The Storyteller | Mary Vee

I have and probably will always be the first person to wake in my house or whatever dwelling I happen to be in.  Like previous mornings, I am rewarded with the first colors splashing across the sky. First reds, oranges, and yellows. I snap the photo and show my family as they wake. Like every other morning, my sleepy family is content to see my digital recording or early morning explorations. They drink the second cup of coffee. Shower after the water heater reheats. Snore while I write. Yawn while I walk out to the frosted tipped grass and breathe the crisp air. Even with the social distancing there are other ways to see how our lives haven't changed. Yeah, I’m okay with being first awake in the morning. Its a 20-20 year! It may be a roller coaster or smooth sailing.  Hold on!  There's no looking back. No hindsight. Announcing my new release coming in April! If

Grandma's photo book Photo by Mary Vee Grandma’s dining room table had room for a dozen when opened to the full length.  Years ago, when Grandpa was but a spry youthful newly-married man, he carried it into the house with the added help of neighbor John. It was squished to the smallest size and easily fit through the doorway. They set it on the hardwood floor in the dining area where it promptly dissolved in the large room. Grandma said she and Grandpa spoke in hushed tones during meals those first years to keep their conversation from echoing. Grandma's table, china cabinet and crochet'd pillows Photo by Mary Vee  Their third year of marriage brought the addition of a handmade bookshelf hoisted into the house from Grandpa’s work shed. Grandma tenderly set the first photo books, each a long green rectangle shape with black pages donned with black corner pieces tucking edges of memories inking photo paper. Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings summed

Before I begin today's post I want to share fabulous news. Two exciting events happened this week!!  The first. Sylvia's Secret is now in the library. Our local library has a cooperation with libraries throughout my state, which means, anyone in the state can now check out this book.  Sylvia's Secret, A Christmas Story and Mary's other books The second. The Selah writing competition announced the list of finalists My book, Fire and Thorn, a middle grade novel is a finalist. The winners will be announced the end of may at the writing convention. Here is the link if you would like more information about this story. Fire and Thorn, a Middle Grade Fantasy and Mary's other books Needless to say this has been a pretty exciting week! On to today's story: Mom was a seamstress. A natural. She never used a pattern or a tool to measure lengths or widths of fabric. She’d lay the large piece of rectangular material across the ping pon