Research

Was reading my horoscope today. Well, I read it every day and usually have a good chuckle, especially when it says I will be involved in a new romance. Don't think his Lordship would appreciate my being involved romantically with someone else after all these years.

Today, however, not only am I going to meet someone new, I am going to be involved in research for a period of time. Now, I ask you, what writer isn't involved in research of some kind?

As my readers know, the majority of my stories are set in SW Florida in the mythical town of Calusa, and a new series as yet unpublished of Peas. In my stories I frequently mention there is more to Florida than Disney World and Miami Beach and bring in bits and pieces of old Florida history. Over the years I have delved into the very interesting history of the area. By the way did you know Ponce DeLeon came to SW Florida in 1513?

The area in which my present series is set was known as Calusa (ergo, the name of my town). Many of their towns were around Lake Okeechobee, also known as the " big water" (and it is). The Calusa tribe relied heavily on fishing which could be one of the reasons so many folks around here still enjoy the sport to this day. Must be something in the air that has lasted all these centuries.

The Calusa believed that each man had three souls, one in the pupil of the eye, one in their shadow and one that could be seen in in a calm pool of water. After death two souls leave the body but the one in the eye remains. When illness befell someone it was determined that one of the souls left the person. The cure involved fire at the door and windows so the soul would not leave again and was put back in the person through the nape of neck during the curing ceremony.

Wonder if it worked?