Life in Havenwood – The Miracle of Mister Walling

HAVENWOOD TALES ~ BEGINNINGS 

“And as predictable as the cycles of the moon, you felt immensely alive and fortified in his presence, imbued somehow with your own capacity for higher understanding . . .”

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Mister Walling was a world of his own.  And he was different from anyone anywhere I’ve been since the days of Havenwood . . .

Truth be told, I rarely ever saw him. It happened in the course of my living that the journey itself would absorb me more than my quest for truth.  And yet Gabriel White Cloud Walling became an indelible part of my life, as necessary as my dreams and the ground I walked on . . .

He never intimated there was anything out of the ordinary about his appearance.  And I really enjoyed looking at him.

His condition seemed so natural, it never occurred to me to ask if there might have been strange circumstances. Or an accident at birth. Or any other meat-brained question I already knew wasn’t the answer.

And because he conducted himself as a quiet and unassuming, good-humored creature and I’d heard no one complain or say he was odd, it seemed to me, initially, that folks around Havenwood had accepted him for the miracle he was—until I realized that he was never spoken of.

Miracle of Spirit

Photocanvas by D.J. Houston

The best I could track, Mister Walling had lived deep in the same patch of woods past the north shore of Silver Bear Lake for well over half a century before I even met him.

He didn’t seem to me to be what folks could call a bona fide recluse; he just preferred to keep to himself, choosing his people and causes of his own accord.

Hindsight might prove that his legacy lived in the stories he shared with a privy few of each new generation. And that those whose lives he touched would know in their hearts that a visit with Mister Walling promised them, if just for a moment, a freedom from the stream of time—something sacred, eternal and true.

“But the reason he seemed so special to me as a child was that whenever you arrived to him, he already knew why you were there.  Whether you knew why or not . . . ”

   Excerpts from HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings

D.J. Houston, Author

Copyright©2006, 2016 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

Mystery Novel – Life Journey – Paranormal Intrigue – Visionary Fiction – Inspirations

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Memorial Day Memories – Inspirations from Heartland America

Honoring Our Brave on Memorial Day

America Thanks You for Freedom !

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Trudie’s Tribute to WW II Veterans

Mystery Novel – Social Commentary – 1940s – Inspiring Stories – Heartland America

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Mother’s Day Inspirations from Havenwood Tales – Nostalgic Stories of 1940s Heartland America

“My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.”  ~  Mark Twain

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Mystery, Miracles and Memories of MOTHER’S DAY

from Havenwood Tales Author, D.J. Houston

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Mark Twain

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Mystery Novel – Social Commentary – Coming of Age Story – 1940s – Heartland America

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Havenwood School Inspiration ~ Life Lessons of Spring

Excerpts from the novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings

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In the meadows and pastures, lines of fat raindrops clung like jewels to the undersides of new branches too green to absorb them, backlit by a cautious sun. Yellow-budding tulip trees drank thirstily of the fresh, pooled rain. And redbuds and dogwoods bloomed pink and white in the patches of light and shadow cast by canopies of hardwood trees, greening to life in the fertile woodlands.

I soon returned to school to discover all manner of winged creature, lending song and sound and motion to the Spring outside our classroom . . .

Ruby-throated hummingbirds zoomed on invisible wings from flower to flower, sharing nectar with the honeybees in the gardens we’d planted. And as the apple orchards sprinkled their delicate blossoms onto the breezes, sweet brown wrens whistled duets with the chickadees and chirping sparrows to the counterpoint, drumming staccato of woodpeckers courting their mates . . .

SEE: “Spring in Heartland America“

A 3-Part Excerpt from the Novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings

by Author D. J. Houston

Copyright©2008, 2014 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

Mystery Novel – Inspiring Stories – Life Lessons – Visionary Fiction – Heartland America

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Havenwood Tall Tales ~ Trudie McAfee’s Spring Shenanigans

H E L L O there !! And H A P P Y  S P R I N G !!

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Trudie McAfee here to share the latest with all our wonderful friends and fans of Havenwood Tales!

My author D.J. asked me to write and tell you she’s alive and well and working on HAVENWOOD TALES, and that I am eternally young. But instead, I’ll let you in on what I’ve been up to meanwhile. And please don’t tell D.J. — okay? She might thing I’m being saucy. Let’s just let this be our little secret ; )

I’m SO EXCITED!! You should see all my beautiful Pinterest board pictures!!! There’s books and birds and flowers and Spring, and surprises for Mama and all kinds of things!

You can peek at what Home in Havenwood‘s like, the 1940s, America, My Favorite Things, a Magical Kingdom, Amazing Nature, Native Americans and lots more fantastical stuff, from fancy foods and beautiful quilts to Life Lessons I’m learning (… some the hard way) ; D

Spring has sprung and the race is on to share more Havenwood Tales with you! Thanks very much for being my friend! I hope you enjoy my Pinterest fun, I really like sharing the joy : ))

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Love and Hugs,

Trudie McAfee – Narrator of HAVENWOOD TALES

P.S. I love my Author. I did this for you, Miss D.J. Please don’t be mad.

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Coming of Age – American Tall Tales – Inspiring Stories – Magical Mystery – Heartland America

Copyright©2014 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings Novel by D.J. Houston

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Valentine Memories ~ Nostalgia from Heartland America

~ A Valentine Love Note from Trudie McAfee

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I always did have a soft spot in my heart for Daddy’s older brother, Uncle Chester — especially when he had a hangover after pining for his delicate Rose.

I figured if he was grumbling, it had to be better than singing sad songs to his own guitar all night out on the farm, with nobody to talk to but his flop-earred hound and the howling coyotes . . .

Valentine’s Day was not easy for him that winter of  ’47. But I remember him ever fondly for his heart of gold, despite the grumbling. And his music is still a miracle to me.

ENJOY:

Valentine for Uncle Chester

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From HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings novel by D.J. Houston

Coming of Age Story – Life Lessons – Miracles – Inspirational Stories – Heartland America

Copyright©2010, 2014 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

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Happy Beginnings ~ Inspirations and Celebration from Havenwood Tales

Warm Winter GREETINGS to Fans and Friends!

from D.J. Houston, Author of Havenwood Tales

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HELLO! HAPPY 2014!!

Yes, I’m still wishing friends Happy New Year! And yes, I’ve truly missed getting to “see” YOU more often with updates from Havenwood Tales.

TRUE CONFESSIONS: The arduous task of MOVING (on top of pursuing key studies) has lately put life for this author on hold. That’s my excuse, anyway — that and waaay too much stuff to unpack, despite tossing what must have been roomfuls before the move! But I’m guessing you already know (too well) how moving goes 😉

As a saga of preparation continues for release of the Havenwood Tales trilogy, our heroine Trudie McAfee’s fans will be happy to hear that more surprises and secrets from the opening novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings are heading your way again SOON.

Meanwhile, feel free to enjoy a walk down memory lane in the HAVENWOOD TALES ARCHIVES section at the bottom of our blog menu. And I hope this fun photo helps WARM YOUR WINTER and brings you an extra SMILE!

Hang in there — Spring happens 🙂

May your fondest dreams come true,

D.J. Houston, Author of Havenwood Tales

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American Literature Treasures – Inspiring Stories – Visionary Fiction – Life Lessons – Mystery Novels 

Copyright©2014 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

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Halloween is Coming – Trick-Or-Treat – Havenwood Mystery

HALLOWEEN TREATS from the novel

HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings by D.J. Houston

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We played at dodging shadows and bobbed for apples floating in a big washtub along with some other kids, while the grownups traded pumpkins and baskets of corn and nuts and such around a roaring bonfire in the dark. But other than sensing somebody watching me from behind a tree and the hair on my arms standing up, it was pretty uneventful.

As for trick-or-treating on Halloween, it usually got too cold at night by late October for kids to be running around outside begging candy from Havenwood folks. Nobody had kept extra candy during the war and the habit stuck, and the houses were too far apart for any big hauls if they had any.

But in that freer world of 1946, nothing said we couldn’t celebrate at school . . .

Continued at Halloween School Nostalgia

Copyright©2008, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

Mystery Novel Intrigue – 1940s – Storytelling – Paranormal Stories

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Humorous Stories from Heartland America – Havenwood School Life Lessons

Brand new peek at HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings

D.J. Houston, Author

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There were fourteen of us, the last of Havenwood Township’s Depression-era babies born in a flurry before America’s role in the war was sealed at Pearl Harbor . . .

Out In The Country by Paula Ford

And while none of us were the first young minds fresh off the farm to gather there, nor destined to be the last, the question as to how Miss Greenlee could captivate the attention of that motley gang of six and seven-year-old renegades I found myself surrounded by – much less ever teach us the same subject at the same time – might easily beg for a miracle. But two things were certain . . .

Havenwood School Inspirations – Miss Greenlee’s Artistic License

From the coming novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings

D.J. Houston, Author

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One thing was sure: He was right to defend Miss Greenlee.

I imagined she had her artistic license framed somewhere at home, too, because she let us paint pictures of whatever we wanted. She encouraged us to render our art as we saw fit and never questioned our choices; you could draw conclusions in the dirt and call it art, for all she cared . . .

For those who would squash dreamers and their dreams, God had surely sent Miss Greenlee as the antidote . . .

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 CLICK for Story: “Dream Teacher and Witch“

Copyright©2008, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

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Visionary Fiction – Mystery Novel – Havenwood School – Special Teachers – Inspiring Stories

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Paranormal Stories – Inspirations of Gifted Children

A new peek at the novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings by Author, D.J. Houston

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Continued from Havenwood Tales Surprise – Gabriel White Cloud Walling

 “I like all your names, Mister Walling,” I assured him, and that pleased him very much.

Then he told me the story of a loyal Irish setter named Buddy. And how, when he was a boy, Buddy laid down one day and never got up.

He told how his father had lumbered off on a spotted mule with Buddy’s body draped behind him over the mule’s rump.  And for seven years after, a bright orange butterfly flitted and danced above the cornfields where Buddy and he used to race the sun together.

Mister Walling never said life goes on. And all I did was listen . . .

Havenwood Mystery Adventure – Discovering Mister Walling

From the novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings by Author, D.J. Houston

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“Be sure you’re back before suppertime, please, Trudie Beth.”

Mama’s gentle reminder faded behind me into the lines of thirsty sassafras and yellow-blooming poplar trees on the north shore of Silver Bear Lake.

I was off to meet my destiny.

Drawn by the gift of instinct and trails of friendly bellflowers smiling at me from their delicate, bending stems, I trekked waist-deep through a grassy field and found myself in a vast wildflower meadow, spread around me like the fragrance of wonderland . . .

Happy 4th of July from Heartland America – 20th Century Freedom

HA P P Y  4th of  J U L Y,  AMERICA !

Enjoy a look back at AMERICA from the coming novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings by D.J. Houston

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Faith In America by Donald Zolan

Before the second half of 20^th Century America happened to her citizens, most kids who weren’t beat up too much for their choices were fairly capable — able to focus their attention on the world in front of them long enough to finish a task and get something done on their own.

Even in the cities, even during wartime, people looked out for each other’s kids . . .

As for what happened to the nation and to the minds and morals of her people in the decades that followed  . . .

C L I C K   H E R E  to READ

“Common Sense Freedom – Heartland America”

Copyright©2007, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

Mystery Novel – Historical Fiction – Intrigue – Social Commentary – American Literature Treasures

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Father’s Day Nostalgia — Inspirations from Havenwood Tales

My father taught me how to fish, and how to make a string box with a handle. And the silent peace of fishing, and the joy of soaring my kite in the summer wind.

Remembering him this Father’s Day, I thank my Daddy for all his helpful influences.

I miss the smile behind his eyes, as if he knew a secret joke about life and knew that I’d learn it some day.  But I can still hear his deep, warm voice chuckling, “You’re welcome, kiddo.”

 

C L I C K   H E R E   for LINKS, QUOTES  and M O R E   

“Father’s Day Inspirations”

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H A P P Y   F A T H E R’ S   D A Y !

from Trudie and her Author, D.J. Houston

Copyright©2011, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

American Family Life – Inspiring Stories – Life Lessons – Mystery Novel – Author D.J. Houston

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Paranormal Stories – Childhood Memories – Dark Days of Havenwood Spring

From coming novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings

D.J. Houston – Author

Mother Nature does a lot of things right — but this was most decidedly not one of them.

No sooner had a warm spring wind chased the last traces of snow into the forest floor than a lightning storm whipped up off the Ohio River and rumbled over us, like an irate god, without a drop of rain.

Then the fire broke out at Jasper Peterson’s salvage yard, threatening to burn the whole place to the ground and a century of trash and treasure with it . . .

A cacophony of church bells started ringing in the distance. And I knew my daddy had to go . . .

C L I C K  T O  R E A D  E X C E R P T:

“Mystery Novel – Mother Nature Father Time”

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Copyright©2008, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

Mystery Novel Intrigue – Paranormal Stories – World War II – Life Journey – Coming of Age 

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Mother’s Day Musings – Havenwood Tales Nostalgia – Inspirations

A Mother’s Day Tribute from Havenwood Tales

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Who ran to help me when I fell,

And would some pretty story tell,

Or kiss the place to make it well,

My mother.

— Ann Taylor, poet — (aka Mrs. Gilbert)

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CLICK to READ:

“Mother’s Day Inspirations from Heartland America”

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Coming of Age Story – Life Lessons – Wisdom – American Literature Treasures

~ From HAVENWOOD TALES Novels ~

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Havenwood Tales – McAfee Family Wisdom – Braids, Brains & Daisy Buds

New peek at the novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings by Author D.J. Houston

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My brother Timmy was another story . . .

photo by Karen Crowe

Timmy had to wear glasses from the time he was five, after Mama caught him aiming his BB gun at what he claimed was a bird’s nest and he ended up blowing a sizable hole in her garden shed window instead.

He’d have been in trouble either way — Mama’s name was Birdie and she was partial to birds. But other than the whipping she threatened to give him for the BB gun incident, he stayed healthy enough . . .

He did need those glasses, though, if only to make him look smart.

And naturally, he said he didn’t care how I looked, braids or no braids. Never mind those rowdies at the General Store who called me “squaw.” Mama brushed that off me easily enough. . . She said I was a perfect daisy bud . . .

C L I C K  H E R E  for More “Family Wisdom“

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Copyright©2007, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

Mystery Novel – Coming of Age – Life Lessons – Humorous Stories – American Literature Treasures

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Celebrate Spring in the Magical Mystery of Havenwood Tales

HAPPY SPRING from HAVENWOOD TALES !

“Rejoice in all that is glorious!”

— Author, D.J. Houston

Mystery Novels – Inspiring Stories – Historical Fiction – American Literature Treasures

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St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – Havenwood Tales – Irish Blessings and Mysteries Solved

Luck O’ The Irish to Ye from Havenwood Tales!!

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‘Tis said that St. Patrick’s Day brings out the Irish in everyone 😉

A holiday originating in Ireland over a thousand years ago, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world each March 17th.

But who was this fellow Saint Patrick? Why celebrate?

And why Saint Patrick’s Day, anyway? . . .

For FUN FACTS about Leprechauns, the history of Saint Paddy’s Day, Shamrocks & MORE:

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C L I C K   H E R E

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HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY! 🙂

D.J. Houston, Author of  HAVENWOOD TALES

Copyright©2011, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

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Irish in America – Inspirations from Havenwood Tales

“I wondered if God might not have gotten sick of watching that blizzard stir up so much trouble down on earth, and decided to just suck up the last of it into the Milky Way . . .”

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 HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings  by D. J. Houston

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My father’s camaraderie with his able-bodied, Irish-minded brothers was always a source of luck and light to the McAfee clan.

Their jovial triumvirate pulled Daddy out of his pensive moods and raised everyone’s spirits around them; together, they made us all feel more playful and safe. . .

When the three Irish brothers teamed up for a challenge, it was “God between us and all harm.”

Anything was possible . . .

CLICK to READ

“Life Lessons – Mysteries of Snow”

Copyright©2007, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

Mystery Novel — Inspirations — Historical Fiction — Nostalgia Stories — Paranormal

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Mystery Novel Valentine from Heartland America

~ from HAVENWOOD TALES by D.J. Houston

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We were loitering over breakfast, contemplating how to dig out, when a clarion cry of “Man alive!” sounded in the yard.

By the time Daddy and Timmy and I could scramble to the front door, ever optimistic Uncle Arthur was tromping in, stomping his snow-caked boots on the rug and rubbing his hands together like two sticks praying to kindle a bonfire, hollering, “Nothing like a little cold snap to clear a fella’s head!”

Behind him, a deep voice grumbled beneath a bundle of woolen mufflers topped by Uncle Chester’s red nose and a brown leather aviator cap with humongous, sheepskin-lined ear flaps . . .

 C L I C K :  “Valentine for Uncle Chester”

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Copyright©2010, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

Magical Mystery – Childhood Memories – Inspiring Stories – Heartland America

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Inspirations from Havenwood Tales Author, D.J. Houston

A Note to Fans and Fellow Writers from D.J. Houston, Author of HAVENWOOD TALES

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Hello, Hello! And HAPPY 2013!

I’ve thought of you — a LOT 🙂 And of what I might share with you next that could be most helpful, as the first month of another new year has flown by and we all go about our busy lives — and I, the busy business of writing.

Shall I share quotes from famous authors to inspire my amazing Writer friends? Or another final draft of another surprise from HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings to entertain Trudie’s loyal, loving Fans?

I decided to share this (click title below). I hope it brings you some joy and inspiration. And maybe a little useful life lesson, too 😉

May your fondest dreams come true!

D.J. Houston, Author of Havenwood Tales

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CLICK: Mystery Novel Miracles – Life Journey

Mystery Novel – Paranormal Stories – Life Journey – American Literature Treasures

Magical Mystery – Inspirations – Uncle Chester’s Music

From the Mystery Novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings by D.J. Houston

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Down on the floor, hidden from view by a heavy crocheted tablecloth, I could hear Uncle Arthur and Daddy in the parlor, whooping and slapping their thighs, swapping Irish tall tales and war buddy stories — good for a smile, but nothing I hadn’t heard before. And then somewhere off in a corner, Uncle Chester started picking country tunes on his guitar.  And that was it: I was mesmerized . . .

I couldn’t say how long I stayed there, listening to his music. Or know my life would be forever changed by the experience . . . But there was nothing to do but close my eyes and bow my head to the moment . . .

C L I C K  for  M O R E

Copyright©2010, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

Life Lessons – Coming of Age Story – Mystery – American Literature Treasures

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American Family Life ~ English Christmas Dinner Humor ~ What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Christmas 1946 ~ HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings

Secret Reporting after-the-fact (… by Trudie McAfee of Havenwood Tales, but please don’t tell anybody)

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by Norman Rockwell

Being from England and therefore born eccentric, of course it should have been predictable that Aunt Julia would serve weird  food. . .

If the classic English nursery rhyme “Sing a Song of Sixpence” comes to mind, common sense would have to suspect it contained the remains of four-and-twenty blackbirds baked in a pie — even to a six-year-old like me . . .

C L I C K  for our Wild Celebration 🙂

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Copyright©2010, 2012 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved. 

Holiday Stories, Celebration, Nostalgia – Mystery Novel – Historical Fiction Books

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The World’s Most Beautiful Christmas Tree

From the coming novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings by D.J. Houston

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How to trim a Christmas tree on the night before Christmas Eve when you’ve never had one, and the stores are closed and there’s no box of decorations stashed anywhere to draw from, is — or so I learned that night — like refurbishing an empty house without money . . .

You create something out of nothing with whatever is to hand and make up the rest as you go.

As Forest Gump’s own mama would say, “You never know what you’re gonna get.”  And to that I would add, “when you bring out the Artist in people.”

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C L I C K for Inspiring Christmas Story

Copyright©2008, 2012 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

Mystery Novel – Inspiring Stories – American Literature Treasures – Life Journey 

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