Candleglow Dreams-Sexual Abuse Theme

In writing Candleglow Dreams, i wanted to use my experience with working as a child therapist-At least one out of three children had been abused-These kids came fom all walks of life-Many from the foster system-some from homes where the abuse went on in the next room-For my story I researched the perpetrator who goes for several children at once. In creating Celeste's situation I made her into a girl who fir the profile-At age tweleve Celeste loses her parents-a good farm family-She winds up with an aunt she has never heard of-There is a family secret that her mother, a compliant woman can't bring heself to share fearing that her children will blame her for the discord-the aunt, Sylvie, a socialite-and psyccopathic personality takes her rage out on Celeste who looks like her mother-Celeste is twelve when she and her brother move there-In the story she is isolated from all those she knows-A shy girl who is constantly put down by the aunt-she has no friends and is shut off from her sister-two years later she is placed with a bogus pastor who runs a group for "shy" girls-He is extremely persuasive- a man who is worshiped by a huge congegation-As soon as Celeste meets him-in her loney state-he begins to flirt-By now she is sixteen and begins to fantasize-She's Aat the age where she would normally want a boyfried-She falls in love but only in her mind-As time passes-she grows dependent on him-but at the same time knows his touching ia wrong-When she confronts him he gets angry threatening to cut her out of his life-she finds herself in a vicious cycle-She wants to think he is good-Afterall hundreds of people believe in him-Likewise he shames her when angry-Eventually she begins to find him pathetic-Less mature tha the boys at school-Yet he has a way with her-like being hypnotised-she can't get out from under his apell-Eventually something happens and she realizes how sick he is-albeit he makes his move-She is blamed-this is convenient He operates by moving from church o church-She is made to think she is evil and that it was her fault-In Part Two she meets her father's
boss's som- a rancher-A love story follows-and the quesion is.. Will she return home to the hills of Nebr-The perpetrator goes after those who need them-At least this is common and a good way to hook a child-Mnay won't have the background necessary for understanding what is happening or to say "no."

Simple and Beautiful Like Jesus

Holidays, gifts, trees, Stores, parties, relatives, friends, cookies, bars, Hordoerves, cards. Wines, travel, ribbon, Wrappings, Money, Clothes, music, snowmen, Decorations, Lights, More Money, Noise, Flashing lights...Is any wonder we feel stressed-Along with doing it right is the plight of trying to satisfy and please everyone from family to coworkers to friends and acquaintances. What an enormous task to ask of others and ourselves. For some this is right but for many Christmas turns into an event that's a bit like living in a zoo-although I think a zoo would be easier than what we do. Have you ever wondered what Christmas for Jesus would have been like had he celebrated this holiday.I liked the softness that my ways as I pondered this thought.I felt free as though-Jesus so loving was giving me permission for simplicity -He lived a simple life devoid of possessions, of pleasing others for the sake of being liked, he had boundaries, took time for prayer...I think he would have calmly stated his needs and gone about his business (teaching us to care and love) ...that giving one small thing was  a humble expression of love... more thought provoking than spending more than we have, by giving gifts that aren't wanted or used...I think Jesus would have suggested that we simplify the season, that we delve into our spirituality, that our time be more "simply wonderful." My ideal Christmas would be food and clothing my on someone truly needing-then a gathering- a small group at our cabin-to eat, sing, laugh, share stories, perhaps take a walk, or ride, even making cookies together would be fun...Perhaps  giving a small gift. The joy would be in the sharing of hearts.So simply beautiful...Next time-some simple gifts.to give-

Nebraska Notes-Passages and Poetry: Doane#17 versus the Broncos-Crete- Hastings Ne.

Nebraska Notes-Passages and Poetry: Doane#17 versus the Broncos-Crete- Hastings Ne.: The Doane Tigers face the Hastings Broncos today-The Broncos have won for the past several years. Today the Tigers have big stakes in winnin...

Doane#17 versus the Broncos-Crete- Hastings Ne.

The Doane Tigers face the Hastings Broncos today-The Broncos have won for the past several years. Today the Tigers have big stakes in winning. At 17th in the nation this surprise Cinderella Team will make the playoffs if they can defeat unrated Hastings and then Concordia and Dort.- Over the years this has been a big rival game- Hastings has nothing to lose in trying every trick available and Doane will be playing towards a Title -Either a.conference champs or b. a conference tie with Morningside- What  a year to remember-
Today's game adds another exciting element- Matt Franzen, Tiger head coach was the Bronco's offensive line coach-He got his Master's at Hastings where he began his student coaching under Barney Cotton then continued under Ross EllDoane versus Hastings Football today , now both coaching for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. It is doubtful that sentimentality goes into these games once the ball is kicked and the game begins. On the Hastings side, the head coach, Tony Harper was a Doane graduate as was Matt. Therefore two Doane graduates, who have seen both sides,  meet as rivals
One other things of note that makes today today's game particularly interesting is Doane senior quarterback, Anthony Dunn. Last week he broke the all time school career passing record. It will be interesting to see what kind of passing yardage he adds today. Enjoy the afternoon sunshine, buy a snack, and cross your fingers for the side you want to win. This one is guaranteed to be a nail biter game...And don't to forget to congratulate the young men who go out day after day while working to earn a degree.It's about building character in the end.  Enjoy!

Candle Glow Dreams-Nebraska- by Barb Franzen

                                                   Best Friends-Magical Summer-1932

    Looking about the attic, Celeste was oblivious to the heat; she'd never seen anything like this playhouse.  

   “Come on,” Ginny said, dragging her downstairs, promising to return soon. That first day, turned into a summer filled with sweetness and joy; indeed, Ginny and Celeste fast became friends. The girls ventured out exploring every spot that was suitable for imagining; however the playroom held its awe becoming Celeste’s favorite place.  She loved the shelves with books, paints, colors, paper, and games; Ginny’s dolls with their buggies and beds, a dollhouse, children’s dishes, and several sets of paper dolls-Everything mesmerized her. Sometimes, Celeste sat on the bench under the attic window, silently combing a doll’s hair or coloring pictures. Bev came up to deliver cookies and juice, mid-afternoon while  they sat at Ginny’s table using her children’s dishes while pretending to be ladies. With all the fun she and Ginny were having, this was Celeste’s happiest summer ever. But the very best part was her time spent with the pigs. From the moment she first saw a piglet, she couldn't leave them alone. Celeste spent hours with the tiny babies and while giving parents Gretta and Gotta ample attention. 

  It was their delightful squeals, their soft, fat, tummies, the comical look on their faces. Everyone knew how much this shy, reserved twelve year old adored them. Clark promised her a pig when she began 4-H. How could he refuse this sweet girl who  bathed them when dirty, administered their medicine when sick. There was nothing she wouldn't have done for her pigs. Who knew that one day these little friends  would play a crucial role in her search for herself- the child she had once been-here on a Nebraska farm.     ( My story, not yet submitted but written, is a story about a girl turned teenager then woman- one who must find herself if she ever hopes to return to the farm. It is a story about the misfortune of abuse,  the struggle to survive ,and the life we all deserve and wish to have..  1928-1939   First of a well researched family saga- . Brady Nebraska, Lincoln focus of story

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A Precious Gift-Our Daughter in Laws

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Safely Sharing Yourself

To women 50 and over like me-I still remember the day I was lamenting about something embarrassing happening to me on the Internet. It had to do with  expressing an opinion to a group  on the internet then opening up face book and staring at what I had said. It was a comment about dealing with marriage and fighting an illness at the same time...not something I wanted my entire hometown to read.
   I told my son who is a "thinking-sensible" kind of guy-a head football coach for a college- what had happened  In his pragmatic, sensible way, he said, "Mom, once you've said it on the I-Net you've said it to the world. It happened again with twitter. Something I'd said was right there in the local newspaper. That time it was a comment on nature(-much better.) On  a more serious note, what my son said is true. He and his wife know the workings of the social media, due to age and schooling.
     I grew up with the T.V. which didn't keep track of what I said. In reverse, I kept track of what said. I confess. This happened two other times. Something I said on Linked-in about being a writer was on Messenger the next morning. I panicked. It was personal and meant only for people who write....I am tell myself  to only say those things that are fine for the whole world to hear. I am sharing this as a reminder, hoping to spare you the same humiliation.
    Another word of caution-You also have to watch what you push to get where you want to go. I was in a hurry to get to face book to see my granddaughter's latest posted picture.To get to my destination, I pushed on the first large blue F I saw. It was a Singles Dating advertising service. When I got to my page, I saw that I was had just become a member. I was horrified. They were all young men. I am a married grandmother.Sometimes I think the goal is to trap us into these embarrassing situations. We are pushed  to sign permission's. I am to blame, but I get tired or frivolous and push O.K. just to get the application out of my sight. Having the world read what was meant for a few can be a nightmare. One feels naked and there's nothing to cover up with. Life has continued, but I'm striving to remember to say it with roses. In other words, to say only those things the world can hear. Wishing you Happy and Safe Expressions`-Barb

My Amazing Ne.

Back when I was a child, Dad didn't want folks to "Discover Nebraska." As a crowd starved teenager I thought that a strange thing to say. We took vacations in popular states such as Colorado and Arkansas-People visited Estes Park and Aspen to name two-in droves. We visited Lakeside in Denver-Same thing-Alot of people-the more the merrier. Why did Dad have a funny attitude about ...keep out...Ne?.
 Today I understand. Among the top fans of this state, I love our clean fast roads and wonderful places where we can go visiting. Holdrege has the Museum of the Plains, Minden Pioneer Village, Gothenburg-the Pony Express-
Nebraska has hundreds of places-Matt and Lacey recently went to an art shop in Lewellan, pristine carvings with local artists, and to Ash Hollow, Pony Express included. We have been to Brewster and Uncle Buddy's, a wonderful lodge with quaint bedrooms and pictorial history of the Omaha Cattle Place from the 40's-maybe the fifties. Regardless of whether it is Omaha, Lincoln, Scottsbluff, G-Brownville, or where-you can know that there won't be long lines and unbearable crowds. I think I know why Dad a rancher wanted this state to remain natural. With something so pure and lovely...Why fight for space?

Nebraska My GreatGrandparent Elliotts

James B Ellliott born in 1844 -my great-great-granfather steals my heart-I knew little about him until my father died . It was then that I found his sumaary of the Civil War-with the Iowa Volunteers he was a medic who went to Vicksburg, Shiloh. Was on Shermn's March to the Sea-A scholar and farmer, he was born in Morgan Town Ohio then went to Iowa at age nine-Millersburg. Of the war he wrote that children could only lisp the names of those not returning, that mothers and house wives were heartbroken and weeping in the streets.With 37 pages he writes of every battle-shortage of supplies, and much more-a man with marvelous humor he married Hannah Lou Carson's from W. Virginia. Making their way to Clay and Hamilton. the Elliott's stayed in Trumbull, the Carson's going across the way to Hamilton in Grand Island. Jane and Adrian the parents of Hannah Lou among them. two of her boys were taken during the Civil War-on 16 was starved a prisoner off South Carolina-the other in Battle Arriving in Ne. Jane (Conlley began a church-Congregational-in her home. With James Burdett farming in Trumbull, Clay, there were six children-later one a North Platte councilman. Along with farming, the Elliotts handled the Post Office. My grandmother Stella walked from Trumbull to Brady to deliver a cow to her sister Daisy/ I can't for the life of me fathom how long that walk must have taken-Where did they sleep?-What about quick sand? How long did it take? 1895-I can't imagine but wish I could have gone along.Just a bit of history of the Platte Valley-My love-history and Ne. Signing off to finish sharpening book-Candleglow Dreams Nebraska-History-fiction-romance-

World War II Recipes From Trumbull

Last week on my way to Crete where our son lives, I had the entire beautiful day to wind y way to where I was going. We have a cabin on what I call Golden Pond, just this side of Crete. Wanting to have the best of times out on the prairie, I decided I would take a quick detour though Trumbull. My great grand mother came from Virgina to Iowa and finally settled thee as her son-in-law JB. Elliott, a Civil War Veteran obtained land for homesteading. Just north of there, in Grand Island Country, her son Matthew inherited his land from the government-Thus he Carson's and Elliott's settled in on fertile land. My goal was to go to the neatly organized Trumbull cemetery to see Jane's stone. While I didn't succeed in finding her, i did find a quaint little antique store in the tiny quiet town. As was, the man carried WW11memoriabila and that which the soldiers wore. I chatted for quite some time with the couple feeling I should buy something. I said, "Would you have a war time cook book?". Luck of Luck, the friendly women cane back with one of the best-having thumbed though the pages, I am going to leave a recipe for Orange Cream-one of the easier fixes. Remember-sugar wasn't easy to come by-therefore-molasses and Karol syrup served as popular substitutes-For orange cream-: Dissolve 1pkg. lemon jelly powder in 1 cup hot water-add 1 pkg lemon jelly dissolve in 1 cup warm water and cool=Add 1/2 cup sugar,1cup orange juice-3 tbsp. grated orange rind, then fold in 1 cup cream whipped. Chill 2 hours and garnish with fresh fruit-There you have it-a simple recipe-I will bring more complicated cooking your way and food facts of interest pertaining to the canteen and the war years-a done by the Union Aide ladies whose notes I inherited-