The Natives

 The best part about writing about history is coming across folks who live it for others.  I have been very impressed with all the re-enactors I have been meeting as I research my novels.  All have been more than willing to share their knowledge and insight on how life in the 18th century was.

Mother's Day.

While looking through the archives, I found this picture of my mother taken when she was 17.  I didn't notice this picture before out of all the ones I have scanned in.  I love the expression on her face, the photographer really captured her spirit.  I find it hard to believe that this skinny girl would be 82, just as I ponder my own age.

What is she thinking about?
Life?
Family?

What did I think about at 17, not the great issues of the day, mainly sports and girls, a thought of college and the looming quagmire in Viet Nam.

Patty O'Mara, my mother went a long way from a housewife in a small town in Western Pennsylvania.  I could not help but cry looking at the picture once more.

I found this one while cropping the one above.