Joe’s Boots

Patriotism has its place. But I’m weary of war shortages. My only decent summer pumps have a 1-inch hole in the left sole. Am I unpatriotic to pass them on to charity? Already, two re-soles since Pearl Harbor, so I say, “Betty, you’re entitled to a new pair.” I’m not even fond of these pumps; … Read more

College

Five leather suitcases, three hat boxes and a sizable crate jammed the Oldsmobile’s back seat. Mable twisted around from the front passenger seat, eyeing Brooke wedged between a semester’s worth of clothes and art supplies to ask, “Enough stuff?” Her only daughter was being delivered to her freshman dormitory at Colorado University. Mable wondered if … Read more

The Open House

OPEN HOUSE Authentic Victorian home built in 1900.  July 21, 2024   Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 5712 sq. ft. 5 bedrooms. 3 bathrooms.  Attic office  Finished basement.  Formal parlor. Large dining room.  Small library and upstairs sitting rooms.  Mahogany floors and stairs. Updated kitchen.  Many original fixtures and charming vintage touches throughout.  Mature landscaping.  … Read more

The Hospital

The Army post-surgery ward is chilly. Wearing an old pair of cashmere mittens from several fashion seasons past, Olivia pours fresh drinking water at each bedside table. Army regulations dictate each cot has one standard issue woolen blanket in greyish green and a pillow of indeterminate age. Every small bedside table holds an enameled cup … Read more

HOPE CHESTS

History Between the Pages of An Imperfect Woman Excerpts from “Hope Chest” A whiff of cedar drew Mary from the hallway to poke her head into Alberta’s bedroom. In the middle of the rug, her daughter’s hope chest sat with its hinged top open. Alberta and seven-year-old Lucille were on their knees and peering inside. … Read more

Victorian Sunroom

History Between the Pages of An Imperfect Woman Excerpt from “Goodbye St. Louis” “Mary desired privacy when she shared her news with John. She yearned to pour out her profound fear of delivering their baby in a new city. Would he understand how supervising moving and unpacking might tax her delicate condition? Their bedroom offered … Read more

Sears, Roebuck & Co.

History Between the Pages of An Imperfect Woman Excerpt from “Letter to Susannah” “I’d appreciate your guidance in selecting a new baby carriage. Perhaps a traditional wicker? The latest versions in the Sears & Roebuck catalog are quite clever. The front panel can be opened to become a foot-well as the baby grows!” Excerpt from … Read more

Beaded Purses

History Between the Pages Excerpts from An Imperfect Woman by Linda Ross (from Chapter 1, “The Secret Interview & Green Velvet”) In the refined hush of the Cottey College parlor, Mary Pearson struggled to tuck in a loose bead on her dead mother’s beaded purse. Shabby with frayed threads and faded cotton, a weary bead … Read more

Ragtime

HISTORY BETWEEN THE PAGES of An Imperfect Woman Excerpt from “Goodbye, St. Louis” “Mary immediately thought of the Chinese vase, beckoning her to a far-away land and mysterious people with gilded pagodas and exotic flowers. Must take that vase. But Mary held her tongue until she and John could be alone. Elder Mrs. Wood sat … Read more