Oral Stories

I had the wonderful experience of listening to an oral story from our visitors over the summer. It is amazing how many people want to tell you their stories. Although I enjoy working in the 'historic' period, I also treasure the stories I hear from those who are living now.

One of the stories was from a lady in Arizona who had been to the Pikes Peak region as a child. She went on to tell me the memories she had of her uncles and grandfather who had performed Native American dances at Seven Falls and The Manitou Cliff dwellings. She was here now to show her own grandchildren what she remembered. The one thing she would not do was drive to the top of Pikes Peak. She said as a child she was afraid, not of falling off the side, but of getting to the top and falling over onto the other side. As she told the story you could see her eyes light up as she remembered that innocent time. She wanted her grandchildren to have those same experiences to pass on to their children and grandchildren.

I will be talking more about oral stories on my website and blog. I think that sometimes we are so busy with our own lives we forget the wonderful gifts we receive when we take the time to listen to other peoples stories. Everyone has one or more to tell. As writers it is our gift to take those stories and make them accessible to the rest of the world.

Doris McCraw

Jane Kirkpatrick at Wisconsin's Quilt Expo

Last week I had the pleasure of seeing former WWW President Jane Kirkpatrick's presentation about her soon-to-be-released book AURORA: AN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE IN QUILT, COMMUNITY AND CRAFT, at the Quilt Expo in Madison, Wisconsin.

What a treat! Jane was, as always, a superb speaker. And the stories and gorgeous illustrations she shared make me eager to read the book. Her Change and Cherish seris of historical novels were inspired by her research about the community of Aurora.

Kathleen Ernst,

WWW President

http://www.kathleenernst.com/

Excerpt from The Last Rodeo

I've posted an excerpt from Chapter One of my new book, The Last Rodeo, on my blog. If you'd like to read it, you can go to lindasandifer.blogspot.com .

No Rainbows by Jo-Brew

Trying a new approach to keep my second blog current, I've begun posting a continued short story. I hope some of you will take a look. http://jo-brew.blogspot.com Jo-

September New Releases

Colorado Scenic Byways
Taking the Other Road
Text By Susan J. Tweit
Photographs By Jim. Steinberg

Colorado's Governor Ritter has chosen Colorado Scenic Byways: Taking the Other Road, Susan J. Tweit's latest collaboration with photographer Jim Steinberg, as his "personal gift" for the 30 Democratic governors attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver. The two-volume set of books details the sights and stories of Colorado's twenty-five byway routes, from the ruler-straight roads crossing the expansive plains to the oft-overlooked foothills, and from the Jeep trails ascending to nosebleed heights in the high peaks to the vivid canyon country of western Colorado. Colorado Scenic Byways is due to be released in September, when Tweit and Steinberg will criss-cross the state doing book-signings. (Check www.coloradoscenicbyways.com/ for a signing near you.) Tweit says the duo is "thrilled" by the Governor's choice.

Published by Portfolio Publications

http://susanjtweit.com

http://communityoftheland.blogspot.com/

Order from http://www.coloradoscenicbyways.com/ Here

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Haven
By Irene Bennett Brown

Laila Mitchell has little money, her medical knowledge, a medicine kit, and the clothes on her back when she sets out to search for her last living relatives in 1890's Oregon.

Stranded in the Snake River Canyon, she settles into a small mining community named Venture and from there she serves as practical nurse to scattered miners and settlers. Laila is soon entangled in the hardships of frontier life, guardianship of a "wild child" and reluctant attraction to peach rancher and hotel owner, Ash Corbett. As she faces problems with courage and verve, a magical, never-dreamed-of future opens. Which can be hers, if only she can let go of her heart-breaking past.

Published by RIVEREDGE BOOKS

http://www.irenebennettbrown.com

Click to Order Haven from Barnes and Noble

Click to order Haven from Amazon.com