Come, Let Me Paint You a Memory

Why would anyone want to read an autobiography of someone they have never met or heard of? That was my first concern, so let me tell you what is contained within the pages of this book. Inside, you will find eighty-five short stories that cover some of my life. In choosing a genre, I had a challenge because my stories cover many topics, just like all of our lives do. Everything from heartache, tragedy, and mystery, to a paranormal experience. Stories related by my great-grandmother from the end of the 1800s and early in the 1900s. Love rituals gone wrong, confronting fears, observing traditions, lessons from nature, wild animals as pets, faith in the face of trials, joy shining through in everyday life-a bit of heaven on earth. Laws broken and prices paid, dreams fulfilled, some lost, and some yet waiting. Interactions with my siblings, with our animals, with my parents and grandparents, and with family-plus many hilarious things that happened along the way. These stories encompass parts of my life, how they have shaped my character, and painted the canvas of who I am.

I've been oil-painting landscapes for more than forty-five years due to the coaxing and encouragement of my dear mother, who also painted. I've only sold a few paintings, and most go to my family and friends. One lady once told me I was a "closet" painter, which is true, because they are hanging on my walls, poked under the beds, and inside the closets of our home. After a bedroom freed up when our kids moved out, I got my first studio. I have never actively attempted to put my talent out there. The reason I'm bringing this up is that when I started writing, I saw an obvious parallel with painting, which was very familiar. I saw that with writing, I was placing my ideas and thoughts on paper-it seemed like using a different medium and still painting a picture. I'm quite enjoying it, and I hope you read and love the stories I've shared. I can't, in truth, tell you that they've all been fun, but a huge part of them has been, and my family and I seem to put a humorous tilt on many of the crazy things we've experienced.

These short stories are perfect to read while waiting at a doctor's appointment, for your child to finish at the dentist, during a break at work, or anytime you have a few minutes. They are short, interesting, and will make you smile or give you something to think about. We all have stories that make up our lives; they are worth sharing with our family. I believe valuable lessons can be learned from the experiences of others. I hope you enjoy my life experiences in reading Come, Let Me Paint You a Memory.

My husband and I have been married fifty-two years now, and I told him once, "We've been through a lot together, and most of it's been your fault." Some of those stories will be my next book. LOL.