tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11541558184534696742024-03-15T21:13:42.866-04:00Becky Mushko's Books and More<b>Living and Writing in Rural Virginia</b><br>
<br>
Here, I'll share information about my published work and some occasional advice about living frugally.Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-33564589552382565202023-07-27T12:47:00.001-04:002023-07-27T12:47:28.630-04:00Them That Go<p> <br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px none; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">My Appalachian coming-of-age novel is<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="fw_link_website fw_link_newWindow" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BTHSBDK" style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">available for Kindle</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="fw_link_website fw_link_newWindow" href="https://www.amazon.com/Them-That-Go-Becky-Mushko/dp/1523750251" style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">in paperback</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>from Amazon.com.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Them That Go</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>is
self-published via CreateSpace (now KDP), and I am grateful to several folks who
offered advice, critiques, suggestions, and proofreading.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px none; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">This is the front cover, designed by my friend<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="fw_link_website fw_link_newWindow" href="http://eduardomitchell.com/my-blog/" style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Eduardo Mitchell</a>:</span></p><p align="left" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcR7viPAoFkpklpm0A2_gD1w04dnXHN45mx9qTQ_iE1Sle6RV5hXiAbA49c4WNDhs08r8nkzonZyblyjWMoov7I-aaemop-7x7axtZcytBso-nDUWqpn9OLlLFtA8HIrubyPWWJW-v0nYQwhtNYLbOep2qArhxPGAlkL6GNU_ZjIrjtxLLZo8-7a4LVbko/s399/ThemTGCover7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcR7viPAoFkpklpm0A2_gD1w04dnXHN45mx9qTQ_iE1Sle6RV5hXiAbA49c4WNDhs08r8nkzonZyblyjWMoov7I-aaemop-7x7axtZcytBso-nDUWqpn9OLlLFtA8HIrubyPWWJW-v0nYQwhtNYLbOep2qArhxPGAlkL6GNU_ZjIrjtxLLZo8-7a4LVbko/s320/ThemTGCover7.jpg" width="201" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); display: inline; float: none; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: -webkit-left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">The back cover, designed by Chuck Lumpkin:</span></span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZphoHwoayR3EN0z2S6yM76ku-MacuNB8MZd1Mi_tDcULnSs4_svElik8rBPbpBWeEFV65LdUEH4kuJma9IBSFk_WYejYED3HOLh7zbrj7TGmpav__S4et8gBoK4RwLzAWMmR9n32XTgfEFgZqD2gtWIVWQiE1z27hAWL8-psLf9KMgD_nQyzIJ3nUJjmB/s640/TTGbckcov.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="418" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZphoHwoayR3EN0z2S6yM76ku-MacuNB8MZd1Mi_tDcULnSs4_svElik8rBPbpBWeEFV65LdUEH4kuJma9IBSFk_WYejYED3HOLh7zbrj7TGmpav__S4et8gBoK4RwLzAWMmR9n32XTgfEFgZqD2gtWIVWQiE1z27hAWL8-psLf9KMgD_nQyzIJ3nUJjmB/s320/TTGbckcov.jpg" width="209" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A secret revealed, a mystery solved, a life forever changed.</b> </span><p></p><p align="left" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">In 1972, seventeen-year-old Annie Caldwell—who has the “gift” of animal communication—wants to be normal, but she’ll settle for being unnoticed. Annie’s brother died in Vietnam, her mother is depressed, and her father drinks. Her only friend is elderly Aint Lulie—who lives in the same holler and who understands the gift because she has one, too: “The first daughter in ever’ other generation has always been blest with a gift, though some think it a curse. Been that way for generations in the Caldwells, Byrnes, and once in a while in the Duffs.”</span></p><div class="webs-bin" id="webs-bin-581a0054e4b072750d2f7e23" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-bin-wrap" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-container webs-module-sb2_paragraph w-sb2_paragraph-base" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div align="left" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">As they sit by the fireplace in the evenings and tell each other stories, Aint Lulie shares family history with Annie, including a relative's mysterious death and how their ancestors came to settle in the area: “There’s always been<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><u style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">them that go</u><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and them that stay in ever’ generation.”</span></div><div align="left" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"></span></div><p align="left" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">When a local girl goes missing, Aint Lulie's and Annie's gifts can help solve the mystery—but if Annie speaks up, she can no longer go unnoticed.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><div align="justify" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Them That Go</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>is an Appalachian coming-of-age novel rich in tradition, superstition, family ties, and secrets.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div></div></div></div><div class="webs-bin" id="webs-bin-581a0054e4b072750d2f7e24" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-bin-wrap" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-container webs-module-title w-title-default" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h3 class="webs-title webs-title-align-left" style="border: 0px; font-family: "Gentium Book Basic", serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="w-text" style="border: 0px; color: #422817; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div><div class="w-text" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">FAQ<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </b></span></div><div class="w-text" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </b></span></div><div class="w-text" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q. What?s the background of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Them That Go</i></b><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">?</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div class="w-text" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="w-text" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">A. I spent over eight years writing</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><i style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Them That Go</i><span style="font-weight: normal;">, and it has gone through several title changes and even more plot changes. It started as</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><i style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What the Dogs Told Me</i><span style="font-weight: normal;">, a YA novel about a rural 17-year-old girl in 1972 whose ability to communicate with animals sets her apart from her peers but helps her solve a crime. I submitted the first few pages to a panel of agents and editors at a writing conference and was told YA readers don't care about the early 70s and my characters were stereotypes. I abandoned the project.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="w-text" style="border: 0px none; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">A few years ago, I started working on the idea again, and the book became<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If Only We Listen</i>, a women's novel switching between the 1970s and now, in which an animal communicator solves mysteries both as a teenager and an older woman. That version was a disaster because the first chapter (set in the present) pretty much gave away what had happened in the 70s. So I abandoned it again.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="w-text" style="border: 0px none; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">For several years, the first 20,000 words of what became<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Them That Go</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>took up space on my hard drive. It was either delete them or finish the book. I hate to waste anything, even words, so I started working on the manuscript again. It changed directions a few times before I realized the story needed to be about more than just a girl's isolation because of her special ability; it needed a stronger sense of place, a sense of generations that had gone before, a connection to past and present. It needed a richer texture, with more Appalachian flavor.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></div><div class="w-text" style="border: 0px none; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span> </span>When I started working on the book again in September 2015, it changed considerably from my original idea. Some minor characters no longer just occupied a space but became important to the plot, superstitions and traditions became more significant, a few plot twists appeared, and Annie grew as a character. The book became both a coming-of-age novel and an Appalachian novel. The readership could now include more than just YA readers.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div></h3></div></div></div><div class="webs-bin" id="webs-bin-581a0054e4b072750d2f7e25" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-bin-wrap" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-container webs-module-sb2_paragraph w-sb2_paragraph-base" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q. What influenced you to finally finishing the book?</b></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">A. In 2015 I became interested in genealogy—in finding my roots as far back as I could. I learned a lot of my ancestors had moved across Virginia. The English ones came westward from the Tidewater area, and others came down the Great Wagon Road from Pennsylvania or diagonally across Virginia from Maryland. Some stayed where they originally landed, but some in each generation moved a little farther south or west. After the Revolutionary War, some received land patents and moved their families to the new territory. But in every generation, some would stay and some would go.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q. Since you used Franklin County as a setting for your two previous novels,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Patches on the Same Quilt</i></b><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stuck</i></b><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, why didn?t you also set<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Them That Go</i></b><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>there?</b></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">A. I wanted to write an Appalachian book. Franklin County is just outside Appalachia. I also wanted a place much more remote and rural than Franklin County was in the 1970s. Annie's isolation, not only from her peers but also where she lives, is important to her character development. I wanted high mountains that could keep a lot of outside influences out. I also wanted a place where early settlers of Irish descent would pass through. While Franklin County did have some early Irish settlers, most of the early ones were English who came from the Tidewater area.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Them That Go</i></b><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>is set in a made-up county, Bosworth County. Since you mention Roanoke and Botetourt Counties as well as a lot of other real places, why didn't you use a real county in deep southwest Virginia or eastern Tennessee or eastern Kentucky or western North Carolina?</b></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">A. I couldn't find a county exactly like what I was looking for. So I made up a mountainous rural county with a small town as its county seat--a county that had a few outsiders (though not many), that wasn't very close to a large city, etc.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q. Why did you set<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Them That Go</i></b><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>in 1972-73?</b></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">A. The Vietnam War was winding down, but its impact was still strong (as it was in Annie's family); the world, including rural areas, was becoming increasing modernized but there were not yet any cellphones, Internet, or social media which can spread information faster than I would like; and criminal investigations didn't yet use DNA.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q. Since the story is set in 1972-73, what relevance does it have today?</b></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">A. It touches on several issues that concern us now:</span></p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"></span><ul style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"> <u style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">A presidential election</u>. Annie's government teacher Mr. Wardell supports McGovern (whom he's sure will win) and keeps discussing the upcoming election in class. He tries to interest his students in politics, but many of them have parents who don't vote.</span></li><li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"> <u style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Literature and its influences on life.</u><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The English class studies "The Road Not Taken,"<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hamlet</i>, the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Canterbury Tales</i>, etc.</span></li><li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"> <u style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Parents protesting curriculum.</u><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Mamie Harper and her parents, who think<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hamlet</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>is inappropriate, complain to the principal about what Miss Brannigan is teaching in her English class.</span></li><li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"> <u style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">A girl's disappearance.</u><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This is happening too frequently nowadays. There was no "Save the Next Girl" in 1972.</span></li><li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><u style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">A student using what she learned in class.</u><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Annie's quilt-making gives her a source of income and helps her make a few friends.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></li></ul><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q. Why did you have Annie influenced so much by what her English class studies?</b></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">A. Originally, she wasn't. The only classes I originally mentioned were PE (where she could take a shower) and home ec (where she makes a quilt). But what was happened in government and English classes was also important, so I added several more scenes that took place in those classes. What Annie studies in English class influences some of her actions: Frost's poem "A Road Not Taken" makes Annie realize that she has choices, she and Aint Lulie tell each other stories like the Canterbury pilgrims did, and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hamlet</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>affects her in several ways as well. The fact that I taught English for three decades probably figured into it, too.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q. How did Facebook help you with the book?</b></span></p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">A. Several ways. When I asked for correct terminology for some things in the book, </span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">FBers jumped in and helped out</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">: (What is the storage space behind a buggy called?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Boot</i><span style="border: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">; Is<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">slop jar</i><span style="border: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>more suitable than<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">chamber pot</i><span style="border: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>for the ceramic urn-like vessel? Yes.) When I was looking for a true ghost story set in a particular area, novelist Sharyn McCrumb and Ferrum College professor Tina Hanlon suggested the Greenbrier ghost.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Folks on Facebook's Botetourt County Genealogy page helped me solve a family mystery, too, by providing an obituary for a great-aunt who died mysteriously and then telling me where to find info about her cause of death,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cholera morbus</i>.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">When I'd posted on my FB page about my great-aunt<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://nacelithia.blogspot.com/2010/11/annie-pearl-nace.html" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Pearl Nace</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>on the anniversary of her mysterious death in 1911, a couple of my cousins discussed the mystery with me--how Pearl died was a family secret that Pearl's sisters would never discuss. One cousin said I should write a book about it. I said it wasn't enough for a book, but it was enough for a scene in a book. So the mystery--and speculation on what<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">might</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>have happened-- inspired </span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the fictionalized account</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Them That Go</i>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></p><div style="border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I did several posts on my<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Peevish Pen</span><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>blog about the progress of this novel as I wrote it. If the writing process interests you, check them out:</span></span></div><div style="border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="w-link-new-window" href="https://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-cover-cabin.html" id="1F8F4C63-AB30-4F6D-856D-41871AFA2227" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">https://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2015/12/novel-in-progress.html</a><br /><a href="https://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2015/12/novel-in-progress-progress.html" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">https://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2015/12/novel-in-progress-progress.html</a><br /><a href="https://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-cover-cabin.html" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">https://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-cover-cabin.html</a><br /><a href="https://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2016/03/them-that-go.html" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">https://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2016/03/them-that-go.html</a></span></span></div><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: large; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q. Why did you use a door on the cover?</span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: medium; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A. One of the main themes of the novel is staying and going. Some characters in the book stayed, and some left. The door is both a way in (to stay) or a way out (to go). The door on the cover is the front door of the cabin on Smith Farm, which my grandparents bought in the early 1900s and which I now own.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q. Is there a preview for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Them That Go</i>?<br /></b></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">A. Yes, you can read the first 3500 words<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://beckymushko.blogspot.com/2023/07/preview-of-them-that-go.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /></span></span></p></div></div></div><div class="webs-bin" id="webs-bin-583068a99ed9d2735f002588" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-bin-wrap" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="webs-container webs-module-text" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-text" style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px none; color: #43200d; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: large; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> This review,</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>by Appalachian story-teller,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> <a href="http://lindagoodmanstoryteller.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Linda Goodman</a></span></span></span><span style="font-style: inherit;">: will give you a good idea of what to expect from </span><i>Them That Go</i><span style="font-style: inherit;">:</span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #43200d; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: large; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I stopped doing CD and book reviews at the end of 2013, but reading Becky Mushko’s latest book<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span class="wz-bold" style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wz-italic wz-bold" style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Them That Go</span></span><span style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, set in the 1970’s in the same Virginia mountains where I was born and raised, has inspired me to put on my reviewer’s cap one last time.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-style: inherit;"><span><span style="border: 0px none; color: #38761d; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><p style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #38761d;">This book is a coming of age story about Annie Caldwell, a teenager who truly marches to the beat of a different drummer. Her family is poor, and they live in a run-down home that has no electricity and no indoor plumbing. Even though a year has passed since his death, the family is still in mourning for Annie’s brother, who was killed in Viet Nam.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-style: inherit;"><span><span style="border: 0px none; color: #38761d; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><p style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #38761d;">Throughout the trials and tribulations of adolescence, Annie’s best friend and confidant is her Aint Lulie, who dispenses advice like good medicine: “There’s always been them that stay and them that go in ever’ generation;” “Don’t waste words on them that will not listen nor understand.”</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-style: inherit;"><span><span style="border: 0px none; color: #38761d; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><p style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #38761d;">Aint Lulie, whose second sight allows her to have visions of the dead, also helps Annie use and understand her own gift of the second sight, which allows her to communicate with animals. This gift will serve her well in a variety of circumstances, including the search for a missing beauty queen and her football player boyfriend.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-style: inherit;"><span><span style="border: 0px none; color: #38761d; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><p style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #38761d;">I particularly enjoyed becoming re-acquainted with the customs and superstitions that I left behind so many years ago. “If a bird makes a nest of your hair, you’ll go crazy.” (My brother’s head was attacked by a bird once. It took away a big chunk of his hair.) “We rubbed our faces and arms with mashed peppermint leaves and stems to keep away the skeeters.” (It works.) My favorite: upon leaving someone’s home, the guest says,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">“</span>I’d ought to go. Y’all ought to come with me.” The host replies, “I cain’t. You ought to spend the night.” I remember my own aunt almost falling out of her chair when one guest took her offer seriously and agreed to stay the night.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-style: inherit;"><span><span style="border: 0px none; color: #38761d; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><p style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #38761d;">Will Annie be one of them that stay or one of them that go? You will have to read the book to find out.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As for me, this book made me homesick. I think it’s time for a visit.</span></span></span></p><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; color: #43200d; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: medium; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #43200d; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: large; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p></span><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; color: #43200d; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: large; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #43200d; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">~</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: large; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> </span></p></span></div></div></div></div>Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-79102826480827933382023-07-27T12:45:00.000-04:002023-07-27T12:45:42.093-04:00Preview of Them That Go<p> </p><div class="webs-bin" id="webs-bin-581a0056e4b072750d2f7e9c" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); color: #43200d; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="webs-bin-wrap" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-container webs-module-sb2_paragraph w-sb2_paragraph-base" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Them That Go</b></i>, my Appalachian coming-of-age novel with paranormal (or magical realism) overtones is available both in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Them-That-Go-Becky-Mushko/dp/1523750251" target="_blank">print</a> and as a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Them-That-Go-Becky-Mushko-ebook/dp/B01BTHSBDK" target="_blank">Kindle ebook</a>. Below is an early draft of the first 3500 words:</span></div><div class="webs-container webs-module-sb2_paragraph w-sb2_paragraph-base" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpEh0nNYjwp6jsGz6Kk8APNA21dxe3w_2IWw-EQz4Z4PQqQCwTTUSiCWWYnSWk4OUAV_Xj8cyHzxVt3F3V5r9IV91-4eV_mOqCwNFMU0vaUIVpD_DvbLLXYpz-u42NOpeUXyb_YJBKV-738kRIzzsGKqBDrYvoYPRhJDCPuvO4vFhXNYJDnj2s_1DklHf/s399/ThemTGCover7.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpEh0nNYjwp6jsGz6Kk8APNA21dxe3w_2IWw-EQz4Z4PQqQCwTTUSiCWWYnSWk4OUAV_Xj8cyHzxVt3F3V5r9IV91-4eV_mOqCwNFMU0vaUIVpD_DvbLLXYpz-u42NOpeUXyb_YJBKV-738kRIzzsGKqBDrYvoYPRhJDCPuvO4vFhXNYJDnj2s_1DklHf/w126-h200/ThemTGCover7.jpg" width="126" /></a></span></div></div></div><div class="webs-bin" id="webs-bin-581a0056e4b072750d2f7e9e" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="webs-bin-wrap" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-container webs-module-sb2_paragraph w-sb2_paragraph-base" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Chapter 1: Who Am I?</span></span></b></div></div></div><div class="webs-bin" id="webs-bin-581a0056e4b072750d2f7e9f" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); color: #43200d; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="webs-bin-wrap" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-container webs-module-sb2_paragraph w-sb2_paragraph-base" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: inherit;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">In 1972, I didn’t know what a<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">stereotype</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>was. As far as I can recollect, nobody in our holler ever used the word. But back then, that’s what all the Bosworth County High School kids were. At least the ones I knew of.</span></span><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stereotypes.</i></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The flower child was Sarenda Lovejoy, probably the only female friend I had at school; she didn’t care what the other kids at Bosworth County High thought. I envied her freedom.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The nerd—the weirdo—was Bert McKeller, another outcast who sat at the same lunch table with Sarenda and me. If computers had existed then, the other kids would have admired him for his knowledge and sought his advice. Instead, they made fun of him.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The jock was Lucas Lawson. Of course he was<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Bosworth</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>County High’s quarterback, and of course he dated the head cheerleader. His heart-melting smile could become a sneer in a heartbeat. His arrogance—his sense of entitlement—was typical of the mountain boys whose daddies had lost their family land and now lived in trailer parks—another cliché. Lucas’s good looks, his athletic ability, and his souped-up old truck assured his place at the top of high school hierarchy. Since he was poor, he rode the school bus to save his gas money.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The head cheerleader was Loniss Hathaway. She was pretty and her daddy had money. She’d moved to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Bosworth</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>County when she was a sophomore. Her daddy had been transferred from out of state to run the mill. Loniss was willing to settle for being Lucas’s girlfriend until she went to college and met someone better. But Lucas didn’t know that. Why should he? Too bad smartphones didn’t exist in 1972. Loniss would have surely had one.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The Hathaways lived in the biggest house on the hill just inside the town limits. Folks looked up to them in both senses of the word. Bob Hathaway wore a suit and ran the mill, so he controlled most of the town. His wife Dina was in the garden club. Actually, she<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">was</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>the garden club; she put the pots of whatever was in season in front of the post office and court house—daffodils and tulips in spring, geraniums and petunias in summer, mums in fall, and some sort of evergreen in winter. If<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Bosworth</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>County High had had a PTA, she’d have been the president. She, of course, wanted the best for her daughter. Women like that always do.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Who was I back then? The quiet mousy one that nobody noticed. I was “The Other,” a term I learned years later when I was no longer an Other. But in 1972 I didn’t have a word for who I was. All I knew was that I was Annie Caldwell, I lived at the end of a holler, and I wasn’t like other kids. I had what Aint Lulie—my great aunt on Daddy’s side—called “the gift.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The first time I knew for sure I had the gift, I was five. Old Rhody had come up to me in the pasture, looked me square in the face, and as good as said, “Annie Caldwell, I want you to know I’m going to lose my calf this time.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">When I told Daddy what Old Rhody said, he just laughed at me. The next day, he spent over an hour pulling the calf. I stuffed my fists against my ears so I couldn’t hear Rhody bawling. When he finally pulled the calf free, it was dead. He didn’t laugh then.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">A few months later, when all of our laying hens vanished, one of them sent a picture into my mind to tell me where they were. I told Daddy that Silas Mosby had our chickens hid in his shed. Daddy didn’t believe me, but he went to look anyway and came home with our hens.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Mama, who did not have the gift for it skipped her generation and therefore she couldn’t understand it, thought I was possessed of the devil. She had Elder Stoutmire from the Church of Divine Holy Light pray over me. Elder Stoutmire—the stereotypical backwoods hellfire and damnation preacher— told her it was likely just a coincidence. “The little gal prob’ly heard folks say what a chicken thief Silas was.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I did not say a word, but let him think what he wanted to think while he beseeched Jesus to drive the demons from my soul. I never again told Mama or Daddy what critters told me.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">“Annie, don’t waste words on them that will not listen nor understand,” Aint Lulie had told me after I’d run to her cabin no sooner had Elder Stoutmire gone. “The first daughter in ever’ other generation has always been blest with a gift, though some think it a curse. Been that way for generations in the Caldwells, Byrnes, and once in a while in the Duffs.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Mama had been a Byrne before she married but she had some Caldwell a generation or two back, so I likely got a double dose of the gift. Maybe more, considering the intermarriages of mostly second and third cousins from when this holler was first settled. Aint Lulie could keep track of our tangled lines from way back, but I could never keep straight who was kin to who and in how many ways. But there weren’t many of our family left in our holler. What World War II didn’t scatter—when boys left<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Bosworth</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>County and saw a bigger world—or the lack of jobs the last few decades, kinfolk had up and left for places where they thought the grass was greener. The ridges of Byrne Mountain were dotted with abandoned cabins that had been empty since before I was born. They hung over us like old ghosts, reminding us of who we are and where we came from. “Always been them that go and them that stay in ever’ generation,” Aint Lulie has said many a time.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">When I started school, I never told my classmates about my gift because it would have set me apart more than I already was. I was the one that nobody played with at recess because I smelled like woodsmoke and didn’t know about any TV shows and didn’t even own a Barbie. I was the quiet girl who sat in the back row and never caused trouble and only spoke when the teacher asked me a direct question. Mostly, I was invisible. And that was fine, because things were less complicated that way.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">“Best not to speak of your gift to them that don’t know. Or don’t want to know,” Aint Lulie once told me.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">So I didn’t tell anyone back then. There was nothing to be gained by telling. Most kids at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Bosworth</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>County High who even knew of Aint Lulie thought she was a witch because she was gray-headed and missing a few teeth. Because she lived alone at the far end of the holler and never had electricity. Her only modern concession was a well and water pump that my brother Scott had convinced her to let him put in five years ago because she was getting too old to walk to the spring. In her old age, Aint Lulie still gardened, though. She grew every vegetable she ate and always planted by the signs. She could douse water and cure warts.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Her gift was not like mine, though. She had been born at midnight, and it’s well-known through the hills and hollers that a baby born at midnight will have the power to see and talk to ghosts. Dead folks have showed themselves to Aint Lulie—but only close to where they died. Live folks didn’t trust her. She was, I suppose, a stereotypical backwoods woman in the eyes of outsiders, though few outsiders ever saw her. But I loved her. In 1972, she was my best friend in the world.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: inherit;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p align="center" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bolder; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Chapter 2: Early October, 1972</span></b></span></p><span style="font-size: inherit;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">From my seat at the back of the bus, I watched Loniss Hathaway disentangle herself from Lucas Lawson’s arms, hop into the aisle and shake her pom-poms.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">“Who’s gonna win, who’s gonna win, who’s gonna win—hey?” she chanted.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Lucas and his teammates Larry Tiller and Kenny Ketchum hollered, “We’re gonna win—hey!”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">“Set down, Loniss!” Clovis Wilbur, the bus driver, said. “You know the rules.” He pointed to the “no standing while bus is moving” sign near the front door.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Loniss ignored him. She gave her pom-poms another shake and wiggled her butt again.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">“Ah, Clovis, give us a break!” Lucas said. “Us Bobcats got a good shot at being regional champions. Let Loniss git us all pumped up.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">He winked at Larry and Kenny. They cheered, and Loniss wiggled again. She loved being the center of attention. Especially Lucas’s attention. School had been in session for a month, and already everybody regarded Loniss as the most popular senior. I guess I was the least popular, but that was fine with me.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">“What we gonna do in ’72?” she chanted. “What we gonna do in ’72?”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">A couple of her cheerleader friends—Susan Collins and Cheryl McCoy— took up the chant: “We’re gonna win in ’72! We’re gonna win in ’72!”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Clovis turned sharply and Loniss almost fell, but Lucas reached out his hand and grabbed her butt to steady her. Susan and Cheryl giggled. Even when Loniss was steady, Lucas didn’t move his hand. Loniss leaned over and whispered in his ear, and whatever she said made him turn loose. Then she yelled, “<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Bosworth</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Bobcats all the way! Hey-hey-hey!”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Lucas’s friends guffawed again. Clovis didn’t say anything else to Loniss. He was too busy wrestling with the steering wheel as he piloted the bus up the twists and turns of Byrne Mountain Road.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">“All the way!” Lucas and his buddies yelled. “All the way! Hey-hey-hey!” They elbowed each other and snickered because “all the way” had another meaning.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I scrunched down and pretended to read my science book. No use letting them see I was watching them—and that I wasn’t cheering.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I already knew the Bobcats would lose the game. I knew that Lucas’s cousin had bought Lucas a keg and several bottles of liquor for a victory celebration. I knew that Lucas was going to have a pre-game party Friday night. I knew that he and the rest of the team would be in no condition to play on Saturday afternoon. I knew all this because his dog, a Walker hound named Ranger, told me.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Clovis stopped the bus at the biggest house on the crest of the hill. Lucas let go of Loniss and she sashayed down the aisle. The boys hooted and whistled at her all the while she walked up her sidewalk. Clovis shot them an angry look but didn’t say anything. But he didn’t start the bus again until she’d walked up the three steps onto her front porch. When Kenny and Larry and Lucas got off at the trailer park a half-mile the other side of the hill, Clovis started up before they were more than a few inches away. The bus mirror almost hit Lucas. He shook his fist and yelled something, but I couldn’t hear what. A few other kids got off during the next mile, and the rest soon after that.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I’m always the last one off. I live in one of the farthest hollers, where nobody lives who ain’t blood kin to us and even those don’t live all that close. They live deeper into the next holler or up the side of the next mountain, and most of them are old. They get by because they either make a little liquor or their children who didn’t stay in the county send them money when they can. I’m the youngest of all of our kin left in these parts. I get by as best I can.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">When Clovis finally got to my stop, he turned the bus around in the clearing for what passes for our driveway begins and then opened the door for me. “See ya tomorrow, Annie.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Clovis is the only one who ever bids me good-bye. Since I’m the first one on the bus in the morning, he is also the only one who bids me good morning. No one else pays much attention to me.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I waved good-bye and started up our driveway through the woods toward home. A lot of leaves had fallen in the other night’s wind and they crunched under my feet. I think the woods are prettiest in early October. The golds and reds and browns have crept into the leaves, but there’s still some green. Like summer is still trying to hang on for as long as it can even though the fall equinox happened over a week ago. But it won’t be long until a hard frost, and then summer will die as it does every year. Aint Lulie has said for the last few days she can feel in her bones that we’ll have a frost before mid-October.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> I hardly saw the red fox until he crossed my path, he blended in so.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I mean you no harm—I am only passing through,</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>he told me. A few birds flew along with me and cooed,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Soon</i>,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">soon we’ll be leaving soon for warmer places</i>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Soon</i>.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sometimes I wish I could fly to a warmer place like the birds. Our house has been cold for over two years. The coldness came the day we found out my brother Scott was killed in Viet Nam. It’s like we all died that day.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">When a<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Bosworth</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>County sheriff’s car drove up one Saturday in May of 70, I was sweeping the front porch. I froze no sooner I saw it. Then Deputy Wiley Shortridge got out and came up the steps. “Annie, could you go get your daddy?” he said. “I got to talk to him.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">At first I was afraid he was going to arrest Daddy for something. We don’t see police cars in the holler unless they’re after somebody—usually for making liquor or growing pot. But I ran in and got Daddy. I knew Mama would listen from behind the screen door because she’d never intrude on the business of men. I went in the yard as not to bother Wiley and Daddy, but I kept close and took note of the German shepherd in the back seat.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Why do you stare, girl?</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>the dog said.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Have you never seen a police dog before? Why are you not afraid? One snap of my teeth and you’d be dead.</i></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I told the dog I meant him no harm. That I only stared because he was such a beautiful dog.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m indeed handsome!</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He sat up straighter.<i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>My name is Bruno. I will not bite you unless my master so orders. Today we bring bad news. I am sorry.</i></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I bade Bruno good-bye and slipped around the side of the house where I wouldn’t be seen but could still listen.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Wiley Shortridge handed Daddy the letter. Daddy stared at the envelope for a moment. Slowly he opened it.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">“I don’t have my glasses,” he told Wiley. “You mind reading it to me? I reckon it’s about them taxes I owe.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I didn’t like standing there and hearing Daddy tell a lie. Truth is, he does not wear glasses on account of he never learned to read. If Wiley Shortridge weren’t new to the county, he’d likely have known that. But he’d only been working here about four months.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Wiley took the letter and cleared his throat. “Dear Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell. We regret to inform you,” he read, “that your son Scott was involved—” Then his voice broke. He cleared his throat again and continued reading, “—in a helicopter crash. We are sorry that there was no way we could recover his body.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Mama screamed, but she didn’t come outside. She would never let anybody from outside the holler see her grieve. Wiley asked if Mama would be all right. Daddy said he’d take care of things. Then Wiley got in his car and drove off the way he’d come.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Daddy cussed out loud—something I’d never before heard him do—and pounded his fist against the porch column. I crept back to the porch. I didn’t say anything.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">“I reckon you heard.” He held the crumpled letter in his fist.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I nodded. Then I ran off to tell Aint Lulie what the letter said and to see if she could maybe talk to Scott.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">“You know I can’t talk to him, Honey,” she had said. “He’s too far off. I cain’t even tell for sure if he’s dead or not.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Mama took to bed and cried for three days until the women in her prayer circle brought Elder Stoutmire to pray with her. Daddy started drinking regular then.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">After a while, Mama started to have hope that Scott might be still alive. “Maybe he got out somehow,” she’d say. “If they couldn’t find his body, maybe he escaped all that fighting and is hiding out, like he used to hide in the woods when he was little. Maybe he will somehow find his way home.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Over two years passed and not a word from Scott, but she’ll still pray for hours for his safe return. Other days, she sits by the window and stares at where our road ends against the mountain and becomes a footpath so narrow you wouldn’t know it is there. I would not ever tell Mama I think Scott is dead. She wouldn’t listen to me if I did. She wants to believe he is only missing, so I will let her believe that. Hoping Scott is alive gives her something to do.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The three of us go through the motions of living. Mama gets up and fixes breakfast, and I get on the school bus and ride the twelve miles to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Bosworth</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>County High School. On the days he doesn’t have work at the sawmill, Daddy goes to his shop and pretends to tinker with stuff he means to fix but never does. After Mama feeds the chickens and gathers the eggs, she spends the rest of the day praying and waiting for something that will likely never happen. She comes out again to feed and gather eggs in the early afternoon.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">By the time I’m home, the chickens are already cooped for the night. They tell me they don’t like going to bed so early. I used to feed them, but Mama said I stayed with them too much, and I ought to be the one to go check on Aint Lulie instead. I figure it’s too much for Mama to walk all the way to the cabin and then have to be sociable with Aint Lulie and then do the night chores. But I like visiting Aint Lulie, and I don’t mind emptying her slop jar so it’s clean for the night or bringing in her stovewood and firewood or pumping water and toting it to the cabin.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">At school, I try to make myself unnoticeable. Daddy has the dark hair of the Caldwells and Mama has the reddish-blonde of Byrnes, but my hair is halfway between—a dull brown like dried leaves that nobody pays any mind to. In every class, I sit in the far corner of the back row. I never raise my hand. On the bus, I always sit in the back and pretend to study one of my books. I don’t speak unless I’m spoken to.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The other kids generally leave me alone. I overhear them talk about parties they’ve been to and things they’ve done that their mamas don’t know about. They talk about clothes they bought in Bristol or Kingsport or maybe Johnson City, places I have never been. They talk about cars and what they saw on TV and songs they listened to on the radio and who they talked to on the phone. None of what they talk about is part of my world.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">My world is the holler and the leaves crunching under my feet. It is the side of Byrne Mountain and its empty cabins hanging over me like a shadow. It is the porch steps that sag in the middle when I walk up them. It is the Warm Morning heater in the front room that someone—Daddy, most likely—has just put coal in and lit today for the first time this fall. It is the smell of woodsmoke from the fireplace and Mama’s cookstove that will cling to me all winter and will make some of the town girls say “Phew! What stinks?” if they get too close to me. It is the one bare bulb hanging from the front room ceiling that is so dim that most of our house is in shadows. When Scott hung that bulb, he’d said we ought to have some brightness in the house. Now Scott’s shadow hangs over us, too.</span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">To read more, you can buy the Kindle ebook <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Them-That-Go-Becky-Mushko-ebook/dp/B01BTHSBDK" target="_blank">here</a> or the paperback <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Them-That-Go-Becky-Mushko/dp/1523750251" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">~</span></p></div></div></div>Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-85179952185946532212023-07-20T18:10:00.001-04:002023-07-20T18:10:47.649-04:00Stuck<p><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGll-DzN8CkeOuneQ2e8o2ZZifo67jHPcnKaZJQgyBAqAOVSfDhTlKcbCwKHibX48FLIM9PGJp4zU5PIwcwJnwzkiXrYCAwXkja2VeSY9_YHg5ab1d0G7WtQlpD6up0fWFhHE7FKRhCWfCNGq78C8pgcsrQntB3uXn0P9ywfnDwESekVi327yEo8qh24E/s317/1stuck.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="202" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGll-DzN8CkeOuneQ2e8o2ZZifo67jHPcnKaZJQgyBAqAOVSfDhTlKcbCwKHibX48FLIM9PGJp4zU5PIwcwJnwzkiXrYCAwXkja2VeSY9_YHg5ab1d0G7WtQlpD6up0fWFhHE7FKRhCWfCNGq78C8pgcsrQntB3uXn0P9ywfnDwESekVi327yEo8qh24E/w255-h400/1stuck.jpg" width="255" /></a></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Georgia, sans-serif"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Georgia, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">STUCK is a middle-grade paranormal novel, in which an eleven-year-old girl—stuck in grief over her mother's death—helps a ghost who's stuck on earth until she finds her daughter. Here's a brief synopsis:</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">When fifth-grader Jacie Addison is called to the office, she thinks it's for slapping Nicole Fannerby, who'd ridiculed Jacie's mother. Instead, her father is there with bad news: Jacie's mother died earlier that morning. Jacie is stuck in her grief, but she and her father manage as best they can. In June, Jacie goes to horse camp where she's stuck with Nicole as a bunk-mate. At her birthday dinner in July, her father gives Jacie a locket and introduces her to Liz, his former high school sweetheart and now fiancée. Jacie, angry about her father's decision to remarry six months after her mother's death, is soon stuck with her future stepmother in a five-hour drive to a Virginia farm. When Jacie can't stand being stuck with Liz's obnoxious nephews at the farm, she retreats to the woods and encounters Callie, a ghost stuck on earth until she locates her daughter. The locket's history and a bit of sleuthing help Jacie find the information Callie needs. Before Callie leaves, she promises to send a sign if she finds Jacie's mother on the other side. When Jacie has almost given up hope, the sign arrives in a way she never imagined.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>Stuck FAQ</b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">What is Stuck about?</span></b></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Here's a longer version than the above synopsis (Warning: Spoiler alert):</span></b></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">When fifth-grader Jacie is called to the office, she thinks it’s because she slapped Nicole Fannerby, a bully who’d made fun of Jacie’s mother’s baldness from chemo. Instead, her father is there and tells Jacie her mother died earlier that morning. In the following months, Jacie is stuck in her grief, but she and her father look after each other and their house as best they can. In April, she encourages her father to attend his high school reunion. In June, Jacie goes to horse camp, where she's stuck with Nicole but conquers her fear of riding and wins a ribbon at the camp horse show.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The day after Jacie returns from camp on her eleventh birthday, her father gives her a heart-shaped locket with her mother's picture inside. At dinner that night, he announces he's marrying Liz, a woman he dated in high school and whom he met again at their reunion. Jacie, still mourning her mother, is devastated. The next day her father gives her more bad news: his job no longer exists, but Liz has gotten him a job where she lives–five hours away. Nicole's mother, a real estate agent, puts a "For Sale" sign in the lawn.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">While her father packs up and finishes his job, Jacie is stuck with Liz for five hours on the drive to Liz's home. Despite Liz's efforts to make Jacie happy, Jacie decides not to speak to her and decides to run away. But the old farmhouse is surrounded by woods, and Jacie sees no way out.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">When Liz's seven-year-old twin nephews arrive for a visit, they make Jacie's life even more miserable. To escape the twins' teasing, she runs to her favorite place in the woods and cries, "Mom! Mom! Where are you?"</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Callie—a ghost, whose spirit is stuck on earth until she learns what became of her baby daughter, Mariah—hears a child call for her mother and runs toward Jacie. Callie, who doesn't realize she died when she fell from a buggy while returning from a party in 1910, is stuck near the place she died until she finds what became of her young daughter, Mariah.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Scared of each other at first, Callie and Jacie soon take comfort in each other's company. Jacie decides to find out what became of Mariah. At the local library, Jacie learns about area history and about ghosts, but she can't find anything about Mariah.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, Jacie has to deal with the twins and their pranks. When the twins destroy a picture Jacie drew of her mother, Liz makes some rules. That evening, the twins—after daring each other to go into a very old outhouse—fall through the rotted floor and get stuck. Jacie helps get them unstuck even though she doesn't want to. However, she makes them promise they'll leave her alone, and they now treat her much nicer. Jacie is relieved when they go back home.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Liz encourages Jacie's interest in art, but when Jacie draws a picture of Callie, Liz is shocked because it looks like the only photo she has of her great-great-grandmother. She accuses Jacie of going through her things. When Liz shows her the photo of Callie and another of Mariah, Jacie is able to solve the mystery. Callie's granddaughter—who never knew her birth mother—is Liz's mother.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The next morning, Jacie leads Callie to the old cemetery on the hill. Callie sees her grave and her husband's grave and realizes she is indeed dead. Jacie shows Callie the picture of Mariah, and Callie notices she wears a locket—the same one that Jacie now has and which originally belonged to Callie. When Jacie brushes away the grass covering a fallen tombstone, they realize that Callie's husband had remarried not long after Callie's death. Jacie thinks Callie should be angry, but Callie is glad that he found someone to take care of him and Mariah. After Callie promises to send a sign if she finds Jacie's mother, she goes toward the light. Jacie, left alone, wonders if her mom would be happy that her dad is remarrying. By the time she returns, she knows the answer.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, Liz is preparing for the wedding, and Jacie will be a bridesmaid. When guests arrive, Jacie is delighted that her friend Crissie is among them—but she doesn't tell Chrissie about the ghost. The wedding is interrupted by the arrival of Mrs. Fannerby and Nicole. Mrs. Fannerby has sold the house and has brought papers for Jacie's dad to sign. He invites them to stay for the wedding. At the reception, Nicole is nicer to Jacie than she's ever been, and Jacie feels sorry for Nicole.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">After Liz and Dad return from their honeymoon, Jacie waits for the sign Callie promised her, but gives up hope. Meanwhile, Liz surprises Jacie by arranging for two camp horses to spend the winter at their farm. The man who delivers them also has something else—the sign that Jacie has been waiting for.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Stuck</i></b> <b>is an unusual title for a book. How did you come up with it?</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Everyone in the book is stuck. Jacie is stuck in grief about her mother's death, stuck in anger at her father for remarrying so soon, stuck with Nicole at school and at camp, stuck with Liz, and—for a while—stuck with Liz?s obnoxious nephews who become stuck in an old outhouse. For a while, Jacie's father is stuck without a job. Liz is stuck with a step-daughter who resents her. Then there's a ghost who is stuck on earth.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>What are some of the themes in <i>Stuck</i>?</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">There are a bunch, but here are the big ones:</span></p><ol class="ol1"><li class="li2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Coming to terms with a parent?s death: Jacie is stuck in grief when her mother dies unexpectedly.</span></li><li class="li2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Adjusting to a step-parent: Jacie is stuck with Liz.</span></li><li class="li2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Leaving home: Jacie leaves home temporarily to go to camp; then she leaves home for good when her father decides to remarry and relocate.</span></li><li class="li2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Bullying: Jacie is stuck with Nicole both in school and then at camp.</span></li><li class="li1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Belief: At first, Jacie only believes what she can see.</span></li></ol><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The major theme might be resolution. All Jacie's problems are ultimately resolved.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>You like to set your stories locally, don?t you? What about <i>Stuck</i>?</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> Most of <i>Stuck</i> is set in Union Hall. Smith Mountain Lake is important to part of the story, and I use a few locations at the lake. Some of the action takes place in the library in Rocky Mount. And The Grove—Rocky Mount?s most famous haunted house—is mentioned.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>While <i>Stuck</i></b> <b>is for middle graders, would adults enjoy it, too?</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> Women will enjoy it—especially mothers of eleven-year-old daughters or women who have suddenly become step-parents. I think a lot of the grandmothers in the Smith Mountain Lake area will enjoy reading it and discussing it?with their granddaughters.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Many women my age know at least one man who remarried very soon after his wife?s death. There's even been a study that shows widowers who have been happily married are likely to remarry soon. I know many women who have step-children or step-grandchildren. I think they'd relate to parts of this book.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> <b>Is there anything real about the novel?</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">While <b><i>STUCK</i></b> is a work of fiction, I've used a few real places. </span><span>Some of the settings are real–Union Hall, Smith Mountain Lake, The Grove and the library in Rocky Mount. </span><span>And, of course, there's gravestone that sometimes emits a ball of light—but that's actually in Penhook, not Union Hall. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Perhaps Liz's farmhouse looks something like the old Chapman Dudley house in Union Hall.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0KW-RXtZbbDXoiP1x00QPD2_zQ8rxqb7OMpmCMvnX3pWggIwHjysP3ojMO_RYvTYKAFs49Ptl1U8R_ts_6Yv1bqwqOxsUXdALMEDi_bIhsMfzxG8vtVYwQrEiuCwiRx1f769cbfwJm9T_6matBb3umET5DDMqRv0amrPsKeODv1_4VFv3NWj0MBco6A-/s640/Whtfarmhouse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="640" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0KW-RXtZbbDXoiP1x00QPD2_zQ8rxqb7OMpmCMvnX3pWggIwHjysP3ojMO_RYvTYKAFs49Ptl1U8R_ts_6Yv1bqwqOxsUXdALMEDi_bIhsMfzxG8vtVYwQrEiuCwiRx1f769cbfwJm9T_6matBb3umET5DDMqRv0amrPsKeODv1_4VFv3NWj0MBco6A-/s320/Whtfarmhouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">In <b><i>STUCK</i></b>, Callie's tombstone sometimes emits a ball of light. I based the cemetery where Callie's buried on a real cemetery—the Carter family graveyard down the road from where I live—where reportedly John Carter's tombstone occasionally emits a ball of light which rolls down the hill and into a pond.</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjNdTSW01WdmwG_X1jN1dfYQRdMiJ0txgLSif5FDp5bgqyfMvivsi_G1KxjgfKxkUoC55MSWZ1FweBOfsubu8k_irzyXuk3AIV2XrIni4AHksFynfXv0_sBYawpTVEoryNksaKph4vHFdmOb8LGAdaH5RnGBVpX7zvfBt6wlWgHSq_MJv-eLc6oJmo_6W/s640/CarterCemdusk01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjNdTSW01WdmwG_X1jN1dfYQRdMiJ0txgLSif5FDp5bgqyfMvivsi_G1KxjgfKxkUoC55MSWZ1FweBOfsubu8k_irzyXuk3AIV2XrIni4AHksFynfXv0_sBYawpTVEoryNksaKph4vHFdmOb8LGAdaH5RnGBVpX7zvfBt6wlWgHSq_MJv-eLc6oJmo_6W/s320/CarterCemdusk01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I haven't seen the ball of light, but I know people who have. Some other reportedly hainted places are near where I live, but this cemetery is the only one I mention in <b><i>STUCK</i></b>.</span></span></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><b style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A ghost plays a big role in <i>Stuck</i>. Have you ever seen a ghost?</b></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> No, but I?ve smelled a ghost?s perfume at The Grove in Rocky Mount. But I know people who?ve seen ghosts, and I sometimes take pictures that have orbs in them. For decades I didn?t believe in ghosts, although my maternal grandmother believed and I think once even saw the ghost of her deceased sister. I didn?t really become a believer until that day at The Grove.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> I live near the grave with the tombstone that emits a ball of light. I?ve never seen the ball of light, though.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>Are any characters in <i>Stuck</i> based on real people?</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> Not a one. All are fictional.</span></p><p><span face="Georgia, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></p><p><span face="Georgia, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia;">While<b style="font-style: italic;"> STUCK</b> is available as<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a class="fw_link_website fw_link_newWindow" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKEM4TE" style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;">a Kindle ebook</span></a><span face="Georgia, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia;">, the ebook doesn't have the included study guide that the print version has.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia;">A preview of Stuck is here: </span><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.52)" face="Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://beckymushko.blogspot.com/2023/07/preview-of-stuck.html">https://beckymushko.blogspot.com/2023/07/preview-of-stuck.html</a></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">~</span></p>Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-16935394284287115212023-07-20T17:59:00.001-04:002023-07-20T17:59:36.193-04:00Preview of Stuck<div class="webs-bin" id="webs-bin-581a0056e4b072750d2f7e8f" style="border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-bin-wrap" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-container webs-module-sb2_paragraph w-sb2_paragraph-base" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0.83em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: inherit; font-weight: normal;">This is part of the first chapter of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><i>Stuck</i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><i>, </i>my middle-grade novel published in print by Cedar Creek Publishing in 2011 and published as a Kindle ebook by me in 2013.</span></span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: inherit; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGll-DzN8CkeOuneQ2e8o2ZZifo67jHPcnKaZJQgyBAqAOVSfDhTlKcbCwKHibX48FLIM9PGJp4zU5PIwcwJnwzkiXrYCAwXkja2VeSY9_YHg5ab1d0G7WtQlpD6up0fWFhHE7FKRhCWfCNGq78C8pgcsrQntB3uXn0P9ywfnDwESekVi327yEo8qh24E/s317/1stuck.jpg" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="202" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGll-DzN8CkeOuneQ2e8o2ZZifo67jHPcnKaZJQgyBAqAOVSfDhTlKcbCwKHibX48FLIM9PGJp4zU5PIwcwJnwzkiXrYCAwXkja2VeSY9_YHg5ab1d0G7WtQlpD6up0fWFhHE7FKRhCWfCNGq78C8pgcsrQntB3uXn0P9ywfnDwESekVi327yEo8qh24E/s1600/1stuck.jpg" width="202" /></a></span></div><h2 style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0.83em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">Chapter 1: The Worst Day</span></h2><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Nicole Fannerby kicked my chair. “You’re hogging the markers, Jacie!” she whined for about the fiftieth time. “I need the black one.”</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It is not my fault she left the tops off her markers and they dried out, so I ignored her. All I had to do was outline “Stay On the Sidewalk” with the black marker and I’d be finished with my safety poster about how jay-walking is a very bad idea. I was way ahead of Nicole who unfortunately sits right behind me.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I was just finishing the </span></span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">y</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> in “Stay” when the intercom came on: “Jayne Celia Addison, report to the office!” </span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Everybody in Mrs. Clark’s fifth grade class looked at me. I looked at my teacher. </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Go ahead, Jacie,” Mrs. Clark said. “You don’t need a pass.”</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I’ll bet you’re in big trouble now,” Nicole Fannerby whispered low enough so nobody but me could hear. “And it serves you right!”</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When I got to the door, I looked back to see Nicole grab the black marker right off my desk. Then I started the long walk down the hall.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I figured I was called to the office because of what happened yesterday when Mrs. Clark had sent me and Nicole to the restroom after art to rinse the paint cans and wash the brushes. </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I was so happy because my Valentine picture had just been voted the best in the whole fifth grade. Mrs. Clark had pinned the picture of me and my mom in the spot of honor on the wall. I painted Mom with long golden hair like angel wings, and it wrapped around me like a hug. We were smiling at each other. Around the two of us, I painted a big red heart. It was my best picture ever.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Nicole’s picture was second, so that’s why she got to help clean up. She painted her mother wearing a business suit and high heels and carrying a brief case. Only the brief case was a little smeared, so it looked like a bulldog was biting her mother on the leg. Nicole didn’t put herself in the picture like Mrs. Clark said we should do. Nicole is not big on following rules except when it suits her. She was mad that her picture didn’t get pinned in the spot of honor. </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“It isn’t fair,” Nicole said as soon as we were in the restroom and no one else could hear. “You cheated! Everybody knows your mother doesn’t have hair like that!”</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I didn’t say anything. I just kept rinsing off brushes.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Does your mom’s head still look like a bowling ball?” Nicole stopped washing the cans even though they still had some paint in them. She primped in front of the mirror for a minute or so. When she saw I wasn’t going to say anything back, she got right in my face and said, “Bald like a bowling ball!” Then she giggled, like she knew she’d hit a nerve with me.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I slapped her. She fell back against the wall with a </span></span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">THUNK</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> and the paint cans clattered to the floor. I picked up the brushes and stormed out. I wasn’t going to stay around and give her a chance to hit back.</span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If Nicole was gonna tattle, she should have done it yesterday. Maybe she did, but the principal had been too busy to get to it. Anyhow, when Nicole finally came back to class, she didn’t say anything to Mrs. Clark. </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">While I walked down the hall to the office, I rehearsed what I’d say to the principal: “My mother is very sick and the treatment made her hair fall out. Nicole made fun of how she looks. That’s when I snapped.”</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I liked the word “snapped.” It makes it sound like I couldn’t help myself. I hope the principal didn’t call Mom in the hospital. Mom wouldn’t feel better if she knew I’d slapped someone. Even if I did have a very good reason.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When Dad and I visited Mom last night, she was asleep so I didn’t have to tell her about Nicole. Dad and I sat by her bed for a while. He held one of her hands and I held the other. When she’s asleep, Mom doesn’t look like she’s in pain.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Let’s not wake her up,” Dad said. “She needs her rest to get stronger.”</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">He could tell I looked disappointed. I really wanted to tell Mom about how my picture of her was chosen the best in the class. I could hardly wait to give her the picture. </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“How about if we eat at McDonald’s tonight?” Dad said.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“OK,” I said. I knew it was easier for Dad if he didn’t have to try to cook.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We didn’t talk much while he ate his Big Mac and I ate my chicken nuggets, so I never told him about slapping Nicole. I told him about the picture, though. </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I’d like to give it to Mom as a welcome home present,” I said. “When will she come home?” </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“The doctor didn’t say,” Dad said. “He mentioned something about more tests just to be sure. I’ll ask him tomorrow morning.”</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Maybe she’ll be home soon.” I popped the last nugget into my mouth.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Maybe.” Then Dad slurped his milkshake and made me laugh.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I can’t wait for Mom to come home. We will do so many fun things when she gets better. Like have a party and get a puppy.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">She hated that she’d been too sick from her chemo treatments to give me a tenth birthday party last July. She wanted to do something big to celebrate what she called my first double-digit birthday. Last November, though, when the doctor said she was in remission, Mom promised she’d make it up to me. That’s when we started planning my eleventh birthday party. Mom told me that eleven was really in the teens so I’d be a teenager.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Eleven-teen, Jacie!” she said. “That’s a big deal. We’ll do something special! Maybe by then I’ll be strong enough to go dog-walking with you, and we can get a puppy.” </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We talked about what kind we wanted. Finally, we decided to get a black and white one as soon as Mom was able to walk all the way around the block. Then we talked about the decorations and who I’d invite to my party.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The dining room would be decorated in pink and lavender, my favorite colors. We’d serve red velvet cake with pink icing and lavender candles. Five of my friends would come for a sleepover. Mom helped me make invitations on the computer so they’d be ready to print out when I decided just which five to invite. I knew I’d invite my best friend Chrissie, but I couldn’t decide which others. I knew I wouldn’t invite Nicole, but I didn’t tell Mom. She and Mrs. Fannerby used to work together and they were sort of friends.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mom wanted to celebrate not only my birthday but also stopping the chemo that made her hair fall out. She said if her hair hadn’t grown back by July 16th, she’d wear her wig so her bald head wouldn’t scare anybody. </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Your hair will probably grow back by then,” I said. </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Maybe so,” she said. Then we looked through catalogues and picked out some new clothes for her. She’d lost a lot of weight since she got sick. </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I need a new look,” she said. “New hair, new clothes, new beginning. Oh, Jacie—it’ll be like you have a new mom!” Then she added, “And when I’m better, I promise I’ll get you a puppy.”</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">She was so happy when her new clothes came right before Christmas. She really liked the pink dress I picked out for her. </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Maybe I’ll wear it on New Year’s Eve,” she said.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But she didn’t get to. Five days after Christmas, she got sick again. She spent New Year’s Eve in the hospital hooked up to all sorts of machines. But the cancer hadn’t come back. It was some kind of infection because she was so weak. She was back home in a few days. Then on Ground Hog Day, she got sick again.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“It’s just another infection,” Mom said. “I’ll be home before you know it, Jacie. I promise.”</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"> </span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miss Clancy, the guidance counselor, was sitting outside the principal’s office. “Go right in, Jacie,” she said. </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When I opened the door, the principal wasn’t there. Dad was. He had a strange look on his face. I guess the principal had already told him about how I slapped Nicole.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; text-align: center;"> </span></p></div></div></div><div class="webs-bin" id="webs-bin-581a0056e4b072750d2f7e90" style="border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-bin-wrap" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-container webs-module-sb2_paragraph w-sb2_paragraph-base" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Order <i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stuck</i></span></div><div class="webs-container webs-module-sb2_paragraph w-sb2_paragraph-base" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ebook: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKEM4TE">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKEM4TE</a></span></span></div><div class="webs-container webs-module-sb2_paragraph w-sb2_paragraph-base" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Print book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stuck-Becky-Mushko/dp/0965941965">https://www.amazon.com/Stuck-Becky-Mushko/dp/0965941965</a></span></div></div></div>Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-41973344534101029582023-07-19T22:15:00.000-04:002023-07-19T22:15:49.791-04:00Miracle of the Concrete Jesus<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLAaqSLiE1Fy2Qszalp1-Gawn9gTXM2OiN6zro7gTYzzHnR2ahGVDRzAYFqp31u7k439CiON7C5rR2j92KP8Xmjzr5sRZZDgreke0WCzOdc3UXU3nnvyLjj8raMODnQ4dS5rNTMK4Zt6PchOGkau3v-VfxUex5eyXZWHs_Up_pdK4miBOj69YGuSskO_O/s480/ConJ14Small2-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLAaqSLiE1Fy2Qszalp1-Gawn9gTXM2OiN6zro7gTYzzHnR2ahGVDRzAYFqp31u7k439CiON7C5rR2j92KP8Xmjzr5sRZZDgreke0WCzOdc3UXU3nnvyLjj8raMODnQ4dS5rNTMK4Zt6PchOGkau3v-VfxUex5eyXZWHs_Up_pdK4miBOj69YGuSskO_O/s320/ConJ14Small2-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><div class="webs-bin" id="webs-bin-5834a5e5c31734d04f0094ce" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); color: #43200d; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="webs-bin-wrap" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-container webs-module-text" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-text" style="border: 0px; color: #43200d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="w-link-new-window" href="https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Concrete-Jesus-Other-Stories/dp/1539708691" id="A8EB5621-DC91-4156-8409-E9891464C037" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wz-bold wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miracle of the Concrete Jesus and other Stories</span></a></span></span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wz-bold" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>($10 for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="w-link-new-window" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1499616082" id="A0DA19F3-488A-41E5-8EC9-10BF8861F695" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">paperback</a>; $2.99 for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="w-link-new-window" href="https://www.amazon.com/Patches-Same-Quilt-Becky-Mushko-ebook/dp/B00B8X0MOM/" id="163E5FE0-8AAF-41CA-BD05-C0181B3BA53B" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Kindle e-book</a>) is a collection of previously published short fiction. Many of these stories appeared in my now-out-of print books,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Girl Who Raced Mules and Other Stories and Where There's A Will,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">as well as in some regional publications</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br /></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;">What are the stories about? One woman’s surprise gift for her church produces an unexpected result, another woman gets advance warning of an ice storm, another gets down and dirty at the grocery store, another finds a mystery in library books. Add a few mules, a pig in panties, a kiddie beauty pageant, an escaped convict, a Thanksgiving gone wrong, a couple of unexpected Christmas celebrations, a wannabe best-selling author, and a jar of ashes—and you have<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">fifteen down-home stories featuring resolute women</span>. <span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Recycled from previous publication in e-books and print, these (mostly) prize-winning stories include:</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miracle of the Concrete Jesus</span>,” in which one woman’s surprise gift for her church produces an unexpected result, won the 2002 short story contest sponsored by the Traveler chapter of the Virginia Writers Club and eventually became the title story this collection. The opening:</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a8fbd; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I realize the Lord works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform,” Elveena Mooney said to console herself after she’d gotten home from church and settled her nerves with a cup of chamomile tea, “but I be dad-blamed if I ever before heard of Him jumping off the back of a Dodge pick-up truck to do it.” </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a8fbd; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a8fbd; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Still, she admitted what happened was a wonder and maybe even a full-fledged miracle. Fully aware that pride was one of the seven deadly sins, she nonetheless felt proud to have played a part in God’s work. It was just a shame, she’d only admit to herself, that what happened wasn’t at all what she had planned.</span></span></p></div></div></div></div><div class="webs-bin" id="webs-bin-586e9f5a0eef8aeb13063ea1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); color: #43200d; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="webs-bin-wrap" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-container webs-module-text" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-text" style="border: 0px; color: #43200d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">“<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Angel on Ice</span>,” in which an elderly woman gets advance warning of an ice storm, was orginally published in <i>THEMA,</i> Vol. 8, no. 3, and nominated for a 1997 Pushcart Prize. It was later reprinted in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Blue Ridge Traditions</span>. The opening:</span></span><div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a8fbd; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I know what I seen even though there’s some folks might tell you otherwise. Take Marsella Pettibone, for instance. She’s still spreading it all around Sandy Ridge—I know for a fact she is—that I’ve gone senile, and she counts herself a good Christian, too. I ought never to of told her.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a8fbd; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><p style="border: 0px; color: #2a8fbd; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I won’t tell nobody else a thing, that’s sure, even though every Tuesday and Thursday when we have these little talky sessions, Miss Waddley—who’s some kind of counselor because she ain’t no doctor—keeps after me to share my feelings with the bunch of perfect strangers I’m cooped up here with. If you share it, it ain’t your feelings no more, is how I see it.</p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a8fbd; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a8fbd; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’ll keep my feelings to myself, thank you. I may be old, but I ain’t senile and I ain’t deaf. I heard Miss Waddley whisper to one of the attendants that I’ve got “latent hostility” or some-such. Well, call it what she likes, I ain’t cooperating with the likes of her or no other earthly being, now that I know what I know.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="font-size: 18px;" /><span style="color: black;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Down and Dirty</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">,” in which a stressed-out mother dances at the grocery store and gets arrested, begins:</span> </span></p></div></div></div></div></div><div class="webs-bin" id="webs-bin-586e9ffa0eef8aeb13063ec6" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); color: #43200d; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="webs-bin-wrap" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-container webs-module-text" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-text" style="border: 0px; color: #43200d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a8fbd; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I never meant to embarrass Dwayne or the kids. Of course, Tiffany Sue is embarrassed by anything I do or say, but she’s nearly fourteen so that’s natural. If it hadn’t been for her birthday next week, this whole Harris Teeter situation might never have happened. But I’d never in a million years tell her that. It would ruin her self-esteem. No good mother wants to see her own daughter suffering from poor self-esteem, at least not when the child is already having problems with raging hormones, pimples, the need for orthodontia, and the fact she doesn’t look like Miley Cyrus—not that I would let Tiffany Sue dress like her no matter how it might hurt her self-esteem. I have attended every program the PTA has had on “Self-esteem and What Parents Can Do,” so I know where to draw the line.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a8fbd; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a8fbd; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But I’m getting a little off track here. I’ve been getting a little off track about a lot of things lately. I’m at the age where my own hormones are doing a little raging of their own. Sometimes, in the midst of a hot flash, I have to give myself a little pep talk. I say, “Daphne, pull yourself together. Put on a happy face. Hope for the best. You’ll get through this.” And I usually do. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a8fbd; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When I go to trial, I’ll just pull myself together and tell the judge what happened and hope for the best.</span></span></p></div></div></div></div><div class="webs-bin" id="webs-bin-586ea1590eef8aeb13063f08" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="webs-bin-wrap" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-container webs-module-text" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="webs-text" style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wz-italic wz-bold" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Miracle of the Concrete Jesus and Other Stories</span></span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>also includes the following stories: </span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Mystery of Emmaline Carter</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">,” in which a reader becomes obsessed with messages she finds in a library book, was originally published in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">THEMA</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, Vol. 10, No. 1.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Insult to Injury</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">,” in which a girl who wants to be Roy Rogers becomes a hero in an unlikely way, won the 2001 Wytheville Chautauqua Short Story Contest.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fixing the Blame</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">,” in which elderly siblings try to find out whose fault it was for incidents resulting from dressing up a pig in their aunt's underwear, placed third in </span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the 2003 Wytheville Chautauqua Short Story Contest.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Eye of the Beholder</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">,” in which a young woman helps her mother and sister in the kiddie beauty pageant circuit, placed third in the 2000 Sherwood Anderson Short Story Contest and was originally published in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Virginia Adversaria</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Query Letter From Helen</span>,” in which a clueless writer-wannabe mixes up her domestic situation with the plot of her novel, won the 2010 Christopher Newport Writers </span><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Conference short story competition and was originally published in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="wz-italic" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Anthology of Appalachian Writers, Vol. II.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="font-size: 18px;" /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">“<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Girl Who Raced Mules</span>,” in which a mother tells her daughter about her rural childhood, won the 1994 Lonesome Pine short Story Contest and was originally published in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">B</span><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">lue R</span><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">idge Traditions</span>.<br style="font-size: 18px;" /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">“<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Chosen Child</span>” is about a teenager whose life changes in an unexpected way when she has a child. </p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">“<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Burning Bridges</span>,” in which a woman manages to humiliate her daughter, alienate her mother-in-law, get kicked out of the PTA, start a fire, and get arrested, won the 2002 Sherwood Anderson Short Story Contest.<br style="font-size: 18px;" /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">“<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You Ain’t Buck Nekkid</span>,” in which a young girl realizes that she is more fortunate than she realized, won the 1996 Lonesome Pine Short Story Contest and the 1998 Women in the Arts Contest. It has been published in <i>Blue Ridge Traditions</i> and numerous other places<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: black;"><a class="w-link-new-window" href="http://peevishpen.blogspot.de/2010/12/you-aint-buck-nekkid.html" id="C64E7F9D-A130-47EB-8356-1AD204A769D6" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">including my Peevish Pen blog</a>.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="font-size: 18px;" /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Best ’Un Yet</span>,” in which newcomers to a rural community who try to change the annual Christmas program with unforeseen results, received an honorable mention in the 1997 Sherwood Anderson</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"> Short Story Contest and was originally published in <span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">B</span><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">lue R</span><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">idge Traditions</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span></span><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">“<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Phoenix Rising</span>,” in which a stressed-out widow re-invents herself, was originally published in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In Good Company, Vol. 1.</span><br style="font-size: 18px;" /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Rat-Killing</span>,” in which a terminally ill elderly woman takes matters into her own hands, was originally published in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Anthology of Appalachian Writers, Vol. II,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and republished in</span><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="w-link-new-window" href="https://www.amazon.com/Voices-Smith-Mountain-Lake-Writers/dp/0615883575" id="A7E56A17-EBA1-46D1-AB8C-2E38BC2E9706" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Voices From Smith Mountain Lake.</a></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you enjoy down-home stories, most of which are Appalachian, this book is for you.</span></span><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wz-italic" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: x-large; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">~</span></span></p></div></div></div></div><p> </p>Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-70100939069016860072023-07-19T18:20:00.001-04:002023-09-05T09:40:42.598-04:00Patches on the Same Quilt<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yDYfLFA1ujUXFNVyS6JqEpbVVvMSsEaL1Khye2ytJlSmPtueiwZC5yf1Ka58qLAstSPj3BAIPwVSARZcmd-8N7eYwa-njlHkwohyyRVhvZHo9a2GR7bUaWtBzZtTlP9jnY7_ROwIN-gJkjxY32UubZYkg-_Zu-armEzhq9TmxqJnaWyyqRkUm5xBC9WC/s640/SameQuiltCover5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="401" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yDYfLFA1ujUXFNVyS6JqEpbVVvMSsEaL1Khye2ytJlSmPtueiwZC5yf1Ka58qLAstSPj3BAIPwVSARZcmd-8N7eYwa-njlHkwohyyRVhvZHo9a2GR7bUaWtBzZtTlP9jnY7_ROwIN-gJkjxY32UubZYkg-_Zu-armEzhq9TmxqJnaWyyqRkUm5xBC9WC/s320/SameQuiltCover5.jpg" width="201" /></a></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px none; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My first novel—</span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Patches on the Same Quilt</i>, winner of the 2001 Smith Mountain Arts Council Fiction Contest—was originally self-published thanks to a generous grant from SMAC which covered a third of the cost of the first thousand copies. Had SMAC not underwritten part of the cost, publicized the book, and set up readings and signings for me, I doubt I’d have self-published. However, the self-publication process and the subsequent promotion was an invaluable learning experience.</span></p><p align="left" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px none; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Because a self-published book isn't readily available, I revised<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Patches</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>slightly and converted<i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>it to both a Kindle ebook and a CreateSpace paperback, both of which are available on Amazon.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The ebook version for Kindle is available<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="fw_link_website fw_link_newWindow" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B8X0MOM" name="" style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">here</a>.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The paperback is available<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="fw_link_website fw_link_newWindow" href="https://www.amazon.com/Patches-Same-Quilt-Becky-Mushko/dp/1499616082" name="" style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">here</a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p align="left" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px none; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> This is what the 2001 cover looked like. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: large;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">t wasn't wasn't very appealing and didn't let potential readers know about its horse connection:</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px none; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtfkbIwqvfLNJqVbzD7u59CxrHH5hemPNCboflLAVCVzNg_txl1WatEgjfGr344IRC65vMorAdyJrpdRkqEZgBFvkDpDNqo9EsFfmTrsO1Ve6lW-we32LQMGO1jA5LuitMTsDFZRFnC8h4zby2cL1EYH0Wi9TlJp8F_cuNyp6LbvXNIqp9reV0K-n8-g-/s384/patchescover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="256" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtfkbIwqvfLNJqVbzD7u59CxrHH5hemPNCboflLAVCVzNg_txl1WatEgjfGr344IRC65vMorAdyJrpdRkqEZgBFvkDpDNqo9EsFfmTrsO1Ve6lW-we32LQMGO1jA5LuitMTsDFZRFnC8h4zby2cL1EYH0Wi9TlJp8F_cuNyp6LbvXNIqp9reV0K-n8-g-/s320/patchescover.jpg" width="213" /></a></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p align="left" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px none; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;">For the 2013 "new" edition, Eduardo Mitchell created a new cover for me (shown above). </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px none; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); color: #43200d; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px none; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Patches on the Same Quilt</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>is a series of related stories told by members of six generations of a Franklin County, Virginia, family. A young boy's wish for a horse changes not only the direction of his own life but also the lives of his children, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter. As his grandmother, the quilt-maker Gillie Anne, says, "We might not be cut from the same cloth, but we're all patches on the same quilt." Each character's story adds a patch to the pattern of interconnected lives.<br /><br />Brad Burkholder, judge of the SMAC contest and teacher of creative writing at Virginia Western Community College, said this about<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Patches on the Same Quilt</i>:<br /></span></p><blockquote style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px none; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 40px; padding: 0px; quotes: none; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">The writing is all but flawless. The story becomes painfully touching in places, and when all the threads are tied together at the end, the result is spell-binding, beautiful and emotionally moving. Through the course of time, the horse has been man's greatest companion on earth, a point that those of our time do not fully understand. The novel's use of the horse as a metaphor for human longing, human self-preservation--indeed, all of those traits within us that we are apt to call human--comes into clear focus only at the end, and when it does, the effect is breathtaking.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></blockquote><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px none; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Patches on the Same Quilt</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>was the best-selling novel at the Blue Lady Bookshop in Rocky Mount, Virginia. (The Blue Lady Bookshop, closed since 2007, was located in General Jubal Early's former law office on the grounds of The Grove and was named for one of The Grove’s resident ghosts.)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); color: #43200d; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">A review which originally appeared in the June 2006 issue of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Blue Ridge Gazette</i>, was posted on Leslie Shelor's blog,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://greenberryreviews.blogspot.com/2006/07/patches-on-same-quilt.html " target="_blank"><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Books and Reviews at Greenberry House</i></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Since this an older review, my contact information in her links has changed—it's now<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:becky.mushko@gmail.com" style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">this</a>):</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px none; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); color: #43200d; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px none; caret-color: rgb(67, 32, 13); color: #43200d; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></span></p>Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-83377121558863257692017-08-12T12:53:00.003-04:002019-11-26T16:03:19.088-05:00Genealogy BargainsA couple of years ago, I became interested in learning about my ancestors—who they were and where they came from. I'd been blogging on and off about my Nace ancestors on my "<a href="https://nacelithia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Naces of Lithia</a>" blog, where I used some family stories and some Internet info. But how should I begin a deeper study—and where? I did not want to spend $$$ on having my genealogy looked up, and I wanted some-hands on experience. I started to investigate both online and off-line resources. Basically, here's what I learned:<br />
<br />
The internet has plenty of genealogy references. Some will be free and some will cost. See what you can find from the free ones first. Keep in mind, however, that not all the info might be accurate. And you will find contradictions about your ancestors. Always look for a source of information—for instance, a death certificate or a census record. This 1860 census, for instance, shows that my great-grandfather, Greenbury L. Forbes (age 23), was still living in the household of his father, Peter B. Forbes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c106fXxLgZ4/WYnRAn24NAI/AAAAAAAAUCs/l8Yck-vlqsonz4RKf17SdczqAKk0_kI6wCLcBGAs/s1600/PeterBForbes1850census.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1254" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c106fXxLgZ4/WYnRAn24NAI/AAAAAAAAUCs/l8Yck-vlqsonz4RKf17SdczqAKk0_kI6wCLcBGAs/s400/PeterBForbes1850census.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This death certificate for my great-grandfather, <a href="http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2014/02/tangled-ruble-roots.html" target="_blank">George William Ruble</a>, has lots of information—including his parents' names.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aME9ImkZFMM/WYnauo453RI/AAAAAAAAUDU/ujRLTGA4PJ8yxIuxjmUCk0C7Ty8Ss94rwCLcBGAs/s1600/GWRubleDethcert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="953" height="343" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aME9ImkZFMM/WYnauo453RI/AAAAAAAAUDU/ujRLTGA4PJ8yxIuxjmUCk0C7Ty8Ss94rwCLcBGAs/s400/GWRubleDethcert.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Here are some free resources that I've found helpful:<br />
<br />
*<u>Library</u>: Take advantage of the classes on genealogy that you local library night offer. When the Franklin County Library (Rocky Mount, Virginia) had a six-week free course a few years go, I signed up. I learned a lot about different resourses not only in the library, but also at the local courthouse.<br />
<br />
*<u>Facebook Groups</u>: I joined several county genealogy groups on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/167535279998128/" target="_blank">Caldwell Family of Boteourt and Craig Counties</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/53236351407/" target="_blank">Franklin County Virginia Genealogy</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/73278939015/" target="_blank">Botetourt County Virginia Genealog</a>y, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/318198928242353/" target="_blank">Bedford County Genealogy</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/107675652625675/" target="_blank">Craig County Historical Society</a>. A member of the Botetourt County Genealogy Group was able to find my great-aunt's obituary from 1911:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cahf18FmC9Q/WYnTaMoHboI/AAAAAAAAUC4/0o5V8G2sd1kvhI6rULzUJdFYlG1n3wUbgCLcBGAs/s1600/Pearldeathnotice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="226" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cahf18FmC9Q/WYnTaMoHboI/AAAAAAAAUC4/0o5V8G2sd1kvhI6rULzUJdFYlG1n3wUbgCLcBGAs/s400/Pearldeathnotice.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
<br />
*<a href="https://www.findagrave.com/" target="_blank">Find-A Grave</a>. Not only can you find where an ancestor is buried, you might find additional information, such as names of parents or siblings. Since anyone with an account can post, accuracy of the info might vary. But that info can be a good starting point for further research. When searching for the grave of my possible 6th-great grandfather, John Adam Roush/Johannes Rausch, I found these:<br />
<a href="https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=14655408">https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=14655408</a> <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=136929606">https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=136929606</a><br />
<a href="https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=14655408&PIpi=29719419">https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=14655408&PIpi=29719419</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXqdYYn3bNo/WYnYMWEACEI/AAAAAAAAUDI/j-ZfNwTW58o5b87yDbVc53V_B4vqZU0WwCLcBGAs/s1600/JohnAdamRoush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXqdYYn3bNo/WYnYMWEACEI/AAAAAAAAUDI/j-ZfNwTW58o5b87yDbVc53V_B4vqZU0WwCLcBGAs/s400/JohnAdamRoush.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo posted on several web sites—I'm unsure of credit.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here's the Find-A-Grave <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=20606763" target="_blank">site for George William Ruble</a>. The site lists his wife Margie incorrectly as her older sister Margaret. The stone, however, has Margie as her name.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLT5y1U2L0w/WY8ooWSVxTI/AAAAAAAAUDk/Y5MtnWVzbi0EWazlGoKzxAQM_DdZ_tJuACLcBGAs/s1600/GWmMargietombstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLT5y1U2L0w/WY8ooWSVxTI/AAAAAAAAUDk/Y5MtnWVzbi0EWazlGoKzxAQM_DdZ_tJuACLcBGAs/s400/GWmMargietombstone.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Find-A-grave site tells where he is buried (Ruble Cemetery on Rt. 311, Craig County, VA), so that's some additional information—that leads to <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GScid=2146591" target="_blank">a list of everyone buried there</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*The <a href="http://www.usgenweb.org/" target="_blank">USGenWeb Project</a> has various info from different states. I particularly liked the <a href="http://vagenweb.org/county2.htm" target="_blank">Virginia County Formation Dates</a> page because it let me know what counties the current counties were formed from.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There are lots of lists of "free genealogy sites" on the Internet, but some are more helpful than others. A bit of Googling will locate them for you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
*<a href="https://familysearch.org/" target="_blank">Family Search</a> is a free online genealogy resource that I've used, but you do need to sign up before you can get access. Be aware that many family trees might have mistakes, so you need to verify info by checking for sources, but odds are good that you'll find some interesting information.<br />
<br />
*<u><a href="http://ancestry.com/">Ancestry.com</a></u> isn't free to join, but they offer a free trial and occasionally they offer specials. For instance, they offer <a href="http://www.ancestry.com/cs/us/aarp" target="_blank">an AARP discount</a> for first-time users who are AARP members, but you need to call Ancestry to get this deal. I've also found you can get a better deal when calling them to renew rather than renewing online. Their support number is 1-800-615-6560. Again, many family trees might have mistakes, so check sources.<br />
<br />
Besides my <i>Naces of Lithia</i> blog about my Botetourt County ancestors, I've posted other genealogical stuff info on my <i>Peevish Pen</i> blog, For most of these, I relied upon various internet sources:<br />
<br />
"Martin Mystery" <a href="http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2014/11/martin-mystery.html">http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2014/11/martin-mystery.html</a><br />
"Martin Mystery II" <a href="http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2015/01/martin-mystery-ii.htm">http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2015/01/martin-mystery-ii.htm</a>l<br />
"Genealogical Mysteries in Maryland": <a href="http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2015/03/genealogy-mysteries-in-maryland.html">http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2015/03/genealogy-mysteries-in-maryland.html</a><br />
"Celia and Lewis Hancock" <a href="http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2014/10/celia-and-lewis-hancock.html">http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2014/10/celia-and-lewis-hancock.html</a><br />
"Untangling Caldell Roots" <a href="http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2015/07/untangling-caldwell-roots.html">http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2015/07/untangling-caldwell-roots.html</a><br />
"Tangled Ruble Roots" <a href="http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2014/02/tangled-ruble-roots.html">http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2014/02/tangled-ruble-roots.html</a><br />
<br />
Speaking of blogs, there are a lot of them about genealogy. Here are two:<br />
"10 Genealogy Blogs Worth Reading" <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/genealogy-blogs-worth-reading-1421713">https://www.thoughtco.com/genealogy-blogs-worth-reading-1421713</a><br />
"Almost 3,000 Genealogy and Famimly History-related Blogs" <a href="http://www.geneabloggers.com/genealogy-blogs/">http://www.geneabloggers.com/genealogy-blogs/</a><br />
<br />
If you're interested in looking up your own genealogy, there are lots of places to start.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">~</span></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-86704798814025942322017-08-02T20:38:00.002-04:002017-08-02T20:39:34.970-04:00E-coupons at KrogerMy husband and I shop once a week at our local Kroger, We used to shop on Tuesdays because that was Senior Citizen Day, but Kroger recently did away with the 5% discount for shoppers over 55. So, we have to be creative in how we save.<br />
<br />
Fortunately we can still save a bit by using e-coupons, which I download from the <a href="http://www.kroger.com/" target="_blank">Kroger website</a> a day or two before we shop. <span style="font-family: inherit;">I remember the days of cutting and sorting
grocery coupons (and I confess I still do it on rare occasions), but downloading e-coupons from Kroger.com onto my Kroger card is much easier and
more efficient. Notice how many e-coupons I used on the receipts below: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xEu7ow5ixLw/WXYxtpnUm-I/AAAAAAAAUAQ/bJfm3wbEbug3umEnqv3t4pa2-VGy-PEQQCLcBGAs/s1600/ecoupons%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="424" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xEu7ow5ixLw/WXYxtpnUm-I/AAAAAAAAUAQ/bJfm3wbEbug3umEnqv3t4pa2-VGy-PEQQCLcBGAs/s640/ecoupons%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Also notice on the receipts above that if I fill out an online survey about my shopping experience, I can have 50 extra gas points added to my card. Each dollar we spend at Kroger earns us a gas point, and we usually accumulate a thousand a month,. That really helps at the gas pump (each 100 points=10¢ off per gallon).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But back to e-coupons: My husband and I shop together. Since I have to use
a handicapped buggy and he pushes a regular cart, it’s easier if we split up. So, I
print out two lists of e-</span>coupons—one for each of us.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I use a highlighter to mark things on my husband’s list
that he might like, and I mark things on mine that I want to get. We save time by going our separate ways and meeting at the
checkout.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8cVr8PgG5A/WYJKMbpJvII/AAAAAAAAUAo/ectqfGkGbPs8E2Ecj-mAQ9wiZcMedZOYgCLcBGAs/s1600/101_5995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="640" height="243" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8cVr8PgG5A/WYJKMbpJvII/AAAAAAAAUAo/ectqfGkGbPs8E2Ecj-mAQ9wiZcMedZOYgCLcBGAs/s320/101_5995.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Another way to save money—besides using e-coupons—is to be aware of ways grocery stores try to get shoppers to spend more. Find out how at this link:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.healthyway.com/content/creepy-ways-that-grocery-stores-are-designed-to-rob-us-blind?">http://www.healthyway.com/content/creepy-ways-that-grocery-stores-are-designed-to-rob-us-blind?</a></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">~</span></div>
Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-59380691441202086832017-05-12T15:37:00.001-04:002020-06-05T14:08:26.607-04:00Publishing Cheap<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you've ever wanted to publish your memoirs, a family history, or maybe that novel you've been thinking about for the last half-century—and you're not up to querying agents, attending writing conferences, etc.—you might consider self-publishing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Keep in mind that there are "publishing services" (vanity publishers) that will be delighted to charge you $$$$ to "publish" your work. I regret that I used one to publish four books over a decade ago. Since last October, I've been trying to get <a href="http://infinitypublishing.com/" target="_blank">this vanity "publisher"</a> to take my books off online retailers. But they don't return voice messages, etc. All they're interested in is the money I paid them long ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Probably the best deal for someone wanting to self-publish in paperback is <a href="https://www.createspace.com/" target="_blank">CreateSpace</a>. I've used them three times and have been satisfied with their service. The service itself is free, but CreateSpace offers various services, such as editing, formatting, or cover design if you don't want to completely do it yurself. However, you might want to pay for an editor or cover designer on your own. [<span style="color: red;">NOTE: Createspace has been replaced by KDP</span>]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In 2013, I decided to republish my 2001 self-published novel, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Patches-Same-Quilt-Becky-Mushko/dp/1499616082" target="_blank">Patches on the Same Quilt</a></i>. I used a template I'd downloaded and filled in the information. I found the process a bit tedious, but doable.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eB2BA9bG6FQ/WRYKOgKGGLI/AAAAAAAAT3k/4aZaj8n3xLoglzfWTEZpYz2D5mbU2jvjQCLcB/s1600/51X9lR9HKtL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eB2BA9bG6FQ/WRYKOgKGGLI/AAAAAAAAT3k/4aZaj8n3xLoglzfWTEZpYz2D5mbU2jvjQCLcB/s320/51X9lR9HKtL.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Front cover</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PcMc5rBOWbA/WRYKQfhP4iI/AAAAAAAAT3o/kOv2J8kYMSMZoKME31t0SjvC_C7efvMGwCLcB/s1600/81eIt9cTCEL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PcMc5rBOWbA/WRYKQfhP4iI/AAAAAAAAT3o/kOv2J8kYMSMZoKME31t0SjvC_C7efvMGwCLcB/s320/81eIt9cTCEL.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Back cover</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Talented friends helped me with the cover. Members of my writers group had helped with editing when the original edition was published in 2001.<br />
<br />
It was easier doing the second novel, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Them-That-Go-Becky-Mushko/dp/1523750251" target="_blank">Them That Go</a></i>. Again, I had some help from my friends.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BMhCv-6ZsBo/WRYMA3QDTRI/AAAAAAAAT34/9dvgaIqAm3wMBr2WkrFRhCbgmdKpd3UtgCLcB/s1600/518gJ-ktGcL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BMhCv-6ZsBo/WRYMA3QDTRI/AAAAAAAAT34/9dvgaIqAm3wMBr2WkrFRhCbgmdKpd3UtgCLcB/s320/518gJ-ktGcL.jpg" width="207" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r7cSVSv1b3Y/WRYMAjJIIcI/AAAAAAAAT30/SGsbj2JAT4ofDqpOIneZzvDs77gkGT5cQCLcB/s1600/51%252B6onQSwVL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r7cSVSv1b3Y/WRYMAjJIIcI/AAAAAAAAT30/SGsbj2JAT4ofDqpOIneZzvDs77gkGT5cQCLcB/s320/51%252B6onQSwVL.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
For My third CreateSpace project, I recycled and repackaged some stories I'd vanity-published under a different title in 2003 to produce <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Concrete-Jesus-Other-Stories/dp/1539708691" target="_blank">Miracle of the Concrete Jesus and Other Stories</a></i>. (Yep. More help from my friends!)<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZktXBm3APkM/WRYNhe8UMYI/AAAAAAAAT4E/ai-c2yvWqA0jXu41NPHxzpZKa4ymB_bMgCLcB/s1600/410ezFQCRsL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZktXBm3APkM/WRYNhe8UMYI/AAAAAAAAT4E/ai-c2yvWqA0jXu41NPHxzpZKa4ymB_bMgCLcB/s320/410ezFQCRsL.jpg" width="207" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHcasLpBybI/WRYNhuOOE2I/AAAAAAAAT4I/75KF6WR6SW4-N3frmnhVd8jvW3LWpzVvACLcB/s1600/51qII2F0l5L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHcasLpBybI/WRYNhuOOE2I/AAAAAAAAT4I/75KF6WR6SW4-N3frmnhVd8jvW3LWpzVvACLcB/s320/51qII2F0l5L.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<br />
I've also done Kindle ebooks of all three of the above books, but that's another story for another blog-post.<br />
<br />
[<span style="color: red;">Note: This info is now out-dated since Createspace switched to KDP.</span>] If you're interested in in learning more about CreateSpace, here's some info I handed out at a recent author presentation I did:<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">BASIC
DIRECTIONS FOR USING CREATESPACE</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Becky Mushko <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -13.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -13.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">CreateSpace</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> is an inexpensive way to self-publish. Unless you are
buying some of CreateSpace’s add-on services, it is free. Some suggestions
before you decide to publish with CreateSpace:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -13.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -13.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Do some research</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Go
to </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.createspace.com/">https://www.createspace.com</a></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> and click the “Learn More” button to read about what
CreateSpace is. Check out each of the tabs: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Overview,
Cover, Interior, Printing Options, Distribution, Royalties, Buying Copies</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Read some online articles.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> These are helpful:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2014/03/lyn-horner/https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2014/03/lyn-horner/">https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2014/03/lyn-horner/</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2013/03/12/tips-self-publishing-createspace/">http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2013/03/12/tips-self-publishing-createspace/</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://bbebooksthailand.com/blog/tips-publishing-CreateSpace.html"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">http://bbebooksthailand.com/blog/tips-publishing-CreateSpace.html</span></a><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Watch videos.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">
There are also a lot of helpful You-Tube videos. Google “How to publish with
CreateSpace you tube video” and look at some of the more recent ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Meanwhile—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Get your manuscript as clean as you can get it.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> Eliminate any extra spaces after end punctuation. (only one spaces goes after a period.) Run spellcheck. Justify your margins
instead of leaving them ragged right. Have a few Beta readers read your
manuscript, then go back and fix any problems, revise, etc. (It really helps to
be in a writers group!) Consider changing your text/font to single-spaced Garamond
11 (what the CreateSpace formatted template uses).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Decide on what size you want your book </span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">and download a formatted template from here:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://forums.createspace.com/en/community/docs/DOC-1323">https://forums.createspace.com/en/community/docs/DOC-1323</a></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fill in the template with your title, etc. Paste in your
chapters one at a time. The template only gives you ten chapters, but you can
add more. After your chapters are all pasted in, fill in the table of contents.
OR—You can hire someone to format your manuscript if you do not want to do it
yourself for free.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Set up a CreateSpace account.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> If you don’t have a tax number, you will have to give
them your social security number. You will also have to give them the number of
a bank account to deposit your royalties. (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hint</b>:
Set up a separate account just for your books. It makes record keeping much
easier.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">CreateSpace
will assign you ISBN numbers. You will put those in the front matter of your
book. Then you can upload your manuscript.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">You
can choose if you want your manuscript printed on white or cream paper. I
recommend cream because it’s a bit heavier. Besides fiction is usually printed
on cream; non-fiction on white.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Design your book cover.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> If you’re talented with Photoshop, you might do it
yourself. If not, you might hire someone to do it for you, or you can use
CreateSpace’s free Cover Creator. After you’ve uploaded your manuscript, you’ll
know how big your cover should be. You will have to choose whether you want a
glossy cover or a matte cover.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Garamond;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">When CreateSpace has approved
your uploads, you may review your book on their online reviewer (allow some time
for this!). If you made some mistakes, correct your manuscript and upload
again, etc. Then order a proof copy (less than $10) and go through it page by
page after it comes in. Make corrections an upload again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">* * * <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">It never hurts to look at some CreateSpace books before you decide to publish your own. (<span style="color: red;">Warning: Blatant plug</span>: You can get my books from Amazon. Click the links on my book titles above or visit my Amazon author page: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Becky-Mushko/e/B001K8U07Y">www.amazon.com/Becky-Mushko/e/B001K8U07Y</a>.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-24116258686208324602017-03-25T09:35:00.000-04:002017-03-25T09:35:47.275-04:00Saving Buttons<span style="color: #990000;">I posted this on my <i><a href="https://peevishpen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Peevish Pen</a></i> blog back in January, but it's worth posting here. I originally titled it "<a href="http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2017/01/button-clutter.html" target="_blank">Button Clutter</a>," but it has to do with saving stuff that might be useful, so I figured I'd repost here. Besides, you never know when you might lose a button and don't want to have to go out and buy a whole card of buttons. It's eaasier to dip into your stash.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">Whenever a garment wears out, I recycle it to rags. (My mother used to recycle old clothes—ones that were too worn to hand down or remake—by tearing them into strips and crocheting rag rugs. But I never learned how to crochet.)</span><br />
<br />
Decluttering is apparently the current fad—at least in magazine articles and online stories I've seen. Apparently, at least according to the stories, I would be much happier if I stripped my life down to as few possessions as possible, but I don't think that's going to happen. I kind of enjoy burrowing into my clutter. And I like being around stuff I've inherited that I'll never use—stuff that generations before me touched and used.<br />
<br />
I come from a line of women who saved stuff. My mother and grandmother lived through the depression, so they saved anything that might be useful again. My great-grandmother was born just after the Civil War, so I imagine her family saved anythig that might possibly be used again. Among the things they saved were buttons.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9jwRwji78TI/WH7McetGxsI/AAAAAAAATns/_D3dLzkXdRA2DgkqmgabpWNGXYASrKP0QCLcB/s1600/buttons5288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9jwRwji78TI/WH7McetGxsI/AAAAAAAATns/_D3dLzkXdRA2DgkqmgabpWNGXYASrKP0QCLcB/s400/buttons5288.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Many of the decluttering lists say to get rid of buttons. On <a href="http://www.organisemyhouse.com/101-items-to-get-rid-of-without-regret/" target="_blank">this list</a>, #1 is <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Spare buttons</span><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: white;">from clothes that you are keeping 'just in case.'" On the<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://embracinghomemaking.net/2015/04/200-things-to-throw-away/" style="font-size: 16px;" target="_blank"> <i>Embracing Homemaking</i></a> </span>list of "200+ Things to Throw Away," #66 is <span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span></span><span aria-hidden="true" class="blast tbn-flight-sentence">Extra</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a class="external" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004RGWHUY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004RGWHUY&linkCode=as2&tag=embracing-20&linkId=XTZFNPMIEAOQL7RG" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">buttons</a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span aria-hidden="true" class="blast tbn-flight-sentence">(If you don’t sew, toss them all.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span aria-hidden="true" class="blast tbn-flight-sentence">Reduce your supply if you will use a button in the next few months).</span></span><span aria-hidden="true" class="blast tbn-flight-sentence" style="font-family: "century gothic" , "applegothic" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"</span></span><span aria-hidden="true" class="blast tbn-flight-sentence" style="font-family: "century gothic" , "applegothic" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span><span aria-hidden="true" class="blast tbn-flight-sentence"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the <a href="http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/List-Things-Dispose-24575006" target="_blank"><i>Popsugar</i> "Things to Dispose Of"</a> site, #28 is "Extra buttons" and #109 is "Extra buttons that come with newly purchased clothes."</span></span><br />
<span aria-hidden="true" class="blast tbn-flight-sentence"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span aria-hidden="true" class="blast tbn-flight-sentence"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wouldn't dream of getting rid of buttons, extra or otherwise. I never know when I'll need one. Or six. In fact, I am the current guardian of buttons saved by the previous three generations.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3iUggSn4220/WH7McrfwBaI/AAAAAAAATnw/vz2gxMGIki4ucZdNgpGsq-oKXO8obPXYACLcB/s1600/buttons5290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3iUggSn4220/WH7McrfwBaI/AAAAAAAATnw/vz2gxMGIki4ucZdNgpGsq-oKXO8obPXYACLcB/s400/buttons5290.jpg" width="322" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I can recognize a few buttons that Mama sewed on my clothes when I was little. She made most of my clothes until I was 10 or 11. But I don't know which buttons belonged to my <a href="http://peevishpen.blogspot.de/2007/06/another-family-recipe-light-bread.html" target="_blank">grandmother</a> and which belonged to my great-grandmother. I do know that the canning jars which contain the buttons belonged to my <a href="http://nacelithia.blogspot.com/2010/09/grandma-naces-quilt.html" target="_blank">great-grandmother</a>. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HsOIj0VRDt4/WH7McE3YAbI/AAAAAAAATno/C50ExFmSV9II1YcgfvVF7ruxhCfKITLNACLcB/s1600/buttons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HsOIj0VRDt4/WH7McE3YAbI/AAAAAAAATno/C50ExFmSV9II1YcgfvVF7ruxhCfKITLNACLcB/s400/buttons.jpg" width="363" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I don't can, but I have no intention of getting rid of these jars, either. Seeing them and the buttons they contain—and knowing when I touch them I touch my past—makes me much happier than getting rid of them would do. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Waste not, want not." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">~</span></div>
Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-66382086169883505702015-10-01T15:00:00.003-04:002015-10-01T15:00:34.296-04:00PT Cruiser Window fix<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">I originally posted about my husband's repair of our PT Cruiser's window on my <a href="http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Peevish Pen</a> blog in <a href="http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2014/06/fixing-pt.html" target="_blank">June 2014</a>. I'm reposting it here because we haven't had any trouble with his repair job for more than a year and because this post illustrates how you can learn to do stuff from watching YouTube videos.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
When the driver's side window on our oldest PT Cruiser refused to close, my husband turned to his trusty iPad for help. A bit of Googling turned up a very helpful <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU5ib08SVHA" target="_blank">YouTube video</a> that explained how to replace a broken power window regulator, which was apparently the old PT's problem.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPFvIGt0cIY/U5JtOJ7qhpI/AAAAAAAAQaM/aVRIiuF6SRQ/s1600/100_2156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPFvIGt0cIY/U5JtOJ7qhpI/AAAAAAAAQaM/aVRIiuF6SRQ/s1600/100_2156.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
My husband watched the video a few times and, again using his trusty iPad, ordered the necessary parts. This is what a PT door looks like when it's taken apart:</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WUa-tCCo6LE/U5JtObq_xPI/AAAAAAAAQaQ/cYZkQ0efFYE/s1600/100_2155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WUa-tCCo6LE/U5JtObq_xPI/AAAAAAAAQaQ/cYZkQ0efFYE/s1600/100_2155.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0188xVh5eM/U5JtODIDd2I/AAAAAAAAQaU/hmdynuoC644/s1600/PTFIX2154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0188xVh5eM/U5JtODIDd2I/AAAAAAAAQaU/hmdynuoC644/s1600/PTFIX2154.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Fortunately, our wi-fi just reaches the garage, so the iPad was propped up while my husband <strike>messed with</strike> took the door apart. It only took a couple of days for the part to arrive.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZXB5BTIXTM/U5JtPLAAfiI/AAAAAAAAQak/z4XNgTrU7xs/s1600/PTfix2398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZXB5BTIXTM/U5JtPLAAfiI/AAAAAAAAQak/z4XNgTrU7xs/s1600/PTfix2398.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
The part of the door not being <strike>messed with</strike> worked on was propped against the truck's tire.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flTAiFdaBgU/U5JtPYfAStI/AAAAAAAAQag/dILwO1k9A-c/s1600/PTfix2399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flTAiFdaBgU/U5JtPYfAStI/AAAAAAAAQag/dILwO1k9A-c/s1600/PTfix2399.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
With a lot of stopping the video and rewinding, my husband was able to successfully repair the door.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5p5g5gBIYsk/U5JtPrcV5OI/AAAAAAAAQaw/3rpf-tGYDKY/s1600/PTfix2401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5p5g5gBIYsk/U5JtPrcV5OI/AAAAAAAAQaw/3rpf-tGYDKY/s1600/PTfix2401.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Just in case you're interested (but I'll bet you're really not), here's the video he watched:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="197" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PU5ib08SVHA?rel=0" width="350"></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube</a> videos can be a great place to learn—and the knowledge costs nothing. Search for the kind of info you're looking for and a list of potential videos will appear. Just make sure you watch more than one video about any subject (some videos are more reliable than others). </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
~</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-57375917557892872732014-05-28T16:46:00.003-04:002014-05-28T16:46:48.262-04:00Three PotsThe Discovery Shop at Westlake is having a 25% off sale this week. I stopped by on Tuesday afternoon to see if I could find any bargains. I found three pots that I liked.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aHFt6_d-x0c/U4ZGsTZKbQI/AAAAAAAAQW4/81Gkr_AIX6M/s1600/101_2389_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aHFt6_d-x0c/U4ZGsTZKbQI/AAAAAAAAQW4/81Gkr_AIX6M/s1600/101_2389_2.jpg" height="346" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The pots were priced at $4, $3, and $2 before the discount. The white one was made in Portugal. Here's another view.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-euRM2ZyFXnk/U4ZGtrtpZhI/AAAAAAAAQXA/0tIlNaEwny4/s1600/101_2391_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-euRM2ZyFXnk/U4ZGtrtpZhI/AAAAAAAAQXA/0tIlNaEwny4/s1600/101_2391_2.jpg" height="331" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I really liked this hand-made one.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-za8IaMACcAE/U4ZGsVLjZsI/AAAAAAAAQXQ/H4CNmil_nLI/s1600/101_2384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-za8IaMACcAE/U4ZGsVLjZsI/AAAAAAAAQXQ/H4CNmil_nLI/s1600/101_2384.jpg" height="398" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was signed, but not dated. I couldn't find any info about the potter, Toney Thomas. The pot had a little trademark (a double t) near the bottom. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LC_d32TuiYA/U4ZGsU_5zgI/AAAAAAAAQW0/6PZAvsLBw28/s1600/101_2385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LC_d32TuiYA/U4ZGsU_5zgI/AAAAAAAAQW0/6PZAvsLBw28/s1600/101_2385.jpg" height="353" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The cats were interested in it.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMiWkBQc_0c/U4ZGt4bB59I/AAAAAAAAQXE/n2zQbgomwpk/s1600/101_2392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMiWkBQc_0c/U4ZGt4bB59I/AAAAAAAAQXE/n2zQbgomwpk/s1600/101_2392.jpg" height="400" width="382" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LVovv0bLxo0/U4ZGuTpw-PI/AAAAAAAAQXU/Ymus0efXuwk/s1600/101_2393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LVovv0bLxo0/U4ZGuTpw-PI/AAAAAAAAQXU/Ymus0efXuwk/s1600/101_2393.jpg" height="233" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Maybe they think it would be a good place to keep catnip.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ef7j9KvorzA/U4ZGu--3GVI/AAAAAAAAQXg/-9p9rQu0sZY/s1600/101_2394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ef7j9KvorzA/U4ZGu--3GVI/AAAAAAAAQXg/-9p9rQu0sZY/s1600/101_2394.jpg" height="287" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For a total of $6.75, I think I got a bargain—especially on the handmade one.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~</div>
<br />Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-78454822200903896802014-02-03T21:08:00.000-05:002014-02-03T21:09:13.911-05:00Handy Little GraterI stopped buying shredded cheese when I noticed that cellulose was one of the added ingredients. While pre-shredded cheese was so handy to add to salads, quiches, casseroles, etc., I'm trying to eat fewer additives. An <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/grossest-things-food/story?id=16824388" target="_blank">ABC News story</a> considers cellulose one of the "7 Grossest Things in Your Food":<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Cellulose is usually made from nontoxic wood pulp or cotton, and the cheap filler is stuffed into shredded cheese, salad dressing, and ice cream to thicken it without adding calories or fat. Cellulose is fibrous, which is why it appears in so many high-fiber "healthy" snacks and breakfast cereals -- and it's even in organic products, according to an investigation by The Wall Street Journal.</span></blockquote>
Here's <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748703834804576300991196803916" target="_blank">another story</a> about cellulose in food, and here's <a href="http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/world-our-backyard/2013/jun/12/cellulose-aka-wood-pulp-processed-foods/" target="_blank">another</a>. Apparently wood pulp is a popular additive in processed foods. But I don't care for it. What to do? Shred my own cheese!<br />
<br />
I bought this little grater at Dollar Tree for, well, a dollar.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rJXK_lluNCU/UvBJ3FM-T4I/AAAAAAAAPjA/kK2cWB1-5r4/s1600/101_1621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rJXK_lluNCU/UvBJ3FM-T4I/AAAAAAAAPjA/kK2cWB1-5r4/s1600/101_1621.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Does it work? You bet! A hunk of cheese is way cheaper than a package of pre-shredded cheese, too.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rBoObAvYew/UvBJ3M2UhII/AAAAAAAAPjE/zJLiz894h8Y/s1600/101_1623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rBoObAvYew/UvBJ3M2UhII/AAAAAAAAPjE/zJLiz894h8Y/s1600/101_1623.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It takes no time to shred a bowlful of cheese from a block of cheddar. And the results look better than what comes out of the packages.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Two months ago, on my Peevish Pen, I posted <a href="http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2013/12/winter-day-with-quiche.html" target="_blank">a recipe for crustless quiche</a> that uses 3 cups of shredded cheese. Yep, I shredded my own. Couldn't have done it without my cheap little grater!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~</div>
<br />Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-19560083903440526952014-01-27T18:02:00.001-05:002014-01-27T18:02:58.385-05:00Cast Iron PanMy husband found a cast iron pan at Goodwill. Here's the "up" side, with heart-shaped indentations for batter . . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6k9hbR_Ww4/Uubee8OopDI/AAAAAAAAPf4/Kue_rJAfpMs/s1600/100_1415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6k9hbR_Ww4/Uubee8OopDI/AAAAAAAAPf4/Kue_rJAfpMs/s1600/100_1415.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
. . . and here's the back.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-riivxCApROw/UubefOglz4I/AAAAAAAAPf8/iyw9j_9IHQg/s1600/100_1416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-riivxCApROw/UubefOglz4I/AAAAAAAAPf8/iyw9j_9IHQg/s1600/100_1416.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There's a bit of rust, but the pan looks like it hasn't been used. At least it was never seasoned. Did he get a good deal for $1.95? </div>
<br />
I Googled a bit and found a bunch of cast iron corn muffin pans. This one didn't have a handle, but it was $7:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5vCCnAo-FNM/UubkIFigOcI/AAAAAAAAPgQ/wyyXtOaevxw/s1600/heart+pan1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5vCCnAo-FNM/UubkIFigOcI/AAAAAAAAPgQ/wyyXtOaevxw/s1600/heart+pan1.jpg" height="138" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This one had a handle, but was a different style. It was $7.99</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YURIfyGnmZo/UubkIM3LUBI/AAAAAAAAPgk/8hZDAiDeBFM/s1600/heart+pan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YURIfyGnmZo/UubkIM3LUBI/AAAAAAAAPgk/8hZDAiDeBFM/s1600/heart+pan2.jpg" height="126" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This one matches, but it had already been sold on eBay. I don't know what the price was.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r4nSgf6NO1Q/UubkJHR9rCI/AAAAAAAAPgc/W1GSeO6afbo/s1600/heartpan4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r4nSgf6NO1Q/UubkJHR9rCI/AAAAAAAAPgc/W1GSeO6afbo/s1600/heartpan4.jpg" height="400" width="286" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally I found this heading, which lead me to another picture:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica neue', Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Vintage 4 Heart Cast Iron Cake Bread Cookie Tray Mold Pan very hard 2 find</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica neue', Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Looks like it's a match.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ie8kiyauso/UubkIu_rQbI/AAAAAAAAPgU/LrGAuH3_s50/s1600/heartpan3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ie8kiyauso/UubkIu_rQbI/AAAAAAAAPgU/LrGAuH3_s50/s1600/heartpan3.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
How much was it? Here's the asking price:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjkejPZ-6zI/UublQafymuI/AAAAAAAAPg0/JNSHKt-vrYE/s1600/heart+panprice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjkejPZ-6zI/UublQafymuI/AAAAAAAAPg0/JNSHKt-vrYE/s1600/heart+panprice.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Looks like he got a pretty good deal. Or I did—he gave it to me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~</div>
<br />
<br />
Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-25963982649922959512014-01-21T14:27:00.001-05:002014-01-25T16:46:20.355-05:00PT PackingIf you remove the back seats from your car, you can really pack stuff in. Here's the old PT Cruiser at Tractor Supply:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XGdlHKzfyZs/Ut7JpZWbU1I/AAAAAAAAPds/OYY_Vqd6JT8/s1600/loadedPT0992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XGdlHKzfyZs/Ut7JpZWbU1I/AAAAAAAAPds/OYY_Vqd6JT8/s1600/loadedPT0992.jpg" height="400" width="357" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Six bags of shavings, two bags of feed, and a bunch of other stuff! And here's another trip:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-imPidy8tzqg/UuQwcJY5zII/AAAAAAAAPeM/mS-zogm3G3c/s1600/100PTCRUS1406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-imPidy8tzqg/UuQwcJY5zII/AAAAAAAAPeM/mS-zogm3G3c/s1600/100PTCRUS1406.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It isn't like we were actually using those back seats. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~</div>
Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-62679767057261455072013-10-19T11:02:00.001-04:002013-10-19T11:02:56.936-04:00Bargain Throw & Cat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yesterday, at the Rocky Mount Goodwill, I found a like-new throw for $4. My cat Tanner liked it, maybe because the colors coordinated well with his fur.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjE2Mx17B7s/UmKadWOxd3I/AAAAAAAAOxE/O5_k8Exx6oA/s1600/100_0690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjE2Mx17B7s/UmKadWOxd3I/AAAAAAAAOxE/O5_k8Exx6oA/s400/100_0690.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0yvTtRQlzSg/UmKadSNoYrI/AAAAAAAAOxA/LuNjyc27KNI/s1600/100_0691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0yvTtRQlzSg/UmKadSNoYrI/AAAAAAAAOxA/LuNjyc27KNI/s400/100_0691.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you look on the cabin steps, you can see a little cat.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tlgObtiPRwY/UmKadcZYtbI/AAAAAAAAOw8/WgyAbltW-94/s1600/100_0692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tlgObtiPRwY/UmKadcZYtbI/AAAAAAAAOw8/WgyAbltW-94/s400/100_0692.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-awV-jyHzS6I/UmKaeI8hDeI/AAAAAAAAOxU/eW-lMXuloGQ/s1600/100_0693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-awV-jyHzS6I/UmKaeI8hDeI/AAAAAAAAOxU/eW-lMXuloGQ/s400/100_0693.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm not sure what the throw originally cost, but it was well woven and in mint condition. I'm pretty sure it originally sold for lots more than $4. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I also bought this tiny cat trinket holder for 50¢. Tanner wasn't interested in it, though. He doesn't own any trinkets.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-frm8keQ6i_M/UmKad7-De1I/AAAAAAAAOxY/7bVyKTP7mnY/s1600/100_0704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-frm8keQ6i_M/UmKad7-De1I/AAAAAAAAOxY/7bVyKTP7mnY/s320/100_0704.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Note: Tanner was rescued from the Penhook dumpster back in March. I used <a href="http://plannedpethoodrockymount.com/planned_pethood_clinic.html" target="_blank">Planned Pethood</a>'s "Happy Kitty" $ 99 special for his neutering and shots, so he was kind of a bargain, too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~</div>
<br />Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-2299886033955955892013-06-08T15:31:00.001-04:002013-06-08T15:31:13.356-04:00June 2013 BargainsToday I went to the Franklin County Library's used book sale and spent $3.50. Hardbacks were 50¢ and paperbacks were 25¢. Here's what I bought:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVr1bpbLOIQ/UbN5C1U2HFI/AAAAAAAANso/NlB3R_PzHL0/s1600/IMG_3811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVr1bpbLOIQ/UbN5C1U2HFI/AAAAAAAANso/NlB3R_PzHL0/s400/IMG_3811.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The 1977 facsimile edition of Edith Holden's 1906 <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Country-Diary-Edwardian-Lady-1906/dp/080501232X" target="_blank">The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady</a></i> was delightfully illustrated. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-faqP5dwCLao/UbN5DaD3ctI/AAAAAAAANsg/ur5S56MTk30/s1600/IMG_3813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-faqP5dwCLao/UbN5DaD3ctI/AAAAAAAANsg/ur5S56MTk30/s400/IMG_3813.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The 1978 edition of Brian Froud and Alan Lee is lovely, too, in a creepy sort of way. The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Faeries-Collectors-Edition-Brian-Froud/dp/0810995867" target="_blank">2010 collector's edition</a> is $22.05 on Amazon. The price on the inside flap of mine says $14.95 until Dec. 31, 1978, then it becomes $17.50. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've long been a fan of the <i>Foxfire</i> books (and I even used to show my junior high students a Foxfire movie about Aunt Arie), so I was glad to get <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aunt-Arie-Linda-Garland-Page/dp/0807843776" target="_blank">Aunt Arie, a Foxfire Portrait</a></i>, currently available on amazon for $17.12 (reg. $23). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sara Midda's 1981 edition of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Out-Garden-Sara-Midda/dp/0894801937" target="_blank">In and Out of the Garden</a></i> is delightful. The price on the inside flap of this first printing is $14.95. A 2008 version goes for $17.62 (reg. $24.50) on Amazon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Roy Strong's <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Country-Life-Home-English-Countryside/dp/0312307098" target="_blank">A Country Life: At Home in the English Countryside</a></i> is out of print but available on Kindle for $7.59. The 1994 edition I bought has $19.95 on the flap.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wayne Hanley's 1977 edition of <i>Natural History in America: From Mark Catesby to Rachel Carson</i> is out of print. The original price was $19.95. Leslie John's 1974 <i>Plants in Tubs, Pots, Baskets, and Boxe</i>s was originally $8.95.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since I have a 2009 MacBook, I figured I should get the manual: <i>MacBook All-in-One for Dummies</i>. This is the 2010 version, but my operating system is Snow Leopard, the one mention in the originally $34.99 book. (Yeah, I'm two operating systems behind. . . .)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think I got a pretty good deal on my books. And I helped out the Friends of the Library. Later I stopped by the discovery shop where I found a brand new cover for my kitchen stool. Only $2.75—and it matches my favorite tablecloth.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYPYhdHH0uI/UbN5CsYFkEI/AAAAAAAANsc/Djtt5OMHaGI/s1600/IMG_3809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYPYhdHH0uI/UbN5CsYFkEI/AAAAAAAANsc/Djtt5OMHaGI/s400/IMG_3809.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I also found another kitchen item, a Paula Deen 2-quart stainless steel copper-bottomed saucepan with a glass lid. It was pretty well-used, but still in good shape. I figured it was well worth the $2.00.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmeXrJttVg4/UbN5CnUJ-sI/AAAAAAAANsk/CyQIcMQAEIQ/s1600/IMG_3810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmeXrJttVg4/UbN5CnUJ-sI/AAAAAAAANsk/CyQIcMQAEIQ/s400/IMG_3810.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Later, I looked up the saucepan online. I found <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Paula-Deen-Signature-Stainless-Steel-2-qt.-Saucepan-with-Lid/17395453" target="_blank">a similar one</a> at Walmart online for $32.58. Mine is missing the ring in the handle, though. <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Paula-Deen-2-qt-Saucepan-71927/100660013#.UbOF4-DboyF" target="_blank">Home Depot has it</a> for only $29.99.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I guess I did OK for bargain shopping today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-35524601511432611732013-03-17T20:49:00.002-04:002013-03-17T20:49:38.284-04:00Lotsa Pots. . . and they were free.<br />
<br />
Sometimes you don't have to pay anything for stuff. A lot of local folks will leave stuff that's still usable beside the dumpster instead of tossing it in. Rural recycling, if you will.<br />
<br />
For instance, this iron hook—maybe to hang a plant from—was sitting beside the dumpster a few weeks ago.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8VTM705nLqk/UUZiPyNJzLI/AAAAAAAANJM/6vjbNWwYFQI/s1600/planthook7385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8VTM705nLqk/UUZiPyNJzLI/AAAAAAAANJM/6vjbNWwYFQI/s400/planthook7385.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It needs painting, but it's usable—and much to good to throw away. Yesterday, several folks were at the dumpsters. One guy took a flower pot from his trunk and sat it in front of the dumpster. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"I can use that," I said. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
He handed it to me and answered, "I've got more. Want 'em?" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I did. I came home with three clay pots (one painted) a small ceramic one with a chip on its rim (but still usable), two large fiberglass pots, two plastic window boxes, and a few plastic pots. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hR3bl3XrT2k/UUZiPwQeKII/AAAAAAAANJQ/xX3sYKpZ4BM/s1600/LotsaPots7409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hR3bl3XrT2k/UUZiPwQeKII/AAAAAAAANJQ/xX3sYKpZ4BM/s400/LotsaPots7409.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All will be handy when I do some transplanting before long. While they're not perfect, they're still usable—too good to throw away.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And the price was right.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-42053780834937343152013-02-05T14:37:00.003-05:002013-02-05T14:37:43.341-05:00Joel Chandler HarrisI buy a lot of my books from the Franklin County Library, which always has good prices on the culls from its shelves. Yesterday, I was browsing the culled books in the children's room when I spotted the 1941 edition of Alvin F. Harlow's <i>Joel Chandler Harris (Uncle Remus): Plantation Storyteller</i>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Nf9vuYakZw/URFaWf-4AHI/AAAAAAAAMl0/1arhUE80Lf8/s1600/100_7086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Nf9vuYakZw/URFaWf-4AHI/AAAAAAAAMl0/1arhUE80Lf8/s400/100_7086.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The book was pretty well worn and was missing its jacket. But you can't judge a book by its cover, right? Inside the front cover was pasted some info about the author—no doubt clipped from the original jacket. Also there were some charming drawings by illustrator W.C. Nims.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPYvYbrgBAA/URFaWJwtIYI/AAAAAAAAMlo/cgR4Z9k6I4k/s1600/100_7084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPYvYbrgBAA/URFaWJwtIYI/AAAAAAAAMlo/cgR4Z9k6I4k/s400/100_7084.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The next page contained info about the book, again clipped from the original jacket.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OP_zV3T91VY/URFcY8dX8RI/AAAAAAAAMmE/BE-fiZMGJos/s1600/Harrisbookinter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OP_zV3T91VY/URFcY8dX8RI/AAAAAAAAMmE/BE-fiZMGJos/s640/Harrisbookinter.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A page turn revealed a picture of<a href="http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-525" target="_blank"> Joel Chandler Harris</a> himself. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6mycJ5-19k0/URFaWNPjBFI/AAAAAAAAMls/DvR02ewkfAQ/s1600/100_7081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6mycJ5-19k0/URFaWNPjBFI/AAAAAAAAMls/DvR02ewkfAQ/s400/100_7081.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The book contained several illustrations by W.C. Nims.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DyGM4hbSOKc/URFaVxyJfXI/AAAAAAAAMlk/21mCG2k1MYk/s1600/100_7082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DyGM4hbSOKc/URFaVxyJfXI/AAAAAAAAMlk/21mCG2k1MYk/s400/100_7082.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While this book was in the children's room, its reading level and content seems much more suited for adult readers. At least this adult will enjoy it. I—and many of my generation—enjoyed the <i><a href="http://xroads.virginia.edu/~UG97/remus/contents.html" target="_blank">Uncle Remus</a></i> stories when we were kids. Now I can enjoy reading about their collector.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I paid 25¢. Did I get my money's worth? I think I did.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-39184296673356078142013-01-02T15:30:00.002-05:002013-01-02T15:30:54.787-05:00Paper, paperback, pot, etc.At the Rocky Mount Goodwill, I spent $8.34 on the following items: a looseleaf notebook, a ceramic pot, a copy of Ann Rinaldi's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ride-into-Morning-Story-Tempe/dp/0152046836/ref=la_B000AQ4LZ4_1_24?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357157629&sr=1-24" target="_blank"><i>A Ride Into Morning</i>, </a>a wooden welcome sign, and two rolls of wallpaper.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_eI3sZ2wbbU/UOSUCZNVOhI/AAAAAAAAL1M/XH0WMs4412g/s1600/Gdwill6779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_eI3sZ2wbbU/UOSUCZNVOhI/AAAAAAAAL1M/XH0WMs4412g/s400/Gdwill6779.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'd read Ann Rinaldi's <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Coffin-Quilt-between-Hatfields-McCoys/dp/0152164502/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357157479&sr=1-10&keywords=ann+rinaldi" target="_blank">The Coffin Quilt </a></i>years ago, and liked the way she wrote. The paperback of <i>A Ride Into Morning</i> that I bought is the 1991 edition (marked $6 but I paid $1), not the 2003 re-issue. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
According to the label inside, the ceramic pot was originally sold at JoAnn stores. Did anyone actually pay $9.99 originally? I paid 50¢.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BJsLmtCgdZ8/UOSWiT-8jeI/AAAAAAAAL1k/tOz_Ib7m_zc/s1600/Gdwill6781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BJsLmtCgdZ8/UOSWiT-8jeI/AAAAAAAAL1k/tOz_Ib7m_zc/s320/Gdwill6781.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The label from the wooden folk-artish "Welcome Friends" sign had been removed, so I have no idea what it was originally worth—I paid $1.95. It goes with my country-look decor, so I'll find a place to hang it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The notebook would be about $1.79 or so at an office supply store, so it was worth the 50¢ I paid. I don't know what I will do with the pre-pasted "International Group" vinyl wallpaper, but at 95¢ a roll, I'll think of something.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As for the cat tote, it had cats on it, and one can never have too many tote bags.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-63865651891777750002012-12-17T14:40:00.000-05:002012-12-17T14:40:03.555-05:00Cheap CalendarsI like to have several calendars in the house, as well as a monthly planner on my desk and a small planner in my purse. I'd already gotten a nice free calendar from the feed store, but I wanted a couple more. I bought these today at <a href="http://www.dollargeneral.com/home/index.jsp" target="_blank">Dollar General</a> in Rocky Mount:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkkdRBpRnYw/UM9z57lDQyI/AAAAAAAALfo/VR6t8bgUOsw/s1600/calendar6598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkkdRBpRnYw/UM9z57lDQyI/AAAAAAAALfo/VR6t8bgUOsw/s400/calendar6598.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Office supply stores want way more than $1.50 for a monthly planner, my most expensive purchase. I think I got a pretty good deal.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-13573086805135548492012-12-15T18:55:00.001-05:002012-12-15T18:59:21.791-05:00Pin and Pottery I got a couple of good deals at Goodwill yesterday. At the Westlake store, I found this neat metal pin, which I thought was a cat's face.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WmpKV7gewVc/UM0HtOBXuEI/AAAAAAAALcw/UWSoD5SPlUI/s1600/100_6573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WmpKV7gewVc/UM0HtOBXuEI/AAAAAAAALcw/UWSoD5SPlUI/s400/100_6573.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It cost a dollar, but I thought it might be worth at least ten. Info on the brochure told me the creator was David A. Wright, which helped me track down his website, <i><a href="http://store.mudandmetal.com/" target="_blank">Mud and Metal</a></i>. On the site, I found a similar "<a href="http://store.mudandmetal.com/catfacebrooche.html" target="_blank">cat face brooche</a>" priced at $14. I also looked around eBay and found another cat face pin: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XiiFlPtBW2M/UM0HwVqSXHI/AAAAAAAALdQ/_kOdsiqBXsE/s1600/dwcp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XiiFlPtBW2M/UM0HwVqSXHI/AAAAAAAALdQ/_kOdsiqBXsE/s400/dwcp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Looks like my impression of the price was about right!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Another item I bought was this ceramic thingie. Info on the bottom told me it made by <a href="http://www.emersoncreekpottery.com/" target="_blank">Emerson Creek Pottery</a> in 1998.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FwfB9Y8f9Rg/UM0HtqKtNMI/AAAAAAAALc4/6CzAk5vc6AY/s1600/100_6574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FwfB9Y8f9Rg/UM0HtqKtNMI/AAAAAAAALc4/6CzAk5vc6AY/s400/100_6574.jpg" width="332" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The piece is five inches tall and about four inches wide. Inside, the bottom is kind of wavy, not smooth. It has holes on both sides, so I'm thinking it might be a candleholder of some sort. I didn't see any pieces like this on Emerson Creek's web site, so I assume whatever it is isn't being made anymore. Anybody know for sure what it is?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PE200-GPv0g/UM0HuttwKTI/AAAAAAAALdA/nNpP-Ep0PsU/s1600/100_6575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PE200-GPv0g/UM0HuttwKTI/AAAAAAAALdA/nNpP-Ep0PsU/s400/100_6575.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Apparently the pattern isn't made any more, because I couldn't find it on the web site either. I did learn from a bit of Googling that it's called "Summer Bouquet." (I found <a href="http://pages.hyacinthhouseantiques.com/947/PictPage/1923130629.htm" target="_blank">a mug in that pattern for $8</a>.)<br />
<br />
Anyhow, I think the pottery piece—whatever it is—is worth way more than the 50¢ I paid for it.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-1191641163559857732012-09-20T16:03:00.001-04:002012-09-20T16:03:18.366-04:00Cheap Light Fix<br />
<h3 class="post-title" style="font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I've already </span><a href="http://peevishpen.blogspot.com/2012/09/light-fix.html" style="font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">posted about this</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> in my </span>Peevish Pen<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> blog, but thought it was appropriately frugal for here, too, so I'm reposting:</span></span></h3>
<div class="post-body" style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
The light fixture in the family room died the other day. None of its ugly florescent tubes would come on. The plastic that used to cover the tubes had succumbed to crumbling last year, and we'd never gotten around to replacing it. Electrical engineer hubby put up a temporary fix while I checked prices of replacement fixtures. The temporary fix was functional but not a thing of beauty.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G37r2Z_8Qng/UFtrlznuVKI/AAAAAAAAKDE/4hjtPf7_9R8/s1600/lightfix5604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #473624; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: underline;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G37r2Z_8Qng/UFtrlznuVKI/AAAAAAAAKDE/4hjtPf7_9R8/s400/lightfix5604.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For the new fixture, I wanted a country look—but country looks cost big bucks. Meanwhile, I remembered seeing a picture of a chandelier that someone had spray-painted and made into a candlebra. We had a couple of vintage mid-70s chandeliers lying around somewhere. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uac9OYmcPE0/UFtv5NxqOuI/AAAAAAAAKEI/3t8vWbMNnc8/s1600/IMG_2530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #473624; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: underline;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uac9OYmcPE0/UFtv5NxqOuI/AAAAAAAAKEI/3t8vWbMNnc8/s400/IMG_2530.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This truly ugly chandelier used to hang in the dining room before we upgraded. I don't think I'll ever use it again. I figured I had nothing to lose if I spray-painted it. First, I wrapped and taped the parts I didn't want to paint:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nv9yPl8zCaU/UFtv59hgPpI/AAAAAAAAKEQ/2Aj5h2sbyfQ/s1600/IMG_2532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #473624; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: underline;"><img border="0" height="351" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nv9yPl8zCaU/UFtv59hgPpI/AAAAAAAAKEQ/2Aj5h2sbyfQ/s400/IMG_2532.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had a full can of blue—my favorite shade of blue. Let's see what happens. . . . </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6fciw6I0QI/UFtv6l0JBbI/AAAAAAAAKEY/fO2B2mXTKrk/s1600/IMG_2536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #473624; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: underline;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6fciw6I0QI/UFtv6l0JBbI/AAAAAAAAKEY/fO2B2mXTKrk/s400/IMG_2536.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I needed to turn it over to paint the underside, and I happened to have an ugly silver-painted flowerpot that would hold the chandelier while getting itself painted at the same time.</div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wl7gzhgSYgk/UFtv7XCtAoI/AAAAAAAAKEg/F-FMROIuF9g/s1600/IMG_2541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #473624; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: underline;"><img border="0" height="381" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wl7gzhgSYgk/UFtv7XCtAoI/AAAAAAAAKEg/F-FMROIuF9g/s400/IMG_2541.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally it was dry enough for hubby to hang. But we needed to check to see if it would work before we added all the bulbs and globes. </div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g0NLP5kij90/UFtv7_WfZUI/AAAAAAAAKEo/3X6Rq4olWNI/s1600/IMG_2546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #473624; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: underline;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g0NLP5kij90/UFtv7_WfZUI/AAAAAAAAKEo/3X6Rq4olWNI/s400/IMG_2546.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="316" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yes, it works!</div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nq0vM6w8chg/UFtv8QG3hVI/AAAAAAAAKEw/9RYT3HtRcEA/s1600/IMG_2547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #473624; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: underline;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nq0vM6w8chg/UFtv8QG3hVI/AAAAAAAAKEw/9RYT3HtRcEA/s400/IMG_2547.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="267" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After adding bulbs and vintage 70s globes, we now have this:</div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FL4tmkloX4/UFtv8z03okI/AAAAAAAAKE4/u5JdGt8Xu9k/s1600/IMG_2553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #473624; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: underline;"><img border="0" height="367" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FL4tmkloX4/UFtv8z03okI/AAAAAAAAKE4/u5JdGt8Xu9k/s400/IMG_2553.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And all it cost me was a can of spray paint that I already had.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~</div>
</div>
Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-50620445578565432292012-08-18T15:52:00.000-04:002012-08-18T15:59:32.597-04:00August Purrfect TreasuresI stopped by <a href="http://plannedpethoodrockymount.com/purrfect_treasures.html" target="_blank">Purrfect Treasures</a> today and bought a few items—a decorative plate with a black and white cat on it:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JJaj-Ve7S08/UC_vhVyD8GI/AAAAAAAAJlE/bPPBtVjkgdI/s1600/100_5261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JJaj-Ve7S08/UC_vhVyD8GI/AAAAAAAAJlE/bPPBtVjkgdI/s400/100_5261.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A wooden wall hanging:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4wxC74kdipA/UC_vh5BP3oI/AAAAAAAAJlM/Cfq3c5lgACo/s1600/100_5262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4wxC74kdipA/UC_vh5BP3oI/AAAAAAAAJlM/Cfq3c5lgACo/s400/100_5262.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Three pins (two are cat-themed):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5CxEMbl9xlg/UC_vi8HRtlI/AAAAAAAAJlc/Jzca8VtQqdc/s1600/100_5265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5CxEMbl9xlg/UC_vi8HRtlI/AAAAAAAAJlc/Jzca8VtQqdc/s400/100_5265.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Three books (two hardback and one paperback)—<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/For-Love-Wildness-Journal-Management/dp/1555662641/ref=la_B001JRVP7U_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1345319045&sr=1-6" target="_blank">For the Love of Wildness: the Journal of a US Game Management Agent,</a></i> <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Women-Horses-GaWaNi-PonyBoy/dp/B005FOF6R8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345319164&sr=1-1&keywords=Of+Women+and+Horses" target="_blank">Of Women and Horses</a></i>, and <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Winter-Run-Shannon-Ravenel-Books/dp/156512328X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345319266&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Winter Run</a></i>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-swYckHNGiyI/UC_vibD33LI/AAAAAAAAJlU/2A0r7qo59WI/s1600/100_5263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-swYckHNGiyI/UC_vibD33LI/AAAAAAAAJlU/2A0r7qo59WI/s400/100_5263.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Total spent: $14.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1154155818453469674.post-90025285786190326272012-08-01T14:47:00.004-04:002012-08-01T14:54:29.186-04:00July PotteryOn July 31, I saw some interesting pottery at the Westlake Goodwill. Since these pieces were blue, I had to get them:<br />
<br />
This large oblong bowl looked and felt handmade . . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BemzzILgbiM/UBl4e1wHobI/AAAAAAAAJbk/o_xocVKgmns/s1600/IMG_2353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BemzzILgbiM/UBl4e1wHobI/AAAAAAAAJbk/o_xocVKgmns/s400/IMG_2353.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
. . . but it had no mark whatsoever on the back—except for the $2.95 price tag. It was a big bowl, so it was worth the price.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cAJRCI0PTkk/UBl4fTfWELI/AAAAAAAAJbs/wfkbPjPvw6E/s1600/IMG_2354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cAJRCI0PTkk/UBl4fTfWELI/AAAAAAAAJbs/wfkbPjPvw6E/s400/IMG_2354.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I loved the look of these two flowerpots. The other week I bought a gold version of the blue one ($1.95).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yMbLbpdCu7s/UBl4f4avETI/AAAAAAAAJb0/-D5qKl9bUn4/s1600/IMG_2355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yMbLbpdCu7s/UBl4f4avETI/AAAAAAAAJb0/-D5qKl9bUn4/s400/IMG_2355.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The blue flowered one (95¢) had Val Do Sol on the bottom. This is a pottery in Portugal.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l5f4QE2XI-U/UBl4gVuBiCI/AAAAAAAAJb8/vdYGuadx4eM/s1600/IMG_2356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l5f4QE2XI-U/UBl4gVuBiCI/AAAAAAAAJb8/vdYGuadx4eM/s400/IMG_2356.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But the one that called out to me was this green one ( (95¢) with a subtle blue design. I could tell it was handmade . . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C3SF0yjGRyU/UBl5gNr05vI/AAAAAAAAJcE/sefZmcq_kqk/s1600/IMG_2350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C3SF0yjGRyU/UBl5gNr05vI/AAAAAAAAJcE/sefZmcq_kqk/s400/IMG_2350.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
. . . and when I turned it over, I knew it was meant for me.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HQDtq0wx3Ro/UBl5guWAvoI/AAAAAAAAJcM/Exw4RhBsPiw/s1600/IMG_2351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HQDtq0wx3Ro/UBl5guWAvoI/AAAAAAAAJcM/Exw4RhBsPiw/s400/IMG_2351.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Becky Mushkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11833297935575559624noreply@blogger.com1