Writing My Civil War Novel

When I began writing Uprooted by War, the third novel in my Appalachian Roots series, I had several concerns. I needed to show some of the horrors and hardships of the Civil War without the book becoming too depressing or gloomy. I wanted to, not only show the problems facing the soldiers but also the families back home. And, those in the Appalachians had some threats specific to that region. In addition, I chose to have good and bad characters on both sides, while showing that slavery was wrong.

I think I had more difficulty keeping a balance in the prison scenes than any other portion of the book. Of course, the research was crucial. I hit roadblocks in trying to research the Salisbury prison. There is general information, but I couldn't find enough specific details. For one thing, so many of the records had been destroyed. However, I used what details I could find and fictionalized (using my background in history) the ones I needed and couldn't find.

Another problem came from the fact that my main characters were going to be separated for much of the book. I used secondary characters to play out their own stories and help move the story along. I think it must have worked, because one of my beta readers said this was the best one yet. Maybe it's because my concerns caused me to work more on it. 

As always, all my profits from the books go to a scholarship fund for missionary children.

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Model Trains

According to experts, model trains are different than toy trains. Toy trains are a cheap representations of a train, but makers of model trains are concerned with gauge, accuracy, and being as true to the original as possible in a scaled down version. Model trains can be expensive.

Photo taken at home of Pat & Jimmy Matthews

Collecting the actual train and its cars are only part of the fun for model train enthusiasts. How they are displayed and the items that make up the setting are just as important. In this way, every display is unique and shows the creativity of the collector.

Of course, since trains were not prevalent until the 1800's, model trains are not as old as some toys. German craftsmen made the first miniature trains in the 1830's. The early ones were made by pouring molten tin or brass into a mold, and the train had to be pushed along the track. The French copied the idea, but made elaborately decorated models. When the Industrial Revolution hit England, toymakers there took model train making seriously. Sir Henry Wood built one of the first steam powered toys. European

clock makers then began to fit the toys with clockwork mechanisms to make them go. All these trains were handcrafted, tended to be pricey, and none of them were made to scale.

Photo taken at home of Pat & Jimmy Matthews

It was the U.S. toymakers that began to mass produce small trains, which made them more affordable. George Brown & Company of Connecticut is believed to have made the first self-propelled model train in the U.S. in 1856. America was a big country, and their models needed to be durable to ship over long distances. 1860-1890 is considered the golden age of American tin models, and even middle-class families could afford them. As the demand grew, so did expectations for realism. When Lionel began producing electric models in the early 1900's, model train collection really took off. After WW II, the models became more detailed and functional.

Photo taken at home of Pat & Jimmy Matthews

Many model train enthusiasts started their collection as children, when they received them as gifts. Adults have become interested from their children's or grandchildren's interest. Untold numbers of model trains have sat under Christmas trees to surprise children on Christmas morning. Even today, they've remained popular.

Photo taken at the home of Pat & Jimmy Matthews

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West Jefferson

West Jefferson, North Carolina, has a unique culture and atmosphere. Set in the Appalachian Mountains, it definitely has the mountain influence. There's a folksy, quaintness to the town that's charming, and its support of the arts is evident. It's developed an important tourist business, and the historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The town is in Ashe County adjacent to the county seat of Jefferson. It was established in 1915 and became a major stop on the Norfolk and Western Railroad, which was a factor in its birth and growth. A little over 1,000 people reside in the town now.

At one time, West Jefferson had the only cheese factory in the Southeast, and the cheese facility still operates today. It's also home to West Jefferson Dr. Pepper, a soda manufacturer, who make Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew. It is only one of two non-Pepsi companies who are allowed to produce Mountain Dew and is known for using nothing but pure cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup in their regular drinks.

So, if you're ever in the area, visit the town, walk the village-looking streets, shop the unique stores, eat in a quaint restaurant, listen to some street musicians, and maybe catch a street festival or sale. Then, you can kick back in a rocking chair or on a bench with a Dr. Pepper or Mountain Dew and watch the tourists go by. 

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Yo-Yos 

The yo-yo is an old toy. An ancient Greek vase from 500 BC shows a boy playing with a yo-yo. Greek records describe them as being made of wood, metal, or terra cotta, a fired clay. They have been played with in Europe for ages.

They also came to the American colonies. The Blount House in Knoexville, Tennessee, built in the late 1700's has them on display. However, the toy really became popular in the 1920's. In 1928, Pedro Flores, an immigrant from the Philippines, opened a yo-yo factory in Santa Barbara, California. Before 1929 ended, he had opened addition factories in Los Angles and Hollywood.

Not long afterwards, another entrepreneur, Donald F. Duncan, bought the yo-yo manufacturing business from Flores. In 1932, Harvey Lowe won the first world yo-yo championship in London. Other yo-yo makers came upon the scene, but the Duncan yo-yos would remain the best known ones. The 1960's saw another resurgence of the yo-yo, and this didn't wane much until the end of the 1980's. They're still available today.

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Themed Christmas Trees

Perhaps it comes from having taught in elementary school for some of my teaching career, but I love to decorate themed Christmas trees. For example, the Christmas after my husband and I came back from serving as missionaries in Oaxaca, Mexico, I did a tree with a Mexican theme. Apparently I don't have digital photos, since I couldn't find them, but I had chili pepper lights, and ornaments representing different aspects of life there. I think it may have been one of my favorites.
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A lot of my trees have a country theme, because I'll always be a country, mountain girl at heart. However, sometimes, I like to change things and have a golden theme or a more sophisticated look. In years past, I've had more than one tree in the house. However, now I seem to be doing good to put up one. Not having children or grandchildren close enough to visit me during Christmas has influenced this, but I still have fun with it. Here are some other themed trees (not all are mine):

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The Blue Spruce

The blue spruce (also known as a Colorado spruce) is a beautiful evergreen native to the Rocky Mountain region. However, it also grows in other cool regions, like the Appalachian Mountains in the East. It's density of branches, conical shape, and striking bluish-green color has made it a favorite in the Christmas tree industry. It is susceptible to some beetles and needle diseases but is used in landscaping and as windbreaks. It isn't usually used in the timber industry, because its wood is brittle and full of knots.

The Navajo ad Keres Native Americans have used the tree as a medicinal plant and for ceremonies. The twigs are supposed to bring good luck when given as gifts. It's been used as a folk medicine to treat colds, settle the stomach, and as a rub for rheumatism. 

The tree grows rather slowly but can eventually reach heights over a hundred feet and live up to 600 - 800 years. It has a deep root system and doesn't blow down easily. It tends to retain its needles well and likes the higher elevations, where it's cool and humid. It was introduced to Europe late in the 19th century. Now, as the Christmas tree market reaches full-swing, you may want to look for a blue spruce.

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It's Time

...so stand fast in the Lord... (Philippians 4:1).

It's time for Christians to stand up and speak out. The Church has remained silent too long. The freedom of worship that we've always given thanks for and this country was founded upon is eroding away. A society that once smiled on Christian values is now frowning, and the shootings, drug addiction, greed, and lawlessness are some of the results.

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein... (Jeremiah 6:16).

Our God is a patient God, but, over and over in the Bible, when the Israelites had turned and moved farther and farther away from God, Israel was defeated and her people taken into captivity. If American doesn't turn to God for healing, I'm convinced the same thing will eventually happen to us. America cannot free herself of her long held values, like honor, honesty, empathy, integrity, and trustworthiness, and remain strong. Is a radical group, like ISIS, going to conquer?

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand (Ephesians 6:13).

We need to begin on our knees in prayer. I keep hoping there'll be a backlash and every person in America with a Christian heritage will stand up and shout "Enough!" I feel called to do some of that. It's time for a Jeremiah to come forth and declare, "Stand firm in the Lord!" America needs another Great Awakening, but who will come forth to lead the charge? Will you say, "Here I am, Lord. Send me?"

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