John Busbee, an effective advocate for keeping family heritage alive, edited Leora’s Early Years: Guthrie County Roots and also wrote this endorsement for the book:
“The reasons why Leora wrote and saved what she did, capturing her life and the lives of so many in her bigger circle of family, friends and experiences, may never be fully known. What we do know is that her granddaughter, Joy Neal Kidney, has embraced the role of caretaker and scribe of these records. Kidney continues to transform these archives into a series of vibrant journeys, one book at a time, beckoning others to join her in these reflective adventures.
“Leora’s Early Years: Guthrie County Roots is the third in this irresistible series. In the wake of Leora’s bountiful passage of memorabilia, Joy’s meticulous research and gifted writing bring universal understandings alive through the magic of memoir, reminiscence and an intimate examination of everyday folks surviving in bygone times. Relevance for today’s generations radiates from each page. Each book in the Leora Series is a stand-alone. Their connective threads bind them together.
“Leora Goff Wilson instinctively knew that her saving of letters, photographs, memorabilia with her journaling would hold special meaning in a future that had not yet crystalized. She would undoubtedly be proud, albeit a little humbled, at how her treasures inspired her granddaughter Joy to reimagine their tellings for new generations. Dive into these pages and experience adventures akin to Little House on the Prairie meets Our Town.”
John Busbee, The Culture Buzz, Iowa Governor’s Award for Partnership & Collaboration in the Arts, Iowa History Award for “Last Measure of Full Devotion.” He is not only a writer, director, musician, actor, and radio host (Culture Buzz, KFMG-FM). John also has a weekly newsletter about anything cultural, writes for Iowa History Journal, and has a monthly column in Cityview.
The Culture Buzz website.
John Busbee also edited Leora’s Dexter Stories: The Scarcity Years of the Great Depression and wrote a review for Iowa History Journal.
I’m well into Leora’s Early Years (WWI) and enjoying it very much.
Thank you! My husband is finally reading it, amazed at what Grandma Leora was like as a child. He knew her during her last two decades.
You’re welcome! I had the same reaction about what Leora was like as a child. She had a LOT of responsibility on her young shoulders.
Spouses can be one’s greatest critics–and supporters! Good for you, Guy!
He’s a terrific chauffeur! Someone asked him if he got tired of my story-telling and it leaked out that he doesn’t read what I write!
Awesomeness
Thanks, Sharon. I agree!
Nice post
Thank you. I’m still amazed at it all!