The Storyteller | Mary Vee

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...

What happens when twelve family members, most between the ages of 16 and 24 are accused of being hooligans? It started...many years ago... Read chapter one, where the hijinks begin, The American Citizen click here:  Chapter One Chapter two: Hooliganism in the Airport  click here:  Chapter Two Chapter three: The Cold Sank Into Their Bones  click here   Chapter Three Photo by Mary Vee As the evening hour swirled into the night, so also the -25 degree temperatures plummeted closer to -40. Winds raced into Moscow from the artic, carrying a sting and shiver never before experienced by the ten hooligans and patriarch plus matriarch which will heretofore be called bothriarchs. Sure the twelve had lived through harsh North American winters where freezing temperatures drew tears from the eyes, forced noses to run, and breath that looked like frost, but they’d never experienced this cold. A bitterness that seeped into their very marrow. Three black...

I met Michelle through My Book Therapy. She is a regular instructor for the Monday night chats. I couldn't wait to meet this wonderful lady in person at the conference. She manned the My Book Therapy booth, reaching out to writers to encourage them. At the MBT Western Theme Pizza party she wore her duds and had fun, even took a pic with me. She is a cheerleader, a supporter, an encourager, and someone who knows how to make you smile...and today Michelle shares this with us: Childhood Stories Photo by Mary Vee If you’ve ever lived in a small town, you might understand how I began to love stories. Small town folk are required to have an active imagination if they're going to stay busy.  As a pastor’s daughter, I spent a lot of my years in small towns. I saw the stories of families told at local cafes and the exaggerated tales of giant fish, 12 point bucks, and big foot.  People can light up the room when they tell a story. Everyone is drawn closer to hear th...

   A lot of animals like to visit our yard.  This year a family of seven geese have settled here. The little ones have grown from puff balls to nearly adult size already.  Two of the goslings have injured legs. I didn't know how the other geese would treat  them. Would they leave these two behind? This goose hobbled along with the family. Neither of the injured geese were ever alone.     This animal family ate together. Slept together Swam together Preened together The family was relaxed in their routine while the watcher stood guard, ready to alert the family of danger. There are times we all feel wounded.  Perhaps hurtful words said by someone else.  Maybe we disappointed ourselves with what we did or said.  An important person didn't recognize our work,  or we weren't included when others were chosen. ...