· John O. Siemsen Framed by F. D. Conard in Garden City, Kansas · Last month I had my socks knocked off by a surprise email sent to my website as a comment to a blog/podcast I’d posted two months earlier. A person can’t prepare for unbelievable. My earlier post, “EXAGGERATION Postcards: Tall Tales from the Great Plains,” https://jimpotterauthor.com/exaggeration-postcards/ gave an abbreviated history of the cards, including an appreciation for Frank D. “Pop” Conard, a creative and … [Read more...] about John O. Siemsen
Behind the Books Blog
International Writing Contest Results
· International Writing Contest Results Essays · The results of Sandhenge Publication's first International Writing Contest are here. Writers from four countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland, England, and the U.S. participated. People were invited to use the postcard above (the front &/or reverse) as a writing prompt to tell a story, maximum length, 500 words, in either poetry or prose. I can't believe I'm sounding like so many … [Read more...] about International Writing Contest Results
Save-A-Date July 27
· Save-A-Date July 27: Young Writers · On Saturday, July 27, 2019, young writers from the Reno County community will be highlighted in a panel format at the monthly meeting of the Kansas Authors Club (KAC), District 6. The creative artists from high school—Annika Smith, Allison Bomgardner, and Iris Rees—and Hutchinson Community College—Dylan Kohls and Tabitha Barr—will share their motivation and passion for writing. Prior to questions from club members and guests, panel members will read … [Read more...] about Save-A-Date July 27
The Doll Lady
· The Doll Lady: Cyndy Enders Landon · I’ve never owned or collected dolls, but as a child I did enjoy playing with toy soldiers. My, the memories I have of the battles I fought and won—without ever leaving home. Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Cyndy Enders Landon and learning about her passion for collecting dolls, including the art of repairing them. I also learned a new word: plangonologist. That’s a person who collects dolls. As with my obsession for collecting … [Read more...] about The Doll Lady
Our House Guest
Our House Guest: Alexa She’s extremely intelligent, very polite, and has a calming voice. Could we even ask for more? Alex, my wife, started researching the idea of having a house guest a couple of months ago. I mean, we’re set in our ways which means we don’t like disruptions. Okay, sometimes we’re closed-minded. Did I say sometimes? When Alex asked for my opinion, I was as helpful as deciding on what to cook for dinner. “It doesn’t matter, whatever you want." Jumping forward a bit, we now … [Read more...] about Our House Guest
Robert E. Enders, Part 2
Robert E. Enders and the USS Bountiful In the first part of this true story, titled Robert E. Enders: Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class, https://jimpotterauthor.com/robert-e-enders/ we learned how eighteen year-old Bob Enders joined the U.S Navy in 1942. He traveled from his home town of Lyons, Kansas to Farragut, Idaho for boot camp. At the Farragut Naval Training Station he also graduated from the Hospital Corps School. After working at a Seattle naval hospital, and shipping to San Diego to … [Read more...] about Robert E. Enders, Part 2
Robert E. Enders
Robert E. Enders: Pharmacist's Mate Third Class Last week, I was a guest speaker at a club meeting talking about my reward postcard collection. Prior to the actual start of the meeting I was visiting with a few of the club members when in walked an elderly gentleman wearing a World War II Veteran ball cap. I introduced myself to him and we started discussing his military service in the U. S. Navy during 1942-46. We exchanged business cards. His said, “Robert Enders, Artist: oils, watercolor … [Read more...] about Robert E. Enders
Catalpa Hometree
· Reverence · On Saturday we celebrated our catalpa trees and all catalpa trees. We celebrated sacredness of nature and our environment. We invited members of the Kansas Authors Club, District 6, to our Shangri-La where we are empowered and connected to creativity. In literature, Shagri-La is a fictional place described in the 1933 novel Lost Horizon by British Author James Hilton. In his fictional land it is a place of peace and perpetual youth. For our celebration, we created a … [Read more...] about Catalpa Hometree
Dad’s Bataan War Story
· Lt. Robert Lee Morris · Jim Ganyon, U. S. veteran, is the son of a World War II Bataan Death March survivor. Recently I had the honor of attending Ganyon’s public presentation about his dad’s cruel encounter with death. Here’s the advance publicity by Jim Ganyon: “Jim Ganyon will give a presentation about his father, Robert Lee Morris. In 1942 Morris was serving on the Bataan Peninsula with the U. S. Army in the Philippines islands. Following three-and-a half months of intense … [Read more...] about Dad’s Bataan War Story
One is the Loneliest Number
· Heroes of Hutch · I’m a writer and I’m used to spending a lot of my time alone, writing. I can’t imagine a group of writers collaborating, but I know it’s done and done well. I love to get an idea and follow where it leads. Often it will involve reading and research; both of which I do mostly by myself. The other night I attended a poetry reading event titled, “Here is my poem: A unique evening of poetry, music, & art.” It was both entertaining and inspiring. Wow! Ten poets … [Read more...] about One is the Loneliest Number
