Sam and I got up this morning (July 25, 2023) and did what we love most in our travels...wandering small town America!  Having spent the night in our RV in Salem, Ohio, we wandered down the highway about six miles to a town we'd spotted the night before.  Lisbon, Ohio.  After a quick trip to the hardware store (don't ask…haha…Sam had to fix one of the hanging things in a closet that had fallen during the trip to Salem). Next, we went to a small store called "Almost Perfect".  A few quick items (books and jewelry), we struck up a conversation with the clerk (I forgot her name and I promised myself I wouldn't.  She was delightful).  After hearing about my books, she told me about the Historical Society in town as well as one trivia item of the fact that Lisbon is the second oldest town in Ohio (only second and not first due to someone suggesting that the responsible party did not get their paperwork in on time….HA).   The historical society was 'down my alley'.   What a great visit we had!!!  These ladies are rock-stars to me.  They've put together (along with the predecessors) a unique and unequalled preservation of the history of their beautiful and eventful town.
 
I felt the greatest rapport with the lady that headed the group. I asked her a question "Tell me the best and most memorable story you've heard or know about Lisbon, Ohio."  She gave me one immediately.  BUT, she gave me so many more stories equally as impressive that I will try to relate to you in subsequent postings.  
During the Civil War, a soldier of the Union army…A DOG, was captured.  Dogs were an intricate part of the army during the civil war.  Did you know that?  I had to study a bit on this, but they found water and food for the soldiers, crossed enemy lines to carry messages, and worked as prison guards to say nothing of their ability to raise morale among those that were far from home and needed something to take their mind off their homesickness.  Back to the dog in Lisbon…On the collar of the dog was an inscription.  To the best of my memory it said "Property of General John Hunt Morgan".  After some negotiations, the dog was traded back to him.

All of this was just the lead-in to some really great history of Lisbon that I hope to relate to you along the way on my FB author page.   For a teaser, the inventor of the straw was by two locals of Lisbon, H.J. Britton and H.W. Morrow, selling their rights to the company eight years later.  Who of us has not partaken of this great invention?  Their extensive museum had some originals of that straw. (see pictures).

More to come…
 
PS:  If you get the chance, take a trip to Lisbon, Ohio and see all this for yourself.  You won't be disappointed.  I found out that the yearly trek of the "Mini Coops" came through to tour their town.  I can only imagine 700-800 mini-coops in one place…in every nook and cranny.  My new-found friend didn't know that my new obsession is to find a convertible mini-coop (red preferably) to replace our Miata!!!!!

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In an attempt to put her life together after the death of her husband, Molly Todd spends the winter on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  A trip to a local antique store offers her a project to pass the winter.  It's a pillowslip filled with fabric with each piece attached to a paper pattern.  Having never seen a quilt like this before, and it not completed, her imagination is aroused.  She realizes the patterns are cut from personal letters from "Another time and another place".  As a writer, she needs to find the story behind this found treasure.  This leads her to finding new friends and hearing their family stories about life and love in a time long forgotten, Perhaps the journey will provide a love for herself. Journey with Molly as she learns about paper quilts as well as the pains and joys of war times.

I hope to hear from you soon.  I'll be available for book singings, meeting with book clubs and/or quilt groups that love to read.  After you experience "The War Quilt", I hope I see reviews on the available sites.  Thank you soooo much!!!!

One of Sugar’e quotes was to her brother-in-law after he had mistreated her sister, “I’d kill you and tell God you died.” She had little positive experiences with men. It changed her. Life is hard for such women.

Her story is coming soon!!! Don’t miss it!!!!


Ann


PS. Love my readers. Thank you for reading my books and your wonderful reviews. ❤️❤️❤️

8 fiction books and 2 nonfiction written for each Clifton. S.C. and collaboration with two others on a book for a Pulitzer Prize winner/author for his museum in Clifton, TN (TS Stribling).

The newest book to date is Beryl Island Letters.

Another fiction/historical (based on family stories ) is about 1/3 to 1/2 complete. It’s tHe story of Sugar, a character you might remember from Bad Blood. Watch for more about this book on the very near future!!

I know it's been awhile since I let you know what I'm doing.  So here it goes...
1)  Put out a children's book you just saw on FB, my website, and Twitter.  The Kite That Went To Sea (available in about 2-3 days, both in paperback and kindle forms)
2)  The prequel for the Revenge series (how the feud began (ALL fiction as I have no idea, but it sounds to reason this was part of it. SMILE) is almost half way through.  I did win a prize at the Alabama Writers Fall Contest with this book which is titled "McPhee Island" set in Scotland.  Excited and hoping to complete it soon. 
3)  I stopped the above book to write one for Hallmark to consider (no promises of course and trying to not hold my breath)  It was submitted August 29th of 2018 (this year) and I have not yet a rejection letter, but hey I have no idea how it works with them.  I can't imagine it wouldn't at least merit one if they don't accept it (AND it will be published, even if I do it myself, but wanted to give them a chance at it.  It would benefit us both I think.  It's set in East Tennessee in present day. 
4)  I have notes and notes of more books I want to write (including two more that would be perfect for Hallmark if they would like to read them...one of them a Christmas Story). 
5)  Sitting here hoping you all are well and enjoying reading stories of many different authors and hope mine will stay on your list to read. 

(((Hugs)))  Ann

A children's story for 3-8 years old, is now available called "The Kite That Went To Sea".   It is both in paperback and on kindle. 

This book was dedicated to one of my grandsons that came to visit me last winter on our annual trek to Florida for a couple of months.  He lost his kite and we all watched it fly over the ocean and out to sea.  His heart was broken.  My comfort to him had been "What do you think that kite is seeing on his journey over the sea to some far away place?"   The story of his adventure led me to this book.  Hope your children enjoy this story. 

(((Hugs)))   Ann

PS:  Yes I did my own drawings!!!   I wanted the grandchildren to do it, but they were always so busy and only did a few and would have to quit.  :(

“When you wake up in the morning you have two choices: go back to sleep, or wake up and chase those dreams.” - Unknown

“When you wake up in the morning you have two choices: go back to sleep, or wake up and chase those dreams.” - Unknown