Inspiration Found in a Norwegian Bunad
I’ve attended a lot of Scandinavian festivals promoting my historical novels about Norwegian immigrants. The Norwegian bunads are always interesting. More than traditional dress-up clothes, the bunads are specific to the different regions of Norway, similar to a state flag. One glance tells you which region of Norway the wearer is from. A bunad inspired […]
Final Edits at the Beach
Recently, I spent a lovely two weeks in Myrtle Beach working on the final edits for my new book. SISTER LUMBERJACK will publish early 2024. North Star Press will have review copies ready this summer. I’ll keep you posted. SISTER LUMBERJACK is the story of Solveig Rognaldson (Abercrombie Trail) in her widowhood. Financial pressures force […]
Museum of Appalachia near Knoxville, Tennessee
We recently visited the Museum of Appalachia near Knoxville, Tennessee. The 60-acre farm and pioneer village set my mind whirling with story possibilities. Try to visit sometime if you’re in Tennessee. It’s a mile off Interstate 75, and worth your time. I loved the frontier buildings–and enjoyed shopping in their gift shop.
Grant County Museum in Elbow Lake, Minnesota
I love all museums, but I have a special place in my heart for the museum at Elbow Lake, Minnesota. Although Fort Pomme de Terre is no longer, a to scale model of the old Fort Pomme de Terre is on display at the museum. Patti Benson, the wonderful manager, steered me toward information about […]
Cold Spring Historical Society Museum
— I love small town museums. Often they inspire stories. I recently visited the Cold Spring Historical Society Museum. They have a wonderful antique quilt exhibit right now. If you’re in the Cold Spring, MN, area, you might take a peek.
The Grasshopper Chapel in Cold Spring, MN
One of the most dramatic aspects of the Rocky Mountain Locust Plagues of the 1870s was Governor Pillsbury’s call for a day of prayer on April 26, 1877. Minnesota was in a bad way. Flour mills had closed because there was no wheat. Railroads lost traction because of the slippery grasshoppers on the tracks. Farmers […]
Cold Spring Historical Society and Library Event
On March 8, 2023, I presented a program at Cold Spring, Minnesota, sponsored by the Cold Spring Library and Historical Society. My topic? The Rocky Mountain Locust Plagues of the 1870s. I stumbled upon this most interesting chapter of history while researching ABERCROMBIE TRAIL and POMME DE TERRE. It felt natural to continue this series […]
Writer’s Retreat with Candace Simar
About a dozen writer friends and I spent a delightful three days at the Baymont Inn in Baxter, MN. We accomplished our objective of encouraging each other and breaking up the winter doldrums. Represented were mystery writers, historical novelists, non-fiction writers, travel writers, journalists, poets, and children’s book writers. We each brought 3-5 pages to […]
Blooming Prairie Book: Fort Juleson
I grew up not far from the old Fort Juleson site near Underwood, Minnesota. In 1876, after Custer’s defeat in Montana, the Upper Midwest braced for a Sioux attack. It was only 14 years after the U.S./Dakota War, and it remained fresh in their minds. Rumors were rampant. Newspapers falsely reported Indian raids in other […]
Opening Day at Fort Abercrombie Historical Site
I’m invited to Fort Abercrombie’s opening day for their 2023 season. It’s always fun with Civil War reenactors drilling and firing the cannon. Fort historians offer golf-cart tours for a small fee. The museum is filled with artifacts of the six-week siege in 1862. The history comes alive. Opening day is an excellent time to […]