Author Description

This book tells the story of Juliana's family stretching back to its beginnings in Scotland, England, and America. One grandfather comes from England to try his hand at sheep farming, falls in love with a Texas girl, and takes her home. Another comes from Scotland to Iowa to ranch, marries a Wisconsin girl, and stays. Another comes from Scotland to Kentucky and marries a General's daughter. Mother's and grandmother's letters paint amazing and heartbreaking pictures of adjusting to war-torn England and growing America as men disappear. Women hold family together even when apart. In all there is joy and determination to change things in creative ways. They organize metal drives, sing-ins, and costume parties to raise funds and spirits. She describes memories of birds, songs, lilacs, and the little Texas bungalow to ones more recent of hurricanes and favorite family gatherings. It is illustrated throughout with a century of family documents and photographs. Juliana Catherine Peddie Brewer Gillespie was born in Houston, Texas during the Depression to a 2nd generation Scotsman in Emmetsburg, Iowa and a British mother born in Castle Donington, England. Now (after stops in New Jersey, Jamaica, Houston and Galveston) she has retired to Wimberley, Texas in the middle of the Hill country. This is her fi rst memoir as told to her niece Jessica.