The sequel,suggested by so many of my readers, in in the works. I began it on Xmas day as I was waiting for my new recipe of turkey thighs a la Spanish style to cook. A fantastic recipe, by the way.
The new story is told from a first-person narrator: Miriam in her 70s, sharing with us her in-the- moment perspective of significant time periods, beginning with the Great Depression.
A sneak preview: Miriam’s extended family was not on the bread lines. But, how they remained prosperous is something you’ll have to wait to discover. A surprising twist, one I never expected myself. But Miriam told me about it. Yep, again I’m channeling her, which is a super fun experience as a writer.
I’m discovering things about the Depression, reading Studs Terkel’s oral history.
The challenge is to find oral histories of people other than the super-wealthy who made out adequately or even well during the Depression. Love to know if any reader is aware of that.
The experiences of the men who used to be called “hoboes” and vagrants back then is illuminating. Some of the same sentiments exist today – the stigma against people who don’t work, even though it’s often not their fault, but due to institutional deficits. They very much wanted to work, not to live off the dole. They went to extraordinary lengths to survive, riding and scorching themselves on top of freight trains, or freezing almost to death. And on about 50 calories a day, if that. Forced to filch food from stores and homes whenever the train stopped. Then there were the bread lines, where people, mostly a male responsibility, stood on those lines for hours jut to get a bit of gristle and bread, usually not fresh, even having mold on it that they had to tear off. And some lived in makeshift “homes,” in caves they built, abandoned pieces of machinery, anything that could provide shelter from sun and rain/ snow. More like what we imagine the “untouchables” live in around Mombai airport.
These situations sound foreign, even exotic to us. But, truly, there are people in this country (US) who don’t have enough to eat or suitable shelter.
Stay tuned for more of my historical research of the times that Miram and her family and friends lived in beginning after the crash of October 1929.
Awesome blog! Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost
on everything. Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go
for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely overwhelmed ..
Any recommendations? Cheers!
Sorry but I hadn’t seen your questions: I started using WordPress for all my websites lately, but honestly, don’t find it so user-friendly.I wrote a blog for years called “Retirement As You WantIt (all 1 word). com. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of platform. Suggestion about writing: write from the heart with quite a few personal stories, but with a theme and message. I’m now doing research for the sequel to Beguiled, so have not been so conscientious about writing blog posts on my Karmakitaj.com website. Hope to have more posts this summer.
I’m really impressed with your writing skills and also with
the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one nowadays.
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to
come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
Great work!
Yes the designer is Dalitopia. I love the design myself.
Howdy, I think your web site may be having browser compatibility
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I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up!
Besides that, great website!
THanks, will check that out.
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Sweet blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News.
Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get
there! Appreciate it
I’m not sure how it got onto Yahoo News. Sorry. It goes to social media and some outlets must pick it up.