by Olivia | Feb 4, 2013 | Lens on Life, Uncategorized
“I guess I’d better eat my daily weeds.” My mom said that on more than one occasion, letting me know vegetables are not her favorite food. But she always served them to us kids, and somewhere along the way I learned to eat them. And like them. And...
by Olivia | Feb 1, 2013 | Uncategorized
Fifteen August 1942 After that Charlie and I spent a lot more time together. Teasing the girls out on the Island and spying on Margaret with me under the porch had proven to me that Charlie was all right. And I remembered how he had all of us singing that old hymn...
by Olivia | Jan 31, 2013 | Books in Process, Uncategorized
Perhaps kindred souls flock together, but practically everyone I know is watching “Downton Abbey,” a period masterpiece from BBC broadcast in the US on PBS’s famous Masterpiece Theater. I do have a few friends who haven’t been bitten by the bug. Yet. And a bunch more...
by Olivia | Jan 30, 2013 | Lens on Life, Uncategorized
“How’s your foot?” These days I get that question before I get a hello. From the neighbors. At church. From friends. At the gym (yes, I’m attempting exercise). Six weeks ago I broke an ankle. These things take time, and there’s not much to rush the process of healing....
by Olivia | Jan 25, 2013 | Uncategorized
Thirteen August 1942 The next few days were pretty quiet. Folks still came by to see Charlie, but it seemed like all the fussing was over with and I was free to go back to enjoying my summer. Charlie would sit out on the porch or out in the yard and talk to people if...
by Olivia | Jan 24, 2013 | Books in Process, Uncategorized
Do you ever wonder what’s going on around your neighborhood that you might not know about? Most of us are not out-and-out snoops. But we are curious. I once crept out at 11:00 at night because someone unfamiliar was in my neighbors’ front yard and I knew...
by Olivia | Jan 21, 2013 | Lens on Life, Uncategorized
This is still a hard day for me. A hard few days, even after all this time. Eight years ago I stood outside my insurance agent’s office. I was there for a routine purpose, but for a reason I don’t remember now, I was without a car and knew I had a few...
by Olivia | Jan 18, 2013 | Uncategorized
Eleven August 1942 “I don’t believe ’em!” Randy sputtered to the surface. “Dey falls for it ever’ time.” “I think Margaret really believes in that ol’ River Monster stuff,” I said. “I ain’t seen her really swimmin’ in the river comin’ on two years.” “Mebbe she...
by Olivia | Jan 17, 2013 | Books in Process, Uncategorized
My novel Accidentally Amish was partially inspired by a link in my own family history to some of the earliest Amish settlers. I only discovered this a few years ago. In my story, Annie Friesen discovers her own link to history that intersects with someone she never...
by Olivia | Jan 14, 2013 | Lens on Life, Uncategorized
On more than one occasion while discussing the antics, life experiences, of my siblings and their offspring, my mother has observed, “Nobody’s ordinary in our family, that’s for sure.” That includes her. You should hear some of the things she...
