Author Adrienne Morris

March 2, 2023

What We Nurture in Art and Life Makes All the Difference

“I think of myself as a sort of farmer; I tend the rich soil of troubled children and nurture them as they grow, “ a social worker once said to me when I told her about my dreams of being a writer/farmer. At the time I had no idea that I would write novels about…

February 21, 2023

By the Shores of Solon Pond (8)

Dan’s secret is exposed. “And what of the slaves…” Dan began. “My boy, you read one novel,” Joel said more heatedly, “and you’re a raging abolitionist—it’s a disgrace.” “I’m not ashamed of it,” Dan said. “The injustice of selling families and such. I’m awake to it.” “Oh, wide awake this, wide awake that! If you…

February 9, 2023

By the Shores of Solon Pond (7)

Waldo’s embarrassment at Christmas (novel excerpt) Although Waldo tried to ignore it, he dreaded the embarrassment this Christmas of not having joined Amy and Lucian at school after he’d talked so much about it. He imagined he might explain to them how sick Dan was and how he had heroically stepped in to chop wood…

February 1, 2023

By the Shores of Solon Pond (6)

“He who tills his own land has food in plenty, but he who follows idle pursuits is a fool.” Proverbs 12:11 Despite his whole-hearted belief in vegetarianism, Waldo’s father possessed not even the slightest hint of a green thumb. Each spring Joel Potter sent his sons to smooth the fields of stones. Piles stood like…

January 24, 2023

By the Shores of Solon Pond (5)

Negotiating pay is tricky business for young farmer boy Waldo. His brother’s coughing woke him early. Coffee bubbled below and his father’s slightly burnt corn cakes gave off a sweet, acrid smell. The water in the washbasin was slightly reddened by a clot of his brother’s blood and a wave of yesterday’s worries flooded him…

January 17, 2023

By the Shores of Solon Pond (4)

Waldo worries his uncle will find fault with him on the first day of work. Lucian bounded over the hill with his pair of overly enthusiastic yoked calves. One day, he would sell them and set aside the money for his own savings. Waldo envied him a moment until Lucian smiled and waved. “Waldo’s come,…

January 11, 2023

By the Shores of Solon Pond (3)

As the woods grew darker along the path into the valley and up to his family’s cabin, Waldo’s mood darkened as well. His uncle’s look of doubt at Waldo being able to attend school echoed what was already lurking in the back of his mind. Owls called to each other. Waldo called back the sounds…

December 20, 2022

By the Shores of Solon Pond (2)

Will a new opportunity keep Waldo from going to school again? (Excerpt from Chapter Two of WIP) The day was low now with only moments left of twilight as he passed his uncle’s farm with its neat stone and wood fence along the road and his prize winning English White cows ambling within the big…

December 5, 2022

By the Shores of Solon Pond

A sneak peek at the first chapter of my next novel about a good-natured farmer boy who escapes to fight in the Civil War after a dreadful accident at home. Take it in! The crickets insisted. Everything bursting with life! The gold and silver riches of the sun setting on this fine autumnal afternoon! Yes,…

June 11, 2022

What were your biggest takeaways from grade school?

Mine: I wanted to be a Pueblo Indian when I grew up. Also wanted to be a Dutch colonist and make bayberry scented candles all day. After second grade it was no longer acceptable to hold hands with your best friend walking to school. Planting trees was a civic duty. You’re a Grand Old Flag…