Virginia Crow's Blog: Crowvus Book Blog, page 24

14th December: A Snowy Day

1. Thoughtfulness from Clem's headteacher getting in touch to say that her safety comes first and, if the roads were bad, she shouldn't go in today.
2. Orlando and Jess chasing each other in the snow. It is amazing to see how well they are getting on these days!
3. A proper snowfall! All our snow before today was freezing almost straight away so it was nice to have some crunchy snow today!
4. Doing more feedback for Globe Soup stories. I have really enjoyed reading so many great stories.
5. Getting some lovely feedback from other Globe Soup authors. Positive and constructive feedback always gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling!
6. Using the sledge to bring the post in! It was so much fun, if a little exhausting! (The post was four massive boxes of compost)
7. Making the Christmas biscuits - we made treacle biscuits and gingerbread, with an eye to decorating them tomorrow. 
8. The way that we became encircled by snow clouds at one point. Above us was a patch of pale blue while all around was brown.
9. Catching up with the advent candle in the living room! We hadn't lit it for a couple of days.
10. Clemency received the rose she had ordered from David Austin. I'm guessing it was an impulse buy because she couldn't actually remember what it was!
11. Going outside in the dark to admire the snow. It was starting to thaw a little by this point but it was still catching the light beautifully. 
12. A picture update on our latest niece and her wonderful big sister enjoying another snow day at home.
13. Mum and Dad working together to get their Christmas cards written. It is lovely to send messages to loved ones far and near at Christmas.
14. A hysterical moment while we were making the biscuits, when we mistakenly believed we had been very severely short-changed with our butter. Cue a hilarious video where we attempted to shame the retailer... but realised midway through that it was our mistake!

13th December: The Day of the Ice

Today has been a bit crazy, but here are some of the moments which made it special.
One: Judith has been giving feedback on some of her fellow Globe Soup writers. She discovered some great writers!
Two: Playing ball with Orlando and Jess. He was not giving up that ball!
Three: Judith got stranded in Tesco, but the staff were lovely.
Four: Because the road was solid ice, Judith had to get a taxi home. The driver was very nice and - it has to be said - very brave too!
Five: Feeding the birds from the kitchen door. They got fed three times today and ate up everything. Bob Robin is a bit scary and mean to the other birds through.
Six: We put some sweets into the snowman. He's now complete!
Seven: The snow has a great knack for finding it's way down the chimney. I love hearing it fizzle on the fire.
Eight: Clemency getting safely home. We had seen a car get stuck on the hill, and we were worried she might get stuck.
Nine: Judith had her weekly Skype with our German friend. It's always great catching up with her!
Ten: Mum made the Cornish Pasties for Christmas Breakfast. It is my favourite meal of the year!
Eleven: Songs and pieces of music are starting to be sent in for the Christmas concert which my pupils put on each year - they're sounding fantastic. 
Twelve: After managing to get the Christmas Trees into the garage yesterday, we gave them a drink today. They are smelling amazing and I can't wait to bring them inside on Friday.
Thirteen: There is nothing more magical than snow at night. It's beauty never gets old.

12th December: White Christmas

 Today's been full of moments, if I can just bring them all to mind now I've sat down to write this:

We had an impromptu walk to the house this morning when we realised the car couldn't go any further. The road is a sheet of ice, and in parts, we had to waddle our way along, but everything was beautiful. We had a "I can't believe we're here" moment, looking across at the hoarfrost covering everything.
On our walk, we saw two deer beside the broch. They just stood and watched us, completely unconcerned now we didn't have the dogs with us. Unable to feel fingers, we curled them around a hot cup of tea when we arrived back at the house, sitting together by the fire.Listening to Children of Green Knowe, read by Mum, and imagining all the goings-on in our house.Putting fake candles around the crib. At Stempster, the nativity scene goes on the bookcase, and real candles would not be a good idea. Cue LED lights!Seeing the snowbow from the bathroom window,  as it edged closer to Stempster.Planting 25 silver birches. They arrived today and were bare root so I didn't want them sitting round in the garage for too long. It was snowing heavily, but I have to grab all daylight hours as I'm away at work most of the time.Sitting having lunch with my family. We don't have lunch at the weekends, so I don't get this very often. It may seem small, but it matters so much.Watching the dogs playing together in the orchard. We didn't walk them today because they would have pulled us over, but they love playing in the snow and frost, before coming inside to warm up again. When we first got Jess, we weren't sure how Orlando would feel. Now, they are so comfortable together. Having my singing lesson again. For some reason or another, I've had very few singing lessons this term. And I've missed them! It was great to get back!Sorting out the gifts I have for my loved ones, and figuring out what I still need to do. Yes, it's hectic, but I love imagining their reactions when they open their presents.Getting out the snow globe (well, I didn't, but I watched!) The snow globe was brought back by Mum and Dad when they went to Vienna and it's clockwork. When you wind it up, it plays Silent Night. Beautiful!
There! There are more - the day has been full of special moments, and I can't wait for tomorrow's!

11th December: A very cold day!

 One: The moment when we had finished putting up the curtains in the bay window. It's now so much warmer in the room and it's always great to look at a job well done.

Two: On the walk this morning, Clemency and I saw two deer at the broch. The cold weather means they have to be braver about finding food.

Three: This morning, we had a very special guest in the garden: a pine marten! It was caught on the trailcam playing on the swing frame.

Four: Today, we finally opened up the church organ and played some Christmas carols. It sounded very atmospheric! 

Five: There were a couple of proper snow showers today, especially in the early afternoon. Always exciting!

Six: The pine martens weren't our only visitors - we also found evidence on the trailcam of a family of pheasants wandering across the lawn. They looked like mini-dinosaurs!

Seven: It can get very busy at this time of year, but it's still lovely to take the time to wrap presents and write cards.

Eight: Today's Children of Green Knowe was Toby's Story. It's always lovely to have the next installment of the Oldknowe family! 

Nine: Because of various other exciting things which have been happening (check out our other blogs!) we only just got round to opening our first batch of Christmas cards. It's lovely to hear from loved ones from far and near.

Ten: All Christmas music is beautiful in its own way, but there's something particularly exquisite about the opening bars of Love Divine. Absolute magic! 

Eleven: Receiving pictures of our nieces - it's their first day together! Two are our sister's daughters and one is our brother's. With over 1000 miles between them usually, this was a special moment!

10th December: Hello Elowen

Today was all about our outing to meet little Elowen! We had a fantastic time going down to visit the new arrival and her family, both on the road and while we were there to meet Elfi. So, here we go...

One: I drove amazingly well in horrendous conditions - Go me! (This one was volunteered by Mum, I'm not just being big-headed!)

Two: The mountains looked gorgeous all covered in snow.

Three: Elfi cuddles - well, more rocking and cooing than cuddles!

Four: We had a great takeaway this evening, a good way of making sure we all got to relax after the crazy day!

Five: Watching Auri showing off her little sister - she was horrified that Granny Susie said how lovely the Christmas Tree looked before she had gone to look in the Moses Basket!

Six: There were some beautiful rainbows today, and they seemed to be very close to where we were.

Seven: Driving back up the road, the moon looked amazing as it broke through the clouds - especially with the windmill in front.

Eight: It was great to have all of us in the car - inc. dogs! - and it meant we could all travel down together.

Nine: En route, we saw a red kite (the bird kind!) near Nigg Roundabout, and...

Ten: Just as we were setting off, we saw a raven at Stempster - one of our favourite birds!

9th December: TGIF

Fridays are super for their own sake and, after a busy (although wonderful) week, it's lovely to take stock.
1: This morning on the dog walk, we saw the pink sky washing over the sea around Hoy. It looked so pretty!
2: Just after that, we spotted two red deer nearby. We get a lot of roe deer, but a red deer sighting is quite a bit rarer in this area.
3: Sharing news of the New Arrival with family and friends around the world. Always a special moment.
4: Elowen and her mum getting home from the hospital - and sending pictures of the little one fast asleep in her Moses basket.
5: Ginny and I setting up the boot divider in the car ahead of our trip down to Inverness tomorrow. We left it until dark so it was a bit hysterical trying to see what we were doing!
6: A light dusting of snow - not much and it didn't last long, but it felt like a start!
7: Watching Nativity! It's hilarious and terrifyingly accurate...
8: Having a long bubble bath - the best way to relax!
9: Some super exciting football today - and, as we always try to support the underdog, we were pretty chuffed with the Croatia win!

8th December: Happy Birthday, Little One

 Very exciting news today!

One: World, meet our new niece, Elfi, who made an appearance a little after 5am! Is there anything more magical than a new baby?!

Two: Snow has been settling here in Stempster. It's due to change tomorrow, but it was nice to go out in it this evening.

Three: Today was the HU Writes showcase. A brilliant evening of artistic words.

Four: We had a scheduled power cut today. It was great fun trying to go about things by candlelight, and the house smelt amazing because of the scented candles.

Five: I had a breakthrough moment with one of my Christmas present ideas. Making it by firelight reminded me of Mrs Cratchit in A Christmas Carol.

Six: Pancakes for dinner! It may not by pancake day, but it's fun mixing and matching the fillings at any time of the year!

Seven: Watching the stats for the sales of Phantoms for the Festive Season! This has become our bestselling ghost story book.

Eight: Being back together at Stempster. After Dad and Mum being away on Tuesday and Wednesday, then Judith being away until today, it's so nice to be back to five humans and two pups!

Time to breathe...

#HistFicThursdays - The Founding (Across the Great Divide: Book III) - Michael Ross - Guest Post

It's #HistFicThursdays, and I'm so excited to be sharing a guest post from Michael L. Ross, as part of his Coffee Pot Book Club tour. Find out all about Michael's building of the character of Mary King in the guest post below. But first, let's meet the book...

Blurb
Two men, two dreams, two new towns on the plains, and a railroad that will determine whether the towns—one black, one white—live or die. 
Will Crump has survived the Civil War, Red Cloud’s War, and the loss of his love, but the search for peace and belonging still eludes him. From Colorado, famed Texas Ranger Charlie Goodnight lures Will to Texas, where he finds new love, but can a Civil War sharpshooter and a Quaker find a compromise to let their love survive? When Will has a chance to join in the founding of a new town, he risks everything—his savings, his family, and his life—but it will all be for nothing if the new railroad passes them by.
Luther has escaped slavery in Kentucky through Albinia, Will’s sister, only to find prejudice rearing its ugly head in Indiana. When the Black Codes are passed, he’s forced to leave and begin a new odyssey. Where can he and his family go to be truly free? Can they start a town owned by blacks, run by blacks, with no one to answer to? But their success will be dependent on the almighty railroad and overcoming bigotry to prove their town deserves the chance to thrive.
Will’s eldest sister, Julia, and her husband, Hiram, are watching the demise of their steamboat business and jump into railroads, but there’s a long black shadow in the form of Jay Gould, the robber baron who ruthlessly swallows any business he considers competition. Can Julia fight the rules against women in business, dodge Gould, and hold her marriage together?
The Founding tells the little-known story of the Exodusters and Nicodemus, the black town on the plains of Kansas, and the parallel story of Will’s founding of Lubbock, Texas, against the background of railroad expansion in America. A family reunited, new love discovered, the quest for freedom, the rise of two towns. In the end, can they reach Across the Great Divide? The Founding is the exciting conclusion to the series.

Praise for The Founding:
“Michael is an excellent storyteller and has done a wonderful job depicting Luther, and the other black characters in this book.  He has done his homework and depicts many historical facts about Nicodemus in a most enlightening and creative way.  It has been a pleasure working with someone who has made a concerted effort to get things right.   ~ Angela BatesNicodemus Descendant/HistorianExecutive DirectorThe Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum 
The Founding is available via this Universal Link
Guest PostA Woman’s Life in Across the Great Divide: Book 3 The Founding
Many of the characters in the Across the Great Divide series were real people, and Book 3 is no exception. Most of the characters from Book 1 The Clouds of War return at least briefly. The main character in the series is Will Crump, and the series takes him from age 15 In Book 1, I introduced the character of Mary King, who becomes Will’s wife.
Mary was real, but the series takes a few liberties, having her family come from Pennsylvania, a farm on the Gettysburg battlefield. Real-life Mary was younger and was born near Dallas. 
What would you do if your husband suddenly announced he wanted to move a hundred miles away, change jobs, and live in the middle of nowhere – no roads, no train, no airport, no telephone? 
That was the challenge Mary faced. Will was recovering from PTSD in the Civil War. He’d gotten to be a rolling stone, moving from one place to another. Like most women, she had to follow her father’s wishes concerning marriage. Will was a fun-loving wise-cracking adventurous guy, quite different from most of the men she’d known. Her one love died at Gettysburg, and after the war, the pickings were slim. She wondered who would want an old maid. When Will came to town at the invitation of Charles Goodnight, their former acquaintance in Indiana blossomed into romance. He partnered with his father in a Dallas store, bought a ranch, and she dreamed of settling in with him to raise a family. After a six-year engagement, she didn’t expect surprises. Yet women in 1877 had few options once married. Mary acted as the dutiful wife and followed Will to Henrietta, Texas. Again, Will seemed to settle in, but in a few years, his friend Charles Goodnight again invited him to move, just as telephone and railroad arrived in Henrietta. They had children to think of now, and Mary was not amused. She loved Will, but having established a new home and survived a kidnapping, this was too much. What could she do?
Henrietta, Texas is about one hundred twenty miles from Dallas. The town was literally wiped out three different times by Indians. It had become home to Mary and the children, though, and Indian attacks had calmed down by the time of this latest proposal from Will. A modern couple’s marriage might not have survived. In real life, Will proposed not one but two moves – Henrietta to Alvin, and then Alvin to a new town that didn’t exist, rising from the prairie. They only stayed in Alvin for four months, and this move is omitted from the book. The first time Will and his son Bob, an adolescent, saw what became Lubbock, Bob said, “I see nothing!” There were no trees, no buildings, just the blank plain of the Caprock, the Llano Estacado.  Lubbock County Courthouse 1891
Join Will, Mary, and the other characters on their journey to the founding of Lubbock, Texas.

Now, let's meet the author:
Michael Ross is a lover of history and great stories.
He’s a retired software engineer turned author, with three children, and five grandchildren, living in Newton, Kansas with his wife of 39 years. Michael graduated from Rice University and Portland State University with degrees in German and software engineering. He was part of an MBA program at Boston University. 
Michael was born in Lubbock, Texas, and still loves Texas. He’s written short stories and technical articles in the past, as well as articles for the Texas Historical Society. 
Across the Great Divide now has three novels in the series, "The Clouds of War", and "The Search", and the conclusion, "The Founding".  "The Clouds of War" was an honorable mention for Coffee Pot Book of the Year in 2019, and an Amazon #1 best seller in three categories, along with making the Amazon top 100 paid, reviewed in Publisher's Weekly. "The Search" won Coffee Pot Cover of the Year in 2020, and Coffee Pot Silver Medal for Book of the Year in 2020, as well as short listed for the Chanticleer International Book Laramie Award. 
You can follow Michael on these links:
Website - Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Instagram - Book Bub - Amazon Author Page -  Goodreads
Keep up with the rest of the The Founding tour stops by clicking on the banner below:

7th December: Not Exactly as Planned...

...But it has created some very magical moments, all the same!
One: Our first dusting of snow this season. We seem to just be on the edge of it, but fingers crossed there's more on its way.
Two: Daddy and Mummy returned safely after last night's performance of the Nativity by Auri and her fellow nursery members.
Three: There is a real excitement about travelling and travellers at this time of the year! Of course, no one was on the platform in the wintry weather, but they arrived a little later. I've spent quite a bit of time at the station today as Judith had to head down to Inverness and babysit due to Moment Seven!!!
Four: Sales of our latest ghost story anthology are climbing. It's so exciting to know that our book is heading out across the world, and I can't wait to hear what readers thought of it!
Five: I began wrapping presents today. So far, I've wrapped three, so still a way to go. But at least it's a step in the right direction!
Six: A video message from little Auri to tell her Granny and Granddad (Mum and Dad!) that it was snowing at her house. She is one cute rascal!
Seven: And by no means least (in fact, it's more a case of: save the best until last!), we're about to become aunties for the third time! Baby Pip is making her appearance! Our sister's waters broke this morning and we're now excitedly and anxiously waiting for that phone call!

6th December: the Feast of St Nicholas

St Nicholas, one of the main inspirations for the figure of Father Christmas or Santa Claus, is remembered for his generosity and random acts of kindness. No wonder that his Feast Day is full of Magic Moments then!
1. Our niece, Auri, was the king in her first ever Nativity play. She's only 3 but I hear her performance was excellent! 
2. The fabulous picture of the Moroccan team waving their manager in the air. It's on the BBC if you haven't seen it - and it's worth a look even if you're not a football fan. Pure joy and affection!
3. My class finally made some Christmas lanterns which I have had printed out since my probation year. The PSA who gave me the template passed away recently, so it was very moving to remember her. She absolutely loved Christmas and crafting!
4. Clem made a surprise dinner, which was really very tasty! When I hear the phrase "hearty vegetables" I tend to panic, but they were very good!
5. Skyping with a great friend tonight - the one person outside my family who I can really be myself with.
6. The light of the moon on a cold, cold evening. There may be snow coming but, for now, it is just stunning moonlight!