Posted in Inspirations, Wisdom, tagged 1940s, America, Author D.J. Houston, Freedom, Heartland America, Inspiring Stories, Mystery Novel, Social Commentary, WW II on May 26, 2014| 2 Comments »
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Posted in Holiday Stories, Celebration, Nostalgia, tagged 1940s, America, Childhood Memories, Coming of Age Story, Heartland America, Humorous Stories, Inspiring Stories, Mother's Day, Mystery Novel, Social Commentary on May 9, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Mark Twain
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Posted in Life Lessons, Family, School, tagged Author D.J. Houston, Coming of Age Story, Havenwood School, Heartland America, Inspiring Stories, Life Lessons, Mystery Novel, Natures Beauty, Visionary Fiction on April 11, 2014| 6 Comments »
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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.
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 . . .
A 3-Part Excerpt from the Novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings
Copyright©2008, 2014 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted in Author D.J. Houston Notes, Holiday Stories, Celebration, Nostalgia, tagged Author D.J. Houston, Havenwood Tales, Historical Fiction Books, Inspiring Stories, Life Lessons, Mystery Novel, Secrets, Trudie McAfee, Visionary Fiction on January 23, 2014| 8 Comments »
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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!
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Copyright©2014 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted in Holiday Stories, Celebration, Nostalgia, tagged 1940s, Author D.J. Houston, Bobbing for Apples, Halloween Stories, HALLOWEEN TREATS, Intrigue, Mystery Novel, Paranormal Stories, Storytelling, Trick or Treat on October 4, 2013| 2 Comments »
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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.
Copyright©2008, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted in Inspirations, Wisdom, tagged Art Artists, Artistic License, Author D.J. Houston, Havenwood School, Inspiring Stories, Mystery Novel, Special Teachers, Visionary Fiction, Wisdom on September 7, 2013| Leave a Comment »
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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 . . .
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Copyright©2008, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted in Mystery, Intrigue, tagged Gifted Children, Inspirational Stories, Inspiring Stories, Life Journey, Life Lessons, Mystery Novel, Paranormal Stories, Spirits & Ghosts, Storytelling, Visionary Fiction on August 25, 2013| 3 Comments »
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Continued from Havenwood Tales Surprise – Gabriel White Cloud Walling
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.
Posted in Mystery, Intrigue, tagged American Literature Treasures, Author D.J. Houston, Childhood Memories, Fantasy Fiction, Gifted Children, Mystery Novel, Natures Beauty, Paranormal Stories, Secrets on July 20, 2013| 6 Comments »
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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 . . .
Posted in America, Holiday Stories, Celebration, Nostalgia, tagged America, American Literature Treasures, Author D.J. Houston, Freedom, Heartland America, Historical Fiction Books, Intrigue, Mystery Novel, Social Commentary, WW II on June 30, 2013| 2 Comments »
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Faith In America by Donald Zolan
Before the second half of 20th 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 . . .
Copyright©2007, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted in Holiday Stories, Celebration, Nostalgia, tagged American Family Life, Author D.J. Houston, Childhood Memories, Father's Day, Inspiring Stories, Life Lessons, Mystery Novel, Nostalgic Stories on June 8, 2013| 5 Comments »
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.
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.”
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Copyright©2011, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted in Mystery, Intrigue, tagged Childhood Memories, Coming of Age Story, Intrigue, Life Journey, Mystery Novel, Natures Beauty, Paranormal Stories, World War 2 Veterans on May 18, 2013| Leave a Comment »
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 . . .
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Copyright©2008, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted in Life Lessons, Family, School, tagged American Literature Treasures, Author D.J. Houston, Coming of Age Story, Humorous Stories, Inspiring Stories, Mystery Novel, Native American Stories, Wisdom on April 7, 2013| Leave a Comment »
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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 . . .
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 . . .
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Copyright©2007, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted in Inspirations, Wisdom, tagged America, Author D.J. Houston, Historical Fiction Books, Inspiring Stories, Irish in America, Life Lessons, Mystery Novel, Nostalgic Stories, Paranormal Stories on February 24, 2013| Leave a Comment »
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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 . . .
Copyright©2007, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted in Holiday Stories, Celebration, Nostalgia, tagged 1940s, American Literature Treasures, American Tall Tales, Author D.J. Houston, Childhood Memories, Heartland America, Inspiring Stories, Magical Mystery, Mystery Novel, Valentine's Day on February 9, 2013| Leave a Comment »
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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 . . .
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Copyright©2010, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
Magical Mystery – Childhood Memories – Inspiring Stories – Heartland America –
Posted in Author D.J. Houston Notes, tagged American Literature Treasures, Author D.J. Houston, Inspiring Stories, Life Journey, Life Lessons, Miracles, Mystery Novel, Paranormal Stories on January 25, 2013| Leave a Comment »
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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!
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Posted in Inspirations, Wisdom, tagged American Literature Treasures, American Tall Tales, Coming of Age Story, Inspiring Stories, Irish in America, Life Lessons, Magical Mystery, Mystery Novel, World War 2 Veterans on January 5, 2013| Leave a Comment »
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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 . . .
Copyright©2010, 2013 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted in Holiday Stories, Celebration, Nostalgia, tagged 1940s, American Family Life, American Tall Tales, Author D.J. Houston, Childhood Memories, Christmas Stories, Historical Fiction Books, Humorous Stories, Mystery Novel, Social Commentary on December 28, 2012| 2 Comments »
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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 . . .
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Copyright©2010, 2012 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted in Holiday Stories, Celebration, Nostalgia, tagged American Family Life, American Literature Treasures, Art Artists, Author D.J. Houston, Christmas Stories, Inspiring Stories, Life Journey, Mystery Novel, Nostalgic Stories on December 14, 2012| Leave a Comment »
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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.
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Copyright©2008, 2012 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted in Mystery, Intrigue, tagged American Literature Treasures, Author D.J. Houston, Intrigue, Life Journey, Magical Mystery, Mystery Novel, Social Commentary, Storytelling, Wisdom on November 10, 2012| Leave a Comment »
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Painting by Michael Lang
“I don’t want to believe in monsters and scary things in the night like other kids do, Mama.”
Her response was calm and earnest.
“The goodness of human nature makes it hard to look at evil’s face. So people make up stories about monsters instead.”
While I cogitated that, she added, “Sometimes they do it for fun.”
That made me smile, so she went on . . .
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Copyright©2010, 2012 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
Posted in Mystery, Intrigue, tagged American Literature Treasures, Author D.J. Houston, Coming of Age Story, Inspiring Stories, Life Lessons, Magical Mystery, Mystery Novel, Natures Beauty, WW II on November 2, 2012| Leave a Comment »
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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.
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From HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings
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Copyright©2010, 2012 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted in Inspirations, Wisdom, tagged 1940s, American Literature Treasures, Coming of Age Story, Gifted Children, Inspiring Stories, Intrigue, Miracles, Mystery Novel, Natures Beauty, Nostalgic Stories, Secrets on September 29, 2012| Leave a Comment »
… 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.
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Copyright©2007, 2012 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
Posted in Havenwood School, tagged American Family Life, American Tall Tales, Author D.J. Houston, Funny Stories, Havenwood School, Literary Fiction Books, Mystery Novel, Social Commentary, Wisdom on September 9, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Timmy kept pacing the front yard like a penned up billy goat, clenching his teeth and slamming a battered baseball back and forth with a stinging hand against his old stitched-up catcher’s mitt while he muttered out loud to himself.
He was obviously suffering his own case of walloping doubts about my having to start going to school.
In the first place, it was his school. And the idea of his naïve, snot-nosed little sister attending that same school would never fit in with his master plan, even if he had one. But it was the only school around so he had no choice:
Copyright©2007, 2012 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
Funny Stories – Havenwood School – Social Commentary – American Family – Mystery NovelPosted in Author D.J. Houston Notes, tagged 1940s, America, American Tall Tales, Art Artists, Fantasy Fiction, Funny Stories, Gifted Children, Life Lessons, Mystery Novel, Native American Stories, Nostalgic Stories, Secrets on September 1, 2012| 8 Comments »
It’s me, TRUDIE, your HAVENWOOD TALES Narrator character 🙂
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GUESS WHAT ?!! B I G N E W S — I’M on PINTEREST at http://pinterest.com/trudiehaven/
And it was a BIG DEAL to get there, too!
I confessed to the folks at Pinterest that I live in the 1940s in Heartland America. I even admitted to being precocious and said I could see the future. But they said all I needed was a Facebook or Twitter account, and they’d send me an invitation to join.
Simple, right? So I asked my author — who is (as you probably know) none other than my friend and confidant, D.J. Houston — to sign me up for Facebook BUT…
Posted in Life Lessons, Family, School, tagged American Literature Treasures, Author D.J. Houston, Funny Stories, Havenwood School, Heartland America, Humorous Stories, Life Lessons, Mystery Novel, pet skunk, Storytelling on August 17, 2012| Leave a Comment »
So you couldn’t tell him anything. And Sweetie – the possum I fed in the woods every night so she wouldn’t go grubbing in Mama’s garden – just waddled away, oblivious, if I even so much as thought about broaching the subject.
When it finally came right down to it, the only person I could get to just sit there and hear me out was Mama Dog’s fluffy pup, Rowdy. . .
Copyright©2008, 2012 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
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Havenwood Tales 
Life in Havenwood – The Miracle of Mister Walling
Posted in Inspirations, Wisdom, Mystery, Intrigue, tagged American Literature Treasures, Author D.J. Houston, Inspiring Stories, Life Journey, Miracles, Mystery Novel, Native American Stories, Paranormal Stories, Social Commentary, Spirits & Ghosts, Visionary Fiction on June 17, 2016| 2 Comments »
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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