Recipe and Book and a #handbag story with mystery author Judy Alter #fashion #accessories #goodfood

A couple of years ago, I developed a bad habit. I’d stick my driver’s license and debit card in the back pocket of my jeans and take off for errands and the grocery. Not that I didn’t have a closet shelf with more than two dozen handbags, including pricey ones my kids had given me. This was just easier. The result was inevitable.

A friend and I were flying to El Paso for a meeting of the Texas State Historical Society and, trying to act like a grown-up, I was carrying a purse. When asked for i.d., I confidently pulled out my wallet to get my driver’s license. It wasn’t there--it was home in my jeans pocket. I had my university i.d. card and my social security, which the guard reluctantly accepted. I carefully kept from making jokes knowing that airport security people were a bit sensitive about such things. Getting to El Paso turned out to be a breeze.

Getting home, not so much so. I suppose, being a border city, that airport has tighter security. But the airport people were unimpressed by my makeshift identification. They patted me down, and I considered myself lucky they didn’t do a full body search. They questioned me thoroughly. They searched my carry-on suitcase, pulling everything out and stuffing it back in so carelessly I was sure it wouldn’t fit.

My friend Carol stood and watched, trying to figure what she should do if she had to get on the plane without me. Fortunately, I never let my mind go as far as being stranded in El Paso. I think I knew two people in that city, only one of whom I could call upon. Call it luck, but they let me on the plane.

Once home, I pulled my purse from under the desk and carefully transferred its

contents to another purse. I’m not sure yet why I thought this change would help, but I was quite dedicated about it. Although it was only March, I chose my favorite, most summer-like purse, a brightly colored concoction of ribbons, sequins, and embroidery. At least, it was once brightly colored and had a nice shape. That day it proved to be a bit lumpy, but I carefully tucked things in this pocket and that. Poking into the depths of a deep pocket, I felt a piece of paper and pulled it out, hoping it was a long overdue and overlooked bill. Instead, it was a recipe I’d been searching for and had thought lost.

Southwestern Tuna Salad

2 7 oz cans albacore tuna, water packed
1/3 cup mayonnaise
3 Tbsp. chopped red onion
3 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
2 Tbsp. chopped canned green chilies
1 tsp. grated lime peel
1 tsp. lime juice
1/8 tsp. ground cumin
1/8 tsp. chili powder

Mix all together and let stand one hour at room temperature before serving. Serve with tortilla chips. Great for an appetizer or light lunch or supper.

A college student, dead, in an empty pasture. Rifle-carrying strangers in the local grocery store. An irresistible and loveable Labrador puppy. These add up to trouble for Susan Hogan, associate professor of English at Oak Grove (Texas) University, and her partner, Jake, chief of campus security. Susan’s independent investigation involves a shooting, a break-in, vandalism, threats, a clandestine spy trip to the woods, and two attempted kidnappings. Throughout, she trips over—and trips up—law enforcement investigation, to Jake’s ongoing frustration. Small college towns just aren’t always as peaceful as they are billed.

Follow Judy at: Amazon

Find Judy at: Blogsite