suede fringe on a poorly made Coach knock off.

A teenager walked by her, talking on his cell phone, "I'm not kidding. The mayor's dead. She was hanged."

And Katherine, when was it that you met Jason Holmes, he was on duty the night of the murder with his K-9 Hobbs.

I remember. I was lost in my own thoughts about Brenda, the mayor, at the time . . .

It was as if she'd killed Brenda herself. Bright flashing lights on top of yet another police car broke through her accusation. This car was speeding right toward Katherine on the curb. She barely had time to roll out of the way. After a stunned self-affirmation she was still alive, her head hung heavy as she moved to a sitting position again. The siren stopped as a loud, vicious barking from inside the car started. Katherine stared at a huge German shepherd jumping against the car's back window. A car door slammed.

A man kneeled next to her in the mud, leaning close. "Are you all right Miss? Are you okay? Do you think you can move?"

Katherine's first thought was that's a big gun, as she stared ahead at the sidearm in the holster hanging from his belt. 

You know Katherine, that Jason, he's got some issues.

MJ I'm telling you, at times he can be so aggravating, him and his dog Hobbs.

Right Kat, not at all like you and your cat Purrada . . . .

Katherine had been trudging around in her gown all night, through the heart break, the push by Russ, the speeding police car, those deep blue eyes. Jason. Then she remembered his lecture and that look in those eyes as he'd told her he'd keep the note as evidence. She slammed her broken clutch down hard on her desk disrupting the sleeping Purrada, who meowed in a loud complaint. The shiny black haired, sleek pet reclined on a fluffy cushion on the window seat next to the desk. Now that Purrada was startled and on the alert, Katherine could see the white fur patches scattered on her nose, chin, and along the front of her neck. The cat then feigned nonchalance and casually began licking the top of her front paw.

MJ that was the calm before the storm. I'll never forget my fear later that night on the phone with 911 . . . .

"There's an officer nearby. We'll alert him. Hold the line."

Katherine was worried by the operator's monotone. Did she understand the urgency? Katherine watched in disbelief as the shadow figure moved toward the she attached to the waterwheel. Too late, she thought to get a picture after the person disappeared inside the shed.

"Oh no," Katherine muttered. She spoke into the phone, "Hurry. I think it's the killer, maybe looking for something left behind? Hello?" Had the operator hung up?

"Yes, the officer is on the way. Please stay on the line." The operator's voice now sounded bored.

A sharp ray of light from inside the shed cut through the darkness. The light jumped around. Sweat collected on Katherine's upper lip as she imagined the killer looking through her things for something, maybe critical evidence. Dear gave way to irritation at the invasion. Irritation gave way to anger. Someone had to stop that killer from removing whatever incriminating thing was so critical it had driven a return to the scene of the crime. Katherine wanted to scream. Where were the police? Maybe MJ was right about them. She pressed against the French doors. The light in the shed went out. Her breath caught in her throat. The silhouette walked out of the shed toward the alley leading to the maze that burrowed throughout Bayside and beyond.

Katherine spoke gruffly and fast, "Hello. Where's your officer? The suspect is getting away."

"Ma'am, please stay calm and hang on the line. They're on the way."

Katherine unlocked the door to the yard and whispered to the 911 operator, "I'm in pursuit."

Well Katherine, at least you had my daily meditations to guide you. 

Yes MJ, as always they were vague but irritating.

Katherine, did you mean wise and insightful? What about the day, when you started your suspect board with your grandmother and me - I rose to the occasion . . . . 

MJ paused as if to gather herself. She stood up, arms reaching forward with her thumbs and forefingers touching. She took a deep breath. Katherine and her grandmother exchanged patient glances, and Pam leaned back in her chair again. There was only the sound of the kettle heating up and the eggs scrambling. In her own good time MJ announced, "The only normal people are the ones that you don't know very well."

Always so helpful, or something MJ. And don't get me started on your antics at the Bayside City Council meeting.

Oh yeah, protest is my thing. That's my kind of scene, man

MJ, you did make a scene that night. Good thing too, so I could sneak away on my first ever stake out. I learned a few things that night.

Oh man, that's when things really got crazy.

Happy launch day Kat Out of the Bag!

Purraise from Purrada!