Honoring the journey—then and now
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Where to Even Begin?
Hmm: A runaway mule team that nearly mows down two women? A quarrel between two sisters who claim to be pacifists? A public argument between a female Northerner and a male Confederate sympathizer? For several months, I debated about the best narrative hook for my novel based on the real family-heirloom diary of my ancestor,…
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Stepping Back Into My Superhero Shoes
Last week I needed my superhero shoes. What began as knee pain recently resulted in a nine-day hospital stay for my mom. It was a surprise: At 90, she’s still mobile, interested in our activities, and busy with her own. At least, she was. On Monday, after my piano lesson, she told me that she…
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Taking a Risk – Putting Faith into Action
How often do we see faith in action like this today? “Sunday, March 25, 1866 Another Sabbath has passed away…This afternoon [I] attended [the] Baptist meeting, but it proved to be mostly a business meeting. They are raising money to buy a lot and build a church as they will most likely be deprived of…
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Bring Back the Benton Bugle!
While I am away this week, please enjoy this throwback piece which ran on the Honor the Journey Substack in November 2024! My husband bemoans the lack of local newspaper reporting. There are still a couple of reporters, but our print news now comes mostly from the USA Today Network. As a former newspaper employee,…
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How to Be Stuck: A Lesson from 1866
“Wednesday, March 21, 1866 Last night we had thunder and lightning, and a shower of rain which continued through the night. I did not go out visiting this morning [or] in the afternoon. Lizzie and I went up to town and purchased some dry goods. Good calico is 23 & 30 cents per yard, lower…
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The Biggest Mistake Historical Fiction Writers Make – And How to Avoid It
Writing historical fiction is the dream of so many aspiring authors – but it requires real research! Back when my high school juniors were writing stories related to the American Civil War, it was the little details that tripped them up. One student wrote about a doctor reaching into the medicine cabinet and pulling out…
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Staff by Staff: How Piano Lessons Taught Me to Tackle Life’s Challenges One Measure at a Time
I should’ve known I could do it. I’ve seen others do it. One of my kids played the drum set for years, and seeing him perform in a couple of bands proved to me that it’s possible. But I didn’t think I could. No, the chances that I could make my hands do two different…
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Words of wisdom in stressful times – from 1866!
Sunday, March 11, 1866 We looked for the Ohio teachers on the morning train but they did not come & no word from them. We received a letter from home; they are well as usual. Change is going on among our friends & acquaintances: some are married, some are consigned to the tomb, since our…
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How AI is infecting our lives: From students to writers and everyone in between
Retired teacher and writer Barb Miller and editor Sally Shideler talk about the perils of AI in daily life, in education, and in writing, and how we all must be careful consumers of its wares. Folllow me on Facebook: BarbaraSwanderMillerWrites
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From double-sided cabinets to persimmon pudding: Four generations in and out of the kitchen
When my mom was a girl, children weren’t exactly welcome in the kitchen with the grown-ups. But I love having my granddaughter as sous-chef!
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