· Conclusions of a Cop · Recently, I was visiting with a friend who is a retired cop. I’ll call him Tom Jennings. Even though he’s no longer physically involved in the business, intellectually he’s still working. He has ideas about how cops can and should make community connections in order to help solve problems, not just make arrests. * Addressing the serious issue of unarmed people (not only people of color) being killed by police officers, Jennings said the public needs to be taught … [Read more...] about Conclusions of a Cop
Behind the Books Blog
Purchased Postcards
· Purchased Postcards: My Favorites · Recently I had the pleasure of purchasing postcards. What a treat! Today, I’m going to share with you my top ten postcards from my shopping spree at the annual Wichita Postcard Club Show. You don’t have to be a postcard collector or a historian to enjoy these cards, but it helps. I’ve also learned that writers looking for a writing prompt or a story, often find a photo postcard to be just what they’re looking for to get their creative juices … [Read more...] about Purchased Postcards
A Day I Shall Never Forget
· "A Day I Shall Never Forget: Citizens Bank Hold Up" · There are people in the world who crave to have their fifteen minutes of fame. They wish to be widely recognized for attaining a personal achievement or for participating in a spectacular event. That was not the case for Bessie Olson when on May 28, 1924, she was working as a cashier in the Citizens Bank of Lamont, Oklahoma. At about noon, Bessie was helping a customer, Chad Chadwick (or Chadwell), scotch taping his torn check when … [Read more...] about A Day I Shall Never Forget
Suspicious Person
· 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
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
