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Don't mind Earnest, whom you see lounging on the right. He is my business advisor; he was just taking his afternoon break.
Please tell me about yourself! Ha, you want to find out about me? There really isn't too much to tell unless you have a long afternoon. How did I learn to write such fascinating books? And what is my secret to good writing? Those are good questions, and I really don't have any secrets. They're really just as plain as can be. Not everyone would agree with you about my books, and that's alright with me. I figure, you simply can't get along with everyone in the world, because you have to hold you own. Only fools and swindlers get along with everyone. And I certainly don't want to be either one of them.
Education
I started school at the age of four years old in 1996, not because my mother pushed me to start early, but because I kept grabbing books and copying the letters backwards, impatient to start. (She planned to make me wait until I was five.) By the age of seven, I could write a 10-chapter book, at a 4th grade level.
I went through all twelve grades (my kindergarten would count as first, if you compared it with modern scholastics, and I skipped twelth because it was a repeat of eleventh), homeschooled by my mother.
In school, my mother, who has arthritis and fibromyalgia, was ruthless when it came to thoroughness. Be neat in your handwriting. Never turn in shoddy work. Enjoy exploring and staking claim into the world of learning! It's all yours. And if you're a coward, it's your own fault. At the same time, use wisdom. The things other people say aren't always right, so balance what you read ALWAYS with what the Bible says. The Bible is the final authority always, because God gave it to us. God, who made the world, and who made us, and sent Jesus Christ to die for us, so that we can have the joy of living for Him.
Punishments? We were brought back to the Bible. Did we want to know the answer to some question? We found ourselves staring at some chapter of the Bible. Had we neglected to learn some important point? Pen in hand, we wrote out a Bible verse three times in very neat handwriting until we had it buried so deeply in our hearts that I still haven't forgotten it. Just as the Bible says, it is "line upon line, precept upon precept."
My mother's patience, love, perfectionism, discipline and love of fun made my school experience one which I've drawn upon many times dealing with children. She took us to the park for a field trip. Used expression and joy on her face even when her entire body ached and said, "I'd rather be in bed than with these noisy children." Showed us a photograph so we could actually see what a heliograph looked like. Didn't lose her temper but just told us to get up and sing when we were too tired to work. Stooped over our belaboring heads to explain for the fifth time why this is better than that. Encouraging our ideas. Enhancing our talents and skills, even if they weren't her own. Humbling herself to appologize when she did lose her temper and make mistakes.
Looking out at the world, I see adults who might have benefitted had some loving, God-fearing adult taken the time to sit by their side just a few minutes extra and helped them to see this problem, be it in school or life. But too often, parents and teachers alike have pushed children off to the merciless streets to raise, so that now we have a society of young people who live by their guns, literally, and adults, who are buying guns just to survive.
After graduation I continued independent studies in medical, historical, social and statistical studies at home, as well as furthering my writing skills. I never earned a degree but in reviewing the local college books, I found that I know and could teach each of the classes which I studied with relative ease.
On the side, I attended several private Bible schools to further my knowledge of Bible theorgy, as well as teaching, music and history knowledge.
With this on hand here are my accomplishments, with the Lord's help, and on His strenth, praise be to His name!
-Taught Logan in 4th grade the summer of 2004, to catch him up so he would not lose a grade. At the beginning of his class the next year, he was ahead by half a school year.
-Sunday School successively 6 years (2008-2014)
-Summer VBS Grades K, 1, 3, years 2008, 2009, 2011
-Elementary grades K-3, year 2012-2013
-English as a Foreign Language (Grade 1), year 2012-2013
-Music Chorus, year 2012-2013
-Art (Elementary), year 2012-2013
-Currently: Literacy Volunteering, English as a Second Language for Adults
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
- Psalm 16.11-
“Praise will transform the humblest dwelling into a hallowed haven.”
- Frances J. Roberts -
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Elevenses with Anne
Cup of Tea? Or Coffee?
Hold on! Please don't go away, I'll be with you in just a minute, after I help my mother out of her chair.
Good afternoon! You caught me at a good time. Please come in and take off your shoes by the door.
I was just setting the water on to boil for my pot of coffee. I make it in the French Press. Please have a seat! Make yourself at home. Sorry about the clutter. Feel free to push aside that manuscript--it's just a pile of paper. People are way more important than papers! You caught me folding a basket of socks.
Life
Born in 1992 to Navy parents, I've moved quite a bit in my life, and met a lot of people. I've always considered myself a little shy; since I'm never sure what to say at first. But on first meeting someon, I can usually (accurately) tell where they're originally from, if they are who they say they are, where in the Old Country their people originated, what their habits are, some of their mannerisms, and if they are or are not a faithful practical repentant (believer in Jesus Christ). I have been wrong many times. But because of my ability (which I share with my mother and sister) of scrutinizing people, I have a very extensive file of characters stored up for my books.
Settings for my stories range everywhere from places I've traveled through (ie: London and Nevada) to places I've lived (ie: Missouri). It helps a lot if you keep your brain fresh, like a sponge, so that you can always be on the watch for something new and different. In this way everything will always surprise and delight you, and you will be grateful for the daily blessings Jesus sends to you. People often remark that in a lot of ways I'm like a child that way--I can't resist a dance in the rain; or stopping the dishes to play with the kitten on the doorstep. Man isn't meant to be a workhorse. Yes, I know there are dishes on the counter. There always are. They're part of the wonderful daily expression that people live in this house.
So is the lopsided curtain.
So is the mudtrack next to the front door and the baby fingerprints on the window.
In otherwords, you won't have those little moments forever.
Because of chronic fatigue and long-standing genetic seizure migraines, I don't have the strength to do a whole lot about a dirty house, so I do what I can and sing and dance my way through the rest--or sleep--and try to do what I can to lift the load for those who take up my slack. It ain't easy. I sympathize with my mother, bacause I realize that people simply create stress, but if you just do what Jesus did in His life--provided for all who came to Him, multiplying His little with faith and love, and running off to the mountains when He got sick of people...I think if families functioned like Jesus made His life ministry, we would get on a lot better in the world.
But am I really telling you anything about myself?
My father's folks were Episcopal, so his upbringing was, although not always the strictest, most often lending toward Puritanism. When he repented, he was a young sailor; and sought the Lord. After a few years he met Mom. She was only sixteen at the time. Raised by a mother who hid her Jewish background behind Pentecostalism, and a father who encouraged promiscuity in the home, my mother was delighted to meet a young man who also wanted to follow the Lord. Dad waited a year or two until she graduated then they were married. Since then we've had an exciting, happy, loving family.
My mother is Jewish/Italiah/Russian/Polish/and possibly Arabic. My father is majorly Welsh. Our family has always known America, but somehow preserved old family traditions from Wales, and the Yiddish/Italian/Russian cultures. Sometimes they collide a bit, so we do everything with charity, faith, food and folk songs, and drink lots of coffee.
By the way, do you want another cup?
The music? I was singing when you came in. Yes, I love to sing--no, I haven't taken lessons or sung professonally. I just believe that since the Lord has freely given me a voice, I can freely use it for Him. My favorite singer is Paul Robeson. He had a fantastic voice; he made his albums in the early half of the 20th Century. Oh, group singing. Hm. My style is a capella quartet, or a good lusty soul choir, or a choral group--minor key is my favorite.
Hold on! The water is boiling. I gotta warn you. I make Italian coffee. Yeah, Espresso. :) But everybody in the neighborhood says it's the best in town. Would you take yours with cream and sugar or just simple? Oh, by the way, if you prefer, I do make a mean cup of hot chocolate.
Please would you help yourself to one of my shortbreads? This kind is exclusive to me. I knew a lady once who came from Old Holland, and she made the most delicious cookies with chocolate and spice in them; except that they were always too crunchy. I came up with these just because I like the taste, and I wanted them soft. You can find my recipe in Recipes from Babula's Trunk.
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