I was recently asked the question of why I chose to write. I have given this some thought and I wil try to answer that.

What was my first inspiration?

Reading..as.a child....in Lawrence County TN. I fell in love with a library. Actually two of them. One at school. The other ran by a sweet woman, Bea Marston, that ran one out of her home. She lived several miles from me in a very southern home with a "parlor" become "library". She was a teacher for 50 years. Her room was supplied by the regional library out of Columbia TN. (If anyone knows whether they have records of those small places, let me know. I would love to find out how long she did that.) She soon learned by likes and dislikes and would make sure I was supplied with books during the summer. (I loved those blue-backed books that told the life story of famous people...I forgot what the series was called. I need to Call Teresa Newton, librarian in Lawrence Co. TN..she knows. ha).   Without Mrs. Marston, I would have never had the love of books that I do today.

What made you decide to tell the stories (in fiction) of genealogy stories from your family?

Well...Those were stories I heard most of the time. I told them as "fiction" because there was too many things that they forgot or could not tell me. Like, what did Nathe (fictional name for a family member) do when he realized his family was being killed? How did he feel? How does a nine year old boy cope with such tragedy? No one gave me that story, so i reached down inside of me and tried to envision it. I would want "revenge" I think. How about you? I had the privilege of hearing from one of the G (?) grandchildren of the man of this story. She had heard about the book and wrote me a letter. That was a joy to receive. I asked her if she knew if he ever talked about it. She said that either her father (or grandfather...I forgot) remembered him She said they told her that he would not talk about it, even when questioned. I understand that. Many times when I would ask my mother about some of the partial stories I heard, she would tell me "Some things are best left unsaid." I differed with her, but I had to make do with 'fiction" because I did not get to hear that part of that story or others. She has passed away, but I often wonder what she would think about the stories I am writng.

Watch for more installments of questions and answers from the author.

This Parked in front of Jackson Hole Wyoming public library. Yay. Love libraries.

Sam had a great week on horseback in Gallatin national Forest that edges on Yellowstone. His friends, Scott and David, made a great men's get away!!!

A NEW ADVENTURE

Montana (and all the states in between that we saw, South Dakota, Wyoming, Kansas, Iowa, etc) were beautiful.  The most amazing thing we found was when there was a hill (think small mountain) ahead of us, you never knew what the view would be from there.  The closer we came to Montana, the quicker it changed as we rose and caught an glimpse over the next rise in the road.  I have included a picture or two.  Somehow, pictures cannot give justice to the views.   

I thought about my life over the past ____ well past SEVERAL years.  It has been much like this.  I never knew what to expect over the next hill.  I had to wait until I got there and looked down...always different, always unexpected, alway an adventure ahead.  It was more beautiful with each change in my life.  Sam's retirement and my books has been something I never quite expect as we climbed the hill to retirement.    But, just like before, it's an adventure. 

I have heard from Sam from Gallatin National Park a few times, only when he rose above 9,000 feet atop his horse, Flash, and his cell phone could get out.  He is having a great adventure.  He is loving every minute of it. 

In Billings, MT, I have had my own adventures with museums, spa times, and meeting new people in the RV park.  They love my southern accent and their first question is "where are you from?"  When I say, "Tennessee," They reply with "I knew it."  LOL.   

More later....

(((Hugs)))

Ann

LIFE IS FUN