The story in The Immigrant and the Outlaw that earned the most was the very last one.
“The Blessings of an Ordinary Tree” was published in two magazines and, years later, the Florida Department of Education asked to republish it. The magazines used their own illustrations, but I like this one of Dan and his tire swing (in color) under the precious tree.
“The unremarkable tree behind the house is no one’s favorite. Its leaves are nondescript and just turn a dull yellow in the fall. But during an ice storm in 1990, the tree was decimated.
“Heaps of budded branches–large and small–crashed and tinkled, spilling ice on the frozen lawn. Remaining branches jutted awkwardly, looking as if a huge monster had twisted and dismembered the tree.
“As I worried about the tree, I began to get nostalgic about what a great friend it had been through the years and started a story about it.
“My husband did some first aid on it and called a tree trimmer, but the maple mainly needed to heal, to exert its own resilience. In spite of our worrying, it has done just fine and has returned to its main job–being our chief shade tree.”
The entire story was published in Midwest Living Magazine, April 1997, and The Iowan; also produced by Montie Montgomery for Our American Stories, September 2020.
And it’s the last story in The Immigrant and the Outlaw: A Collection of Stories from America’s Heartland.
Don’t you just love it when other publications ask to reprint one of your already published articles?
And offer to pay for it, yes!
I wrote this in Vicki’s review Joy. You’re an amazing writer. I’m especially fascinated by your headlines. “The Blessings of an Ordinary Tree” — I’m hooked. As a reader, I have to read more! Congratulations on the book!
Thanks, Brian! Especially about the headlines. I’m trying to do better with those since I usually refer to each story by a shortcut. Goosebumps!
I love this story!!!
Thank you, Linda. Hey, we still have the tree!
This sounds wonderfully nostalgic! I’m eager to read it. 🙂
Bless you, Nancy.
That photo of little Dan is just priceless! He must have had a lot of fun with that tire swing.
And especially the sandpile! Thank you, Liz.
A sand pile makes it even better! You’re welcome, Joy.
That picture of Dan in his tire swing is very likeable. It’s great that your fabulous book is earning for you, Joy! Congratulations!
Thanks, Tim. My books don’t earn much financially, but I so enjoy the connections and feedback from readers!
😍
You are so talented, Joy! And what a wonderful photo of your adorable son under the tree. 💞
Bless you, Lori. And now he has a beard, a wife, and a 9-year-old daughter!