“Very soon,” I answered.

Some folks my age are beginning to emerge from their quarantine quarters, like bears after the winter. For weeks they’ve had food delivered, stayed the distance, and learned how to wear masks. Perhaps they have used their isolation to catch up with their reading, like Mary did. Here’s an excerpt of what she wrote after experiencing Pots, Pans & Peace—The Legacy of Margaret Corey: “Thank you, Eleanor, for writing another book. Wow, this one certainly brought back years of memories. At Prairie, my husband and I often welcomed your brothers and their classmates. I especially remember the time John enthusiastically ate a lunch of hamburgers and potato chips, and then commented with a grin, ‘potato chips, potato chips, all is vanity!'”

“I also recall your dad visiting us right at meal time. My husband, Tony, had cooked a big dinner of tripe (from the innards of the cow) and we set a plate before Mr. Corey. He took a couple of bites, then asked, ‘Do you have a dog?’ When we nodded, he suggested, “I think the dog would like this better than I do.’ We had a good laugh and found a different dish to serve him.”

Perhaps you too have some thoughts to share. If so, thank you so much for contributing to the conversation.

I am pleased to announce we are now able to take Pots, Pans & Peace into public places. Our first signing and selling event will be on July 26^th following the Sunday service at Joyce Bible Church (approximately 12:00 noon). Be assured we will follow whatever rules are in effect at the time.

Are you one of the selfless, and perhaps exhausted, servants of the sick or the public? Or do you feel as if you have hit the pause button on your life and wonder when you can safely disarm the silence. When the early shock of Covid-19 hit us in Washington, I had just tested the first strands of publicity for my second book, Pots, Pans & Peace—The Legacy of Margaret Corey. Now, my goal is to deactivate the pause and–while keeping social distance–reach out from my secluded corner in the study.

First, I want to thank you for signing up a few years ago to follow the path of Sticks, Stones & Songs—The Corey Story. For me, the journey with this story has opened a new career of writing and speaking; has connected me with relatives I’d not seen for decades; and had brought back into my life school mates from my childhood. Most significantly it has added to the Corey clan a host of readers who said they entered the story as if they were growing up with us.

Four years ago, I sensed an urgency to chronicle additional chapters of history with focus on the unflinching faith of my parents. The result is the (almost) new release, Pots, Pans & Peace—The Legacy of Margaret Corey, which I have described in more detail on the website www.eleanorcorey.com and on the facebook page, ‘Eleanor Corey, Author.’

Currently this title, in paperback or for Kindle, is available on Amazon.com in at least seven countries. Or, you may contact me at eleanor@eleanorcorey.com to request a signed copy by mail.

With gratitude, Eleanor

“All contest entries will receive a judge’s review.” These words caught my attention and I mused, Friends will give kind, perhaps biased reviews…or be silent…but a contest judge? Who knows?

With nothing to lose other than a small entry fee, I dispatched a copy of Sticks, Stones & Songs—The Corey Story to the Writer’s Digest 2017 Self-Published Book Contest.

Months later the results were in. Sticks Stones didn’t win big money, but she did merit some decent grades—a total of 28 points out of a possible 30.

Structure, Organization, and Pacing: 5; Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar: 5; Production Quality and Cover Design: 5; Plot and Story Appeal: 4; Character Appeal and Development: 4; Voice and Writing Style: 5

The book also received the judge’s comments which included the following:

When, near the end of the Great Depression, Mrs. Corey falls in with Mr. Arthur Corey’s plan to give up his job feeding chickens to become a full-time preacher in a backwoods location, it is truly hard to know what to expect.

The reader will become absorbed by the spirit and resourcefulness of the Corey children…and of Mrs. Corey, the true backbone of this family. The author has a gentle hand in describing Preacher Corey’s attitude…and in acknowledging his temper problem.

Overall, the author’s descriptive and narrative skills are finely honed and make following her story an adventure.

“Finely honed descriptive and narrative skills” sounded affirming—affirming enough for me, the author, to post the results of the contest as an update on the journey of Sticks, Stones & Songs.

And affirming enough for me…drum roll…to reveal the birthing of a second book.

Eighteen months ago bells in my brain began ringing with urgency to document more of the Corey story. Thus–before I could lose the will and the way–I embarked again on a paleontological excavation of letters, diaries, photos and interviews. The result: A life story of my parents, Arthur and Margaret, narrated in the humorous but self-deprecating voice of my mother. This manuscript, currently awaiting the refining tools of an editor, is titled, Margaret Corey—My Life: A Primer for Peace in the Pressure Cooker.  

Stay tuned…

“Let me tell you, I knew it was a BIG one,” Pastor Corey exclaimed.

The excitement in his voice gave way to motions of his body as he jumped from behind the pulpit and extended his arms. The buttons on his suit coat stretched against the button holes, his white shirt showed at the waist, and his tie bunched up. “I’d never felt anything like it," he said. "Even wondered for a moment if I’d snagged a whale.”

There was a chuckle in the congregation as one of Pastor’s hands squeezed an imaginary pole that flailed every which way, while his other hand circled as if working a reel. “I couldn’t even stand up,” he gasped.

Next thing I knew he was on the floor, feet bicycling the air, and body twisting as if he were in the bottom of the boat and bracing against the pull of the line. The position didn’t facilitate story-telling, so he shot up to his knees, panting. “I could see the silvery creature swish next the boat before he charged out to sea.” 

Pastor, still hanging onto the invisible pole, inhaled. “But I persisted, didn’t let go.”

He stood up, straightened his clothes, and flung out his arms again. “Eventually the 30-pound salmon quit the fight, and I could—with the help of a fishing partner and net—drag him into the boat.”

By the time Pastor’s act was over, all of us were in hysterics of laughter. We’d never seen our ever-proper preacher put on such a show.

He returned to the pulpit and waited for the uproar to subside. “It’s God’s way with us. We may be loaded down with the weight of sin; we may have rejected God all our lives; and we may expend every bit of our strength to get away from His boat. But He loves us enough to hold on until we get the message.” 

Pastor Corey paused before continuing. “Of course, God never forces His will on us, like I did with that fish. He just wants us to know that our sin is not too heavy for Him to forgive, nor our rejection too strong for His grace.

Dear Reader: I am thankful to Walt Windblad for this story. Walt attended my father’s church in Port Ludlow during the 80’s and 90’s, and phoned a couple of days ago to share this memory. Perhaps it will give you a chuckle as it did me. I hope you’ll stay posted for more and, if inclined, send me an encouragement to keep going on this mind-stretching adventure of writing about Arthur and Margaret Corey.

The next Sticks, Stones & Songs event, titled Tales and Tidbits, is sponsored by Marysville Historical Society on May 8, 5:30 PM, 6805 Armar Road, Marysville, WA 98270. More details on the Event Tab of www.eleanorcorey.com or on the Marysville Historical Society facebook page and on the facebook page of Sticks, Stones & Songs.

“At the Port Angeles library,” wrote Jessica Smith on Facebook. “That’s where I discovered your book and decided to contact you. I loved the story and even cried at the end.”

She continued, “Your father reminded me of Abraham from the Bible. Going on his faith and knowing that things would be taken care of. Now I am going to buy my own copy on Amazon, and will leave a review.”

Jessica followed through with her promise. A few days later, a publishing agent called to congratulate me on the number of 5-star ratings the book has received on Amazon, and to offer publicity service…at a cost of course. His comments, however, served as a reminder to me that an independently published book gets noticed when there are enough strong ratings.

“Enough” is the key word. Enough endorsements could open the door to influential reviewers, or even a traditional publisher contract.  So I’m asking those who enjoyed the book, and have not done so already, to please visit Sticks, Stones & Songs—The Corey Story on Amazon.com and add your stars and comments. Note: It is not necessary to have purchased the book on Amazon, and you can sign with initials or a nickname.

Another reader wrote: “[The author] used the best of the English language to express the unique elements of her family’s life journey…‘twas most artistically constructed and a joy to absorb.”

Such generous words are the lifeline of an author. Thanks so much.

“I’ll read your book on the plane,” says Scott Jacobs, famous artist.

He smiles in a way that makes me feel as if I have just handed him a piece of art as valuable as his own. And, mind you, his paintings are valuable. One of them, a large purple iris, has just sold for tens of thousands.

The art show began the day before and, as I already mentioned, I brought nothing to wear but beach clothes. That evening, Scott’s show was unveiled and, perhaps as a motivator to bid, some attendees, including me, were gifted a photo album of his paintings. I decided right then to pretend these snapshots were the real thing.

As Scott’s show ends on the second day, art lovers who’ve purchased genuine, original paintings line up for signings and a photo shoot. Ding! An idea rings in my head. I hang around, chat with people, and watch the queue shorten til only I am left. Scott appears people-weary, but I hold out his photo album and ask, “Will you sign this?”

With black, bold Sharpie, Scott fills the front page with his signature and “Best wishes to Eleanor.” Then I offer Sticks, Stones & Songs to him. “May I present you with a copy of my art—art in the form of words?”

The fatigue in his eyes morphs to sparkle, and his response is genuine, “What a special gift! Will you please sign it?”

The emotion of the moment turns my writing into a scribble. But I pretend I’m cool as we pose for the camera.

At dinner that evening, Rob, the grandiloquent-British-accent auctioneer, taps me on the shoulder. “Your book starts with an auction!!”

My face must be shaped like a question mark, so he says, “When I took Scott to the airport, he showed me your book. I saw that auction scene in the first chapter. And I am all about auctions….I can buy a copy on Amazon, right?”

“Yes, of course. And…here is a bookmark to go with it.” I say, while excoriating myself for having packed only one book—the one I gave to Scott.

Linda, my new art-show friend from Port Angeles says to him, “It’s a great story. You will enjoy it.”

Rob looks down his highfalutin nose at her and replies, “I know, you told me that last night!”

And I’m glad he can’t see my tattered flip-flops under the table.

“I suppose you all got along with each other, so many of you growing up together under one roof,” commented Todd Ortloff, program host and partner/owner of KONP in Port Angeles WA.

“Oh no,” I said, “We weren’t nice at all. We squabbled like cats and dogs…at least while we were kids.”

This opportunity to share Sticks, Stones & Songs—The Corey Story with the KONP audience came because of Glenn and Linda Cutler. Remember them? They are the Port Angeles couple that sat across from me at the art show banquet and paid no heed to my grubby clothes.

After returning from the art show, Glenn called his friend Todd, and within a week I was answering questions on the Todd Ortloff show—questions about writing a family story within the context of local history; questions about the response of my siblings to telling tales on them; and questions about the importance of keeping alive the experiences of the past.

If you didn’t hear the live show, I invite you to listen to the podcast of that program by following the link to the web page. Mark at 30 minutes where my segment begins, and click the play arrow. It’s only 10 minutes long. Afterwards, I’d be grateful if you would let me know you listened by adding a comment on the website or sending an email to eleanor@eleanor.com or e.guderian@frontier.com. 

Listen to the full program, or just my interview which begins at the 30:00 minute mark.

Four days for free at a resort on the Oregon Coast with my cousin? Why not. I pack for summer sun, sandy shores, and swishing surf.

But this is no picnic, I learn upon arrival. This is a VIP art show and auction. Oops.  Oh well, I’ll put on lipstick and wear my scruffy jeans! At my age, who’ll notice? 

At dinner the first evening, a lady seated across the table is eyeing my name tag—I don’t think she notices my tee shirt—and says, “Are you somehow related to the person who wrote The Book?”

Linda Cutler tells me she is lives in Port Angeles, the town where I was born. She has read Sticks, Stones & Songs—The Corey Story, and loved learning the history as my family lived it, many decades earlier. While reading, she explains, she encountered the name of one of my high school classmates, whom I had honored for winning at debate. “Roland,” she continues, “now gives powerful sermons when he speaks at the Jewish services I attend.”

Still grinning, Linda turns to those around the table and begins to extol the merits of this book about her community and her people, written by this author at her table—whom she is meeting for the first time.

As an author, it is gratifying to hear affirmations from hometown readers, especially when one meets them in far-away places.

However, a question sometimes rises from within, “How do I get Sticks, Stones & Songs to an even wider audience?”  

Marketing types tend to answer, “You must optimize the internet. You must maximize social media and have a presence wherever people click.”

They begin to explain………but my eyes glaze over and my mind meanders off. Enter Ashley Johnson who knows exactly what they mean. Already she has built a Facebook page for the book and updated the website www.eleanorcorey.com  with features I think you will like. On the website, I hope you will check out the Events tab to see the upcoming opportunities to join me for more Corey tales and to meet other members of the family.

If you are on Facebook, and have not yet seen the new “Sticks, Stones & Songs—The Corey Story” Facebook page, we invite you to check it out.  Perhaps you can "Like" or “Share” the page with your friends, or even add a review. In this way, you can help us encourage a new wave of readers—readers like my friends Glenn and Linda from the VIP art show and auction.

Coming soon: On the radio with Todd Ortloff of KONP.

One year ago Sticks, Stones & Songs—The Corey Story made her debut. Since then, she has entered homes and hearts across the US and Canada, and travelled as far away as New Zealand and Panama. Now that she is into her second year, she has great expectations that this will be her best year yet.  

Gilbert leaned on one of his two walking sticks and motioned to me. On a table in front of the 99-year-old gentleman was his copy of the book, “Sticks, Stones & Songs—The Corey Story, purchased less than ½ hour earlier. “I want to show you something,” he whispered, as his arthritic fingers fumbled through the first pages.

“Has he discovered an error that I haven’t even found yet?” I wondered.

I moved closer and searched his face, for no sound escaped but the voiceless whispers of his lips. (I learned later that he had lost his vocal chords in a throat surgery.) 

With moisture forming in his eyes, he continued, “I just finished the first chapter and want you to know that I lived for many years within strolling distance of Hart’s Lake and the Wilcox Farms. I can almost picture the place where your dad received his call from God to ‘Feed my sheep.’ Your story has rekindled so many memories of my youth.”

Gilbert straightened his back, and I was again distracted by my thoughts, “He must have been a very tall man in his youth.” And “Oh my goodness, I wonder if I’ll remember anything at all at ninety-nine, if by some miracle I live that long.” He continued. “In fact, when your parents bought the Grange Hall in 1937, I was a freshman at the University of Washington.

After hearing Gilbert (well, reading his lips), I was reminded of the comments of my crippled 91-year-old cousin Barbara just a few weeks earlier. Though we had never known each other, she had purchased Sticks, Stones for each of her family and then traveled more than five hours from Portland to attend my September book reading. “I didn’t know if I would be able to get to your presentation in Port Angeles on Nov. 1, so I had to come now. I needed to tell you in person how much your book has meant to me.”

After the other attendees left, my cousin shared tales of my parents—not-yet-heard tales that left me in stitches. One week later, Barb unexpectedly passed away. How deeply my heart was warmed to have finally known Barbara, and to realize that her gifts would give other distant relatives a glimpse into our shared history.