Libby McNamee's Blog, page 6

The White House Easter Roll

On Easter Monday way back in 1810, Dolley Madison hosted America’s first Egg Roll out on the hilly lawn of the Capitol. The children competed to see whose hard-boiled egg would travel the farthest downhill without breaking. This “egg-stravaganza” grew in popularity over the years. In 1876, the crowd consisted of 10,000 children who ripped up the pristine lawn. Repulsed by the stench of rotten eggs, Congress was also furious about the destruction. After all, America’s huge 100-year-birthday bash was going to take place on that lawn in July, just a few months away. Springing into action, Congress passed the Turf Protection Act, forbidding the use of the Capitol lawn as a playground. Within two weeks of the debacle, President Ulysses Grant promptly signed it into law. When else has Congress acted so swiftly?When the young egg-rollers returned the following year, the police turned them away. However, President Rutherford B. Hayes welcomed the disappointed children to the South Lawn of the White House at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue. The annual event has continued at that location, now known as the White House Easter Egg Roll, hosted by the President and First Lady.

History of the White House Easter Roll

On Easter Monday way back in 1810, Dolley Madison hosted America’s first Egg Roll out on the hilly lawn of the Capitol. The children competed to see whose hard-boiled egg would travel the farthest downhill without breaking. This “egg-stravaganza” grew in popularity over the years. In 1876, the crowd consisted of 10,000 children who ripped up the pristine lawn. Repulsed by the stench of rotten eggs, Congress was also furious about the destruction. After all, America’s huge 100-year-birthday bash was going to take place on that lawn in July, just a few months away. Springing into action, Congress passed the Turf Protection Act, forbidding the use of the Capitol lawn as a playground. Within two weeks of the debacle, President Ulysses Grant promptly signed it into law. When else has Congress acted so swiftly?When the young egg-rollers returned the following year, the police turned them away. However, President Rutherford B. Hayes welcomed the disappointed children to the South Lawn of the White House at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue. The annual event has continued at that location, now known as the White House Easter Egg Roll, hosted by the President and First Lady.

Early American Inaugurations

As you know, America’s 46th President was recently sworn into office on January 20. However, in my research for Dolley Madison & the War of 1812: America’s First Lady, I was surprised to discover that President James Madison’s two inaugurations actually took place TODAY, March 4. Of course, that was over two hundred years ago, back in 1809 and 1813. Nowadays, we are well accustomed to the traditional date of January 20. However, this was not the case when our republic began. 

In conjunction with our new Constitution, the Continental Congress set Inauguration Day in 1789 as the first Wednesday in March. Back then, it fell on the 4th. As a result, March 4 became the official day to swear in both the President and Congress. 

However, there were significant delays that first year in counting the Presidential ballots. In addition, our President-Elect needed time to make the lengthy journey from Mount Vernon to New York City, our first capital. As a result, George Washington was not sworn into office until April 30. However, March 4 continued to serve as the official Inauguration Day for many years to come. 

Over time, our methods of communication and transportation improved dramatically. Eventually election results were ready within a matter of hours. As a result, this lengthy transition period became unnecessary. Furthermore, the concept of a defeated “lame duck” Congress serving another five months in office posed a potential problem.

In 1932, Congress introduced and later ratified the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution. Franklin D. Roosevelt became our first President sworn into office on January 20, for his second term in 1937. At that time, the date for Congressional swearings-in also moved to January 3. And so, a new tradition was established. 

The Twentieth Amendment reads (in part):

“The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, and the terms of their successors shall then begin.”

The Bleak Winter of 1814

Alas, we find ourselves in the doldrums of winter while still battling the pandemic. In the spirit of “misery loves company,” I would like to share a little-known time in American history when times were even more bleak. 

During the ferocious winter of 1814-15, things were BAD! Amidst the coldest and snowiest weather anyone could remember, the British were trouncing us in the War of 1812. (And that’s putting it mildly.) In fact, they humiliated us on the world stage. Just months before, they marched unopposed in Washington City and burned our unfinished Capitol, newly decorated President’s House, Supreme Court, and State Department.  

Thank God the brave Baltimoreans rebuffed their next assault, defeating the celebrated army that brought down Emporer Napoleon. The Brits were undeterred and set sail for New Orleans. If they succeeded in seizing it, they would gain control of the precious Mississippi River and divide our country in two.

In addition, a severe flu epidemic raged.  “Putrid Sore Throat” struck with little warning, often ending in death soon thereafter. It was incredibly contagious, causing the largest number of deaths of the war and affecting the general population as well, including children.  

Amidst all this, America waited for news from General Andrew Jackson regarding the Battle of New Orleans. Unfortunately, the new French-speaking state of Louisiana was over a thousand miles away and lacked decent roads. Plus, a huge wilderness with hostile Native Americans surrounded it. Even the sea was full of pirates. 

To make matters even worse, torrential rains and flooding near New Orleans hampered travel as well. 

America held its breath until word finally arrived. Jackson’s rag tag army of militiamen, Creoles, Cajuns, free blacks, aristocrats, pirate and profiteers walloped the British, killing or wounding 2,500 of their 3,000 soldiers in 30 minutes. 

Learn more in “Dolley Madison & the War of 1812: America’s First Lady.” Publication day is now August 24, 2021, on the 207th anniversary of the burning of Washington City.

Thanksgiving Recipe – Cornwallis’ Favorite Yams

As you’re pondering your menu, here’s a delicious one! It’s the recipe for General Cornwallis’ favorite yams, straight from the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission! Susanna and her mother served them in “Susanna’s Midnight Ride” at General Cornwallis’ request. Anything to keep an enemy general happy, right?

CORNWALLIS YAMS

Serves 10.

This recipe is from the former Colonial Inn in Hillsborough, NC, a historic inn with a 250-year run. General Cornwallis must have favored sweet potatoes during his Revolutionary War tour because there are a lot of Cornwallis Yam recipes in the Southern recipe collections. This is one of the best!

6 medium North Carolina sweetpotatoes
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup butter
3 eggs
1/2 cup crushed pineapple
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup grated coconut
1 1/2 cups milk
more grated coconut for garnish

Boil sweetpotatoes until softened. Peel and mash.

Season with cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter.

Beat eggs and add to potatoes.

Combine with remaining ingredients.

Pour into a greased 9×13-inch or 3-quart casserole.

Bake in a 350 degree F. oven until light brown, about 1 hour.

Top with a sprinkle of coconut.

Nutrition Information per 1/2 Cup Serving: Calories 335; Protein 5g; Carbohydrates 45g; (53% calories from Carbs); Dietary Fiber 3g; Total Fat: 16g (41% calories from fat); Vitamin A 173 RE; Vitamin C 20mg.

Interview With Suanne Schafer

INTERVIEW: LIBBY MCNAMEE, AUTHOR OF SUSANNA’S MIDNIGHT RIDE

Posted by Suanne | Nov 3, 2020 | Interviews | 

I’m chatting today with Libby McNamee, an author, speaker, lawyer, and veteran. When a descendant told her of Susanna Bolling’s heroism during the Revolutionary War, Libby was captivated. Susanna’s Midnight Ride: The Girl Who Won the Revolutionary War is her first published novel and  was named #1 in Juvenile Fiction by the 2020 Independent Publisher Book “IPPY” Awards. Libby will release Dolley Madison & the War of 1812: America’s First Lady on May 20, 2021, Dolley’s birthday 252nd birthday. Libby served as a US Army JAG Officer in Korea, Bosnia, Germany, and Washington State.  A native of Boston, Libby graduated from Georgetown University cum laude and Catholic University Law School. She lives in Richmond, VA. 

SS: Can you share a bit about your background, Libby?

LM: I’m the middle of five chidden from an Irish Catholic family in Boston.  After spending my junior year abroad in Paris, I graduated from Georgetown University with a double major in International Relations and French. I received my law degree from Catholic University and then served five years in the US Army JAG Corps in Korea, Germany, Bosnia, and Washington State. I practiced law a t numerous places in Richmond, Virginia, before becoming a writer.SS: What are you working on at the moment? LM: I’m finishing up my second novel, Dolley Madison & the War of 1812: America’s First Lady, also geared to middle grade readers through old age. Much more than just a wonderful hostess, she was a true pioneer in the formation of many cherished American traditions and the bipartisan spirit in our political system. The more I learn about her, the more she inspires me. I am excited to release it on her 252nd birthday, which falls on May 20, 2021. Like Susanna’s Midnight Ride, this story includes vibrant characters as well as lots of action and suspense from the surprisingly turbulent times during the War of 1812.SS: What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

LM: Here in Richmond, Virginia, we have a wonderful network of writers, which makes everything better. My friend Karen Chase’s novel, Carrying Independence, is also set during the American Revolution, so we support each other in many ways which has been a joy. We’ve presented on panels together and taken several road trips, which has been fabulous fun. We joke that we need each other. After all, no one else wants to gossip about people from the late 1700’s.Just a few weeks ago, my friends Mary Helen Raper, Julie Valerie, Melissa Face, and I launched a  Facebook Group called the “Bookish Road Trip.” It’s an upbeat community of people who love books and traveling. We’re having a blast meeting many interesting people from all over the world. It’s so refreshing to bring people together during isolation to discuss favorite books and share travel stories when no one can travel much. An added bonus is that my TBR list is exploding with fabulous recommendations. Please come join us on FB and ride shotgun on “Bookish Road Trip.” Come get lost with us! We promise to ask for directions!SS: Do you believe you write the kind of book you’d want to read?LM: Yes, I firmly believe that! As an author, you need to have a genuine interest in your topic. After all, you will spend countless hours working on it, perhaps years on end. Without a real spark, it would be very difficult to see it through the long slog to the end. When Susanna Bolling’s descendant told me of her heroism during the Revolutionary War, I was shocked and skeptical. After all, none of the history books include her. After years of  research, though, I was able to corroborate her story as true, but the information was quite limited. Ultimately, I ended up writing the book that I was searching for when I first heard her story.SS: Do you write with an imaginary reader in mind? If so, tell as a little about that person.LM: In many way books, I hope to fill my readers with patriotism and appreciation for our forefathers (and foremothers) who sacrificed everything to establish this country and shape our nation into the democratic republic we have today.SS: Who is the protagonist in your most recent work? Describe him/her in ten words or less.LM: Dolley Madison! Hundreds of adjectives describe her, but here are my favorites: Kind, Thoughtful, Animated, Cheerful, Stylish, Glamorous, Extroverted, Gregarious, Intelligent, and ShrewdSS:How did you make the decision regarding point(s) of view?LM: What a great question!  For my first draft of Susanna’s Midnight Ride, I wrote in third person. I really didn’t even consider doing it any other way. Then my editor strongly recommended that I rewrite it in first person.  I was extremely reluctant to do it. However, once I started, I could tell right away that she was right. I’m so thankful for her advice and stood her ground when I balked. Switching to first person viewpoint made it a much stronger story.SS:One of the interesting things about writing historical fiction is that the reader has the benefit of hindsight, while the characters in the book do not. How do you use this to your advantage in your book?LM: In order to bring history to life, I like to write in the present tense. Then the reader can experience the events as they happen in “real time” along with the characters, instead of reflecting back from the safe ground of 20/20 hindsight. It makes the story more exciting because it feels more immediate and so raises the stakes.SS: What prompted you to write for a younger audience?LM: I only discovered my keen interest in history in my forties. How I wish I’d realized it much sooner! That’s why I write for a middle grade audience, hoping to spark their interest at a young age so they can enjoy learning for the rest of their lives.

SS: Which books in your childhood and teen years most inspired you? 

LM: I read voraciously as a child. Every week my older sister and I would walk to the library and check out a stack of books. Then we would read and return them the following week in exchange for a new stack. I especially loved Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, Harriet the Spy, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, and Judy Blume.SS: If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?LM: I wish I’d developed my creative writing skills much earlier in life, but I had no where to start. I always loved writing, though, especially English papers and articles for the town newspaper.********************

Susanna’s Midnight Ride: The Girl Who Won the Revolutionary War is available through:Amazon     |     ********************An excerpt from Susanna’s Midnight Ride:I release a deep exhale. At long last, I’m back in my familiar canoe again. “Almost home, almost home,” I whisper, pushing the paddle against the riverbed with all the feeble strength I can muster. After several thrusts, I enter into the current, and my spirits rise. Soon my strokes create a soothing rhythm. Despite my overwhelming fatigue, I welcome the delicate breeze on my warm cheeks as I drink in the river’s musky scent. I savor my tranquil surroundings, knowing it won’t last much longer. As I expected, though, making my way against the swift current is torture for my sapped muscles. With patience I didn’t know I possessed, I gently slide my paddle into the river and pull it through the water over and over again, alternating sides.

Thanks be to God, I was able to warn General Lafayette, but my neck remains at stake, not to mention that of Mother, our slaves, and Bollingbrook itself. That durn Cornwallis! If he hadn’t burned the tents, then I’d have more cover making my way back home. If just one Regular observes me, the consequences will be horrific.

As I pass the neighboring plantations, I hope they are enduring this lobsterback invasion as well as can be expected, even Betsy. As much as she sets my every last nerve on edge, I certainly don’t wish ill upon her. Finally, after a long stretch of quiet exertion comes a most delightful sound, water sloshing up against something hard. Huzzah! I must be approaching the dock! All of a sudden my home casts a dark shadow on the already blackened river. I take a few more strokes and pause to assess the distance. I can’t afford to miss it; I have to make it on my first try. No matter how careful I am, turning the canoe for a second attempt would cause splashing. Of course, I mustn’t ram into the dock with a horrific boom either.

After a last tentative stroke, I scramble to the bow, keeping my weight low. Then I lean forward with my arms outstretched. If I’ve judged it right, I should be able to grab hold of the dock in seconds. At long last I’ll be back home! The thought makes me want to weep, but I must focus.

But no, no! With my mouth hanging ajar, I realize my canoe will miss the dock, a few inches beyond my extended reach. Desperate to bridge the gap, I lean even further out; now only my knees remain in the canoe. As adrenaline pulsates through my tingling body, I’m resigned to plunging into the river if I must. Much to my surprise, though, two hands reach out from the dock and grab mine in a rough grip. With a gasp, I lock eyes with the crouching figure pulling me in. It’s all over now; I’ve been discovered.********************You can follow Libby on social media here:     |          |          |           |     ********************This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases.

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The Ghost of Dolley Madison

The White House is known as Washington’s most haunted building. It’s no wonder considering the tumultuous times that our Presidents and their families have endured while living there. Many historians credit Dolley Madison with establishing the first Rose Garden on the muddy grounds of the “President’s House,” as it was then known. When President Woodrow Wilson’s wife Edith asked two employees to transfer the garden to another location, the angry ghost of Dolley Madison appeared to them. As a result, the Rose Garden remains in its original location to this day.The lilac was Dolley’s favorite flower, and she was well known for her lilac perfume. After the burning of the President’s House, Dolley and President Madison resided at the nearby Octagon House. Local legend claims that when visitors detect the scent of lilac there, the spirit of Dolley Madison is present.







Lastly, visitors to Lafayette Square (across from the White House) have claimed they saw Dolley rocking in her favorite chair on the porch of the Cutts-Madison House where she lived until her death. 

Happy Halloween!!

STUDY GUIDE for “Susanna’s Midnight Ride”

A comprehensive chapter-by-chapter study guide for “Susanna’s Midnight Ride” is now available on Amazon in both paperback and kindle. Huzzah! It includes vocabulary words, a multiple-choice quiz testing reading comprehension, and discussion questions.

I also love discussing “Susanna’s Midnight Ride” with bookclubs. Happy to “zoom” anywhere!

Happy reading!

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“Dolley Madison & the War of 1812: America’s First Lady”

With a release date on Dolley’s Birthday, May 20, 2021!

AND here is the great cover reveal!

“Dolley Madison & the War of 1812”

With a release date on Dolley’s Birthday, May 20, 2021!

AND here is the great cover reveal!