Some couriers on their way to Wendover perhaps. :Photo Courtesy of Frontier Nursing University Archives.
Tuesday is release day for An Appalachian Summer. Already books have gone out to some reviewers and early readers. But Tuesday, if you did a pre-order, my new mountain story will fly out to you. And I will love hearing what you think about the story.
When I decided to go back to Wendover, Kentucky for a new story, I wanted to give it a little different slant than my earlier book, These Healing Hills, that had Frontier Nursing Service history. I did enjoy featuring a nurse midwife in that story. But I kept thinking there was more history to share about the Frontier Nursing Service. While I was doing research for the story, I was continually impressed by Mary Breckinridge and how she had a vision of helping mothers and children who lacked basic healthcare. But Mary Breckinridge not only had a vision of a way to supply that healthcare, she was such a charismatic person that she drew others into her vision too. She talked midwives from England into coming to the Eastern Kentucky hills to ride horses up into the mountains to care for their patients in their primitive homes that lacked the conveniences that we take so for granted in our time. Heat came from fireplaces and often that was where the cooking was done too. Water was hauled in from wells or springs. The people could barely scrape out a living from the rough terrain. But these midwives came and made a difference.
Mary Breckinridge :Photo Courtesy of Frontier Nursing University Archives.
Then when the English midwives felt the call to go home to England when their country was fighting World War II, Mrs. Breckinridge started her own midwifery school in Hyden, Kentucky. To get the various and sundry chores and more done that would have burdened the nurse midwives, she brought in volunteers she tagged as couriers. These young women, usually from socially prominent families, came to rough it in the mountains and take care of the nurse midwives’ horses, run errands, deliver messages, clean horse stalls, accompany the midwives on calls, and in general, do whatever the nurse midwives needed for them to do.
When I read the first person accounts of some of these volunteer couriers, one thing was clearly evident. They loved their time in the mountains, doing something they thought useful and necessary. Some volunteered more than once. Others left from the mountains and went on to do other adventurous things. As word got around about the couriers, more volunteered than needed. So a waiting list was started. Some of the couriers who went home, married, and had children, signed up their baby daughters as soon as they were born so that they might experience the same wonderful time they had known working with the Frontier nurses.
So after reading about the couriers, Piper came to life in my imagination. Of course she has a whole cast of supporting characters to share her story. I did want to work in more of Mary Breckinridge’s story in this book. I was able to do that through my male main character as I let him interview Mrs. Breckinridge. Sometimes writers have to be sneaky to lace in the historical facts they want to share. I do hope I made that interesting for readers.
Piper was in the mountains earlier than Jeeps that showed up after the war. She rode horses everywhere she went up in the mountains. Mrs. Breckinridge loved riding in the mountains too and she loved the mountains and the mountain people. She had a rule for the nurse midwives and for the couriers. They weren’t to talk about religion, politics, or moonshine. The couriers wore a uniform outfit of riding pants or jeans with a white shirt with a FNS patch on the sleeve. This ensured they wouldn’t have any problems with the mountain people.
Here are a few quotes I pulled out of the story.
1. “We all have some bumps and bruises along the way, but the old world keeps turning. Even in the darkest hour, a smile can bring some light. (Nurse Freeman)
2. Sometimes one should go with the current and try something new. When they were midstream. When they had the means to do so. (Truda)
3. “It’s too late for regrets.”
“So it is. Have you had a good life, Truda?”
“I have.” She smiled as she added, “So far.”
4. “Are you going to be mad at me forever?” Jamie
5. “I think I’m in love.” Truda’s eyes widened in astonishment. “With a man I’ve met twice. Obviously, the mountain air has made me lose my senses.”
6. “My ma always used to say coulda, shoulda, woulda never got you nowheres.” (Kermit)
7. Sometimes a person had to forget the obstacles and jump into the moment. (Jamie)
8. Can’t is not a word Mrs. Breckinridge ever wants to hear from any of her staff or nurses. (Miss Aileen)
9. I went with one of the nurse midwives to deliver a baby. Well, I didn’t deliver the baby, but I watched. Didn’t faint, either. Wow! That’s all I can say. (Letter from Piper)
I just sent out a newsletter with a giveaway chance. If you didn’t get the newsletter, let me know and I’ll send one out to you. Also, I’ll be giving away books here too. For this first chance, let me know which of those quotes catches your interest and make you want to know what happens next. That will get your name in my drawing hat for a copy of your choice of one of my books. Fast giveaway on this one. Deadline to enter is Wednesday, July 1, at noon EST. I’ll announce the winner in Wednesday’s post when I’m pretty sure I will start a new mystery photo contest. Maybe, pretty sure. 🙂 But if not then, very soon. But meanwhile check out my Facebook page for possible links your chance to read more about me and the book, An Appalachian Summer.
So what do you think? Which of those quotes grabs your interest?
Comments 71
The romantic in me is drawn to number five! Of course, I want to know the who, what, when, where and why, Does he feel the same? Which one pursues… Also, would I have been interested in him if I were there in real life.
Author
The story does answer some of those questions, Sandra. Truda was a great character to get to know while I was writing the story. I love the romantic is you wanting to know those answers.
Number 1 and #8 both ring true in my life. There are going to be hurts, there is going to be some pain, because those are unavoidable in any kind of relationship. So you choose to accept the unavoidable and make it your history, and apologize when appropriate. Then there is that little 4-letter word “can’t” that expresses either fear, a lack of willingness, or an effort with failure, perhaps a half-hearted effort. When someone else sees your potential you should listen because they believe in you and think you should try. I have found that by trying to do something I surprise even myself that I can do it.
Author
Sometimes we can surprise ourselves, Maria. Sometimes I feel that way when I finish a book. That yes, I was able to tell another story from beginning through the middle to the end. 🙂 At times when I’m in that middle part, a can’t can rear its ugly head but I keep pounding on my keyboard and the story shows up.
Most everyone does have those bumps and hurts in life and this year that may be more of us than usual with all the economic hardships along with the Corona virus. I guess we are having to accept some of that unavoidable right now. So far all my family and friends are well. So that’s a blessing.
I love these photos of the times for your new book, An Appalachian Summer”. I am reading this book right now for Interviews & Reviews. I do not need to enter for the giveaway – let someone else have a chance to win.
Author
Thanks for joining in the conversation, Linda. I’ll look forward to seeing your review on Interviews & Reviews. I saw one on there earlier that says my book almost convinced her to become a vegetarian. LOL. You other readers will just have to read the book to find out why.
I’m glad I have permission to post the pictures. They do show some of the background history for the Frontier Nursing Service.
I like# 8 . You don’t say you can’t until you at least try!
Author
So true, Evelyn. And then there’s that other saying that goes along with “can’t never did anything” and that’s “try, try again.” I’m sure you’ve had some of those times when you just had to keep trying. I know I have.
My copy arrived a few days ago. I’m enjoying it. Great job!
Author
Great, Debra. I do hope you will enjoy the rest of the story too. I liked going to the mountains for another Frontier Nursing background story.
I like number six coulda, shoulda, woulda, the best.
Author
I liked that one too, Donna Jean. That comes from one of the secondary characters talking to Jamie. But I guess it’s good advice for all of us.
Number 1 for me!
Author
That is a good one, Melanie. Most of us have experienced a few bumps and troubles in life, but smiles matter. Someone here was saying how much they hate us having to cover our smiles with masks. I knew what she meant, but we’ll pray things start getting better soon. Hope you are staying well down there in Texas.
I loved number 1.
Author
Thanks for stopping in, Phyllis, to let me know the quote from my book that you liked. A smile can do a lot to light up hard times and make us ready to keep on keeping on in spite of those bumps in the road. Hope you have plenty of reason to smile.
I love number three. It prompts me to find out more about the character who said that. Love all your wititing!! 🙂
Author
Thank you so much, Josephine. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my stories and that you stop by here at my blog too. We do always have tomorrow to look forward to. Truda certainly has some fun things to look forward to in the story. 🙂
I like #3. No matter how old we are if we don’t give up there is always more to look forward to.
Author
I like the way you think, Carol. And I had Truda thinking some the same way in my story. She was ready for a shake-up in her life that was going to surprise her and everyone who knew her. It is a sorrow if we get to a place where we don’t feel there is more to look forward to.
I like number 7. I sometimes stress over the obstacle instead of just jumping right in. I enjoyed reading These Healing Hills and look forward to reading your new book.
Author
Thank you, Susan, for reading These Healing Hills. I enjoyed delving into Frontier Nursing Service history and was glad to be able to go back to the mountains to share some more of that history from a different viewpoint. And I think most of us stress out when things look difficult and that can’t word hovers in front of us.
#5 I think I’m in love….. I like this quote, it just sounds like a good story developing around it, I want to know what happens next!
Author
As I just told Hope, I was a little worried about including this quote for fear it would be a story spoiler. But I decided it wasn’t but instead a beckoning finger inviting readers into the story to, as you say, see what happens next. I hope you’ll enjoy finding out, Connie, when you get a chance to read the story.
5. “I think I’m in love.” Truda’s eyes widened in astonishment. “With a man I’ve met twice. Obviously, the mountain air has made me lose my senses.”
I am interested in reading the story behind this quote and find out what happened in the first two meetings to make her feel this way. Sounds like it will be interesting and turn into a love of a lifetime. 🙂 Hope you have a great week Ann!
Author
I started not to include that quote in this post, Hope. Didn’t want to give away too much of the story, but I decided it would be all right. I did enjoy writing about Truda and when you get a chance to read the story, you might be surprised by those other two meetings.
Always good to hear from you. Wishing you a good week too.
1 and 7 are instant hits with me!
Laughed at #9.
Author
Smiles and a can do attitude are always a hit, Megan. And Piper did well not to faint, don’t you think? In my research, I did come across stories of young women who were a little overwhelmed by seeing medical procedures. Also, some of them went back home, married, and had their own babies without fear after they had seen births as couriers.
I like #7, but they are all intriguing, and I’d love to read this book!
Author
I’m glad to hear that, Connie. Mary Breckinridge’s refusal to hear “can’t” is getting a lot of votes. She didn’t just not want to hear it from her staff and nurses, but she didn’t let the word “can’t” be in her mind either. She got things done.
Number 8 Can’t is a word that a lot even my self at times hide behind. In reality there are few things the can’t be done. Always try to find a way to make it happen. May not turn out like we want but if you don’t try you will never know.
Author
I like your attitude, Trish. We don’t need to hide behind the word “can’t.” It’s good that many of our inventors and other innovators have had that same attitude. For sure we can’t if we don’t try. We’ll hope that the medical world will find a way to stop this virus so things will get better here and around the world.
I received my book last week and I’m looking forward to reading it.
I love these quotes and know I’m going to love reading Piper’s story. My mother always said, “can’t never could do nothing”. It was a banned word in our home.
Have a great week Ann!
Author
I think maybe a lot of parents have told their kids that, Lavon. I certainly heard it from time to time. From my research about Mary Breckinridge, I think it was a banned word around Wendover too.
I do hope you’ll enjoy Piper’s story when you read it. Hope you have a good week too. Our gardens and the blackberries are getting plenty of watering around here.
I started reading it last night…ended up reading til midnight. I’m completely hooked!
😍
Author
That makes me smile, Lavon.
All the quotes are good, and I like number 1. We all need positive thinking right now. The thing I dislike most about wearing a mask in public is not being able to see and share smiles visibly.
Author
I’m with you on that, Terri. Smiles can make such a difference and we can still see people’s smiles in their eyes, but it feels strange to have everybody in masks. But I wear one when I go to the store. We do need smiles and positive thinking right now with all that is happening. And prayers. Many prayers.
1. “We all have some bumps and bruises along the way, but the old world keeps turning. Even in the darkest hour, a smile can bring some light. (Nurse Freeman)
I love this comment. It seems very appropriate to our lives today with the fear and uncertainty that the pandemic has brought.
I look forward to reading this book and am very excited that it comes out on my 30th anniversary with my dear husband.
Thank you for bringing us joy with your books!
Author
Thanks, Mary for wanting to give my book a read. And happy almost anniversary. May you have many more happy years with your husband. I’m sure you’ve enjoyed many joys together in your 30 years together and I do hope more are one the way. May we all life up prayers that we will soon find a way to defeat this pandemic and let life return to a better way.
I appreciate your kind words about my books.
I like number 8.
Author
That one came right out of my research, Deborah. Every one who worked with Mary Breckinridge claimed she didn’t like hearing the word can’t. If she asked you to do something, she thought you could.