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History Between the Pages “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 no sanctuary, suffering from too many ears. But the … Read more
History Behind the Pages It all started with watches and jewelry. In 1888, Richard Sears printed a mailer. The R.W. Sears Watch Co. promised customers “we warrant every American watch sold by us, with fair usage, an accurate timekeeper for six years during which time, under our written guarantee we are compelled to keep it … Read more
HISTORY BETWEEN THE PAGES 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 rigid, glaring at her … Read more
History Between the Pages 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. Mary walked in. The … Read more
History Between the Pages Excerpt from “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 popped off and rolled across a glossy wood floor. … Read more
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 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
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
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