Terry and I went with our oldest son and family on a weekend camping trip into the mountains of Colorado. We were tent camping! Yay! I love it. We purchased some cheap little fishing rods for the grandkids and all the stuff that goes with fishing. (We aren't that practiced at fishing...or would that be: We aren't that good!) Anyway, I love the mountains and the kids so we had fun!
The only problem was...We had visitors!
Terry had taken the kids to the bathrooms in the car and my son and his wife were sitting with me around the campfire. We had just finished dinner (chicken fajitas cooked on a plow disc with a propane flame...I am so thankful for that gift from my nephew-in-law, Clifford!...) anyway, we were drinking campfire coffee and sitting around the campfire. My son very quietly said, "Mom, there is a bear."
I responded, "Stevie, you are not funny."
He said, "For real!"
I turned my head and a medium sized black bear with a tan muzzle casually walked about 12 feet from us. He maneuvered the length of our campsite. I then remembered what my mid-kid's wife told me about bears and stood up with one hand over my head. (the other hand held my coffee) and said, "Git outta here."
He turned his head and walked on into the dark.
We went to the van (my door was locked) and watched him as he came back and looked through the high cabinet at the table. Terry and the kids came at that time and the bear walked to the other side of the table and stretched his neck and stared at Terry. He then walked into the darkness.
Terry and Steve took a pitiful little flashlight and searched for him. He came and went off and on to the cabinet thingy.
I went to the tent and went to sleep. They said that the bear walked next to the tent....I didn't know it and he didn't care that I was there. We discovered that he had swiped our bread and marshmallows and bitten through Steve's deodorant and eclipse gum.
The next night about 2 or 3 a.m. we heard a racket that sounded like a train wreck. Two or so bears were dumping our cast iron pots and pans out of the box. Then we heard the sound of bubble wrap busting...They found Terry's jug of tea in the stream and were drinking it!
By the way, we fished a bunch and caught no fishes, but had a ball with the grandkids. Terry and the little boys biked around the lake a couple of times and all over the campground. We still love camping.
I am continuing with featuring Tate Publishing and Enterprise Authors. I have "met" most of them through facebook and the Tate Publishing fan page. In the following weeks you will have the opportunity so see the dedication and heart each person puts in their writing. This week I am interviewing Caroline Alden.
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)? My name is Caroline Alden and the names of my books are "Blended" and "Unspoken Story".
2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
I enjoy the simple pleasures in life.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
When my youngest child was in kindergarten. I began writing at age 32 as a hobby and became hooked.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
My main characters develop
so easily because I feel passionate about them once they are created.
5. Are you a reader?
I enjoy reading a lot.
6. What are you reading right now?
I am currently reading a Nora Roberts book.
7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication?
Tell about it. I am working on my third book. The title has not been determined yet. The main idea of the book is learning to trust. Like my first and second novel (Unspoken Story) my third work is also family fiction.
8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them?
My biggest obstacle has been in choosing the perfect settings for my story's.
9. Please put a description of each of your books here.
Blended is about a New Hampshire family. The main character Sarah will capture your heart, with her cheerful outlook on life. Sarah is full of passion and warmth for her not so functional family. Sarah can handle the worst situations, while wearing a smile. You will laugh at Sarah's not so typical mother. You will cry when you learn why Sarah's nephew Ryan doesn't like being alone. As you journey through many of life's twist and turns with the Benson family.
Unspoken story is about a boy named Danny who has never spoken a single word. Danny has no voice but can communicate better without words than most able to speak can. You will feel a strong connection to Danny as his world crumbles around him. Danny shows us how one small mistake can have years of consequences. He also shows us that time is a healer and that actions definitely speak louder than words.
10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here. I can be contacted at shancar3@hotmail.com My book can be purchased through Tate publishing, or at Amazon, Target, Borders books and Barnes and Noble.
http://nansjourney.blogspot.com
See you next week. I hope you enjoyed this.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Super Sticks by Lisa Newkirk
Great Times
Terry and I had such a great time with the people at the Wolf Creek Heritage Museum. I think there were over 200 who filed in and visited with us. There was a beautiful display of quilts, pastel art, and mosaic art by a local lady and her two daughters. The artistry was amazing. We were blessed to sell 50 books! A couple of the museum patrons expressed interest in my coming to speak at their events. Hopefully I will be able to list them here soon.
I am continuing with featuring Tate Publishing and Enterprise Authors. I have "met" most of them through facebook and the Tate Publishing fan page. In the following weeks you will have the opportunity so see the dedication and heart each person puts in their writing.
Lisa Newkirk is the author I am featuring this week.
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
"Super Sticks"
2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
I'm an advocate for children with disablities. Let your children go as far as they can without telling them you'll be the obstacle in their life.
3. Are you a reader?
yes
4. What are you reading right now?
Lori Wick
5. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication? yes Tell about it.
It's about a little boy with mitrocondrial disorder who wins an award at school while teaching others how to deal with peer pressure.
6. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them?
Opening doors when some people think children with disablities are a minority in our society.
7. Tell us a little about your book and how it may be purchased.
The book "Super Sticks" is $6.99 and can be ordered on http://www.yukonsoftware.com/SuperSticks"What are some of the uses for forearm crutches? See how Deborah uses hers. Persistence and inspiration shines through in Deborah's adventures with her friends. Even with a physical disability learn how Deborah helps her friends by using her forearm crutches.""Lisa Newkirk is the mother of the Fantastic four children. Her 3rd child was born with Spina Bifida. When she took her daughter with a physical disability to the public library, it was hard to find a book with a child using forearm crutches available. The Librarian told her if you want a book to encourage your child, then write one yourself. This caused the birth of Super Sticks!"Jen Reddin (Tate Publishing)
http://nansjourney.blogspot.com/
See you next week. I hope you enjoyed this.
Terry and I had such a great time with the people at the Wolf Creek Heritage Museum. I think there were over 200 who filed in and visited with us. There was a beautiful display of quilts, pastel art, and mosaic art by a local lady and her two daughters. The artistry was amazing. We were blessed to sell 50 books! A couple of the museum patrons expressed interest in my coming to speak at their events. Hopefully I will be able to list them here soon.
I am continuing with featuring Tate Publishing and Enterprise Authors. I have "met" most of them through facebook and the Tate Publishing fan page. In the following weeks you will have the opportunity so see the dedication and heart each person puts in their writing.
Lisa Newkirk is the author I am featuring this week.
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
"Super Sticks"
2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
I'm an advocate for children with disablities. Let your children go as far as they can without telling them you'll be the obstacle in their life.
3. Are you a reader?
yes
4. What are you reading right now?
Lori Wick
5. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication? yes Tell about it.
It's about a little boy with mitrocondrial disorder who wins an award at school while teaching others how to deal with peer pressure.
6. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them?
Opening doors when some people think children with disablities are a minority in our society.
7. Tell us a little about your book and how it may be purchased.
The book "Super Sticks" is $6.99 and can be ordered on http://www.yukonsoftware.com/SuperSticks"What are some of the uses for forearm crutches? See how Deborah uses hers. Persistence and inspiration shines through in Deborah's adventures with her friends. Even with a physical disability learn how Deborah helps her friends by using her forearm crutches.""Lisa Newkirk is the mother of the Fantastic four children. Her 3rd child was born with Spina Bifida. When she took her daughter with a physical disability to the public library, it was hard to find a book with a child using forearm crutches available. The Librarian told her if you want a book to encourage your child, then write one yourself. This caused the birth of Super Sticks!"Jen Reddin (Tate Publishing)
http://nansjourney.blogspot.com/
See you next week. I hope you enjoyed this.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
"Surrender All, Your Answer to Living with Peace, Power & Purpose" by Joni Lamb
Before reading “Surrender All Your Answer to Living with Peace, Power, & Purpose” by Joni Lamb, I was not aware of how the Daystar Television Network began. Joni describes the humble beginnings of the life of starting a television station from scratch along with the miracles that made it possible. I developed a deep respect for the Lambs.
Daystar Television Network is now the second largest global Christian television network and is available in every city in America and most every country in the world. Joni has her own original show which showcases expert guests who speak on a variety of topics.
Published by Waterbrook Press in 2008, “Surrender All” details the lives of various people who have learned that peace of mind and soul comes from total surrender to God. The lives of Russell Shorty, Betty Baxter, Suzy Richardson, Brian Houston, Bunny Wilson, and Pat Summerall are just a few of the examples of people who have learned this valuable lesson of life. Surrender to God is not the end of life. It is just the beginning.
Elaine Littau
Author of “Nan’s Journey” & “Elk’s Resolve”
Daystar Television Network is now the second largest global Christian television network and is available in every city in America and most every country in the world. Joni has her own original show which showcases expert guests who speak on a variety of topics.
Published by Waterbrook Press in 2008, “Surrender All” details the lives of various people who have learned that peace of mind and soul comes from total surrender to God. The lives of Russell Shorty, Betty Baxter, Suzy Richardson, Brian Houston, Bunny Wilson, and Pat Summerall are just a few of the examples of people who have learned this valuable lesson of life. Surrender to God is not the end of life. It is just the beginning.
Elaine Littau
Author of “Nan’s Journey” & “Elk’s Resolve”
Friday, July 17, 2009
Variety is the Fun of Life!
Variety is the Fun of Life!
I am always amazed when I meet other authors. We are such a varied bunch of people. I used to worry about so many people writing books. I was afraid that they would take the dollars from my sales. I don't worry about that any more because the authors and their books are as different as the readers who purchase them. I have had a ball getting to know authors and readers via the internet and book signings. Everyone has a story. God can use any genre to get His message to the people whether it be Bible study material, non-fiction, fiction, or poetry.
The next author I want to introduce you to is David Hurst. I met him through a mutual friend on face book. He is also a Tate Publishing and Enterprises author.
David I am so happy that you are taking the time to join me here on my blog and newsletter.
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
My name is David L. Hurst. The name of my book is: "a Daily Walk with the Lord"
2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
I would like for the readers to know what my relationship to God is. I am a Christian, a child of the King,
a born-again believer. Jesus is my Lord and Savior.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
After my father passed away in 2004 I started writing poems. My poems gave me strength, comfort, & peace. In the process God was drawing me closer to Him.
I knew that I wanted to be a writer when I shared some of my poems with my family and co-workers and I knew that God was using me to be a blessing to someone else.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods? I guess my strong points in my writing is that I speak from the heart. I go to the deep emotional places
where we meet with Jesus and he walks with us. I go to the places where we have a fresh encounter with
the heavenly Father.
5. Are you a reader? What are you reading right now? I like to read the Bible and I enjoy other devotional books. I love to read inspirational poetry. The book I am presently reading is the Bible.
6. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication? Tell about it.I would love to write another devotional book. In the near future I hope I can write another inspirational book--if the Lord is willing and I have the time.
7.What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them? I believe my biggest obstacle is overcoming writers block. I like what one author said: it was something like this, inspiration does not come before writing but after the writing has begun. Many times God has blessed
me with a poem when I began to write.
My book is for encouragement, to help people draw close to God by taking a Daily Walk with the Lord.
I write about time. I would like for everyone to understand the day of our departure is at hand. Loved ones will be called. Death will come knocking at the door. My deep desire is that God will use the poems in my book to bring that loved one to Christ before the midnight hour.
8. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here.
The readers can contact me dailywalk4u@aol.com
I have a web site www.christiandevotions4u.com I will share some of my poems on line.
my book can be purchased at Tate Publishing & Enterprises
www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore This is the link that will take you directly to my book.
http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?=978-1-60799-080-2
Thank you so much David.
See you next week. I hope you
I am always amazed when I meet other authors. We are such a varied bunch of people. I used to worry about so many people writing books. I was afraid that they would take the dollars from my sales. I don't worry about that any more because the authors and their books are as different as the readers who purchase them. I have had a ball getting to know authors and readers via the internet and book signings. Everyone has a story. God can use any genre to get His message to the people whether it be Bible study material, non-fiction, fiction, or poetry.
The next author I want to introduce you to is David Hurst. I met him through a mutual friend on face book. He is also a Tate Publishing and Enterprises author.
David I am so happy that you are taking the time to join me here on my blog and newsletter.
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
My name is David L. Hurst. The name of my book is: "a Daily Walk with the Lord"
2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
I would like for the readers to know what my relationship to God is. I am a Christian, a child of the King,
a born-again believer. Jesus is my Lord and Savior.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
After my father passed away in 2004 I started writing poems. My poems gave me strength, comfort, & peace. In the process God was drawing me closer to Him.
I knew that I wanted to be a writer when I shared some of my poems with my family and co-workers and I knew that God was using me to be a blessing to someone else.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods? I guess my strong points in my writing is that I speak from the heart. I go to the deep emotional places
where we meet with Jesus and he walks with us. I go to the places where we have a fresh encounter with
the heavenly Father.
5. Are you a reader? What are you reading right now? I like to read the Bible and I enjoy other devotional books. I love to read inspirational poetry. The book I am presently reading is the Bible.
6. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication? Tell about it.I would love to write another devotional book. In the near future I hope I can write another inspirational book--if the Lord is willing and I have the time.
7.What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them? I believe my biggest obstacle is overcoming writers block. I like what one author said: it was something like this, inspiration does not come before writing but after the writing has begun. Many times God has blessed
me with a poem when I began to write.
My book is for encouragement, to help people draw close to God by taking a Daily Walk with the Lord.
I write about time. I would like for everyone to understand the day of our departure is at hand. Loved ones will be called. Death will come knocking at the door. My deep desire is that God will use the poems in my book to bring that loved one to Christ before the midnight hour.
8. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here.
The readers can contact me dailywalk4u@aol.com
I have a web site www.christiandevotions4u.com I will share some of my poems on line.
my book can be purchased at Tate Publishing & Enterprises
www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore This is the link that will take you directly to my book.
http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?=978-1-60799-080-2
Thank you so much David.
See you next week. I hope you
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Between Wyomings by Ken Mansfield
Ken Mansfield’s “Between Wyomings – My God an iPod on the Open road” was not the kind of book that I normally read. Ken and his wife, Connie, retrace the steps of their lives as they take a three month long trip across America to the places of importance in their younger lives.
Mr. Mansfield was a record producer for many famous people in the music industry. As manager, he became good friends with many of them. The list is like a “Who’s who” among musical personalities.
Through reading this book I was struck with the realization that all of the people that so many idolize are really just people with discovered talent. They are no different than the church soloist with the outstanding voice that has never been “discovered” with the exception of the fame and all its trappings. That word is the key word here, trappings.
As Mansfield so aptly described within the pages of “Between Wyomings”, the money and prestige entangle so many of our beloved stars. Many become ensnared with drugs, alcohol, and other compromising life-style choices. It seems like a hard life, a life that heaps up many regrets.
Because he was such a prolific producer and crossed so many music genres, I was not familiar with a lot of the people he produced. It seemed to me that the names of the performers could be interchanged because so many had the same story. It almost seemed that he looked with longing at the days of his youth, yet he did come to terms with himself and with God in the end. It can truly be said that at the end of the journey is God.
Mr. Mansfield was a record producer for many famous people in the music industry. As manager, he became good friends with many of them. The list is like a “Who’s who” among musical personalities.
Through reading this book I was struck with the realization that all of the people that so many idolize are really just people with discovered talent. They are no different than the church soloist with the outstanding voice that has never been “discovered” with the exception of the fame and all its trappings. That word is the key word here, trappings.
As Mansfield so aptly described within the pages of “Between Wyomings”, the money and prestige entangle so many of our beloved stars. Many become ensnared with drugs, alcohol, and other compromising life-style choices. It seems like a hard life, a life that heaps up many regrets.
Because he was such a prolific producer and crossed so many music genres, I was not familiar with a lot of the people he produced. It seemed to me that the names of the performers could be interchanged because so many had the same story. It almost seemed that he looked with longing at the days of his youth, yet he did come to terms with himself and with God in the end. It can truly be said that at the end of the journey is God.
Friday, July 10, 2009
HOT HOT HOT
Yay Summertime!
It is Summertime for sure isn't it. I do want to tell you that I am still living without pain. God is so good! Terry thinks he has the girl he met all those years ago back. I just had to give the Lord another Praise over that. I am so grateful.
Elk's Resolve sales are clipping along. I can't help but daydream about what it would be like to be a best-selling author, but that is in God's hands.
A friend of mine from Australia emailed me the other day. She blogs a lot about books. She reads a ton of them. We "met" when I asked her a little over a year ago to do a blog for me on Nan's Journey. She read it and wrote a very nice review for me. She interviewed me at Christmastime again and has been very supportive and encouraging. She sent this email to a herd of us authors to see if we would like to do another interview and promote our latest books. I jumped at the chance.
I couldn't help but think about how kind and helpful she is to all of us...non-best-sellers out there. I decided to "pay it forward". I sent a similar email to the authors I had in my email list. (If you didn't get this email, you are still invited.) I want to do an interview of each of the responders. I know some pretty amazing writers and I think you will be interested in what they have to say.
Elaine
The first author I want to introduce you to is John Shumaker.
John, I am so happy you took the time to answer a few questions that I think my readers will be interested in.
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
My name is John H. Shumaker. The two books I’ve written are: The Mystery of the Alpha and Omega and The Strategy of Spiritual Warfare Exposed (What Goes on Behind the Scenes and Why).
2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
I’ve been a Bible teacher since 1985. My wife, Carol, and I have 5 kids, 10 grandkids, and 3 great grand kids. I’ve been a professional firefighter for 40 years and have started a Chaplain program with the Colorado Springs Fire Department. I’ve also started chapters of the Fellowship of Christian Firefighters and a chapter of Firefighters for Christ. Through Firefighters for Christ I’ve given out over 65,000 cassette teaching tapes and have mailed them world-wide.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
I decided to try writing about 3 years ago. I didn’t do this because I felt led to be a writer, but I just wanted to try my hand at it and see where it led.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
The books I’ve written can be used for Bible studies. This would include Sunday School, home Bible studies and private Bible study. The strong points of my books is that I use the Bible to comment on the Bible – in other words, going through my books you will explore the Bible in it’s entirety. I also include the Bible verses in my book so you don’t have to set the book aside to look up the reference. In addition I spent about 2 years studying one-on-one with a Messianic Rabbi.
5. Are you a reader? What are you reading right now?
I love to read. My daily schedule is to get up between 0300 and 0330. I spend a couple of hours every day studying the Bible and reading. I’m currently reading Marriage: Fantasy vs Reality.
6. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication? Tell about it.
In my first book, The Mystery of the Alpha and Omega, I took 18 verses from the Old Testament and expounded on how Jesus is revealed in the original Hebrew text. I have found that there are over 570 references in the Hebrew text that identifies Jesus and His role as God and as Messiah. I’m currently writing a commentary on these verses. Due to the size of the book, I’m not sure if it will go to print or not. At any rate, it will be available on my web site: www.jhshumaker.info
7.What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them? The biggest obstacle I’ve found so far is not in writing the books, but in getting them marketed. Since I’m an “unknown” and I don’t have an alphabet to put behind my name, it’s hard to get the books into the hands of people that have the right connections to get the books promoted in Christian book stores. They are currently in Boarders and Barnes and Nobel, but the people that would be interested in what I’ve written about would look in Christian bookstores – not Boarders and Barnes and Nobel.
8. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here.
I can be contacted in several ways:
· E-mail: jhshumaker@comcast.net
· Web site: www.jhshumaker.info
· Phone: 719-337-4545
· Snail mail: John H. Shumaker
P.O. Box 7187
Colorado Springs, CO 80933-7187
Thank you so much John. (His wife is a hoot! I love her so much.) Pictures of his books will not load on this format, so you can check them out at his websites or at http://nansjourney.blogspot.com
See you next week. I hope you enjoyed this.
It is Summertime for sure isn't it. I do want to tell you that I am still living without pain. God is so good! Terry thinks he has the girl he met all those years ago back. I just had to give the Lord another Praise over that. I am so grateful.
Elk's Resolve sales are clipping along. I can't help but daydream about what it would be like to be a best-selling author, but that is in God's hands.
A friend of mine from Australia emailed me the other day. She blogs a lot about books. She reads a ton of them. We "met" when I asked her a little over a year ago to do a blog for me on Nan's Journey. She read it and wrote a very nice review for me. She interviewed me at Christmastime again and has been very supportive and encouraging. She sent this email to a herd of us authors to see if we would like to do another interview and promote our latest books. I jumped at the chance.
I couldn't help but think about how kind and helpful she is to all of us...non-best-sellers out there. I decided to "pay it forward". I sent a similar email to the authors I had in my email list. (If you didn't get this email, you are still invited.) I want to do an interview of each of the responders. I know some pretty amazing writers and I think you will be interested in what they have to say.
Elaine
The first author I want to introduce you to is John Shumaker.
John, I am so happy you took the time to answer a few questions that I think my readers will be interested in.
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
My name is John H. Shumaker. The two books I’ve written are: The Mystery of the Alpha and Omega and The Strategy of Spiritual Warfare Exposed (What Goes on Behind the Scenes and Why).
2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
I’ve been a Bible teacher since 1985. My wife, Carol, and I have 5 kids, 10 grandkids, and 3 great grand kids. I’ve been a professional firefighter for 40 years and have started a Chaplain program with the Colorado Springs Fire Department. I’ve also started chapters of the Fellowship of Christian Firefighters and a chapter of Firefighters for Christ. Through Firefighters for Christ I’ve given out over 65,000 cassette teaching tapes and have mailed them world-wide.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
I decided to try writing about 3 years ago. I didn’t do this because I felt led to be a writer, but I just wanted to try my hand at it and see where it led.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
The books I’ve written can be used for Bible studies. This would include Sunday School, home Bible studies and private Bible study. The strong points of my books is that I use the Bible to comment on the Bible – in other words, going through my books you will explore the Bible in it’s entirety. I also include the Bible verses in my book so you don’t have to set the book aside to look up the reference. In addition I spent about 2 years studying one-on-one with a Messianic Rabbi.
5. Are you a reader? What are you reading right now?
I love to read. My daily schedule is to get up between 0300 and 0330. I spend a couple of hours every day studying the Bible and reading. I’m currently reading Marriage: Fantasy vs Reality.
6. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication? Tell about it.
In my first book, The Mystery of the Alpha and Omega, I took 18 verses from the Old Testament and expounded on how Jesus is revealed in the original Hebrew text. I have found that there are over 570 references in the Hebrew text that identifies Jesus and His role as God and as Messiah. I’m currently writing a commentary on these verses. Due to the size of the book, I’m not sure if it will go to print or not. At any rate, it will be available on my web site: www.jhshumaker.info
7.What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them? The biggest obstacle I’ve found so far is not in writing the books, but in getting them marketed. Since I’m an “unknown” and I don’t have an alphabet to put behind my name, it’s hard to get the books into the hands of people that have the right connections to get the books promoted in Christian book stores. They are currently in Boarders and Barnes and Nobel, but the people that would be interested in what I’ve written about would look in Christian bookstores – not Boarders and Barnes and Nobel.
8. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here.
I can be contacted in several ways:
· E-mail: jhshumaker@comcast.net
· Web site: www.jhshumaker.info
· Phone: 719-337-4545
· Snail mail: John H. Shumaker
P.O. Box 7187
Colorado Springs, CO 80933-7187
Thank you so much John. (His wife is a hoot! I love her so much.) Pictures of his books will not load on this format, so you can check them out at his websites or at http://nansjourney.blogspot.com
See you next week. I hope you enjoyed this.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Release Date For Elk's Resolve Is Here!
I am so happy that the release day for Elk's Resolve is here. I have several events scheduled to promote my books and that makes me very happy. If you are looking for someone to speak to your group, maybe a new or unexpected face to stir things up, contact me here. We can discuss what your group is doing and where you want to go with the event.
I realize that most people wonder how a fiction writer can make an impact on real life. Let me explain that in both books, Nan's Journey & Elk's Resolve, very real life issues are addressed. Even if you have not gone through tragic circumstances all of us deal with unforgiveness, depression and self-doubt. (Those are a few of the things brought out in the books.)
For those of you who have already read my books, THANK YOU SO MUCH! If you would take a moment to write a review on them at amazon.com, it would mean so much to me. Constructive criticism is encouraged. I appreciate your insight.Check out my updated website: elainelittau.com
I realize that most people wonder how a fiction writer can make an impact on real life. Let me explain that in both books, Nan's Journey & Elk's Resolve, very real life issues are addressed. Even if you have not gone through tragic circumstances all of us deal with unforgiveness, depression and self-doubt. (Those are a few of the things brought out in the books.)
For those of you who have already read my books, THANK YOU SO MUCH! If you would take a moment to write a review on them at amazon.com, it would mean so much to me. Constructive criticism is encouraged. I appreciate your insight.Check out my updated website: elainelittau.com
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Health
I remember thinking when I was a kid that people were very odd when they would say things like, "at least I have my health..." I thought at the time that of course you have your health. What are you talking about? Through the years I have learned to appreciate the sentiment.
When I was 18 yrs old and at Bible College my room mate grabbed my Pepsi and took a drink while I was in the bathroom. When I entered the room and took another swig of the drink she said, "Oh yeah, I might still be contagious. I had mono." After a time I became very sick and sure enough I had mono. My body has not been terribly strong ever since.
I have enjoyed seasons of great health and seasons of challenges.My 20's were filled with hospital visits not only for the births of my three sons but for bouts of pneumonia, gall bladder, and other things. My 30's and 40s I was pretty healthy. Now I am challenged with fibromialgia. My doctor is wonderful and he has helped me a lot in management of all the stuff that goes with it. I have been attempting to go by all the suggestions he has given me and taking all the vitamins and meds etc.
Today, I feel great! I know that is trivial to a lot of people, but there are very few days in my life that I have been able to say that I am experiencing no pain...at all! How great is that? This is a "red letter day"! (Someone asked me what a red letter day was? What does that mean? On our old calendars all the holidays and Sundays were marked by having the numbers in that square written with red ink. We looked forward to those special days so when something great happened we said it was a "red letter day".)
I realize that there are a whole bunch of people who are in a lot worse shape than I will ever be. I pray that one day you will be able to feel better. I am praying for your "red letter day"!
When I was 18 yrs old and at Bible College my room mate grabbed my Pepsi and took a drink while I was in the bathroom. When I entered the room and took another swig of the drink she said, "Oh yeah, I might still be contagious. I had mono." After a time I became very sick and sure enough I had mono. My body has not been terribly strong ever since.
I have enjoyed seasons of great health and seasons of challenges.My 20's were filled with hospital visits not only for the births of my three sons but for bouts of pneumonia, gall bladder, and other things. My 30's and 40s I was pretty healthy. Now I am challenged with fibromialgia. My doctor is wonderful and he has helped me a lot in management of all the stuff that goes with it. I have been attempting to go by all the suggestions he has given me and taking all the vitamins and meds etc.
Today, I feel great! I know that is trivial to a lot of people, but there are very few days in my life that I have been able to say that I am experiencing no pain...at all! How great is that? This is a "red letter day"! (Someone asked me what a red letter day was? What does that mean? On our old calendars all the holidays and Sundays were marked by having the numbers in that square written with red ink. We looked forward to those special days so when something great happened we said it was a "red letter day".)
I realize that there are a whole bunch of people who are in a lot worse shape than I will ever be. I pray that one day you will be able to feel better. I am praying for your "red letter day"!
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Today's Wild Card author is:
and the book:
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
Publisher: FaithWords; Lrg edition (November 12, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
JOYCE MEYER is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, she has written more than seventy inspirational books, including The Confident Woman, Look Great, Feel Great, and the entire Battlefield of the Mindfamily of books. She has also released thousands of audio teachings as well as a complete video library. Joyce's Enjoying Everyday Life® radio and television programs are broadcast around the world, and she travels extensively conducting conferences. Joyce and her husband, Dave, are the parents of four grown children and make their home in St. Louis, Missouri.Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $16.99
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: FaithWords; Lrg edition (November 12, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446509396
ISBN-13: 978-0446509398
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Introduction
Everyone has them: those days where nothing seems to get done, except maybe what you’ve added to your already lengthy to-do list. Are you tired most of the time? Are you spent? Do you find yourself wish- ing for a better day—a simpler day? Too many things compete for your limited resources of attention, energy, and time. You may be suffocat- ing and not even know it. If you feel like this, you’re not alone.
Most people today live complicated lives that leave them frustrated and confused, weary and worn out. But I have good news: your life does not have to be that way. You can choose a life of simplicity, fruitfulness, fulfillment, peace, and joy. I want to warn you, however, unless you are determined not to, you will do what everyone else does. You will get sucked up in the system and spend your life wishing things were different, never realizing you are, in fact, the only one who can change things. Unless we are resolute and remain undaunted in our quest for simplicity, we are destined for complication and frustration.
I recall a time when I was complaining to God about my schedule being absolutely insane. How could anyone be expected to do all I had in front of me? Then the realization hit me that I was the one who made my schedule and nobody could change it but me. You can spend your lives wishing things were different, but wishing won’t change anything. Smart decision making and decisive action is what changes things. If you picked up this book looking for change, are you willing to make a decision and follow it up with action?
I wasted many years hoping life would change and things would calm down until I finally realized life itself doesn’t change; in fact, it has the potential to get worse. I understood my only real option was to change my approach to life. I had to say no to another day of rushing around and feeling frustrated. I didn’t want the doctor giving me another pre- scription to mask another symptom of the real problem—stress.
In my search for simplicity, I have come to believe life can never be simple unless I learn to approach all things simply. It is my attitude toward each event in life that determines how easy or complex each situation will be. Perhaps life is complicated because people are compli- cated. Is it possible that life is not complicated, but rather, individuals complicate life in the way they approach it?
I discovered it wasn’t really life or circumstances or other people as much as it was me that needed to change. My problem wasn’t the problem—I was the problem! When you spend your life in frustration trying to change the world and everyone in it, you fail to realize it could be you just need to change your approach to life. It can be very easy for someone to live an entire lifetime and never entertain the notion that the way they do things is the real problem.
Have you ever attempted to have friends over for what you initially intended to be a simple afternoon of food, fellowship, and fun, but somehow, it turned into a complicated nightmare? I remember those days vividly. I’d be at church on Sunday and, without much forethought, invite three couples over for the following Sunday to a barbecue. My initial thought was hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, baked beans, potato chips, and iced tea. My motive was fellowship and fun, but by the time the guests arrived, I didn’t even want them there. Fun was not going to happen, at least not for me. Why? I turned my simple get- together into a nightmare of preparation, expensive food, and fourteen people instead of the original six. My complicated approach to life and my complicated thought process convinced me hot dogs and hamburg- ers weren’t nice enough so I bought steaks we could not afford. My potato chips turned into a huge bowl of homemade potato salad. The simple baked beans became four side dishes I labored over.
Insecure and wanting to impress everyone, I had to spend the week cleaning and getting everything in the house to the point where I thought it would be impressive. Of course, the lawn chairs were old, so I bought new ones. I got angry at Dave because I thought he wasn’t help- ing me enough, and by the time our friends arrived, I resented them, wished they hadn’t come, and had a miserable day of pretending to be the happy hostess when in reality I was frustrated and miserable.
I could not figure out why I wasn’t able to enjoy much of anything in life until God revealed to me I was killing my joy with complication. For years, I prayed God would change the people and circumstances around me when, in reality, He wanted to change me and my approach to life. He wanted me to simplify so, ultimately, He could be glorified.
Let me share with you 100 ways to approach living that can simplify your life and, in turn, release and increase your joy. I believe they will dramatically improve the quality of your everyday experience if you incorporate them into the way you do things. Jesus said He came so we might have and enjoy our life in abundance (see John 10:10). His prin- ciples are simple. Faith is simple! Trusting God is simple! A childlike approach to Him is simple! The plan of salvation is simple!
Jesus offers us a “new way of living,” and I believe it is a simple, yet powerful way that enables us to enjoy everyday life. Are you ready to simplify your life? Are you ready to say good-bye to the complexities you’ve allowed to take over? Let’s get started.
Do One Thing at a Time
When we do things without truly focusing our minds on them, we immediately decrease our strength to do the work before us and do it well. By putting our hands to one thing and our mind to another, we divide the muscle behind our abilities and we make the task much more difficult. It’s like removing an egg yolk from the egg white—both can be used separately but the result isn’t as effective (or tasty) as it would be if we leave the egg whole. However, by directing all of our faculties to the one thing we are doing on a particular day, at that hour, at that moment, we find it much easier to do. The ability to concentrate and stay focused can only come from discipline.
The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 to be anxious for nothing. Anxious people are always trying to live ahead of where they currently are. They spend today trying to figure out tomorrow and the result is the loss of simplicity. God expects us to trust Him with tomorrow just as He instructed the Israelites to do when they crossed the barren wil- derness, pressing toward the Promised Land.
Practice living one day at a time; give yourself—your thoughts, your conversation, your energies, every part of you—to the day at hand.
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
1. Develop an ability to give yourself to what you are doing. You will sense an awareness enabling you to enjoy the current activity, instead of going through each day in a blur of activity and confusing thoughts which leave you drained and exhausted.
Do you fear you will not accomplish as much if you try to live this way? It’s true you may not do as much, but you will also enjoy what you do a whole lot more. One key to simplicity is realizing that quality is far superior to quantity.
Everyone has them: those days where nothing seems to get done, except maybe what you’ve added to your already lengthy to-do list. Are you tired most of the time? Are you spent? Do you find yourself wish- ing for a better day—a simpler day? Too many things compete for your limited resources of attention, energy, and time. You may be suffocat- ing and not even know it. If you feel like this, you’re not alone.
Most people today live complicated lives that leave them frustrated and confused, weary and worn out. But I have good news: your life does not have to be that way. You can choose a life of simplicity, fruitfulness, fulfillment, peace, and joy. I want to warn you, however, unless you are determined not to, you will do what everyone else does. You will get sucked up in the system and spend your life wishing things were different, never realizing you are, in fact, the only one who can change things. Unless we are resolute and remain undaunted in our quest for simplicity, we are destined for complication and frustration.
I recall a time when I was complaining to God about my schedule being absolutely insane. How could anyone be expected to do all I had in front of me? Then the realization hit me that I was the one who made my schedule and nobody could change it but me. You can spend your lives wishing things were different, but wishing won’t change anything. Smart decision making and decisive action is what changes things. If you picked up this book looking for change, are you willing to make a decision and follow it up with action?
I wasted many years hoping life would change and things would calm down until I finally realized life itself doesn’t change; in fact, it has the potential to get worse. I understood my only real option was to change my approach to life. I had to say no to another day of rushing around and feeling frustrated. I didn’t want the doctor giving me another pre- scription to mask another symptom of the real problem—stress.
In my search for simplicity, I have come to believe life can never be simple unless I learn to approach all things simply. It is my attitude toward each event in life that determines how easy or complex each situation will be. Perhaps life is complicated because people are compli- cated. Is it possible that life is not complicated, but rather, individuals complicate life in the way they approach it?
I discovered it wasn’t really life or circumstances or other people as much as it was me that needed to change. My problem wasn’t the problem—I was the problem! When you spend your life in frustration trying to change the world and everyone in it, you fail to realize it could be you just need to change your approach to life. It can be very easy for someone to live an entire lifetime and never entertain the notion that the way they do things is the real problem.
Have you ever attempted to have friends over for what you initially intended to be a simple afternoon of food, fellowship, and fun, but somehow, it turned into a complicated nightmare? I remember those days vividly. I’d be at church on Sunday and, without much forethought, invite three couples over for the following Sunday to a barbecue. My initial thought was hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, baked beans, potato chips, and iced tea. My motive was fellowship and fun, but by the time the guests arrived, I didn’t even want them there. Fun was not going to happen, at least not for me. Why? I turned my simple get- together into a nightmare of preparation, expensive food, and fourteen people instead of the original six. My complicated approach to life and my complicated thought process convinced me hot dogs and hamburg- ers weren’t nice enough so I bought steaks we could not afford. My potato chips turned into a huge bowl of homemade potato salad. The simple baked beans became four side dishes I labored over.
Insecure and wanting to impress everyone, I had to spend the week cleaning and getting everything in the house to the point where I thought it would be impressive. Of course, the lawn chairs were old, so I bought new ones. I got angry at Dave because I thought he wasn’t help- ing me enough, and by the time our friends arrived, I resented them, wished they hadn’t come, and had a miserable day of pretending to be the happy hostess when in reality I was frustrated and miserable.
I could not figure out why I wasn’t able to enjoy much of anything in life until God revealed to me I was killing my joy with complication. For years, I prayed God would change the people and circumstances around me when, in reality, He wanted to change me and my approach to life. He wanted me to simplify so, ultimately, He could be glorified.
Let me share with you 100 ways to approach living that can simplify your life and, in turn, release and increase your joy. I believe they will dramatically improve the quality of your everyday experience if you incorporate them into the way you do things. Jesus said He came so we might have and enjoy our life in abundance (see John 10:10). His prin- ciples are simple. Faith is simple! Trusting God is simple! A childlike approach to Him is simple! The plan of salvation is simple!
Jesus offers us a “new way of living,” and I believe it is a simple, yet powerful way that enables us to enjoy everyday life. Are you ready to simplify your life? Are you ready to say good-bye to the complexities you’ve allowed to take over? Let’s get started.
Do One Thing at a Time
The feeling of being hurried is not usually the result of living a full life and having no time. It is, on the contrary, born of a vague fear that we are wasting our life. When we do not do the one thing we ought to do, we have no time for anything elseówe are the busiest people in the world.
ÓERIC HOFFER
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].
—Hebrews 12:2
When we do things without truly focusing our minds on them, we immediately decrease our strength to do the work before us and do it well. By putting our hands to one thing and our mind to another, we divide the muscle behind our abilities and we make the task much more difficult. It’s like removing an egg yolk from the egg white—both can be used separately but the result isn’t as effective (or tasty) as it would be if we leave the egg whole. However, by directing all of our faculties to the one thing we are doing on a particular day, at that hour, at that moment, we find it much easier to do. The ability to concentrate and stay focused can only come from discipline.
The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 to be anxious for nothing. Anxious people are always trying to live ahead of where they currently are. They spend today trying to figure out tomorrow and the result is the loss of simplicity. God expects us to trust Him with tomorrow just as He instructed the Israelites to do when they crossed the barren wil- derness, pressing toward the Promised Land.
Practice living one day at a time; give yourself—your thoughts, your conversation, your energies, every part of you—to the day at hand.
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
1. Develop an ability to give yourself to what you are doing. You will sense an awareness enabling you to enjoy the current activity, instead of going through each day in a blur of activity and confusing thoughts which leave you drained and exhausted.
Do you fear you will not accomplish as much if you try to live this way? It’s true you may not do as much, but you will also enjoy what you do a whole lot more. One key to simplicity is realizing that quality is far superior to quantity.
The Blog Tour for "Nan's Journey" Begins July 23
It is time to play a Wild Card! Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour. Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his/her book's FIRST chapter!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:
and his/her book:
Tate Publishing & Enterprises (January 2, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Littau is a life-long resident of Perryton, TX. She met husband, Terry at the Apostolic Faith Bible College in Baxter Springs, Kansas in 1974. They married March 1, 1975 and reside on a small acreage near Perryton where they enjoy spending time with their family and friends. They raised three sons and now have three daughters-in-law and four grandchildren added to their family. They also enjoy visiting with their extended family located in Perryton, Clear Lake, Laverne, and Amarillo.
Author Elaine Littau is a busy woman who by profession is the church secretary for Harvest Time First Assembly of God Church in Perryton. Among other things she has led women’s groups and taught preschool, and was a mentor for the M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Preschoolers) group in her community. She has been active in Toastmasters and enjoys painting, crafts, and playing piano and organ. She was recently appointed to the Campus Education Improvement Committee for Wright Elementary in Perryton. She belongs to Christian Storytellers and Faith Writers writing groups.
“Nan’s Journey” was written over the course of several years. “A salvation message is at the core of the book.” Littau says. “If it weren’t for the Lord, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. I truly enjoy meeting new people.”
Littau is currently working on two other books that are continuations of “Nan’s Journey.” Book signings and speaking engagements are currently set up for venues in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Oregon.
Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $12.99
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: Tate Publishing & Enterprises (January 2, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1602478325
ISBN-13: 978-1602478329
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Chapter One
It was late. The moon had risen and the night symphony was in full force. Crickets chirped at their rivals, the frogs, and dominated the night chorus. Only one sound in the forest was foreign—a whimper from under the ferns. At the base of the largest pine in the woods was a small form crying, moaning, and whimpering. Black hair, matted and dirty, hung in long ropes down the front of the tiny girl. She had been in this spot for hours. At least that is what it felt like to her. Stretching, she cried out in pain. The blood-covered welts burst open to bleed again. Her back was wet with blood, and her dress was torn and useless.
Why had she dared to speak to the woman that she was obliged to call mother in that way? She knew that talking was not allowed from children before chores were finished. The accusations being made by “Ma” were totally false and she could not let Elmer take the blame for something she herself had forgotten to do. She shut her eyes tight against the memory, but it intruded anyway.
She had just gotten up to take the water off the stove to make up dishwater for the supper dishes. Ma had stepped outside the room to turn down her bed and prepare for sleep. When she reappeared in the kitchen, she realized that the wood supply next to the stove was low. Elmer was standing next to the table gathering the plates for washing. “Elmer, where is the wood you were supposed to bring up to the house?” Before he could answer, a hand had slapped him across his face. Getting back onto his feet and standing as tall as a five year old can stand, he looked her in the eye and said, “Ma, I was sick today, ‘member?”
“So, Elmer, you’re going to play up that headache trick again. Nan, didn’t your good for nothing Mama teach you people how to work, or are you just lazy?”
“Our Mama was good! Don’t you say mean things about her!” Nan yelled as her heart raced at the assault against her real Mama’s character.
“What about it, Elmer, are you like your weakling Mama or what?” Elmer’s eyes became very large and filled with tears. He could barely remember his real Mama, but when he did, he remembered soft kisses and sweet singing and a beautiful face. “I’m sorry; I’ll get the wood now.”
“No, Elmer, don’t. I promised you I’d do it today when your head was hurting, but I forgot. I’ll get it after I do these dishes.”
“Listen here, Nan, I’m the boss around here and Elmer will do what I say, when I say, and you will respect me.”
Nan’s eyes widened.
“Don’t look at me like that, little girl.”
Nan held her breath.
“Well, I guess you will be making a trip to the wood shed…with me!” Ma had grabbed her by the arm and jerked her along behind the shed. The strap was hanging there, waiting. Whippings were becoming more and more frequent. After Ma’s husband left, they had taken on a more cruel form. The last whipping was more like a beating. It took days for the marks to scab over and heal. Little Elmer had come in that night and brought some horse medicine from the barn and applied it to the oozing marks.
The next afternoon when the schoolteacher came over, Ma had already formulated a story. “Mrs. Dewey, we missed Nan and Elmer today at school. Are they sick?” Ma lied the first time in her life and said, “Well Miss Sergeant, since Mr. Dewey is going to be gone for another four weeks, I need more help around here to get things done. I’m holding the kids out until he gets back.” Week after week went by, and Mr. Dewey still hadn’t come home. Everyday Ma grew more and more angry. It became more and more impossible to please her. When she began hitting Elmer, it was too much. Nan had to do something— right or wrong; things couldn’t stay the way they were.
The coolness of the earth had settled into Nan’s bones. She stood silently for a minute and carefully crept up to the farmhouse. As she opened the door, she saw that Elmer was in the pallet at the foot of the stove next to her bedroll. Ma was asleep in her room. The door held open with a rock. Slowly she began peeling off the dress and the dried blood stuck to it. She reached for the old shirt she normally wore over her wounds and under her dress. She had washed it today. It had bloodstains on it, but it would keep her from ruining another dress. She retrieved the old work dress that she wore when chores were messier than usual; it was the only one left. She put it on swiftly and shook Elmer awake with her hand over his mouth. “Baby, we must leave. Do you understand? Stay quiet and I will get some stuff to take with us.”
She found large old handkerchief and began looking for food supplies. There was one sourdough biscuit and about a cup of cold brown beans. She located her tin cup and another rag. She would probably need that. Three matches were in the cup on the stove. She would just take two. Suddenly she heard a sound from Ma’s room. A scampering sound… just a rat. Ma turned over. Her breathing became deep and regular. For once Nan wished that Ma snored. She tied the handkerchief in a knot over the meager food supplies, grabbed their bedrolls, and slowly opened the door.
“Come on, Elmer. Can you carry this food? I’ll get your bedding. That’s a good boy. We must hurry!”
The cold air bit at their faces, but they walked bravely on.
“Elmer, we must go tonight so we can get as far away as we can before Ma wakes up and sees that we are gone.”
For the next half hour the pair walked in silence through the familiar woods past the graves on the hill. In one, a mother dearly loved, in another, an infant who had died the same day as his mother, and the third, a father that only Nan had memory of. Elmer was only two years old when Pa died in the logging accident. Nan snapped out of her reverie and urged Elmer on. Molasses, Pa’s good old workhorse, stood in the pasture. He skidded the logs Pa cut with his axe. His legs hadn’t healed quite right, but Mama hadn’t let Mr. Dewey kill him because he was all she had left of the husband of her youth. Molasses was a faithful friend to Nan and Elmer. He stood there and waited for them to mount him.
“Molasses, take us to…” Nan realized then that they had nowhere to go. Mrs. Dewey had said that they were ungrateful little imps who didn’t realize she and Mr. Dewey were taking care of them out of kindness, and they could easily be put into an orphanage. Nan didn’t know anything about orphanages except what Mrs. Dewey…uh, Ma had told her. “Molasses, just take us out of here.”
Why had she dared to speak to the woman that she was obliged to call mother in that way? She knew that talking was not allowed from children before chores were finished. The accusations being made by “Ma” were totally false and she could not let Elmer take the blame for something she herself had forgotten to do. She shut her eyes tight against the memory, but it intruded anyway.
She had just gotten up to take the water off the stove to make up dishwater for the supper dishes. Ma had stepped outside the room to turn down her bed and prepare for sleep. When she reappeared in the kitchen, she realized that the wood supply next to the stove was low. Elmer was standing next to the table gathering the plates for washing. “Elmer, where is the wood you were supposed to bring up to the house?” Before he could answer, a hand had slapped him across his face. Getting back onto his feet and standing as tall as a five year old can stand, he looked her in the eye and said, “Ma, I was sick today, ‘member?”
“So, Elmer, you’re going to play up that headache trick again. Nan, didn’t your good for nothing Mama teach you people how to work, or are you just lazy?”
“Our Mama was good! Don’t you say mean things about her!” Nan yelled as her heart raced at the assault against her real Mama’s character.
“What about it, Elmer, are you like your weakling Mama or what?” Elmer’s eyes became very large and filled with tears. He could barely remember his real Mama, but when he did, he remembered soft kisses and sweet singing and a beautiful face. “I’m sorry; I’ll get the wood now.”
“No, Elmer, don’t. I promised you I’d do it today when your head was hurting, but I forgot. I’ll get it after I do these dishes.”
“Listen here, Nan, I’m the boss around here and Elmer will do what I say, when I say, and you will respect me.”
Nan’s eyes widened.
“Don’t look at me like that, little girl.”
Nan held her breath.
“Well, I guess you will be making a trip to the wood shed…with me!” Ma had grabbed her by the arm and jerked her along behind the shed. The strap was hanging there, waiting. Whippings were becoming more and more frequent. After Ma’s husband left, they had taken on a more cruel form. The last whipping was more like a beating. It took days for the marks to scab over and heal. Little Elmer had come in that night and brought some horse medicine from the barn and applied it to the oozing marks.
The next afternoon when the schoolteacher came over, Ma had already formulated a story. “Mrs. Dewey, we missed Nan and Elmer today at school. Are they sick?” Ma lied the first time in her life and said, “Well Miss Sergeant, since Mr. Dewey is going to be gone for another four weeks, I need more help around here to get things done. I’m holding the kids out until he gets back.” Week after week went by, and Mr. Dewey still hadn’t come home. Everyday Ma grew more and more angry. It became more and more impossible to please her. When she began hitting Elmer, it was too much. Nan had to do something— right or wrong; things couldn’t stay the way they were.
The coolness of the earth had settled into Nan’s bones. She stood silently for a minute and carefully crept up to the farmhouse. As she opened the door, she saw that Elmer was in the pallet at the foot of the stove next to her bedroll. Ma was asleep in her room. The door held open with a rock. Slowly she began peeling off the dress and the dried blood stuck to it. She reached for the old shirt she normally wore over her wounds and under her dress. She had washed it today. It had bloodstains on it, but it would keep her from ruining another dress. She retrieved the old work dress that she wore when chores were messier than usual; it was the only one left. She put it on swiftly and shook Elmer awake with her hand over his mouth. “Baby, we must leave. Do you understand? Stay quiet and I will get some stuff to take with us.”
She found large old handkerchief and began looking for food supplies. There was one sourdough biscuit and about a cup of cold brown beans. She located her tin cup and another rag. She would probably need that. Three matches were in the cup on the stove. She would just take two. Suddenly she heard a sound from Ma’s room. A scampering sound… just a rat. Ma turned over. Her breathing became deep and regular. For once Nan wished that Ma snored. She tied the handkerchief in a knot over the meager food supplies, grabbed their bedrolls, and slowly opened the door.
“Come on, Elmer. Can you carry this food? I’ll get your bedding. That’s a good boy. We must hurry!”
The cold air bit at their faces, but they walked bravely on.
“Elmer, we must go tonight so we can get as far away as we can before Ma wakes up and sees that we are gone.”
For the next half hour the pair walked in silence through the familiar woods past the graves on the hill. In one, a mother dearly loved, in another, an infant who had died the same day as his mother, and the third, a father that only Nan had memory of. Elmer was only two years old when Pa died in the logging accident. Nan snapped out of her reverie and urged Elmer on. Molasses, Pa’s good old workhorse, stood in the pasture. He skidded the logs Pa cut with his axe. His legs hadn’t healed quite right, but Mama hadn’t let Mr. Dewey kill him because he was all she had left of the husband of her youth. Molasses was a faithful friend to Nan and Elmer. He stood there and waited for them to mount him.
“Molasses, take us to…” Nan realized then that they had nowhere to go. Mrs. Dewey had said that they were ungrateful little imps who didn’t realize she and Mr. Dewey were taking care of them out of kindness, and they could easily be put into an orphanage. Nan didn’t know anything about orphanages except what Mrs. Dewey…uh, Ma had told her. “Molasses, just take us out of here.”
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