While this book is indeed a work of fiction, I have drawn on some of my North Carolina folks for inspiration and have done so with love. So here are some pictures that surrounded me as I wrote.
The Farm House
The living room is to the right, Gracie & Jane’s bedroom is the third window from the left. I’ve looked out of that window more times than I can count. And the whistle of the night train was the most wonderful sound, reassuring us that all was right in our world.
Jane
Yep – Jane is Jane and we had such fun together. Some of the tales in the book are true and some are not and I will never tell which is which. There is nothing in the whole wide world like a cousin who is on your side and a true partner in crime. She is standing here with my cousin Rob.
Aunt Martha
Yes, that was her name and everything I said about who she was as a person is completely true. She was wonderful, loved me to death and spoiled me rotten. Everyone needs an Aunt Martha in their life!
Uncle Ben
And yes, this is the real Uncle Ben. A lovely quiet man with a wry sense of humor. He always spoke with a soft drawl and his words were always kind and wise. And that cigar really was never lit but got shorter all the time.
Side of the Porch
This is where Jane crouched while she listened as Gracie and Great Granny Jane discussed why Chinese babies don’t go to hell.
Here is the quilt made by the real “Miss Emily” It’s made from scraps of my childhood dresses.
House & Folks
Two very old shots from the 50’s of the house, the barn and some aunts gathering beside the cars.
As for the other characters – some I have pictures of and won’t disclose them here. As for others – the only pictures are in my imagination…
As for Brown Hound, she was completely real and everything written about her is true, well mostly! I only have one picture of her because we weren’t allowed to waste film on a dog. This is from Easter of 1967 – do note my charming hat and the hat Brown Hound patiently wore. Best dog in the known universe for sure!
