Category: books
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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Weekend Thought
It’s as simple as this. On a class trip to a one room schoolhouse a little boy named Skylar left a message: God bless you. Even if you are a grumpy person who hates when people mention God, you have to admit that this kid’s heart is in the right place. There was…
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Stop Crying
Do you cry too much? My father used to reward me for staying in and being safe. As a police officer he coolly handled blood, insanity and anger, but he could not handle threats to his children. He could not handle the idea of them making mistakes or being shamed. His heart was in the…
Author Adrienne Morris 