Part two of my August book line-ups My father served in the Army during World War II, but beyond his experience and the history I learned in school, I didn’t know much about the conflict. My husband, however, is a history enthusiast, and often will show me something new he’s found on the internet—usually live […]
World War II
Honoring Freedom’s Fighters
The man who sat at the curb wore a veteran’s hat signifying his service. My family arrived at the annual Veterans Day Parade in Albany, Oregon just in time to grab the space behind him, a garbage can and a passel of children filling in the gaps on either side. He acted like a tour […]
- General
- ...
Boys and Their Bombers
When World War II planes come to our local airport for an exhibition, my husband and son are among the first in line to see them. This week four retired war machines, a B-17, B-25, and a B-26—all bombers— sat on the tarmac in Eugene, Oregon as well as a P-51 Mustang. Tours were available […]
Authors, Authors, Authors
Have you geared up for summer reading? With sunshine, lemonade, and hot, lazy days ahead, don’t forget to spend some of those wonderful moments with a good book. This week and next, I will list books by authors I’ve come to know and appreciate. Whether you fancy historical romance, contemporary women’s stories, or a little […]
When Writers Research
An author whose meticulous research makes her stories ring with truth is Sarah Sundin, a novelist who writes about life during World War II. Conducting research is necessary for any novel—historical or contemporary—but Sundin weaves in details like fine spice. She sprinkles her characters’ lives with pieces of history that flavor the storyline like an […]
Honoring Memorial Day
What is Memorial Day to you? The start of summer? Three days before you have to return to work? Time to catch up on your sleep, lawn-mowing, television watching, and social media surfing? Or is it a day filled with memories of people who gave everything to preserve what you take for granted? Every Memorial […]
Happy Birthday, Mom–You’re Missed
Today would have been my mother’s ninety-first birthday. She suffered from a number of ailments at the end of her life—no one worse than another—until the collection of maladies claimed her in 2000. The daughter of a carpenter, Mom grew up like a tomboy working beside her father, becoming as skilled at swinging a […]
Happy 90th Birthday to an Unsung WWII Hero
Our neighbor in flight gear–1943 Everyone needs a neighbor like Lenvil: a silent hero, a steadfast friend, and a man with a great heart. The eldest son of an Oklahoman farmer, Lenvil quit school after the sixth grade when his father needed him to work the fields. When WWII broke out, he enlisted in […]