The House On Sunflower Road (Book) - 4/5/2017 5:25:48 AM
Elizabeth Towles has written a southern mystery and love story novel set in Reedy Creek, a fictitious town in southern Georgia. Reedy Creek is seemingly quiet and peaceful during the idyllic and archaic time just after the end of World War II. Vestiges of the old South remain. But it is now a time of neighborly growth and friendly prosperity. The story is not about a house, but about a girl becoming a woman, Odella, affectionately called, Ella.
Ms. Towles, using unique characters that are so well-defined that one can pick them up again many pages later, weaves a tight plot that involves all of these characters and their stories into a conclusion that neatly ties up all the loose ends that get created along the way from the fullness of time and distance with secrets kept. Elizabeth's use of unique names and lots of accurate period references makes one believe that the story could be true. That is good fiction at its best.
Nonsuch, the name given to the house on Sunflower Road, does have secrets that Ella's father held for many years, but then died before he revealed them to her. And, there is unknown evil lurking from the secrets deeply hidden and left over taboos associated with what it meant to be black in the old South. The fenced and gated perimeter of the place does seem to be a stretch, though. Probably, because it's a device needed often to make the story more dramatic.
For anyone interested in mystery and romance set in a historical and seemingly rather innocent time and place, I highly recommend the book. I enjoyed reading it even though I generally don't read this type of book. It's that good.
Ronald W. Hull is author of Hanging by a Thread, his autobiography, and nine other books.
Don't Even Think About Climbing Up Here (Short Story) - 8/3/2016 5:09:38 AM
I found your, sometimes funny, but always interesting, travelogue of your many tours fun to read. Makes one think of wanting to be in all of those interesting places.
I have traveled widely, too. However, while I have taken tours when necessary on my journeys, I have mostly freelanced my travels, not bound by the itinerary of a guided tour. There are advantages and disadvantages to this approach. It definitely costs less, but unless you are knowledgeable about the place that you are at, one can miss some of the best sites not knowing they are there. For example, while I have traveled through the area of New Mexico that you describe so vividly a couple of times, I did not have time or knowledge to visit the sites that you describe so well.
Yes, on Facebook you can share your experiences with the world (of Facebook). I have chronicled several journeys both as picture travelogues and as videos on my website. I don't have any evidence that they get visited very often.
While doing architectural drafting my sophomore year in high school, we were instructed to label the bathroom or restroom in a house, "WC," for water closet. ;-)
Ron
The Winter of a Mind (Short Story) - 7/26/2016 3:43:06 AM
What a riveting story you wrote about the horror that dementia can bring someone already fighting the effects of age. Although it appeared that her family was close at hand, she seemed to want her independence and rejected their help.
Your story is a prize winner.
It is a sad situation that affects many elderly. My mother quit driving at 88 and then, at 89, decided to go to assisted living. She has been frustrated in that environment because she has aphasia, is nearly deaf, has very bad joints and walks with a walker painfully and was losing her eyesight to cataracts until recent eye surgery.
At 91, her mind is still very good though while she struggles to remain independent. She calls me every Monday promptly at 4 pm because she has trouble hearing the phone ring and getting to it to answer. I am 1300 miles away and will likely not see her again. I last saw her in 2011. My sister, fortunately, is in the same town and sees to her many needs. Still, she seems quite happy now, especially when she's talking to me on her TTY.
Ron
The Gift (Short Story) - 7/21/2016 7:24:46 AM
That was the most poignant of stories, beautifully written. It makes me wonder if it is a true story, it is so realistic.
You will get more readers you simply copy the story and then paste it into the AD editor so that it will be displayed here.
Ron
We're On The Map (Article) - 9/16/2016 1:13:24 AM
enjoyed the read, more please
keep writing
m
We're On The Map (Article) - 9/16/2016 12:34:57 AM
Your article made me miss my former rural backyard which was a sanctuary for wildlife. I particularly enjoyed the deer traipsing through.
We're On The Map (Article) - 9/15/2016 6:43:32 AM
We all are on the map! It's amazing and terrifying that Google knows what we look like from both the eye in the sky, and our front door… Oh, oh, wrong pew! ;-)
I'm not sure if the color of deck made any difference. You certainly have a penchant for welcoming all the little creatures to visit you. When I moved to suburbia 34 years ago, I was glad to have a power line right-of-way behind my house, but upset a couple of years later when in an apartment complex went up on the other side of the right-of-way. Over the years, that green space often became quite wild and was only occasionally cut down. That invited all kinds of Texas critters to move in, making my backyard a delight with many adventures.
Unfortunately the apartment complex changed hands recently and bought the right-of-way for a parking lot. While we still entice birds and other critters with our bird feeder and tiny backyard, I fear we won't have as many wild adventures as before.
Ron
Her Name is Shadow (Article) - 8/19/2016 4:01:44 AM
A cute little human interest memoir. Kids have wonderful imaginations.
Ron
A Window Friend (Article) - 8/8/2016 7:53:12 AM
At first I thought it was some bird on your windowsill, but then I learned about your friend Buster, the rabbit. It's nice to be familiar with a gentle creature like a rabbit that visits your yard unmolested. Unfortunately, the reason that rabbits are so prolific is that they are food for many predators out there. And, many do not survive the winter. I certainly hope that you will see Buster again in the spring.
While we see the neighbor's cats often, the only creatures that come in our yard are the occasional opossum. My partner's description is that they are "rats" and she is afraid of them. See my poem, Four Free Ride, and watch the video at the link below:
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewPoetry.asp?id=187620&authorid=3918
http://ronhullauthor.com/streams/Possum-Babies-4-17-07.m4v
Ron
The Felling of a Lofty Friend (Poetry) - 9/18/2016 6:53:30 AM
A stimulating observation construed through discerning eyes. Enjoyed...
The Felling of a Lofty Friend (Poetry) - 9/14/2016 10:37:42 AM
A very beautiful poem about a tree you have loved for years and lost. I can appreciate the feeling.
The Felling of a Lofty Friend (Poetry) - 9/12/2016 5:51:54 AM
Only a poet could write so beautifully about an old friend that was a tree. I could feel your closeness with your description.
I have a sweetgum like that I transplanted from a single leaf to its current location where its mighty growth and towering branches have caused havoc to my sidewalk and danger to my garage. Yet, I have postponed its demise and instead, taken down the diseased and sparsely branched original tract home tree that occupied the center of my small front yard. That tree was an eyesore for the last 10 years or so. The only thing I regret in its loss is the gaping hole left between the cypress and the sweetgum, like a missing tooth in a smile.
Ron
The Felling of a Lofty Friend (Poetry) - 9/12/2016 3:15:33 AM
time to come, time to go. . . as Mother Nature orders, and who, be sure, abhors a vacuum. A beautifully rendered piece of fine art. Cheers, alex
A Quiet Place (Poetry) - 9/11/2016 10:04:34 AM
A beautifully rendered poem about your journey and your need to find quiet solitude. I seem to have always needed that quiet place every once in a while. But now it seems that I take time out several times a day just to go to that place and let my mind unwind.
In fact, just reading your calming poem took me there… Thank you.
Ron
The Felling of a Lofty Friend (Poetry) - 9/11/2016 9:56:02 AM
Yes, there is something about the felling of a majestic tree that grabs ya and squeezes your senses. Nice work on this one!
A Quiet Place (Poetry) - 9/10/2016 9:12:25 AM
a flawless piece which speaks of the priceless value of meditative experience on the edge of one's heart of hearts. Cheers, alex
A Quiet Place (Poetry) - 9/10/2016 5:22:05 AM
A Quiet Place speaks volumes.
Michael D.
A Quiet Place (Poetry) - 9/9/2016 9:48:42 AM
Wonderful are the words of the fantastic song of doing what needs to be done and holding on tight when " life spewed in all directions." Brilliant soul searching!
Going To The Dogs (Poetry) - 9/6/2016 7:56:40 AM
A wonderful personification in a poem with a great deal of humor.
Ron
Going To The Dogs (Poetry) - 9/6/2016 6:00:27 AM
a lovely piece in its simple joy and indescribable bravery. Cheers, alex
Going To The Dogs (Poetry) - 9/5/2016 1:21:36 PM
Gotta love those alley cats, some of the best times I've . . . Oh! Never mind.
When Love Walks In (Poetry) - 9/5/2016 9:52:21 AM
You have captured love's special feeling quite well, Elizabeth. Yes. From an across the room meeting of eyes can turn into fifty years of happy matrimonial bliss.
Handle With Care (Poetry) - 12/19/2009 4:53:19 PM
Words so true, yet bittersweet in remembrence of all that came before. Merry Christmas to you too...
Be always safe,
Karen
Handle With Care (Poetry) - 12/19/2009 1:48:57 PM
Excellent writing, Elizabeth.
GOD BLESS
Tony
When I Was Young (Poetry) - 12/11/2009 6:28:26 AM
When I was Young
Back when time wasn’t a worry, I had plenty ahead;
lovely songs to be sung, and great books to be read…
when I was young.
The years sped by, I took them in stride;
the count didn’t matter, I simply basked in the ride…
when I was young.
Life rushed on, my days filled with commonplace hours;
nights brought new adventures and thrilling powers…
when I was young.
The years piled up, but always in denial, I blithely waved them away;
though lurking in the shadows, quietly awaiting, stood my fateful day…
even then, I thought I was still young.
The shattering doom came on a rush with the wind;
its breath of havoc gathered in a spin.
Who could that person staring back at me be?
The Me I had known I now couldn’t see.
To my fearful dread, the mirror delivered a woeful truth:
time had boldly walked away with my youth.
One might presume I’ve been caught in life’s inevitable snare,
pinioned by bands of formidable steel.
Yet, I have an ace in the hole—a mind if you will;
active and questing, impervious to intrusion;
tethered to its grand illusion, chanting aloud,
lost in song, here’s cheers for attitude...I am still young.
Copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Towles
