“He is on night-watch, standing sentry at his pueblo’s east barricade. Throughout the many rooms of the pueblo’s cliff dwellings, The People slumber in peace.” * * * “Under a massive cliff overhang, his pueblo sprawls behind him as shadowed shapes of rounded rock houses and kivas facing south. Below him, just beyond the eastern … Read more
“Last night, everyone huddled close to the campfire’s ring of light. Grandfather told stories of mighty hunters; all were wise and brave. He is our clan’s Maker. Points of stone for the hunters’ spears and arrows are made only by his hands. These pointed stones kill, more deadly than just throwing rocks. Our points are … Read more
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
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
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
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
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