Chapter Five Out of My Way
While Mother most likely didn’t own a copy of the White House Cookbook, I’m sure Miss Marilyn’s copy was well worn. Known far and wide for her cooking and baking, Miss Marilyn could make any kitchen feel like home. In the following chapters, we step through her doorway and are greeted by the comforting aroma of fresh cinnamon rolls and pastries drifting clear through the Murphy house. Doc Murphy tended to the folks’ ailments, while Miss Marilyn nourished both body and spirit—keeping her patients’ families well-fed and cared for.
Mother and Miss Marilyn traded recipes regular as rain, visiting over a cup of coffee or tea—sometimes at the Cattlehorn, sometimes right there in Miss Marilyn’s kitchen, where talk and laughter came as easy as breathing.
A Black and White Kitten
My granddaughter recently realized that an author she was reading had injected stories from her own experience into the book. Most writers add stories from their experiences, and I shared this story with her.
When I was her age, on the eve of a storm on October 12, 1964, in Portland, Oregon, I found a little black and white kitten in the woods on my walk home from school. Unable to leave it there, I cuddled it in my arms to take it home. My mother was none too pleased when I showed up with the little black and white kitty.
Señor Abel’s children found a kitten, too, and they played with it during the storm in the Circle of Grace.
The Devil Storm
My dear friend, Sue Harman, a nurse, owns the beautiful doll featured in this photo. When I told her about my writing, she showed me the doll, Lucille, who was originally given to her mother on her tenth birthday in 1924. I knew I had to use her as a model for Suzanna’s doll, Sally.
This is a recap from Chapter 1.
Suzanna, the older sister, against her better judgment has ventured out in the storm with Ruth, to look for her doll, Sally.
Sally was quite magical, Auntie Caroline, who left Texas to visit family in Europe, brought my Sally over from far away Germany.
Sally’s big blue eyes opened when you stood her up and closed when she lay down. Her long chestnut-colored hair was like mine, and she had rosy cheeks on a porcelain bisque face. Sally’s soft body was hand-sewn in linen and silk cloth and stuffed with cotton. She wore a crinoline petticoat, under a rosebud calico dress, with handmade lace collar and matching cap. I loved her black lace stockings and soft leather booties that could be tied just like mine.
CIRCLE OF GRACE
August 15 2025 CHAPTER TWO EXCERPT
In this chapter, Mother surprises Ruth and doesn’t head directly home in the storm, but to the house next door, where a light shines brightly in the window. Señor Abel opens the door when they knock.
Please note that this is just a taster and not the entire chapter.
Circle of Grace
July 15, 2025
So it begins! Circle of Grace is about three strong Texan women who survive poverty, death, and deception during a pivotal time in history as they navigate the changing roles of women from 1900 to 1947.
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Travel to INDIA
The Golden Palace is the temple of temples made of gold plate, surrounded by a lake filled with holy water. It shimmers in the evenings of the setting sun. People come here to be blessed, healed, and to break bread.
Near the Cliffs of Dover
Lovely Ireland with its cottages and castles, wild rivers and brazen coasts! Aye, it is a beautiful place!