Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury: Summer, New

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury: Summer, New

The book Dandelion Wine caught my attention because of the descriptions of growing up in a small community, seen through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy. The variety of opportunities and choices mirrored my life in the area east and west of Amery, Wisconsin. I’ll present parts of the first chapter in which Douglas woke […]

Clotheslines: Rules, Social Norms, and a Poem

Clotheslines: Rules, Social Norms, and a Poem

Hanging clothes on a clothesline. Simple, yes. Not always. Rules in each neighborhood and cultural region meant hanging had dos and don’ts. For us living in the country, it wasn’t so rigorous and rigid because neighbors were far away. Keillor and Bachelor Farmers First of all, one reference to hanging clothes and items son the […]

The Lady from Carolina: The Homespun Wife

The Lady from Carolina: The Homespun Wife

As the wife of a Baptist minister, Homespun Wife Sherry found herself committed to supporting her family’s welfare. She felt called to make their home as comfortable and safe as it could be. There. Now you know the origin of that title: The Homespun Wife. Sherry’s Early Years Both Carolinas became Sherry’s stomping grounds as […]

Christmas in Our Minds and Our Attics, Plus a Poem

Christmas in Our Minds and Our Attics, Plus a Poem

Christmas memories share a connection to tangible Christmas decorations. Each year at Thanksgiving, or earlier, we hear Christmas music and notice homeowners setting up outdoor displays for the holidays. Several years ago when I thought about those memories, I realized that taking them out of the attic paralleled opening up our mental Christmas vault. The […]