There’s only one story in Chapter 7: Travels of The Immigrant and the Outlaw. It’s called Stonehenge and the Summer Solstice, a humorous episode when a teenager and his mother outvoted three other people in order to get to visit the ancient site.
Favorite Guy and I have been to it twice, the second time when my mother wanted to see it because her grandson had been there a decade earlier and still talked about it.
After sisters Doris and Darlene began to plan their trip to France “to see where brother Danny is buried,” the travel planner led us through ideas of what the sisters would also like to experience since it would probably be their only overseas trip. These farm widows were in their late seventies.
Paris, Versailles, the cemetery in eastern France, Belgium on the way to England, London, Bath, Stonehenge!
Guy and I were their support team. Framed photos of the four of us were a fond souvenir for all of us when we returned home, along with those from the grave of Daniel S. Wilson at the Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France.
The Stonehenge story in The Immigrant and the Outlaw was first published in The Dallas County News in June of 1996. The punch line was a result of a question a cabbie asked us after we’d walked around the famous rocks.
I would like to see Stonehenge.
“…when a teenager and his mother outvoted three other people…” reminds me of a joke from a long time ago. Mayor Richard Daley, Richard Nixon, and John Kennedy were out on Lake Michigan in a small boat. They were arguing about some important issue. They couldn’t agree on anything. So, they decided to take a vote. Mayor Daley won 3 to 2.
Good one, Jim. I hope you can experience Stonehenge someday!
Stonehenge is impressive. It’s wonderful you were able to visit it with your aunt, mother, and Favorite Guy-and then write about it! 🙂
Nancy, I still can’t quite believe it.
You have the pictures to prove it, and that was before AI! 🤣
I started reading The Immigrant and the Outlaw last night, but I haven’t yet gotten to the Stonehenge story!
Chapter 7, among the rest of the potluck stories. Thank you, Liz!
You’re welcome, Joy!
I finished The Immigrant and the Outlaw. Loved the book and am preparing a review, Joy.
Bless you, John.
I loved this chapter, Joy! So many beautiful phrases in it…I especially loved your reference to Stonehenge and your descriptions of the solemnity you experienced…the mute scene. I have so many favorites in your latest book. Add this to the list! Xo! ❤️😘❤️
Bless you, Vicki!
Always my pleasure, Joy! 💝😊💝
Funny how enticing these old rocks remain today.😉
Such respect for family members who gave their lives during WWII is wonderful, Joy! I’m looking forward to reading your book.
Thanks so much, Tim.