(DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE ME A COMMENT ABOUT PEARL HARBOR!!!!!! TO BE INCLUDED IN DRAWING)
I’d like to welcome Barbara (Bunny) Richardson
I’d like to welcome Barbara (Bunny) Richardson
the young lady who survived
a flood and made a best friend for life in the process.
Barbara, welcome. It must have been frightening trapped in your car in a flood.
Frightening isn’t the word for it. Can you imagine a sudden rush of water and your car sliding in all directions? My father, the calm one in our family, did his best to keep his head, but I’m afraid the rest of us—all females—wanted to cry. And we did! It was Christmas for gosh all golly!
Christmas time. How horrible! What did you do? I mean, you were stuck in a small town in Tennessee; was there even a hotel available?
I’m afraid it was full from other stragglers. So many were caught in the water that day, but a kind family, the mayor’s family, actually, took us in, helped us have a wonderful Christmas. That’s where I met not only my best friend for life, Betty Judge, but, well…a very handsome man, Jackson Judge, the mayor’s son.
But I thought you were engaged, or, were about to be to Elliott Grayville VanDusen back in New Castle, Indiana?
I was. But those chocolate brown eyes that stared at me through the car window and came to our rescue, actually insulted me at first, if truth be told, well, they just…but I don’t want to give it all away. Suffice it to say, my vulgar, giant diamond from Elliott didn’t sparkle quite as much as brown eyes did.
Sounds like you had an exciting Christmas that year in more ways than one.
Oh yes. The Judge family was so very kind and thoughtful. I even think my little sister Abby had a crush on Willie Judge, the pudgy little teen who never seemed to keep his hands away from the peanuts. Did I mention the Judges owned the peanut factory in town? Well, anyway, I know Abby and Will started writing as pen pals shortly after our disastrous trip.
I heard Jackson went into the Navy shortly before Pearl Harbor.
He did, though no one wrote me about it. I didn’t find out until I went back to Tennessee to be In Betty’s wedding. A happy time in the middle of the chaos of WWII.
And then you learned…
I learned Jackson had been at Pearl during the bombing. And he…well, he wasn’t the same after that. Wouldn’t even come out of his room.
But I like happy endings. Tell me everything worked out for the best!
I think you might want to check out my story. Let’s face it. Sometimes things work out; sometimes they don’t. A friend wrote it all down for me so I could pass it on one day. She wrote about all the tears, all the laughs, all the happiness and heartache. All the misshaps. Gracious! When that miserable man tossed my suitcase in the air and all my clothes—all my personal items…well, forgiveness is paramount, don’t you think?
What's it called?
With Eyes of Love. Or as Helen Keller said it best: the best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen nor touched...but are felt in the heart.
Thanks for stopping by, Barabara. I’m sure we’re anxious to find out just what happens to the Richardson and Judge families. Say, are you willing to give away any of those stories if that lady finishes for you?
I’d love to. How about if I send a book to two ladies, or men if you think they’d be interested, if they are willing to leave a short comment about some fact about Pearl Harbor. It’s dear to my heart, you know.
So there you have it!
Just leave a comment about Pearl and your email addy, and I’ll draw two names out of a hat next Saturday, or have Bunny draw them, and we’ll send along a copy of With Eyes of Love. Happy commenting!
Drawing next Saturday, leave a comment and don't forget your email addy so I can let you know if Bunny draws your name.
HEY, LET'S ADD AN ANNE BUCHMAN E-READER COVER TO THE MIX! WHY NOT? OOPPPSSS!!! MEANT DANA BUCHMAN, GOOD GRIEF, SHE'S MY FAVE DESIGNER. YES, A DANA BUCHMAN COVER! SHEESH!
HEY! LET'S ADD AN ANNE BUCHMAN E-READER COVER TO THE MIX! WHY NOT?
HEY, LET'S ADD AN ANNE BUCHMAN E-READER COVER TO THE MIX! WHY NOT? OOPPPSSS!!! MEANT DANA BUCHMAN, GOOD GRIEF, SHE'S MY FAVE DESIGNER. YES, A DANA BUCHMAN COVER! SHEESH!
HEY! LET'S ADD AN ANNE BUCHMAN E-READER COVER TO THE MIX! WHY NOT?
What a sweet way to interview. Thanks for sharing Bunny with us, Linda. Who can resist chocolate brown eyes and an insult that's not really an insult?
ReplyDeletelisalickel-at-gmail.com
What intrigues you about WWII, Lisa?
ReplyDeleteMe, Me, Me! *raising hand frantically in the air* I want to win.
ReplyDeleteAbout WWII and Pearl Harbor - my family is a little odd in that our generations always managed to skip service, except for one distant relation in the Civil War. The fact that WWII was fought on two fronts and the repercussions rippled through US culture,creating both bravado and fear. The war forced us to examine who were are as a people, as a melting pot and decide how to take the best of what we are and move forward. It's hard for us mostly European immigrants to put a face on an enemy, to decide what's different and what's dangerous, what's trustworthy and what's right...
ReplyDeletesigh, okay, back to Civil Rights, prejudice in one novel, and spies in the novel with the above frantically enthusiastic Ms Kraft...
You're right, Lisa. Even harder today when you never know if it's the person right next to you on the subway who wants to see you blown to bits. 911 gave all of us a new perspective on how safe we actually feel, guess it's all in God's hand in the end.
ReplyDeletePearl Harbor ... wish it never happened. Such a horrific day for so many. BUT good did come from it.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be entered. I think you read a portion of a chapter at crit group? This story sounds so familiar to me. Can't wait to read the ENTIRE book.
Karlene
Karlene, you're a peach!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an intriguing story, Linda.
ReplyDeleteMy Grandfather had retired as an Admiral but was recalled after Pearl Harbor. I had a father-in-law at Pearl Harbor and his ship had to abandon ship in dry dock. My Father was a Lt. Cdr. in the Navy and stationed in Philadelphia at the time. I also had Marine and Army Air Corps. uncles.
That war impacted so many lives.
Thanks for a fun trip down memory lane.
Janet Grunst
JanetGrunst@gmail.com
So sad for so many.
ReplyDeleteI will always remember my parents talking about Pearl Harbor. They both remembered hearing the announcement on the radio. My Dad was drafted into the Army right after. They had just gotten married and both were so sad to leave each other. My Dad was not in the war zone but was sent to Japan after the bombing and saw all the devestation. Last month my son and his family were in Hawaii and went to the site and were very touched by it. I hope to be able to go there some day.
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I've heard it's a very moving experience. Like when we went to see the Vietnam wall. I wanted to touch and pray over every name on that wall. Still want to cry thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteI love this way to share about your book! When I do read books other than contemporary, I read ones based around WWII. We had the opportunity a few years ago to go to Hawaii and see Pearl Harbor. A sobering experience. I remember most thinking about the men and lost lives below the ocean.
ReplyDeleteWould love to read your book and if I don't win, I will get it anyway--planned to!
Terri Tiffany
talker445@yahoo.com
I don't know what attracts me to that time period other than a series set then called Homefront. Didn't last long but was a great series.
ReplyDeleteI left a comment earlier, but I left out Pearl Harbor. I love Pearl Harbor and WW2 novels. At that time, Americans stood up for what they believed in and fought against evil even though they didn't know how it would turn out. Just think what might have happened if Japan had gone on to launch an invasion in California after Pearl Harbor. I love adventure, and no time period, except maybe the Civil War, comes close to the adventures of the early 1940s.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. There's just something about that period that made all Americans come together. Having served during 'nam, it was so different. I love the renewed sense of patriotism Americans are showing our military now.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about Pearl Harbor itself, but my father fought in WWII in the South Pacific. I have a clock that he bought in Hawaii. He sent it to his parents, but I have it now. He was a bombardier in the Army Air Corps.
ReplyDeletemay_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com
My goodness, God bless him for that job, he had one of the most difficult. Must give you wonderful memories to have that.
ReplyDeleteHello. Good interview. One thing about Pearl Harbor was that the Japanese made at least 2 big mistakes. They attacked on a Sunday, so not nearly as many lives were lost because most were off work. They had a place underground where their gas, etc. was stored and the Japanese overlooked bombing there, which would have crippled our ships, and planes very bad. Also, they missed the place where they kept many of their planes. Meaning of course, GOD was looking out for us! My brother served in WWll. He was a Medic. He had to go out on the battlefield and tend the wounded. Such a military we had and still have who do not get all they should get for protecting America. I would like to try to win this books. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI have been to Pearl Harbor and I want to go back. My uncle was stationed in Honolulu and his office was in one of the barracks that was under attack on Dec.7th. Above his desk in the wall were bullet holes.
ReplyDeleteOnce you have experienced it for yourself, you will never be the same.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Forgot to say that we moved from a small town to Houston during this time so my dad could work where-ever needed. He worked in an airplane factory, welding parts. And, everyone tried to have a part anyway they could. Many women worked in the factories, and women packaged things the servicemen needed and sent over. The people were careful with food, and things to get by during this time. My sisters would go to the USO and visit and dance with those men on leave. My mother even cooked a big meal on SUndays and some would come to our house to eat. Two of my brother-in-laws also served in WWll.
ReplyDeleteMaxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
What rich heritage/connection all you ladies have to the war. We'll never forget!
ReplyDeleteI have a deep respect for the military; those that serve our country selflessly for our freedoms. My husband isn't old enough to have been in Pearl Harbor, but we come from a long line of military men - both on my side as well as his side. His father, himself, his brother-in-law and many friends were stationed in the Navy. My grandfather was a pilot. I love reading about books that explain that part of history for those of us who weren't there so we can glimpse a little of life back then. Thank you for sharing this interview.
ReplyDeleteclSwalwell@gmail.com
Sounds like a great book.
In Him,
Cheri :)
This story concentrates more on the emotional turmoil, but we get a look at the explosion and how it affects the men. Thanks for stopping by, Cheri! God bless all the families represented here who have father, brothers, grandfathers who served.
ReplyDeleteI have two female relatives who worked in the ship yards: a great aunt in San Francisco and my husband's young mother who died of TB when he was three. He's always felt that she was a casualty of the war. Today I wish I'd paid more attention to Aunt Carol's stories when I was a toddler. Yeah, right. But I do remember her glowing when she talked about wearing her red high heels as she walked in to work and down the line. I imagine her more "sensible" work shoes were in her bag.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
That's hysterical, Davalynn! I can picture it!
ReplyDeletePearl Harbor occurred when Dad was 12, but by age 17 he joined the Coast Guard with a fake ID for his age. He was from California, stationed in Maine, met Mom on a blind date. She didn't find out until after they were married (two years later) that she was actually 10 months older than he. She felt ripped off! LOL. They had 60 wonderful years together and I'm blessed to have had such great parents! Nice post, by the way.
ReplyDeleteoops. email is sscuffe at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteWhen my husband and I lived in Hawaii we visited the Pearl Harbor Memorial. It was so interesting but also sobering to realize the sacrifice of so many. I am drawn to WWII stories and would love a chance to win With Eyes of Love. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteworthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
Yes, I am very proud of my dad. I am thankful to God that he lived through the war.
ReplyDeleteI love stories about WWII - both of my Grandpa's have numerous memories about the time and it is so fun to learn new thing that happened and when. Pearl Harbor was horrible...but as American's we came together and survived!
ReplyDeletehope to win
truckredford *at* gmail (dot) com
My husband is a Vietnam vet and saw the wall this summer on an Honor Flight for Purple Heart vets. It was a very emotional experience for him.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy WWII stories. Pearl Harbor is what caused the Americans to join in the fight. Thanks for having the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteRose
harnessrose(at)yahoo(dot)com
Good afternoon, Ms. Glaz!!
ReplyDeleteI clicked over to your lovely blog via Fiction Addiction Fix! :) And, I am so happy that I did! I liked the entertaining way the character is the narrator of revealing her own story in a way that is both unique and creative! :) On the level of Pearl Harbour,...the entire aftermath that occured is a grievous blight in our history, because we effectively altered the lives of millions,... what I think of when someone mentions "Pearl Harbour" to me isn't the atriocity that ignited our response but rather the forgiving spirit of the Japanese of whom to this day reach out to us and the rest of the world with peace. There is a special peace crane memorial in Hiroshima as a reminder that diplomacy and peace is a far better course of action than warfare.
inkand-blogaways(at)usa(dot)net
Jorie, don't be disappointed, this is def from the YAnks point of view when it comes to war, but I think you'll enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI just followed your blog from an an interview ("sassy as a little pup"). I agree with Jorie about the Japanese. Many are deeply shamed about the events of Pearl Harbour, without which the Americans would not have entered WWII (even though they were 3 years late!). War is not a noble endeavor, war is what happens when the old generals fail at diplomacy and send the young to fight.
ReplyDelete