Tea and Forensics

One of the reasons I started this blog was to try and improve my skills as a writer. I have no idea if I'm succeeding. In addition to this, I write short (and sometimes very long) stories. Because my favorite stories to read are mysteries, I try to write them as well. I have discovered an invaluable resource for the forensics writer: D.P. Lyle, M.D.

Dr. Lyle is a practicing cardiologist in Orange County, but when he actually has time to do this I can’t imagine. He has an all-consuming side job as a technical consultant and story consultant for crime writers and various forensically-inclined TV shows, such as Law & Order, Diagnosis Murder, CSI: Miami, Judging Amy, Cold Case and many others. He maintains a website and a blog, which is very extensive and packed with useful information. In addition to these, he has written three books. The best thing is he also gives advice to anyone, published or unpublished, through email. So far, he’s answered two questions for me that helped me past some sticky writer’s blocks. He is very encouraging and loves to tell a good story. And he has a twisted sense of humor. He applauds any clever and unusual method of doing someone in, the more diabolical the better.

The next book on my list is On Writing, by Stephen King. The man has been publishing for about 30 years, he must be doing something right. I am only trying to learn from the best.

And of course there is only one thing to drink while writing the next bestseller. Tea. I love tea in all its forms. English tea, Chinese tea, herbal tea, caffeine-laden black tea. I finally worked up the nerve this morning to try and brew some tea with leaves harvested from my own chocolate mint plant.

I picked some leaves off of the plant. It’s important to pause and appreciate the wonderful aroma of a peppermint patty that gets all over your hands when you pick them. Then I bruised them to release the juice. I used a little mortar and pestle for this, because I have it and I really should use it for something.

(<= Bruised mint leaves awaiting their fate.)

I put the bruised leaves in a cute little blue teapot

(color optional, cuteness factor not) and poured boiling water over them.


I let them sit for ten minutes and voila! I had tea. It came out all right, but I think I needed some more leaves to make it stronger. The finishing touch to a good cup of tea: McVitie's Chocolate Hob Nobs. Yum.


Another project I have recently completed is a caterpillar for my friend Amy’s son, Oliver.




Actually, since I got frustrated and left the legs off, it’s more of a slug. Less for the little guy to pull off, I say. (Maybe I’ll put them on, maybe not.) I’m actually very glad it’s done because now I can move on to other things, like hats and tiny Grim Reapers.