Linda Brooks Davis's Blog, page 14
January 23, 2019
Let’s Chat! Life & Last Trains
Welcome, everyone!
Life. There’s so much to ruminate on.
Lately my rumination into life has taken me to thoughts of lasting impressions and last trains. And to a question I doubt many folks have asked: How many human beings have I encountered in my life?
Let’s see . . .
Like you, life began with my mother. The doctor who delivered me. My father who held me. The nurses who tended me. My brothers.
It progressed from my home to church, school, doctors’ offices, hospitals, courtrooms, highways, stores, libraries, restaurants, offices, playing fields, neighborhoods, entertainment venues, buses, planes, ships, trains, a family of my own, and on and on.
Only God knows the number.
Leaving Impressions
Most of the folks I’ve encountered left no impression whatsoever. I was only vaguely aware we shared the same general space. If they disappeared, I’d notice the empty spaces but not the people who had filled them.
A handful left fleeting impressions. I could’ve told you some tidbit about them at the time, but I forgot them in minutes or hours, sometimes days.
Others left more significant impressions that stayed with me for weeks or months. Some, even years. But even they have faded now.
But a few—a select and unique few—have left such deep impressions on my thinking, feeling, and behaving that I’ll carry them with me until my body or memory fails.
As it turns out, purely coincidentally, one of those is the only train engineer I’ve known. His name is Eddie Largen.
Why Eddie?
It isn’t because he was a train engineer, although that does set him apart.
Nor is it because of his good looks. He’s been easy on the eyes all his life.
It isn’t because he’s a Christian, although that is true.
It isn’t because we married into the same family. We did.
Nor is it because he’s a sterling son, husband, father, and grandfather. He is.
Lasting Impressions
I believe I’ll remember Eddie always for his unabashed, authentic enthusiasm. It’s unforgettable.
Unabashed. Eddie is enthusiastic whether others share his fervor or not. His passion finds its own time and place.
Authentic. There’s no need for Eddie to fake or force enthusiasm. It’s part and parcel of WHO he is.
Enthusiasm made Eddie a skilled train engineer who stayed the course in more ways than one. He provided a stable home and legacy for his girls and grandchildren and love and security for his wife, Sandra.
Enthusiasm has made Eddie a well-groomed gentleman. An able builder. An exceptional singer. Bible student. Christian. A devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. Friend.
Eddie’s Last Train
Eddie’s enthusiasm will translate into Glory. I can see him now—meeting, greeting, shaking hands and chewing the fat. Laughing. Singing. Enjoying a banquet. Running with his arms stretched wide and hollering, “Jesus! Jesus!”
Move aside, angels and saints. Eddie Largen’s last train is coming ’round the bend.
You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
John 16:20b NIV
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January 16, 2019
Let’s Chat! Jill English Johnston
Welcome, everyone!
Jill English Johnston joins our chat circle this week. I’ve known Jill for several years through our local American Christian Fiction Writers group. We also attend the same church, although on different campuses.
Jill’s beautiful Christian devotionals, Praise and Wonder, showcase her husband Jon’s photography. She’s offering a print copy of Praise to someone who joins the chat below.
If I were asked to describe Jill English Johnston in a word or two, I’d say gentle soul. I think you’ll agree.
P.S. By the way, thank you for your service, Jill!
Jill English Johnston Before Writing
I was born in Erie, Pennsylvania and raised in the country in northwestern Pennsylvania (near Edinboro), where my entire extended family also lived. My parents were blue-collar workers. Dad worked in a shop (Lord’s manufacturing making airplane parts). Mom worked odd jobs (Avon sales, egg farm, toy manufacturing, waitress, donut shop). Family was important, dysfunctional and crazy, but our main social circle.
I loved to read, dreamt of traveling, and quite honestly, didn’t have my family’s cynical outlook on life. So I never quite fit in. I always thought I was an optimist. Then I met my husband and realized I was only the least pessimistic of the people surrounding me. I loved to read (books were my escape) and loved to write (had so many stories in my head). I dreamt of one day being published and influencing/encouraging young hearts as writers like Tolkien, Lewis, L’Engle, and Cleary had done for mine.
My dad served 4 years in the air force. Since my family didn’t encourage college and I wanted to travel and do something different than minimum wage jobs, I joined the navy.
I trained as a weather observer/forecaster and was stationed all over (many years in Asia). I planned to get out and do something different every step of my service time. But marriage, kids, and life kept me reenlisting—for 24 years!
Finally I retired in 2010, two years after my husband, and we moved to Texas and built our what-we-could-afford-dream home. It includes my own study with a great view, plenty of bookshelves and lots of space to spread out, research and write.
Jill English Johnston’s Debut Experience
Novels take a long time to write, especially when learning how. After moving to Texas, the Lord provided me amazing encouragers and writer’s groups who helped me on my writing/learning journey. I’ve attended workshops and conferences and have written hundreds of thousands of words, but have only finished one novel (book one in a trilogy) and have several trilogies in various stages of completion.
With the appearance of Amazon and Create Space (now part of Kindle Direct Publishing), I decided to publish my own devotional. Two things motivated me.
One: I wanted to have something to sell at our writer’s group annual Christmas book sale and
Two: My husband, Jon T Johnston, is a hobby photographer and has thousands of pictures on his computer. In 2017, I combined our talents and designed and self published our first book in our Be Still series together, Praise: Proclaiming the Glory of God (based on verses in Psalms). I did it mainly because I could, for the experience and also to share my husband’s photographs with others.
What’s up With Jill English Johnston now?
This past Christmas, we published our second book in the Be Still series, Wonder, Contemplating the Mysteries of God. It is based on verses in Isaiah. The book was even more fun than the first because we took a camping road trip so my husband could take the pictures while I wrote a devotional for each passage/photo. This year we’re working on the third book in the Be Still series, Explore. It will be aimed toward young people, with plenty of photographs of God’s creation and questions to inspire/encourage.
I’m still working on my novels. I plan to soon send proposals to editors/agents for the one I’ve finished, Mists of Time (book one in the Time Trilogy). While I wait, I will continue to work on the second book, Echoes through Time and outline the third, Truths in Time.
I also write devotionals for my blog, my church facebook page and my writer’s group annual Christmas Advent devotional. I teach on prayer and serve as prayer ministry leader at my church. This month I will facilitate a writer’s workshop, aimed at those wanting to explore the idea of writing and listening to the Lord’s leading/direction.
How to Find Jill English Johnston
About Jill English Johnston
Jill English Johnston pours her heart and soul into writing both fiction and non fiction. Ever since childhood, she’s appreciated the power of story and is delighted God has finally brought her to the place where she, too, can put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, wings to words.
With her passion for prayer and prose and her husband’s love for capturing God’s glory in pictures, Jill English Johnston and Jon T Johnston, work together to create photo devotionals, the Be Still series.
They currently live in New Braunfels, Texas and spend their time writing/taking pictures of God’s creation, watching sunsets, kayaking, hiking, cycling and traveling to visit grandchildren, children, family and friends.
~ ~ ~
Dear Lord, You keep Your handprint ever before us. In Creation. Families. Love. Joy. And wonder. We praise You as the Origin of everything good. We pause to thank You for gifting writers with words and callings to write stories that lift You up and encourage others. Please bless each word Jill writes to Your glory.
~For Jesus’ sake
The post Let’s Chat! Jill English Johnston appeared first on Linda Brooks Davis.
January 9, 2019
Let’s Chat! Pat Nichols
Welcome, everyone!
Meet Pat Nichols, our guest author this week. Pat describes her first novel, The Secret of Willow Inn, as “contemporary women’s fiction with a touch of cozy mystery.”
Oooooo. Intriguing.
Pat is offering a print copy of The Secret of Willow Inn to someone who joins our conversation below. So gather ’round. Let’s encourage one another.
Pat Nichols Before Writing
My life began in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois with two wonderful parents and later a sister. When I was in third grade we moved to Orlando, Florida, where years later I married Tim, my high-school-sweetheart.
When our son and daughter were toddlers, I became an Avon Representative to supplement our income. In 1978, following seven years as an independent representative, I was hired as a district sales manager. Three years later Avon promoted me to division sales manager and moved our family to Atlanta, Georgia. I spent the next twenty-four years in seven different management positions working with hundreds of amazing women throughout the US.
Tim and I retired the same day in 2005. We finished decorating our home and ticked off every item on our travel bucket list. Our favorite destination, Venice, Italy. During the next few years, I engaged in volunteer work, served on three boards, and spent time with our three grandchildren.
Pat Nichols, the Writer
The tragic loss of our God-daughter compelled me to write a story about her life, but with a happy ending. The experience watered a seed planted years earlier and launched career number two. Now I’m proving it’s never too late to follow your dreams or fulfill God’s calling.
How Pat Nichols Began as an Author
I’d heard it takes an average of ten years for an author to land a first publishing contract. Having begun my writing journey after becoming eligible for social security, I needed to shave as much off that time as possible. For three years, my time split between studying the craft, attending conferences, connecting with authors, and writing a second novel. I pitched those first two books to seven agents and publishers and received seven rejections.
One benefit that comes with age is the ability to view rejection and disappointment as opportunity. I took the feedback from those agents and publishers to heart and fleshed out a new idea. A series about two women, strangers from different backgrounds, and a convicted felon returning to the scene of her crime.
How Pat Nichols Grew as an Author
I visualized the characters, the way they looked, their personalities and their history. Next came a decision about the settings. A small town struggling to survive and a big, bustling metropolis. Because I live thirty miles from downtown Atlanta, I chose it as the city. Although I’m old enough to remember slide rules, I’m grateful modern technology allows me to conduct research from my living room. Not that I don’t like to get out and about. It’s simply a more efficient use of time.
When it came to the second setting, I wanted to create a community I could conform to the story. It began with century-old storefronts facing a lakeside park and a block-long section graced with seven southern-style, antebellum homes. An abandoned hotel and historical general store completed the scene. It was time to breathe life into Emily, Rachel, and Sadie.
A Debut for Pat Nichols
Four years after first typing Chapter One, I signed a contract with Guiding Light, Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas imprint. The Secret of Willow Inn—book one in the Willow Falls Series releases January 10, 2019. Book two releases January, 2020.
The discipline, goal setting, and multi-tasking I learned during my corporate life is serving me well in my writing career. The biggest learning curve has been marketing and social media. Thank goodness I have grandchildren to answer my technical questions.
What’s Next for Pat Nichols?
My goal is to publish at least ten books before God takes me home. My current work-in-progress is Willow Falls Series book three. Emily, Rachel, and Sadie have become so much a part of my life I sometimes want to invite them to dinner.
What’s next? Willow Falls book four, a possible rewrite of my first novel, and a Christmas novella. I thank God for planting the seed and opening the door to this wonderful, world of writing. I pray my journey will encourage others to follow their dreams and view age as a precious gift.
How to Find Pat Nichols
Amazon
Blog
~ ~ ~
Dear Lord, Pat’s life story illustrates how You give Your children dreams and callings and set their feet on paths to reach them. We can see Your hand in Pat’s life and in her journey to publication. How faithful You are. Thank You for Your faithfulness to every generation. We pray You’ll bless each word she writes to Your glory.
~ For Jesus’ sake
The post Let’s Chat! Pat Nichols appeared first on Linda Brooks Davis.
January 2, 2019
Let’s Chat! Bruce Judisch & Marble Falls Legacy
Welcome to Let’s Chat!, everyone!
I‘m honored to begin 2019 with friend and fellow author, Bruce Judisch, a gentleman of the first order. We chatted in 2017 about Quimby Pond—Book One of The Marble Falls Legacy. This time I’m excited to learn about Book Two–Sandy River.
Bruce is offering a giveaway to someone who joins our chat circle: either BOTH Quimby Pond and Sandy River in ebook format or a signed, print copy of Sandy River–winner’s choice.
Bruce Judish, the Writer
Hi, Linda! Thanks so much for hosting me again. It’s been a couple of years now, mostly because it’s taken me that long to finish my next book. It’s the second of three parts to “The Marble Falls Legacy” series that I’m really enjoying writing. Oddly, it’s my third series, and when I started all three, I didn’t know they would become multi-work projects until I got well into the story. Whether that happens to seat-of-the-pants writers more than to those who outline their work, I don’t know. I do know it’s kind of a fun surprise, though.
The thing about writing a series is that you become so deeply immersed in the characters’ lives. More so, I think, than writing a single title, if for no other reason than that you spend so much more time with each of them. You don’t just watch them mature, you mature with them through their failures, learn their lessons, and respond to the next challenge along with them. Maybe that’s why my projects end up as series; I just don’t want to say goodbye to my characters. They say writing is a solitary life, and I get that. Mine, though, is a very happily crowded solitary life.
The Marble Falls Legacy Begins
So, what is this latest work? For context, let me start with its prequel, Quimby Pond. Here’s the short of it:
August 20, 1896, Marble Falls, Maine. A festively adorned bridal trunk arrives on the one o’clock train, but no newlyweds debark to claim it. Curious townspeople gather for the evening train, but again only to disappointment. Where was the happy couple? What became of the trunk? And what if it wasn’t a bridal trunk at all?
Present Day: Gwen Kelly comes to Marble Falls to escape a broken past, a past that revisits her when she begins to restore an antique trunk. A mysterious assailant targets her friends and fingers her as the only person who can stop him. Gwen is thrust into an awkward relationship with Officer Brent Newcomb as they race to stop the intruder from striking again. Could the trunk hold the key to this cloud of violence spreading over the peaceful Rangeley Lakes? If so, will they discover its secret in time?
The fun part to this is that the 1896 event with the trunk actually happened. Friends of mine discovered the account buried in the back pages of an old copy of the Rangeley Lakes newspaper (“Marble Falls” is a fictional town based upon Rangeley, Maine.) Now tell me, how can a fiction writer chance upon a tidbit like that and not write a mystery?
The Marble Falls Legacy Continues
While Quimby Pond is a contemporary story, except for a flashback to 1896 in the Prologue, the sequel Sandy River carries a dual storyline: one set in present day, and the other in 1860-61 Boston (dual storylines are a favorite genre of mine). Here’s what it’s about:
Present Day, Medford, Massachusetts. When Gwen returns from Marble Falls to settle her father’s estate, she discovers a shocking revelation in his will. In the quest to uncover his secret, she stumbles upon a family connection to an antique trunk—one whose legacy nearly ended her life two months earlier. Torn between pursuing her past and securing her future, mysterious events threaten to stop her from finding out the truth.
1861, Boston, Massachusetts. Irma Kelly, a strong-willed debutante on Beacon Hill’s affluent South Slope, is a fervent abolitionist and restless feminist. As Boston plunges into the Civil War, her once comfortable society evolves beyond her experience and challenges her sensibilities. But she is determined do whatever she can to right the wrongs in her world, even if it means facing mortal danger.
As Gwen and Irma pursue resolutions to their futures, their silent voices reach out to each other through the ages, and the years between them melt away, bringing their hearts together.
Sandy River picks back up with Gwen’s life, but adds the story of how the mysterious bridal trunk came to be. And, as the blurb hints, an ethereal connection between Gwen and her distant grandmother Irma arises from it.
The Future for The Marble Falls Legacy
Book three of “The Marble Falls Legacy” series is under construction. It will be predominantly historical, completing the story of the bridal trunk, but will also include some contemporary content. But don’t ask me exactly how just yet. Remember, I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer.
~ ~ ~
Bruce Judisch has been writing fiction for over fifteen years. His first work, “A Prophet’s Tale,” is a two-part novelization of the story of the Old Testament prophet, Jonah ben Amittai, comprising The Journey Begun and The Word Fulfilled. A third part, The Promised Kept, is under construction. More recently, he wrote Katia and its sequel For Maria, both with complementary present-day and 20th-century historical storylines.
Bruce lives in Texas with his wife and high-school sweetheart, Jeannie, and their two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Charlie and Raleigh. They are the proud parents of three and grandparents of fourteen.
~ ~ ~
Lord, thank You for the privilege of connecting readers with writers like Bruce. You’ve given him a gift and created readers who are looking for stories like his. Providing a platform for them to meet is a sweet spot for me. You have the words of life, Lord. Please bless each word of life Bruce shares through his fascinating stories.
~ For Jesus’ sake
The post Let’s Chat! Bruce Judisch & Marble Falls Legacy appeared first on Linda Brooks Davis.
December 26, 2018
Let’s Chat! Twelve Days of Christmas
Christmas and Beyond: Welcome, everyone!
Christmas Day, December 25, marks the first of Twelve Days of Christmas .
By Xavier Romero-Frias – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...As a child I wondered whose Christmas was twelve days long. Mine was only one. What did I need to do get a dozen of the grand days?
I Googled it, and here’s what I learned:
Supposedly, the Twelve Days of Christmas refers to the days between Christmas and Epiphany on January 6, the traditional date on which the Wise Men arrived to welcome the Christ Child.
The first known print version of the song we sing appeared in England in 1780 in a children’s book entitled Mirth and Mischief. It was intended as a cumulative memory game.
The subtitle: “Sung at King Pepin’s ball.” Since the only known King Pepin, father of Charlemagne, ruled France 752-768, this suggests it originated in France a millennium prior to 1780.
Considering the antiquity of the song, it’s no wonder I scratch my head at a Christmas lasting twelve days. And at the assorted birds and strange personages considered plum presents.
As a writer of historical fiction, I wonder how twelve days of Christmas memories might look.
Day 1: Partridge in a Pear Tree
On the First Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree. Hmm. Pear trees don’t grow outside my back door. Furthermore, I wouldn’t know what to do with a partridge if on Christmas Day my true love presented me one perched in a pear tree.
But I’ve set up a Christmas tree or two in 72 years of life. The earliest tree in my memory wore a frock of silver icicles. Beneath her petticoats lay treasures galore: a china tea set, a dolly in a carriage, and a rocker of my own.
Bright ornaments galore dangled in her boughs like partridges in pear trees. I recall their shapes. Colors. And textures. Here are a few ornaments from my childhood:
This one brings to mind a far-off star that came to Earth
when a certain Prince was born.
The pink reminds me of my dolly’s blanket.
These stripes remind me of ribbon candy.
And the blue and white of the last one bring to mind a blue norther (a term known as Texas speak).
These old ornaments aren’t partridges. Or a pear tree. But they’re symbols, all the same … of true love–my parents’ and God’s. No partridge or pear tree can compare.
Day 2: Two Turtle Doves
What I love about these featured friends is they generally bond for life. Isn’t that sweet?
This reminds me of my parents on all those Christmas mornings growing up. Often holding hands, they had way more fun sitting to the side watching us than we did opening packages. Their smiles outdid the tree lights.
Day 3: Three French Hens
When asked what comes in 3s at Christmastime, who doesn’t think Wise Men? Or the three Christian virtues–faith, hope, and love–or the Holy Trinity? I often think of us three Brooks kids (before there was Dale, the fourth): Jerry, Butch, and Linda. But if you peek into Mirth and Mischief, you’ll find another threesome: three French hens.
Retrieved from http://mygoldenbuffies.weebly.com/inf... on December 14, 2016.What’s so great about French hens? Well, the term crève-cœur refers to a broken heart. So maybe the poet figured a trio of Crèvecœur fowls, one of the oldest French breeds, could mend a maid’s broken heart thrice over. Besides, they’re known for their excellent egg production, meat quality, and friendliness.
However the best party-of-three in my box of Christmas memories has to be my triplet grandchildren in 2005: Ethan, Ella, and Davis.
Day 4: Four Colly Birds
On the fourth day our famous giver presents his true love four colly birds. (We now say calling birds, but the original is colly, which means black as coal–the common blackbird.)
Public Domain: [[File/Nederlandsche vogelen (KB) – Turdus merula (016f).jpg|Nederlandsche vogelen (KB) – Turdus merula (016f)]]Check out Wikipedia’s recordings of blackbirds’ songs. They’re actually quite nice, which surprises me. The black birds that hung around our farm when I was girl produced a “caw” like crows. Not something you’d give someone you love.
Four colly birds brings to mind my three brothers and me as an acapella quartet. We were the Brooks Quartet, known only to family and a handful of friends. Our mother thought we were the bees’ knees, so prior to her death we recorded some songs for her funeral. We wore black, and we sang, (Mother would have loved it) so I guess you’d say we gifted her with four colly calling birds. You can listen here:
http://lindabrooksdavis.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/PreciousMemories_BrooksQuartet_1995.mp3
Day 5: Five Gold Rings
Thus far the singer’s true love has presented a flock of fowls to tend. So why the departure into jewelry? Your guess is as good as mine.
Something tells me the giver of gifts knew he’d pushed his luck as far as he could. Better come up with something grand.
Like a golden ring for each finger of his love’s left hand.
Works for me.
Meanwhile, the only memory of five I’ve come up with is the size of the “perfect” family of the ’50s: 5.
Day 6: Six Geese A-Laying
A half-dozen geese arrive on our singer’s front doorstep on day six. Not ordinary geese, mind you. These geese are a-laying.
Now, if these six girls have been swimming with a dandy suitor, they could produce a flock in less than a month.
But if they’re bachelorettes, six geese can produce more eggs than the lady of the house cares to prepare. Their eggs can be two to four times the size of a chicken egg. That’s a lot of scrambled eggs, folks.
Geese are better watchdogs than … well, watchdogs. They’re supposedly credited with saving Rome from a total sack by the Gauls a couple thousand years ago. The dogs slept through the enemy invasion, but the geese created a racket that woke up the Romans and kept the house from coming down completely.
A word to the wise: Don’t ruffle the feathers of a gander. He’s one tough critter. Which reminds me of my mother. You didn’t mess with her kids.
Day 7: Seven Swans A-Swimming
I love swans.
Are there more graceful creatures in the world? Or more romantic? Sigh …
But what would I do with seven birds with a wingspan of ten feet each? I can’t imagine all seven 
trying to take off and land from the bird bath out back.
I love that they’re monogamous. And fierce protectors of their young. Something tells me that’s exactly why the suitor in this old song gave his loved one seven swans a-swimming. He was promising to love her and be true to her seven times seven! A sign of good things to come.
One memory of swans stands out. In the early ’70s our family lived in West Germany. The Sound of Music had been filmed not far away–in the Salzburg, Austria area. So off we puttered in our little Fiat to Salzburg where we found the grand estate … the gazebo … the lake … and the swans. Yep. Swans.
Day 8: Eight Maids A-Milking
Now I ask you … Why would a man woo his lady with eight unmarried young women, milking or otherwise?
Apparently when the phrase “let’s go a-milking” was common, it communicated something akin to “let’s go spooning” or “let’s get hitched.” In that case, a maid and her milk cow could represent a marriage proposal. Eight maids and eight cows would knock off the recipient’s stockings. Why?
Milk wasn’t just a nutritious drink, but from it came butter, cheese, buttermilk, yogurt, custards, etc. But it wasn’t as conveniently available in the 15th-19th centuries as in the 21st. No mechanized dairy farms. Plastic gallon jugs. Waxed cardboard half-gallons. Or refrigerated grocery shelves. Milk was only available to those who could afford to graze at least one cow or goat and a little patch of grass to feed them. Add many more, and they’d need a barn to house them, a large family or staff to milk them, and acreage to feed them.
To Milk or Not To Milk
I was reared on a farm where a milk cow or two provided our family with milk and butter. Mother could have made chees
e, buttermilk, and yogurt if she had wanted. The big difference: Mother had a choice.
Back when this song was created, a girl had to be born to–or married into–the wealth required for a stable of cows and milk maids. What girl wouldn’t want to marry an amorous fellow who could afford to give away eight cows and the girls to milk them?
This spooning dude possessed more than a single gold coin or two. Change jingled in every pocket as he hooked his thumb at his chest and declared, “Stick with me. I’ll take you a-milking.”
I figure our fair maiden planned to accept his proposal all along. So far she’s received a partridge, a pear tree, two turtle doves, three black birds, four French hens, five golden rings, six laying geese, seven swimming swans, and now eight milk maids.
Why not hold out a bit longer? She might get lucky and find nine drummers on her front lawn tomorrow.
Day 9: Nine Drummers Drumming
Sure enough, nine drummers arrive at our maid’s front door, all of them a-drumming.
Why would a young lady welcome such racket?
As it turns out, drums were associated with trumpets which announced the arrival of each course during banquets. And heralded important personages.
Ahh. Now I see. The suitor of Twelve Days fame was making a point with his true love. Their wedding feast would consist of nine courses, each announced by an additional drummer. So many important guests requires nine drummers to announce them all.
This girl’s got a catch!
Day 10: Ten Pipers Piping
Public Domain: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...As if the gifts thus far didn’t raise the roof sufficiently, on the tenth day of Christmas our suitor gives his loved one ten pipers piping.
Which makes sense, actually. Pipes (known as fifes) and drums (known as tabors) were a part of the merriment music at medieval celebrations.
Not only is this groom affluent enough to purchase a bevy of fowls, he possesses enough property to house and maintain the birds and eight cows in barnyard, forest, and lake.
This guy has the means to throw a party his guests won’t forget. Our maid should prepare herself for some serious merrymaking.
Day 11: Eleven drummers drumming
Our groom has spared no expense. He’s gifted his loved one in abundance. The pipers are piping. The drummers are drumming.
It’s party time!
The guests arrive–starting with eleven lovely ladies, all of them, dancing.
Imagine what a colorful sight this medieval event must have been. I visualize brocade and silk gowns and a rainbow of bright veils and scarves.
My only memory that involves eleven of anything is my eleventh birthday party.
My father treated us kids to a hayride while Mother (due to deliver a baby any minute) and two of her friends prepared our spot in the park.
The drinks were iced in a big tin pan. The weiners were sizzling on a hot grill. The buns and chips were
ready. The cake was covered until the perfect time to unveil it when an ambulance screamed past the park headed in the direction of our excursion.
Mother said later that her heart skipped a beat. Had something happened to one of us?
As it turned out, something had happened. One of the boys had tried to climb into the cab of the truck, and an overhanging tree limb knocked him through the air and plopped him onto the ground, bloodied.
Thank God, what could have been a tragedy of immense proportions turned out all right in the end. The boy sustained injury but was himself soon.
My eleventh birthday celebration was punctuated by terror that turned into thanksgiving. My little brother was born the next day–the best belated birthday gift ever!
Day 12: Twelve Lords A-leaping
Twelve leaping lords appear as the final act.
Imagine the display of wealth. Fowls and cows with their maids. Drums and drummers. Pipes and pipers. And ladies dancing.
Now the courtly men join them in a not-so-ordinary display of dancing.
Men danced with swords or antlers prior to battle and at grand celebrations in the Middle Ages. Their accompaniment: drums and fifes. Their dances involved great leaps that signified power and fertility–the higher the leap, the greater the victory or harvest.
As far as memories a dozen days bring to mind … A child’s song from church when I was growing up went something like this … “There were twelve apostles Jesus called to help Him. Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and his brother John, Philip, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon, Judas, and Bartholomew.”
It’s a Wrap—the Christmas Kind
So there you have it, the Twelve Days of Christmas. Twelve days of feasting, music, and dancing. Twelve fantastic gifts. An ecstatic bride and groom. And a bunch of over-stuffed, partied-out guests staggering home.
What have I learned I must do to manage twelve days of Christmas? Take on the identity of a Middle Ages young woman. Catch me a wealthy man who can give me a ring for every finger of my left hand, a party worthy of song, and a grand estate with everything that goes with it.
Or …
I can accept a free gift from a lowly suitor – a Carpenter who loved me enough to die for me on a criminal’s cross. He’s preparing a world of rapture beyond my imagination, one that will last not twelve days but forever. He offers me perfect love with no strings attached. A wedding gown of purest white. Joy unending. Peace that surpasses understanding. And the name I love to hear, the one the angels will declare over and over forever: Jesus. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.
P.S. Here are a few of the “days” featured on the Christmas tree skirt I made forty-two years ago:
~ ~ ~
Dear Lord, we acknowledge You as the reason for this season of celebrations. We celebrate not our own wealth by Yours—the gift of Your son. We offer You our praise and adoration and pray we’ll live the coming year in constant awareness of Your gift of grace, love, joy, and peace.
~ For Jesus’ sake
The post Let’s Chat! Twelve Days of Christmas appeared first on Linda Brooks Davis.
December 19, 2018
Let’s Chat! Linda Brooks Davis
Welcome, Everyone! Have a “Mary” Christmas!
I’m grateful for a couple of open slots on my blog calendar because I get to chat with you about Christmas. My novellas. And the word remember.
Numerous readers of The Calling of Ella McFarland commented that they wanted to hear more about Ella’s and Andrew’s love story. So in 2016 I wrote A Christmas to Remember as a sequel.
A Christmas to Remember and A Christmas Measure of Love, two novellas tucked between two novels, The Calling of Ella McFarland and The Mending of Lillian Cathleen. Together they comprise the first four components of The Women of Rock Creek series.
Both novellas transport readers back to Oklahoma and the banks of Rock Creek. Yes, we take a peek into the Evans cottage and learn a bit about six darling girls. But mainly these stories do what we celebrants invariably do at Christmas time—remember.
A Christmas to Remember
Christmas is coming to Oklahoma, and expectations are knocking on Ella Evans’s front door.
She and Andrew married three years ago. They took 5 orphaned sisters, ages 2 to 6, into their home and hearts. Celebrated the birth of their own daughter two years past and grieved at the grave of their infant son. They have experienced great joy and deep heartache that challenge their assumptions about life and love.
Determined to care for her family with help from no one, Ella is worn to a frazzle. From the kitchen to the school room, chores are piling up. Yet Christmas won’t wait.
What set Ella’s feet onto the path of perfection? How is her pursuit affecting her husband, children, and calling? And what will it take to redirect Ella to the way of grace?
It’s Christmas, 1908, and Ella’s life is about to be transformed. Again.
A Time for Remembering
I identify with Ella. Unfortunately, I can remember some nights of no more than two or three hours sleep in my days of mothering and housekeeping and holiday celebrating—while working full time as a special education teacher. I recall dragging myself to work in a daze many mornings and arriving home with zero energy for my family.
Why I thought I had to keep a perfect home and make Christmas “perfect” (whatever that is) and assure my kids were perfect too I’ll never know. If I could do it again, I’d cut my To-Do List in half. And enjoy my family more.
I‘d sift through my decorations and decide which five or six main items I’d use and set the others aside for the following year. I’d ask my children to join in the decorating and let them do it the way they want. Who cares if the ornaments are all on the lower half of the tree? Or the garland hangs uneven everywhere I look? Why did I care more about the fluff than the substance of Christmas?
The answer sort of hurts.
A Word From Jesus
This subject brings my thoughts to a passage in Mark 2 where Pharisees criticized Jesus for allowing his disciples to pick grain on the Sabbath. His answer in verse 27 returns to me nowadays at Christmas time. “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”
For purposes of making my point, I’m taking some liberty with that sacred verse and switching it up a bit and pray the Lord approves: “Christmas was made for Christians, not Christians for Christmas.”
When I lay that verse over my Christmas To-Do List, I have to tell you: I’m convicted. Oh, I know Christmas isn’t an ordained day you’ll find chapter and verse for, but I believe the principle of Christian freedom Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 10 fits Christmas. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (including the days we celebrate) and “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (that includes Christmas.)
So . . . Back to my original question to myself: Why did I think I had to make things perfect for Christmas? Was it for the glory of God? Ouch! I have to admit it was more for my own … if not glory, then self-satisfaction and a bit of pride.
A “Mary” Christmas
There’s so much evil in this world. It takes many shapes. At times it’s as plain as day. But at other times, it hides behind masks of goodness, slips in the back door, through cracks in our walls, and down our perfectly adorned chimneys. In a way, isn’t that the worst kind of evil—the kind that slips in unnoticed?
I‘m trying now to take more of a “Mary” approach to Christmas. Not Mary, the mother of Jesus. But Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. I confess I’ve lived my life a whole lot closer to ever-busy Martha than to sitting-at-Jesus’-feet Mary. But I’m trying to do better.
I want Christmas to bring God glory. This year that means foregoing the garland, outside lights, and seven course meal. And a long list of other “have-to”s from long ago. I pray you and yours will have the most joyous and blessed Christmas in a month o’ Sundays.
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary chose what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42
Share your thoughts on overdoing it at Christmas—or anytime. I’m giving away both novellas in ebook format in A Rock Creek Christmas Novella Collection to someone who joins our chat.
“Mary” Christmas, ya’ll!
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December 12, 2018
Let’s Chat! Author Jane Quail
Welcome, everyone!
Jane Quail (Jane Waughtal outside of writing) has joined our circle this week. What a pleasure it is to introduce you to this author who hails from the ultra-southern tip of Texas where I grew up—the Rio Grande Valley.
A couple years ago, Jane contacted me via my website. She had met one of my high school friends. My name came up. And before we knew it, Jane and I had “met” in cyberspace. Then we discovered we share the same passion for Christian fiction.
Jane’s preferred genre is inspirational western romance, but she has dabbled in contemporary, fantasy, children’s books, and a Bible study entitled “Under the Cover of His Word”. I’m delighted to introduce you to Jane Quail. Here she is in her own words. (Check out her giveaway below.)
Who Is Jane Quail?
What a wonderful privilege it has been to meet such exciting authors on Linda’s “Let’s Chat”.
Growing up Jane
My early years were spent growing up in LaGrange, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. One of my most important formative experiences was the “going-home” of my dear Mother. Though my heart was broken, God saved me only a month later. All part of His plan.
Heartbroken again, my dad, who was an alcoholic (and, yes, I am ACOA) wouldn’t listen to my urging him to seek treatment. Can you imagine, he told me he liked being the way he was. On a positive note my aunt told me Dad came forward at one of my Southern-Baptist-preacher Granddaddy’s, services and gave his life to Christ as a young man.
We are now card-carrying, word-twanging “y’all”-ers from Texas. Yes, it has ultimately become our “Home, home on the range”. Corny, I know – Alright, I apologize!
Grown-Up Jane
Marrying one year out of high school, my husband and I went back to college after a short break. Two weeks after graduation from college, our first-born son burst on the scene, followed by two more sons and a daughter.
As Motherhood overtook most of my free time, what was left was devoted to composing music, singing, and playing at our home church. Also, teaching private piano, organ and voice lessons.
Being gifted musically came straight from my mother’s heart. A gifted musician herself, she made it possible for me to be well educated musically. Now I continue to utilize these wonderful outlets for my growing relationship of love and dependence upon our great God and Savior the Lord Jesus Christ.
Writing Jane Quail
Reading and teaching music were appropriate apertures to prepare me for the coming life of storytelling. Additionally, my own romance of the “cute-meet” with my husband when we were teens, and our dating and ultimate marriage, provided that true-to-life, appropriate experience for the amour interests in my stories. Creating attention-grabbing characters, appealing storylines, and page-turning enticements so that the reader longs to know more has been my goal.
Over time numerous yarns began to take form in my imagination, and they eventually overflowed onto paper and became possible storylines. I now have over 200 pages worth of these ideas, including several true-to-life family stories.
While I was caregiver for my mother-in-law for several years, she rewarded me thoroughly with our warm and close personal relationship. I came to know her as a 2nd Mother. Mom had a marvelous life history (including witnessing a Dillinger bank robbery), which I will recount in a future book. Her story will fascinate and astonish. Now Heaven is her home, but what a marvelous blessing she has been to our family!
Also, on my dad’s side is a rich, living background of running from an almost serf-like existence in the “old country”. I am proudly 4th generation American. I soaked up stories of my dad’s family ancestry rife with overwhelming agony and adversity through the victory of deliverance from hardship. What a foil Grossmutter’s and Grandma’s stories will be for several more novels! If you haven’t guessed, that’s German for great-grandmother.
What’s Up With Jane Quail Now?
Being a Christian author in our world today is a challenge, certainly, but I still believe the most important objective for the Christian author is to have a message for the reader. Of primary importance is sharing my faith. At the same time, I want to deliver an impressive story that has the reader on the edge of his/her seat begging for more. With God’s help this is my highest, anticipated goal.
Life is the most valuable teacher for all of us who aspire to write. I learned the value of the “good guys” winning the day and the “happily-ever-after.” But real life can be exceedingly different. However, by design we write to entertain, give our readers a break from the everyday routine. That is often what entices the reader and whets the appetite for inspirational romance. My first effort at this creative outlet is The Redemption of Honor.
What’s Next for Jane Quail?
Currently, I am writing two novels. Both are western romances with adventure, danger and angst enough, hopefully, to bring tears and belly-laughter.
Looking for the publisher is the most challenging part of being an author. If anyone knows of a good publisher looking for a prolific author, please let me know!
A Final Word From Jane Quail
Linda, thank you for this opportunity to share with other authors and readers. Everyone who is featured in “Let’s Chat” has challenged and encouraged the rest of us. I hope I have done so too. Sharing about ourselves tells a little something about the Source, the Lord God our Creator and Sustainer.
God bless you, Linda, for your continued efforts on behalf of so many of us who aspire to share Christ, while creating interesting, exciting, adventurous and romantic stories.
I pray this for all of us, that we may honor the Savior in telling our stories in exciting ways. He has provided them, and we express what we cannot withhold.
I look forward to rewarding one of you who responds with a signed, paperback copy of my first published book, The Redemption of Honor. Thank you for what I know is your precious time. Hope to see y’all at the next ACFW Conference!
How to Find Jane Quail
Facebook: @StorytellerComposer
Twitter: @JaneQuail1 (please note the number 1 at the end)
Email: jjwaughtal@msn.com
~ ~ ~
Lord, You move in mysterious ways, even to connect your children. Bringing together two people with the same writing goals through a high school friend from 50+ years ago shows us only one thread of Your Providence. Thank you for using all Your children in Your plan for humanity. Now we pray You’ll bless each word Jane writes for You.
~ For Jesus’ sake
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December 5, 2018
Let’s Chat! Joyce Magnin
Welcome, everyone!
Joyce Magnin honors us with a guest blog this week. Joyce is the author of over a dozen books including the award-winning Bright’s Pond series, the Harriet Beamer books and five middle grade novels.
I think you’ll fall in love with Joyce as I did. She’s a frequent conference speaker, mentor and editor. She lives in Vancouver, Washington with her dogs, Minnie and Scruffy. In her spare time she enjoys cross stitch, her grandsons and watching old movies.
To top it off, Joyce is offering a giveaway. Check it out below.
Joyce Magnin: An Onion, a Guinea Pig and Writers
Here’s the thing, most people inherit money or jewelry or real estate. I inherited an onion. You see when my mother passed away all she really had left were the things in her nursing home room. Her life had been reduced to a few boxes of memorabilia–pictures, books, and the onion which was living in the glory of full sunshine on her windowsill. I inherited it all, including the onion.
It’s really quite remarkable–the onion that is. After all, this particular onion plant was close to ninety years old when I became its mother. My mom got it from a neighbor friend shortly after she was married almost 70 years ago and the woman, who mom says was a strange old woman, gnarly and hag-like, said it was twenty years old at that time.
Joyce Magnin: The Onion Legacy
The onion had been part of my life forever. Mom kept it in or near the kitchen. Sometimes it was seen in the bathroom, so it could get “some spritzing.” Mom called it the pregnant onion because every so often it would develop these fat bellies and little baby onions would pop out, fall into the soil and develop into larger onions like the ones in the picture. Mom would lovingly transplant the onions in fresh pots and give them away or keep them or sadly, sometimes they didn’t make it. So, from the original onion hundreds of children were born.
The thing is, I am not the most gifted caretaker of things green and after a few weeks 
with me, I feared for the onion’s life. I gave it to my daughter Emily who has been caring for it these past many years and it’s thriving. Emily it seems, inherited my mother’s green thumb. My hope is that the onion will live on and one day Emily will pass it down.
In a world where so much is disposable and temporary. Where life and circumstances can change in an instant, I am so glad that we had the onion, rock solid, thriving and now a beloved, living memory of my mother.
Joyce Magnin on Onions and Memories
But we all know the thing about onions and memories is that they can bring on the tears—sometimes when you’d rather not cry. Mom lived long enough to see only one of my books published—The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow. But books, like the onion, tend to beget other books and from that first story dropped over a dozen more.
The Onion and Writing
They say writers are fortunate because we get to live twice—once, for real, and the other through the benefit of time and memory—the pillar upon which most novels rest. This includes my newest middle grade novel—Jelly Bean Summer. It’s mostly memoir—the true story of one of the darkest days of my life that, many years later, I found the nerve to write.
Writing is like that sometimes—you have to dig deep and go places you’d sometimes rather not. But, out comes, I hope, a good book—a story that will touch lives and speak truth. Emily Dickinson said, “Tell the truth, but tell it slant.” The story is the “slant”. I love being a writer. I also love being an editor. God made me two ways—a writer and a teacher. Yay God! I love both.
Joyce Magnin on Writing
Writing is hard. It’s solitary. There’s no one standing behind you saying, “Atta girl.” Most likely all your mental illnesses are gathered around spewing not so encouraging words. Writing is so deeply personal, it makes us vulnerable to all manner of emotional beasties. Whatever your chosen category or genre, writing makes you vulnerable. It makes you question your very existence at times. It can be embarrassing, and it can be the most incredible journey you will ever take. If you have the chops!
After publishing twelve novels and ghostwriting five or six others I think I can say I have the chops. Well I think I do. You see, even after all my publishing success I still approach each new project with the same trepidation, the same sense of impending failure and for the most part I completely forget how to write.
Writing is hard. That’s why you should never go into that dark night of the soul alone. And that’s why I love to teach and to mentor. Writers need someone along for the ride who understands—most spouses do not. Most kids do not and besides you can’t always trust them to tell the truth or know what’s publishable. You can trust me. I have seen my students go on to publication. They’ve improved and gotten excited about their work. They’ve entered and won contests and grown in ways they weren’t expecting. I absolutely love it when a student succeeds.
Joyce Magnin: teacher and mentor
So, if you’re writing a book or a story and you think you could use a little guidance from a good teacher and a good writer (took me a long time to admit that) and a truly gentle soul then I might just be the mentor for you. I have openings right now I’d love to fill. So please get in touch.
I like to think of myself as that onion, inspiring others, watching new baby books drop one after the other into the rich soil of marketing and blogging and bookstores. I always consider it an honor to have joined so many writers on their journey. Mom is, I’m sure, proud of me—for the writing—not so much for nearly killing her onion.
A Final Word from Linda
Hi again, everyone.
Was I right or what? Joyce Magnin is just plain likable, someone you want to get to know.
Visit Joyce at joycemagnin.com.
Find her books at https://amzn.to/2BxuzHg.
To enter Joyce’s giveaway of Jelly Bean Summer or Blame it on the Mistletoe, just join our chat below.
~ ~ ~
Lord, You take our breath away. First You give us life. Then You give us gifts. All before we’ve taken a single breath. As we look forward to this season of gift giving, we pause to reflect on the gifts of reading and writing. What joy You’ve wrapped into those gifts. Thank you. Bless us in our reading and writing. And give an extra measure of Your grace to Joyce Magnin as she writes, mentors, teaches, and edits with grace that can come only from You.
~ For Jesus’ sake
The post Let’s Chat! Joyce Magnin appeared first on Linda Brooks Davis.
November 28, 2018
Let’s Chat! Marilyn Turk
Welcome, everyone!
Marilyn Turk honors us with a visit this week. She authors historical romantic suspense. If you enjoy stories set in the past, romance, and suspense-filled story line. Marilyn’s your gal.
Marilyn is offering an ebook giveaway of any of her books–winner’s choice. You can’t beat that! Join the conversation below, and you name’s in the hat!
Marilyn Turk Before Writing
I was born and raised in Louisiana, not in the swamp, but close enough to know what a Cajun is and how good food tastes, like example Jambalaya, shrimp creole, crawfish etouffe, gumbo, etc.
I graduated from Louisiana State University (where else?) with a degree in journalism, but don’t let that fool you. Although I had no intention of being a journalist, I wanted to major in advertising and it was in the school of journalism. However, those required journalism courses have helped a little with my writing, such as learning to be on deadline.
I tried my hand in advertising for a few years before I moved to a big city (Atlanta) and went to work for a Fortune 500 company in sales. It was a “good” job that God gave me. During my 25 years with the company, I married and had three sons.
When my company was sold, I was laid off (Reduction in Force, they call it). I eventually had to relocate and ended up in Florida. God’s hand? Divorced with a mortgage and three sons in college, I realized God wanted me to move. Four years later I met and married my current husband. God had forced that move so we would meet.
Marilyn Turk, the Writer
Rebel Light was my first novel, self-published after a contract with a publisher fell through because he was unable to keep his commitment. When my agent didn’t find another publisher for it, I self-published it. The book was to be the first in a four-book series that another editor had suggested. I completed the book, but that editor was no longer with the same publisher. So I wrote the second book and started the third with the intention of self-publishing them, but then my agent said a publisher was looking for a southern gothic story.
More Books for Marilyn Turk
I didn’t know what that was, but I brainstormed a story with my husband and I pitched the story to another editor. The story, The Gilded Curse, is set in 1942 on Jekyll Island, GA, and was published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas in 2016.
Many who read it asked what happened to the characters afterwards. So I thought about it and wrote the sequel, Shadowed by a Spy, also set in 1942 New York. Lighthouse published it in July 2018.
Also, Forget Me Not Romances contracted me for my series. They republished Rebel Light in May 2018 and published Revealing Light in June and Redeeming Light in September. The next in the series is Rekindled Light which will be out at the end of 2018. The series is set in Florida from 1861 to 1883.
As you can tell, they all have the word “light.” When I first began writing, I started a lighthouse blog and posted 
faithfully on it for five years, once a week. My books feature a lighthouse either as the setting or as a mention in the book, kind of like a “Where’s Waldo?” but with lighthouses. Fittingly, my novella, “The Wrong Survivor,” is part of Barbour’s Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides collection that released November 2018.
What’s up with Marilyn Turk now?
I have another book contracted by Forget Me Not. And another book, a split-time novel contracted by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas.
Three years ago, God led me to host a small writers conference for our area. The Blue Lake Christian Writers Retreat debuted in 2017. Intended to be a small, quality, affordable conference that was as much a spiritual retreat as a writers conference, it surpassed my exceptions. Response was great. So in 2018, the Blue Lake CWR was held again. The retreat was exactly as I’d hoped. God delivered over and above what I asked, and it blessed all who 
attended, including faculty. The 2019 retreat will be March 27-30. The website: http://bluelakecwr.com/
I also wrote a book of devotions called Lighthouse Devotions. I plan to update it and re-release it next year.
How can we find Marilyn Turk?
Blog: http://pathwayheart.com,
~ ~ ~
Lord, we honor You as our only true love. We thank You for revealing Yourself as Love in the face of Jesus. We pray You’ll shine a light on Yourself
through Christian fiction such as Marilyn’s books.
Please bless each word she writes for You.
~ For Jesus’ sake
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November 27, 2018
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