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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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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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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“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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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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Christmas Nostalgia – Havenwood School – Vegetables, Dirt and Gingerbread Men

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

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Katy Winthrop’s Gingerbread Man

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Miss Greenlee’s class learned to make Art out of gingerbread men. And not just any old brown paper cut-outs of gingerbread men, but real-cookie keepsake ornaments you could dangle from a Christmas tree!

Using her curvy metal cookie cutter, we molded the figures from sheets of rolled-out gingerbread dough we’d made by ourselves with arithmetic and a recipe.  A loop of fuzzy white pipe cleaner wire was attached to the top of each man’s head for a hook, while the dough was soft.  And then we set our little men aside to dry in the window sills.

We watched the dough harden for three whole days under the frosty window panes before Katy Winthrop couldn’t stand it any longer . . .

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Magical Mystery of Trudie McAfee – Life Lessons and Autumn Dreams

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I hadn’t pictured my mother away from her home and work routines since the factory days of the war.  But this peaceful, natural setting seemed to suit her to her core.

I realized she’d brought me here for a reason.

C L I C K   for MORE 

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From HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings

D.J. Houston, Author

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

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

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Secrets of Havenwood Tales – Autumn Mystery – Mister Walling

Magical Mystery from HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings

by D.J. Houston

As the leaves turned red and gold and brown and covered the ground with Autumn

… it was my whole new world of learning with Miss Greenlee that most absorbed my life that Fall of 1946.

But on long walks home from school alone if Timmy stayed behind to practice baseball, while the fat-cheeked squirrels scurried to store their nuts in hidey-holes for the winter and cattle huddled together in the crisp wind, my thoughts would often turn to Mister Walling.

I still had never spoken of him . . .

CLICK  HERE for Secrets and Miracles

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Copyright©2007, 2012 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

Magical Mystery – Nostalgic Stories – Gifted Children – Coming of Age – American Literature

 

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Hay Rides and a Brother’s Desperation – The New World of Havenwood School

New peeks at HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings

by D.J. Houston, Author

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This excerpt is CONTINUED from “Humorous Stories – Baseball Rules – American Tall Tales”  – Missed Part I ? – CLICK HERE

I don’t know who the heck Timmy thought he was fooling . . .

Anybody with an ounce of sense and eyes in their head could figure it out. Ever since the preacher’s niece from Poseyville, ten-year-old Josie May Redding, had blinked at him on a hayride, he’d been praying she was a cradle robber.

The last thing he needed was flirty Miss Josie May thinking he was some kind of sissy babysitter for his dumb little sister.

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American Tall Tales – Humorous Stories of Bribery and Havenwood School

A favorite from HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings

 Author, D.J. Houston

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You can call it bribery if you want to, I don’t care.  Other than the possibility of getting to see pickled brains in a jar, I was looking forward to going to school about as much as slopping hogs for the rest of my life . . .

But I was pretty sure God would forgive me   . . .

–C L I C K  H E R E  for  “SCHOOL RUMOR HUMOR”

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

American Tall Tales – Humorous Stories – Mystery Novel – Historical Fiction Books

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Life Journey Intrigue – Gifted Children – Coming of Age

Inspirations from coming HAVENWOOD Tales Beginnings

by D. J. Houston

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For all its endless sunny days and amazing Milky Way nights, the magic of that last abiding summer of my freedom before the era of my schooling years began was too often lost in longing to see Mister Walling.

It was more miles than I could walk in a day to reach his secluded cabin and still make it back home before dark.  But I didn’t dare ask anyone to drive me there…

C L I C K  H E R E  to READ

“Secrets of Gifted Children”

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

Mystery Novel – Fantasy Fiction – Life Journey – True Friendship – Coming of Age Story

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Inspiring Stories – Father’s Day – Author D.J. Houston

H A P P Y   F A T H E R’ S   D A Y !

A Note from Author D.J. Houston

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FATHERS — and our unique experiences and life lessons with them — are as varied as individuals themselves.

My own father’s common sense, persistent work ethic, a calm strength of character and endearing, almost corny sense of humor are traits I treasure and remember him for most.  But when I was a child, he could seem a bit mysterious. . .

Remembering him this Father’s Day . . . 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 . . .

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C L I C K  H E R E  to READ. . .

“Father’s Day Inspirations from Heartland America”

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

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

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Father’s Day Inspirations from Heartland America

“He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” – Clarence Budington Kelland

 

 A Note from Author, D.J. Houston  & MORE 🙂

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FATHERS — and our unique experiences and life lessons with them — are as varied as individuals themselves.

My own father’s common sense, persistent work ethic, a calm strength of character and endearing, almost corny sense of humor are traits I treasure and remember him for most.  But when I was a child, he could seem a bit mysterious.

His favorite song was “The Tennessee Waltz,” but I never saw him dancing.  He’d been to college, but never encouraged me to go.  He’d been a soldier, but he wouldn’t talk about the war . . .  

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Mystery Novel Memoir – World War II – Heartland America

Excerpts from HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings

by D.J. Houston

~ Honoring My Father on Memorial Day  ~

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My first pearl appeared the summer I turned six, not long after Daddy and Uncle Arthur returned from the Second World War . . .

It was a time of new necessity for Man.  For despite any halt to the march of evil, that war had turned humanity inside out when the white-hot specter of an atom bomb shocked and awed a pre-dawn New Mexico desert and twice carried death to Japan.

Yet no one could begin to grasp the consequences; it was too impossible to confront that such a thing as an atom bomb could ever happen in the first place.

Even after the war, top-secret scientists kept right on with the military to convince each other, time and again, that bombs do, indeed explode, while regular Joe civilian had no clue of such experiments.  And anyone who might have been aware felt powerless to stop them.  So they did nothing.

Post-WW II Heartland America

Families were reunited with their military loved ones the world over, and did what they could to reorient them to whatever became of their lost years at home.

Most made the transition; all were scarred.  But I’d like to think it was easier for the battle-weary to recover in a place like Havenwood . . .

Livestock and chickens and barns and crops and bank accounts needed tending, leaving little time to ruminate about the war.  And with new enterprises springing up as manufacturing shifted to producing wares and gadgets for the new Consumer Age, earning opportunities outside the home soon grew abundant for adults and young folks alike.

Not that play wasn’t fun and important to youth back then; if anything, a crippling Great Depression with a Second World War on its heels had led Americans of every age to value their freedoms and pleasures more than ever.

But work is its own reward.  If you don’t believe me, ask someone who has none.  And with more choices that come to a freer people, we could enjoy work more than ever, too.

All the kids I knew did chores, before and after school.  And those who had already proven themselves as volunteers for war efforts on the home front had a long leg up when it came to getting hired for the paying jobs.

With no TV screens to spectate at for hours on end, and decades yet before the advent of ubiquitous shopping mall arcades, video games, and personal phones and computers, young people tended to play hands-on at the game of growing up.

They practiced the real deal with real people, in an insular world without internet . . .

~

Author, D.J. Houston

Copyright©2007, 2014 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

Historical Fiction – Memoir Novels – Life Journey – Coming of Age – Social Commentary

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Mother’s Day Inspirations from Heartland America

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to Moms  Mums  Mamas  Mommies and Mothers everywhere!

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– photo by D.J. Houston

How fitting Mother’s Day arrives when Spring is in full bloom!

A very Happy Mother’s Day to Mother Nature, too!

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 Havenwood Tales protagonist and narrator, Trudie McAfee, whose stories I write for you, forever celebrates her Mama Birdie and the mothers and grandmothers of her ancestry.

And as always with the Art of Motherhood, Trudie’s mother was her first special teacher.

For always it is true:

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“That best academy, a mother’s knee.”

– James Russell Lowell, poet

Mama Birdie McAfee was a great cook, too!

Trudie might say this was true of her:

“A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.”

– Tenneva Jordan

But this classic “fond remembrance” reminds Trudie most of Mama:

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

–  Mark Twain

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We remember and honor our Mothers in countless ways . . .

You may be familiar with time-tested rhymes like this one:

“Nobody knows of the work it makes
To keep the home together.
Nobody knows of the steps it takes,
Nobody knows but Mother.”

– Anonymous

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Here’s a fresh, modern look at the ancient wisdom of honoring one’s parents that may be NEW to you:

What a relief it is to know that our lucky children and grandchildren have these common sense inspirations to help guide them through their coming-of-age!

View the entertaining video “Honor and Help Your Parents” from The Way to Happiness book:

CLICK HERE

~

To Treasured Friends and Fans:

As I prepare to launch your ultimate gift of HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings – the first novel of the Havenwood Tales series – please know:

Your loyalty, feedback and the fun YOU bring to the party are valued and appreciated more than ever!

Have a very Happy Mother’s Day!

D.J. Houston, Author of Havenwood Tales

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Copyright©2013, 2014 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

Inspirations – Celebration of Life – Nostalgia – American Literature Treasures

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Coming of Age – Havenwood School – American Literature Treasures

Excerpts from the novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings 

D.J. Houston, Author

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I had the most godawful urge to stick my tongue out at spiteful, old Miss Hickey, the Latin teacher. 

Her mission in life since before she was born had apparently been to hate anything and everything new and different; that much seemed obvious. But I’d figured out enough about human nature to know that it probably wasn’t really me she was mad at . . .

I did put an end to her using me for a firing range, though. Daring, considering she had that willow switch hidden under her desk . . .

C L I C K   H E R E

Mystery Story – Coming of Age Story – Fantasy Fiction – American Tall Tales

Copyright©2012, 2014 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

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Life Journey – Miracles – Havenwood Spring in the Heartland

HAPPY EASTER!  HAPPY SPRING! 

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MANY MIRACLES to you and to all our gifted children coming of age in a new world of friendship and imagination!  May you find every opportunity for freedom and adventure on life’s journey!

THANK YOU to my loyal fans and readers.  The official launch of HAVENWOOD TALES is a much bigger task than I thought!

I wish you much joy and enjoyment from these last, updated excerpts I’ll be sharing with you.

May you ever be SURPRISED 😉

CLICK  HERE:  “Spring in Heartland America”

–   Happily Yours,

Author, D.J. Houston

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American Literature Treasures – Miracles – Life Journey – Adventure – Coming of Age

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Inspirational Stories of Christmas – Carols and Coming of Age

The fact that I learned to sing Christmas carols by first finding out what the words in the lyrics actually meant is why I can still remember them to this day.   And the carols I remember best are the ones we learned in Havenwood School’s Young People’s Christmas Choir, under the able auspices of Miss Lucinda Greenlee . . .

The payoff came one brisk, starry night at the County Christmas Pageant, on the grounds of Old Capital Square . . .

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CLICK for  “Humorous Holiday Stories – Christmas Choir Inspirations”

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Excerpts from HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings by D.J. Houston

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

Holiday Stories – Inspirations – Coming of Age – Life Journey – Heartland America

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Wisdom from Secrets – Coming of Age – Inspirations

Excerpts from the novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings

by Author, D.J. Houston

“My mother spoke the wisdom of the Ancestors, secrets from beyond Earth”

My mother’s mother, Meda, left this world before I was born.

She was a full-blood Shawnee Indian, the daughter of my great-grandparents whose keen eyes still watched over us from a tintype photograph high on our living room mantle.

Inherently proud of my Native American heritage, I felt honored to be part of a ritual she had once shared with my mother on that giant rock, overlooking the stream in the hidden woods . . .

CLICK HERE for SECRETS

Paranormal Stories – Mystery Novel – Coming of Age Story – Intrigue

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

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Heartland America Warning – School Rumor Humor

D.J. Houston, Author

Hello Friends!

What a Summer it’s been for America!  Not to mention this extraordinary 21st Century on Earth.

As for our tale of Havenwood, I can only reveal that — following a summer of brave adventures, some startling misadventure and plentiful mystery after Trudie Beth McAfee’s precocious encounter with Gabriel White Cloud Walling — the era of her childhood freedom threatened to become an empty memory, as time drew near for. . .  the inevitable — SCHOOL.

Here’s some FUN for you (circa 1946)  🙂  Enjoy!

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Mystery Story Intrigue – Freedom, Inspirations and Wisdom – Havenwood School

PART II of  the excerpt from HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings– “Spring in Heartland America”

Missed PART I ? – CLICK HERE

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I must say, I had the most godawful urge to stick my tongue out at spiteful old Miss Hickey, the Latin teacher. Her mission in life since before she was born had apparently been to hate anything and everything new and different; that much seemed obvious. But I’d figured out enough about human nature to know that it probably wasn’t really me she was mad at. I just didn’t know who.

I did put an end to her using me for a firing range, though. Daring, considering she had that willow switch hidden under her desk. But it was easy!

One day, I hung outside her classroom door with my arms stacked full of fresh library books till she sniffed me out. And when she huffed over to shoot me the daggers, I just gave her my goofiest grin.

Now, nobody EVER smiled at Miss Hickey. So after both her eyes popped out of her head and rolled on the floor like gumballs (. . . that’s how I saw it, anyway), needless to say, she never bothered to glare at me again. Blame it on the power of imagination, if you like.  But, hey — Mission accomplished.

In that glorious Spring before I turned seven, little could suppress my urge to learn. I had given myself free rein.

With reading treasures I culled from Havenwood School’s library and the books of her own Miss Greenlee loaned me — books filled with beautiful illustrations and intriguing photographs that could tell their stories without even needing words — the whole new world Mama promised me when I first started school was mine to explore every day.

Through books, I could marvel at masterful statues in London and Greece, canal boats in Venice, four seasons in Paris; explore Ireland’s pastoral sheep farms, and scamper with wild goats in the Scottish Highlands.

Aboriginal Dreamtime

I could wonder at the linear depictions of skinny Egyptian queens and kings and track the hieroglyphic stories of their lives. I could listen to Dreamtime Story spirits of Australia’s Aboriginal people, and feel the throbbing rhythms of African Zulu warriors dancing the hunt as their pictures came alive for me. And I could dream of my life’s journey carrying me across the vast oceans of earth, to make friends with fascinating people in foreign lands.

Through books, I became enthralled with the art and culture of my Native American ancestors, and amazed by the genius of Renaissance Men in America. Benjamin Franklin, George Washington Carver, witty Samuel Clemens with his pen name, Mark Twain, all spoke to me. 

And I would later come to know the Founding Fathers of my nation, and realize–after the dark years that followed my own generation’s folly–how much the character of these great men and others of their ilk helped shape a Neo-Renaissance awakening.

And in my youth, their foresight, will and wisdom inspired me to believe in my ability to help in this world, and fueled my determination to visit my friend Mister Walling again, even if it had to be a secret . . .

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C O N T I N U E D  – C L I C K  for Surprising Part III

Author D. J. Houston

Copyright©2011, 2014 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.

Magical Mystery – Social Commentary – Coming of Age Story – American Literature Treasures

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Valentine for Uncle Chester – Inspirations of Auld Lang Syne

~ from the novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings

by D.J. Houston

New Year’s Eve had come and gone to the tune of Aunt Julia’s piano and a rousing chorus of Auld Lang Syne, while the grownups held up their glasses and Timmy and I toasted all their toasts with mugs of hot chocolate and root beer.

Our house was almost done mourning the departure of its Christmas tree. Mama was back to baking for Birdie’s Kitchen and school had just gotten good and started again.

Then, on the 30^th of January, a roaring blizzard slammed its way out of Canada like a bull shot loose from a rodeo pen, pummeling everything south of it from Michigan to Texas and east to the ocean. Havenwood’s countryside looked like something out of a Russian fairytale by morning.

In a place that’s lucky to get two feet of snow in a whole year put together, that storm left more than a calling card under the solid white blanket that smothered the rolling landscape. All the roads had disappeared, the well was frozen over and drifts around our house were sloped so high, you could have walked right off the edge of the porch with no place to fall.

We were loitering over breakfast, contemplating how to dig out, when the 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!”

by Ian Wilde

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.

Once Uncle Chet pulled the mufflers loose, we could hear him saying, “That’s the doggoned awfullest mess I ever seen. You got drifts clean up past your window sills, Ben. We better git to work.”

Extreme weather — or any challenge, for that matter, so long as it was tractor, truck, food, fire, flood, Act of God or gun related — seemed to bring out the best in men of their ilk. 

With telephone lines down across the Heartland and the roads too buried in snow to be located, much less traveled, Uncle Chet had been rolling along on a beeline since well before dawn, determined, on his big-wheeled tractor. He picked up Uncle Arthur in Rainbolt Hollow. And damn the torpedoes,  the two had arrived to help out their family at our house, shovels in hand.

We were grinning and grateful for their efforts, needless to say.

“Where in tarnation did you find that hat, Chester?” my daddy teased.  “Come in, come in!”

A quiet cloud settled over Uncle Chet’s face, and we realized at once that Aunt Rose must have given him the hat and made him promise to wear it in inclement weather, before she passed on.

The McAfees were a close-knit bunch; tacit rules of engagement for generations had kept us so.  Even Timmy and Rowdy Dog fell silent, and my daddy’s question about the hat was respectfully dropped.

Mama emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. She slipped past the group of us gathered in the foyer, helped Chester out of his coat, then stood patiently by as he heaved a sigh and carefully placed his hat over the last empty hook on the hall stand.

“That husband a’ yours leave any hot coffee on the stove, Birdie?”

He was grumbling again. But he thanked her kindly with his eyes and laid a big, gentle hand on her shoulder. The rest of us picked up gabbing where we’d left off, happy to see each other, while we followed Mama and Uncle Chester into the kitchen.

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

And 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 . . .

~

by D.J. Houston, Author

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

An excerpt from HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings

Photography by Anna Laura Livinal Belanger

Mystery Novel – Life Lessons – Historical Fiction – Inspirations of Heartland America

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