The Chiller Street Grill in the Mystery Lane series is a 50’s style diner that serves the most amazing hamburgers. While the building itself is entirely made up, the food is inspired by the Church Street Grill in Carlsbad, New Mexico. They, too, serve the most amazing hamburgers. It seems only fitting to eat here while in this neck of the desert. What better way to fuel the inspiration and imagination as I write 601 Suspense Street than that! And Cheetos, of course. I have those too.
My in-real-life Fox, unlike Will’s Fox, did not actually eat Cheetos. But, my in-real-life DC did. She loved those, and just about anything else she was offered. I wonder if there was ever a cat who enjoyed food more than her. She was active, very active, so she used up every bit of what she consumed.
While Fox never tried a Cheeto, he did appreciate chicken now and then. He waited patiently and optimistically near the oven while it cooked, politely ensuring that I did not forget his existence or that he would very much appreciate it if a few slices of the chicken made it into his bowl. He was a very polite dog in many ways. He never took or played with anything that might not belong to him. He was very gentle with his toys, and like Will’s Fox, loved to play tug with his stuffed Pig.
I miss them both, but find it therapeutic to see them live on in the town of Eerie and in the lives of Will and Gemma in the Mystery Lane series.
Happy reading, everyone! Full of memories, Church Street Grill hamburgers, and a bag of Cheetos beside me, it’s time for me to get back to writing…