Our winners are: Marcia White and Edna Dutra. Congratulations, ladies. You will each receive an autographed book very soon.
As always, there are is a new contest underway now. The rules, for those of you who are new to the blog, are as follows: simply comment, and you’re entered. Two winners will be chosen at random, notified by Jen, and announced here next Monday. (Approximately.)
You know, I try hard to be positive, but I’m definitely getting tired of all this snow. I’m dreaming of spring–of flowers and fawns and chicks, both quail and turkey. (Sigh.)
I write this at the end of a long work day, and I am quite tired, but happy with what I’ve written. I do love writing about the Civil War in general and these characters in particular. 
What I’ve been listening to: “Brat Farrar”, by Josephine Tey. I was inspired by a book I just finished, “The End of Your Life Book Club”, by Will Schwalbe, a touching memoir about a man’s relationship with his amazing mother, and the books they loved. The mother was undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer, and her son went along to offer support. Both were great readers, and they began exchanging books, discussing them. I was fascinated by their insights, and by the mother’s commitment to her many charitable causes. In the playlist, waiting to be heard, are: “Crossing to Safety”, by Wallace Stegner, also recommended by the Schwalbes, “A Dog’s Purpose”, by W. Bruce Cameron, “General Joseph Warren Revere: the Gothic Tale of Paul Revere’s Grandson”, by William R. Chemerka. (He fought in the Civil War. Who knew?) and “Fess Parker: TV’s Frontier Hero”, also by William R. Chemerka. You spring chickens probably won’t remember Parker, but we Baby Boomers will never forget the man in the ‘coon-skin cap, who played both Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, in addition to appearing in numerous Disney productions.
I must admit there are other books, as well. I’m an addict.
Tomorrow is my mother’s birthday, and my brother Jerry’s, too. He’ll be coming to town, and we’ll all go out for a little celebration. Mom will be 86, and though she is fragile, she is as quick-witted as ever. Interesting thing about our family; just as Mom and Jerry share a birthday (January 31), so did Dad and I (June 10). Our two sisters, Sally (May 21) and Pam (January 18), refused to cooperate by being born on family birthdays–they wanted their own.
That’s the news for today, my friends. Be well.
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Thank you so much! I look forward to receiving a book!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mom n Brother. Have a BLESSED DAY
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Happy Birthday to your mom and brother!
Congratulations to Marcia White and Edna Dutra!
I picked about a dozen Jonquils last Friday at my old house. They are still pretty and remind me that spring will be here. I, too, am waiting for spring.
Have a good and Godly week, Linda!
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It was 74 degrees here today but will be back to 50 degrees on Wednesday. Everyone always says if you don’t like the weather in Oklahoma, wait a day and it will change. My mother and brother shared a birthday so that’s familiar. Hope you have a good celebration.
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Happy Birthday to your Mom & Brother!:) Here in Tx we are cold a few days then warm than cold again. We don’t know what to expect from one day to the next!:)
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I’m glad you are makinbg progress. You are such a buysy person! All the things you get into….don’t forget to give yoyreself quiet time… Its very important to your well being. And I’m not talking yoga! Lol. Have a great week!
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My sister and my dad shared an April 27th birthday. He died at 40 so she was pretty nervous that year but she is well past that now.
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Happy birthday to your mom and brother!
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Happy Birthday to your mom and brother.
Me and my cousin were both Born on August 31, but I’m older by two years.
Have a nice celebration.
Wish we had some of the snow you have.
Linda
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I grew up w/Fes Parker as Daniel Boone/Davie Crockett & had an enormous crush on him! Was sad to hear when he passed away.
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I can’t think of Fess Parker as Dan’l Boone without remembering Jimmy Dean singing on the show from time to time.
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I’m dreaming of spring too. I noticed that there
are more bare spots on the hillside, but they’re predicting more snow or rain snow mix tomorrow.
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Congratulations to Marcia and Edna.
I’ve been perusing the seed catalogs hoping for warmer days. Yesterday was a near warm record here in OKC. All the unseasonably days do, though, is to make me want spring to come that much faster.
I’m babysitting a friend’s dog. Kind of like fostering. They had a family tragedy, and she isn’t ready for the responsibility of a furry friend at this moment. Her human family has to come first for a while. Fortunately, the fur-baby loves us, too!
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I remember Fess Parker. He was a great actor.
Tell your Mom and brother, Happy Birthday. Hope you have a great celebration!
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Congratulations to the winners.
We haven’t had much snow here but we have had ice. Now the weather is just Blah! I wish we would get a lot more snow before winter is over.
Have fun celebrating the birthdays.
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Linda, my family was a bit like yours. My grandparents were both on the first of the month. Grandma November 1st, Grandpa February 1st, they were married November 8th. My parents were both born on the 3rd of the month, Mom on October 3rd and get this my dad and step dad were both born on December 3rd and my mom and step dad were married on October 4th. My brother and I broke the tradition, I was born March 12th, my 1st husband, October 18th but we were married July 18th. My brother was born December 15th and his wife December 17th, they were married May 30th and their son was born November 18th. My current husband’s birthday is February 15th and his daughter’s birthday is February 14th and we were married April 28th. My adopted sons break all tradition, one has a birthday May 1st, hmmm now that I typed that he was the same as he great grandparents and my other son’s birthday is November 7th, he is the same as his great grandmother’s birth month. Whew I’m done.
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Happy Birthday to Mom & Jerry. Have a fun celebration.
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Happy birthday to your mom.
And I remember Fess Parker well. Loved all the western and adventure series.
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My birthday is June 11. We are gemini. I also love reading about the Civil War. I lived in Gettysburg for four years on Taneytown Rd in an old farmhouse that was a hospital during the battle.
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Love reading about what you’re up to Linda. I’m sick of the winter as well, but what can you do?? Happy Birthday to your mom and brother. Enjoy your celebrations.
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Happy Birthday to your mom and brother ! And congratulations to the ladies who won. Have a great week everyone !
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Hi Linda,
So glad you still have your Mom. Wishing her and your brother a happy birthday tomorrow. Enjoy your family get together!
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Happy birthday to your mom and brother. We too, are tired of snow in Idaho. Supposed to get more tonight. I’m ready for daffodils!
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I’m sorry you’re having so much snow Lael. Those of us on the west side finally lost the bitter cold temps we had for a few weeks but looks like they may return next week. My DIL lives in Spokane and when I was there for Thanksgiving it was chilly, but no snow yet. Happy Birthday to your mom and brother. Be careful with her out there, don’t let her fall. At least you have your work and critters to keep you company!
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Happy Birthday to your mom and brother. Hope you enjoy your time together!
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Wishing your Mom and your Brother a Very Happy Birthday….Enjoy every minute with them..
Doris Ellis
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Congrats to Marcia and Edna on your win, and a big Happy Birthday to your Mom and brother. Hope y’all have a great time.
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Two kids born on their parent’s birthdays! That is amazing.
Hang in there, spring is around the corner.
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Happy Birthday to your mom and brother. Have a good time with them. Today we are getting a inch of snow. What I miss is sunshine we have been cloudy for a long time. Have a great day and congrats to the winners.
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Happy birthday to Mom & your brother. Spring will be here soon!
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Thank you for your post! My daughter and I have January birthday’s too! Looking forward to your new books! God Bless! Evelyn
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Enjoyed your post and Happy Birthday to your mom and brother. I can’t wait to read your Civil War book and yes I remember Fess Parket so I must be getting old.
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I admire your tenacity and discipline to write your blog after a long day! Bravo! Your fans like me always look forward to seeing your posts!
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How nice to share birthdays in your family. It cuts down on the number of cakes you have to bake!
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My Mom`s birthday is today the 31, she is 89. My new great grandson was born on the 18 of this month
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Happy birthday to your mother and brother.
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I am also ready for Spring. I live in the South (SC), so our Winters are much milder than yours. I was born in Calif. 73 years ago, so seeing snow was a big deal for me, but one I got over with in a hurry. The good news is I don’t have to drive in it as that would terrify me!! I hope your weather clears up soon and you have a beautiful Spring. Have I mentioned that books keep me going through the long, cold Winters? I love your books and have a few other “Favorites”, but also try new authors so I don’t get stagnant and stuck in a rut. I’m looking forward to your Civil War book. Thanks for all of the joy you have filled my hours with.
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Happy Birthday to your mom and your brother! I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating!!!
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Wishing your mom and brother a very happy birthday this week!
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Thanks for reminding me that I have not read enough of Wallace Stegner’s books. “Angle of Repose” was brilliant, but I was most impressed with “The Gathering of Zion: The Story of the Mormon Trail”. I read it shortly after a leisurely tour of Utah, so we had seen many of the places in the book.
Time to read more. Also time for spring here too, although it will be almost 60 today, so I shouldn’t complain. It will surely come to both East and West, but I will note that March and April in Virginia are glorious!
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We have had so much rain over the past month I am grateful it was not snow.
My sister-in-law shares a birthday with her granddaughter. Fun it seems to me.
I’m looking forward to Mace’s story and occupying myself by re-Reading for the third or fourth time the first and second books in the series.
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Have a wonderful week, Linda. Sending Birthday wishes to your Mom and Brother. Spring will be here soon! Blessings.
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Hi Linda, I hope you have a great day with your family today. Tell your mom Happy Birthday from Doug and Teresa.
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Having spring here in central Texas for a few days before going back to winter. Wish you could experience a winter break that way too.
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I was wondering how you mother was doing. Love the family birthdays! I’m in Charleston SC and I may go to the beach tomorrow–should be 70!
Stay warm and I love your blogs!
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Hope you have a great birthday celebration with your Mom and your brother. Enjoy a piece of cake with no guilt.
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I have 2 sisters born sept 1 and 4 and one sister almost shared my fathers birthday by 6 hours. Lol shared cakes are not appreciated in our family
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Fess Parker, I believe, is the actor upon retiring did so in Oakhurst just above Clovis (where i live) & there is a statue of him in downtown Clovis. Have to remember to double check on that. Less then 2 month’s is the last of The Carson’s of Mustang Creek. YES? We had a little sun mid day & I think tomorrow before we are back to rain a couple of days. As usual have a great week. Jo Ann
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Your sisters were VERY CLOSE to the family birthdays! I am also looking forward to Spring, and planning the garden for this year.
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Happy birthday to your mother and brother! Enjoy your celebration out.
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PLEASE WISH YOUR MOTHER AND BROTHER HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST FANS , AND MAY YOU HAVE MANY MORE HAPPY YEARS WITH YOUR MOTHER !!!!!!!!!
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What a wonderful birthday present for both your parents, and also for you and your brother, that would be hard to top! All birthdays are special, no matter what date you are born on. It is your special day, and we are all unique and special in our own way.
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I’m excited about the books coming out during the civil war time! Are any of the characters Josiah Creed? I thought that in Meg’s story Angus said his brother went to fight in the war. Was I wrong?
You know what? I think I’ll re-read the book. 
Such a great story!!!
Happy Hump Day everyone!!!!!!
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Just got back from a little 2 day road trip to Brenham and Austin. Blue skies, 73 degrees, perfect burger at the old Kenney Store and some junque browsing.. winter is tough here in Texas.
Yall come see us, hear?
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Happy Birthday to mom and brother.
Here in Florida we have had very little cold weather. This makes me very happy as I am not a fan of winter.
Enjoy your busy day.
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I love celebrating family birthdays! There is always a good amount of joy in the air those days. Wish your brother and mother a happy birthday from me.
I too like discussing literature with friends and family. Doing so lends another perspective and then I think about the book in a whole new way.
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Happy Birthday to your Mother and brother.
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I wish we had your snow. I love snow and cold weather. I could never live in most of Arizona like you did – I can’t breath in the dry heat…ergo, my love of cold.
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Join you in dreaming of Spring Linda. It’s -20 degrees celsius here tonight. Near froze walking my Pookie. Sadly its only February. At least two months of winter left in Atlantic Canada. I do wish you an earlier spring.
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Definitely looking forward to Spring. Looking forward to reading Forever A Hero.