Author Description

Miss Anne Blanchard, retired rural schoolteacher taught children in the two-room schoolhouses in Oklahoma in the 1920's and 1930' shares the stories of her life, its joys and tragedy, with her young friend, Mandy Jones, a teenager and neighbor who helps Anne with her chores and projects until unexpected tragedy changes their relationship. Challenged by Mandy's delightful personality, Anne's life is renewed and happiness returns as they share their day to day lives in rural Oklahoma after her career in Oklahoma's rural schools where four to eight grades were in a single room." Still single, Anne knew the community gossiped about her, mainly because she was not actively involved in the community, church or school. They wondered why she "kept to herself" so much after working with students for so many years...""At the foot of the steps to the dorm, Robert turned to Anne while still holding her hand. They looked into each other's eyes. Without a word, he bent down and kissed her softly on the lips. It was a quick kiss, but its power swept through Anne; she liked it...." "Sitting there on the bedside, feeling the warmth of your hand, I just wanted to hear your voice. My crying, shaking, and tears wouldn't stop. Tears covered your beautiful face when I kissed your warm, soft lips...." "When my mother was young and my father was away in the Army, her chocolate pie was bought by old and toothless Mr. Whitaker at the Scoby School; she had to eat with him. She was so young and beautiful. And, that old man used his knife, instead of a fork or even a spoon, to eat the pie..." "Anne, the Fourth is going to be great because as many of the family as possible, will make their way here. With so many in the military and with cash hard to come by, that means a few won't make it. But, we'll have a catfish feed and make ice cream and find as many ways possible to have a great day together...." "Anne could hear clamoring and shouting from the road and knew that there was something seriou