Month: June 2025

Name Change

If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?

I am so  glad I didn’t get this opportunity.  When I was a kid, Mother told me a story about a little girl whose parents allowed her to name herself.  She chose Chippy Lee. I thought that was an inspired name and asked if I could be Chippy Lee.  Sadly, Mother denied me.  Not long after, I started school and read a book about Nancy.  Immediately, I wanted to be Nancy, so I could be Fancy Nancy.  Again. I was denied.  Before long, I met a girl named June who had adorable spectacles with red plaid frames and realized I needed to be June.  Once again. I was denied.  I gave up on name changing then until I got married and changed my last name. Somehow, that didn’t have the same flair.  I was fortunate in one way, though.  My maiden name started with an S and my married name with B, so I did move up alphabetically.

Andrew and Molly Part 24

Without a word, Aggie scooped up the little girls and guided a protesting Jamie back to her cabin as the grieving family headed for the dusty road.

“This has gone on long enough,” Molly stated flatly., gesturing for Andrew to follow her into the kitchen. “Time to talk. Rosemarie, take the baby and go to Aggie.”

Andrew sat glumly at the rough kitchen table as Molly made tea and sliced bread, sausage, and cheese. How unlike the times they’d shared a simple meal before his capture. He desperately regretted reproaching her for marrying the master before having a chance to reconcile.

Sarah poured steaming tea and placed a full plate before him. “Time to talk. What are we to do? We loved and needed each other once. Now I am a widow, a mother with children to protect, and a farm to run. I was made to marry our master, though I admit, it was not against my will. Thinking you dead, I feared my fate with no protection. This is a hard place to be a bondswoman with no one to defend me. I truly grieved you, but did what I had to do. Even the reverend insisted I marry Wharton. What are we to do? Now I have children to consider, Jamie is yours by birthright, though Wharton accepted him. The girls are truly Wharton’s.”

Andrew broke in. “We were truly married. I am your one true husband. I’ve never stopped loving you. All I could think of was escaping and getting back. I feared for you every hour I was gone.”

Just then, Rosemarie rushed in. “Make haste! Aggie sent me.! It’s Bartles!”

Perfect Chocolate

Describe your dream chocolate bar.

Perfect chocolate! What an idea! First of all, it would be dark and rich. It would be married to a generous layer of caramel and walnuts. It wouldn’t melt so I could carry it with me. My perfect chocolate would regenerate itself so it was always there. Best of all, it would be calorie-free and maybe even help me achieve my perfect weight. That’s not much to ask, is it?

Andrew and Molly Part 23

Jamie was back in minutes. He was followed by a sweaty, ruddy-faced Andrew, clearly anxious at being called from his work. He couldn’t imagine what would be important enough to call him from timbering.

Molly took a seat on a stump between the two men, clearly interested in what business Joseph James had with him. Rosemarie, dawdling at serving milk and cookies to the children lingered on the sidelines. She had no intention of missing out on anything to do with Andrew. Curtly, Molly dismissed her. “Rosemarie, be about your own business.”

“Andrew, Mr. Joseph James would have a word with you.” Molly explained.

“I heard you’ve just escaped from a long time with the Indians. Me an’ Marthy wanted to know if you’d heard anything of our girl Sarah. She was out berrying an’ was took by the Indians about a year ago. She was a little yellow-haired girl not as big as Marthy. She’d be turning sixteen tomorrow. She’s been gone a long time, but we been trying to hold out hope for her. Did you see her?” Joseph gave Andrew a pitiful look.

Andrew looked stricken and struggled for words. “Mr. James, I did see a girl named Sarah. She was in the camp where I was for a while. I’m sorry to tell you she died along with most of the Indians when the sickness came through. That’s when I escaped.”

Marthy gasped and looked faint. Molly moved to support the pitiful woman. “Let’s get you in to lie down.” She offered, kindly.

Joseph put his arm around his wife. “No Missus. We’ll be better off getting home. We weren’t expecting good news. Thank you.” The sad little family and shuffled down the dusty road toward home.

My Apologies

I have ben MIA for a couple of weeks from WordPress. I am happy to be back now with part 23 of Andrew and Molly. Thanks for your patience.