In the first section of the stories titled Celestial, we are invited to join into rituals, such as the long cherished rite since childhood of watching the annual firework display of the Perseids, lighting up the sky for a tantalising few hours. And a glimpse of Halley’s Comet, the complexities associated with the moon and its phases and weather and how rain on the roof can be “good sleeping weather.
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Next we move into the childhood years on the homestead…beginning with the glorious decades of an old upright piano. For a child growing up on the farm there is also the special atmosphere to be found in a barn including ‘a horse’s nicker’ and ‘grunt of a sow with baby pigs’.
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There are wonderful stories on the flora and fauna and you can almost smell the fragrance of the lilacs as they brightened the garden each May and filled their home with their aroma. There is also the delight of watching squirrels cleverly circumnavigating deterrents to sample the bird seed on a snowy day and a persistent spiders intruding into a Sunday service.
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We are introduced to ancestors from the past including those from Denmark in the 1830s who moved to America leading to the birth of dynasty, and a connection to a well-known outlaw. In the town’s cemetery the lives of many others over six generations are remembered with each stone a brief reminder of their lives and accomplishments and links within the family tree. There were terrible tragedies associated with deadly diseases which ran rampant through the community, but also resilience and courage. There are wonderful times shared too, such family celebrations for mother’s day, tooth fairies and refrigerator art.
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The author’s family history of service to the country is shared in a wonderful chapter on Veterans including a poignant poem of remembrance. And those honoured include her father who flew as a pilot in the iconic B-17 Flying Fortress during WWII before donning the mantle of farmer. Also her Uncle Don who was on The Yorktown during the battle of the Midway but has also had to abandon ship twice and went on to earn a great many commendation and service medals. Memorial days were particularly poignant with Leora Wilson’s loss of three sons during the conflict. There is also the fascinating story about the origins of the Iowa’s Freedom Rocks where the author’s five uncles are honoured for their service.
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The stories are not only about the family and their close friends but also the newcomers such as the Bosnian immigrants who arrive in search of safety and a new life in Iowa which fostered a pro-immigration policy. The author found her life enriched as they did the whole community where they still live today with their extended families. When you have finished reading the stories, and if you should feel peckish, you can enjoy Doris Neal’s Potato Salad… definitely a comfort food.
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This collection is poignant, inspiring and a reminder of how a close knit community offers a level of support which sadly is lacking for so many living in cities today. I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading new stories and a reminder of the other books I have read by Joy Neal Kidney. They are to be treasured.
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Sally Cronin
Sally Cronin is the author of nineteen books including her memoir Size Always Matters in 2024. This was an updated version of her first book, Size Matters published in 2001 which followed her weight loss of 150lbs and the programme she designed to regain her health. A programme she shared with her clients over her 27 year career as a nutritional therapist and on her blog. This has been followed by another eighteen books both fiction and non-fiction including multi-genre collections of short stories and poetry.
Her latest book is part of a three book series set in a garden in Spain and then in Ireland. Tales from the Irish Garden: The Missing Pieces brings together creatures and people in need of a sanctuary, where they can spend their lives in peace.
As an author she understands how important it is to have support in marketing books and offers a number of FREE promotional opportunities on her blog Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and across her social media.
After leading a nomadic existence exploring the world, she now lives with her husband on the coast of Southern Ireland enjoying the seasonal fluctuations in the temperature of the rain.
You could also ask your local library for a copy of the The Immigrant and the Outlaw.
How wonderful! Congratulations!
Thank you, Kymber. Sally is so generous!
Absolutely fabulous! xo! 💝😊💝
She is, isn’t she! Thanks, Vicki!
Absolutely yes – dear and wholehearted…just like you! 💝💝💝
A great review, Joy. Congratulations.
Thank you, John. Sally is the best encourager!
Wonderful review by Sally! 🙂
Thank you, Nancy. Sally is an encourager extraordinaire!
Five stars! Congratulations on Sally’s great review. Love too that Sally “understands how important it is to have support in marketing books.” Great to see how both of you help other authors!
Thank you, Brian. Sally is such an encourager!
Congratulations on Sally’s stellar review! Sharing.
Thank you, Liz. Stellar is right!