· Suspicious Person: Billy Brassfield · Writing Prompt by Sean McArdle Sean McArdle, Kansas Authors Club member from Winchester, England, recently added to a conversation that began with a question: “Where do stories come from?” He commented about a dispute he witnessed in a store. Sean set the scene: “Recently I was in a large department store looking at clothes and heard an argument between an assistant and a customer. The customer was aggressive and security was called. It’s impossible not … [Read more...] about Suspicious Person
Behind the Books Blog
Lucky’s Sculpture Story
· Lucky's Sculpture Story: Lucky, the Daydreamer · “Oh, Alex, she’s beautiful!” squealed Jenna as she approached from the hallway. “Does she have a story?” “Thanks,” replied Alex. “Yes, let me read it to you,” Alex said as she turned Lucky so the sculpture’s back was spotlighted from the ceiling’s targeted lighting. Alex kept each of her hands resting on a porcelain shoulder. Meanwhile, Jenna studied the woman’s faux Mohawk red hair and smiled. Adjusting her glasses, Alex started … [Read more...] about Lucky’s Sculpture Story
Smile Across the Nile
· Smile Across the Nile: Bellygrammed by Alexandria · Surprise birthday parties have been planned and carried out for centuries. The most recognized song in the English language, “Happy Birthday,” is sung to birthday honorees prior to the opening of cards and gifts. Fiery trick candles, planted in sweet icing on celebratory cakes, are blown out once, then blown out again. During the late 1970s, singing telegrams—originally popular in the 30s—were trending again, then balloon-o-grams, then … [Read more...] about Smile Across the Nile
Stories Are Everywhere
· Stories Are Everywhere: My Blogging Topics · MY PURPOSE in BLOGGING In 2017, when I sent my final draft of my novel, Taking Back the Bullet, to my editor, Jan Hurst, I started preparing drafts of written blogs for my new website hosted by Rosemary Miller, aka “The Tech Chick.” My unwritten mission statement was this: “To be in the moment, to enjoy the adventure, and to do my best for me and my readers.” The website was also designed to promote my books and be a public platform, a … [Read more...] about Stories Are Everywhere
Another View of James A. Woodson
· James A. Woodson: A Newspaper View · James A. Woodson (1893-1971) achieved a lot of during his twenty-two year career as an officer on the Hutchinson Police Department (Kansas) from 1927 through 1949. Who else, anywhere, was hired as a city dog catcher and retired as a lieutenant? Early Days Can you imagine being a police officer walking the beat on Main Street without a vehicle, without a two-way radio, and certainly without a smart phone? That’s the way it was for Officer Woodson … [Read more...] about Another View of James A. Woodson
James Andrew Woodson
· James Andrew Woodson: A Family View · When I asked Leland Woodson, 84 years of age, for an interview about his father, James A. Woodson (1893-1971), my interest was mainly his dad’s career as a Hutchinson Police Officer from 1927-1949. I understood that I’d only get a glimpse of the officer’s lengthy service. After all, I was writing a blog, not a book. When I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that three of Leland’s siblings, all sisters, Galena Mae (Crable), 90; … [Read more...] about James Andrew Woodson
Kirch Split
· Kirch Split William C. Kirch, Photographer · Part 2 - Conclusion During the 1920’s, women’s first names were still mostly missing from newspapers. The publications identified a married woman as either “the wife of” or as “Mrs.”, followed by the initials of her husband’s first and middle name, then his surname. For the most part, married women were forced to agree to play by the unequal rules of the only game in town. At least the U. S. Federal Census consistently documented some … [Read more...] about Kirch Split
Kirch Couple
· William C. & Mae Besore Kirch · Adam (1843-1907) and Margaretha Mayer (1851-1914) Kirch, who had farmed in their home country of Bavaria, becoming part of Germany prior to their emigration to the United States in 1872, had to wait several years before having another opportunity to work the land. Will, like his two older brothers, Fred and Henry, were born American citizens in Brooklyn, New York. Soon after his birth, the Kirch family may have moved to Jersey City, New Jersey (across the … [Read more...] about Kirch Couple
Creative Non-Fiction
· Western Kansas Photo Club · I’m a postcard collector and historian who loves reading, research, and writing. As a result, I’ve been curious about some early-day Kansas photographers who created some of the postcards in my collection. Now that I know these people better, I’m ready to share some of the conversations they might have had. The following is a story with real people and events. The meeting actually took place. Let me set the scene for you. Photographers from Kansas during late … [Read more...] about Creative Non-Fiction
Richard Wickliffe
· Captain Richard Wickliffe Giving, Not Taking · People who know Richard Wickliffe remark about how he’s always calm. I’ve never seen him upset. So, when we sat down together for an interview, I had to see if he would share his secret. And while I was at it, maybe I’d also learn how a guy who retired from the Hutchinson Police Department (HPD) in 2001 at age 64, still looks young enough to be running marathons. Richard, a/k/a/ “Wick”, didn’t reveal his secret of eternal youth but he did … [Read more...] about Richard Wickliffe
