We see images and reports of wars in foreign lands daily on the TV news. It has desensitized us somewhat to the actual horrors the participants experience, but I’m sure those on the scene are forever affected. Like many men of his generation, my father fought in World War II. He spoke to us veryContinue reading “LETTER FROM A WWII WAR ZONE”
Tag Archives: Historical Fiction
THE MYSTERY OF THE GERMAN WEDDING CUP
Dirk Hikken Baumfalk married Folka Freese in Norden, Germany, on April 26, 1862. He was twenty-eight, she was twenty-six. I have a porcelain teacup with a painted inscription that looks like “Fuleke Baumfalk geb, Freese.” When we inherited this item through my husband’s family, I assumed it was used at this wedding. Since then, IContinue reading “THE MYSTERY OF THE GERMAN WEDDING CUP”
The Story Behind The Love Genes
I’m sure many of you have done a DNA test now that they have become widely available for matching up relatives. Even if you haven’t, many television programs focus on how detectives can use DNA to identify suspects in crimes, and how genealogists use genetics to trace the guest stars’ roots. The science becomes moreContinue reading “The Story Behind The Love Genes”
Who’s Writing Now?
It was inevitable that there would be artificial intelligence programs capable of creating essays, novels, and all sorts of written material. Robots can vacuum your floors and drive a car. I’m still holding my breath for that hover car they had in the Jetsons. But I decided it was time to test drive ChatGPT, anContinue reading “Who’s Writing Now?”
Social Media in the 1890s
Homesteading in Nebraska social media group posts: Bill Johnson-2 days ago-What was at the corner of Apple and First Streets before the blacksmith moved in? Post a drawing if you have one. Even if the post is just a hitching post. LOL. Mavis Johnson-1 day ago-Bill, stop writing nonsense to that Homesteading mailbox. You knowContinue reading “Social Media in the 1890s”
Toby, Elaine, and the Lord
This story starts out being about me. Facebook reminded me this morning that it had been five years since my brother, Clay, and I went to visit the Art Institute of Chicago. It was quite inspiring for me, and probably more so for Clay, an artist who paints with oils. One of my favorite paintingsContinue reading “Toby, Elaine, and the Lord”
The Day After Infamy
December 8, 1941 Lincoln, Nebraska Maryellen McCracken woke up early on her twentieth birthday so she could have breakfast with her brother and sister. As was their tradition, she had candle on her pancake, and there was a rush of activity. Her sister, June, age sixteen, was headed to Lincoln High School, while her youngerContinue reading “The Day After Infamy”
Good Roads Day
If you’re like me, you take road construction for granted. It seems like an necessary annoyance when you are forced to navigate around barriers and slow down. Usually you are merging into one lane, or sometimes even taking a detour. I always worry for the safety of those workers standing by while cars fly byContinue reading “Good Roads Day”
Some Degree of Happiness
“And they lived happily ever after.” Is this just a fairy tale? I tried to end each of my four stories in my book, HERside of HIStory—Finding My Foremothers’ Footprints on a positive note. However, I don’t think I have seen anyone live every moment happily. At some point, we all have to die, andContinue reading “Some Degree of Happiness”