Note from Lisa: Before getting to today’s diary entries, I want to share some news about a new publishing venture. For a while now, I’ve wanted to launch a small publishing company named, in honor of Hattie, Hidden Timber Books, and I was waiting for the right book to come along.
That book is a delightful children’s picture book titled The Adventures of a Sparrow Named Stanley, written by Betty Sydow and illustrated by Carolou Lennon Nelsen. The paperback just became available on Amazon this week, and the hardcover will be listed early next month (ebooks to follow as well).
I love everything about this book. The fable-like story of Stanley the sparrow begins when Stanley leaves his mother’s nest and is on his own in the world. He tries everything he can think of to be famous and get noticed, thinking this is how he can make friends. Finally, a wise gray owl gives him the advice he really needs. Stanley’s tale offers lessons in friendship, persistence, and being true to who we are. The read-aloud book will be enjoyed by ages 3-11 and the young at heart of all ages, and the independent reading level is grades 3-5. Easy-to-read typeset makes the book perfect for grandparents to read to grandchildren. The book’s Amazon page has “Look Inside” pages for samples.
The first-time author and illustrator team are themselves inspiring. Betty stumbled upon a creative writing class after she retired from a 30-year nursing career, and she was hooked. The story of Stanley began as a fable and over a year’s time grew into a children’s book. She asked her artist friend Carolou if she would illustrate Stanley’s story. Carolou, who has a master’s degree in social work, was immediately drawn to the book’s message of the strength of individuality.
For a chance to win a free signed copy of the book, click here (you will be taken to my personal blog, where you can leave a comment to enter the drawing). You can also visit Hidden Timber Books’ website and Facebook page.
1926 April 17th Saturday
Real smoky around horizon, otherwise bright, cold and North wind quite strong, changed to N.E. in a.m. and east wind in p.m. Will & George disced in barley all day and William stayed indoors on account of the flu. Louise cleaned the lamps and up-stairs then went via the boys with Mr. A. Elshire in our buggy to O’Kreek and home early eve. I cleaned the down-stairs a little but a cold in throat so not pert. John Wisenberger came for harrow and Jake came for Jake Jr.’s eggs. E. Elshire family went by all dressed up to the store.
1936 April 17th Friday
Bright, nice day. I got meals and sewed or rather finished a rug I started over a year ago. Thomas disced west of alfalfa for oats. LeMoyne gave cattle alfalfa, fixed gate on State Land and got the cattle in there, some were to Lundermann Land. Will went to Valentine in p.m. to cattle sale for he and Lemoyne fixed Big Pasture fence in a.m. Plenty Horse and Lawrence Wright brought us 71 posts but had to unload at hill west of the place towards store and they came in just as Will came from Valentine, so he came in and had checks made out to them and took it back to them. Will brought Will Morrisey’s bird-dog here.
1946 April 17th Wednesday
Bright, warm and wind from west quite strong and chilly when out in it. I got meals, laid down awhile near noon and got up when Narvin, Donna and Johnny came. We had dinner. Men looked at cattle and when Boyds went home late p.m., Will and I went around cattle and got our mail at Van Epps. Will had to turn Hank’s horse out of barn to where Horses we work in River Pasture are. Donna has tooth-ache so will go to Valentine tomorrow to have it attended to. Johnny likes to feed chickens and he is 3 years old, a large boy and live one.
1947 April 17th Tuesday
Bright, nice day. Lillian got Doug and brought him and he took Cat to Scisson Land to lease bought field ground and Lillian got dinner and went away to take some folks to White River. Chester and Ellen got their cook stove and a tank of Skelgas in their car and Vere’s bedding so we had to give him something in eve, also an electric plate to cook meals. Will has to rest but he and I to see Doug getting a start on leveling Scisson land. Vere fed cattle and worked at fixing things at Garage. Lillian cooked meals and took eggs home this eve. Will talked to Abbott and Billie as they got our plow. Athel was here this p.m. I got eats and not much else but played solitaire.