Category Archives: Writing
It’s a good story, but…
For many years, the only thing I knew about my great-grandfather was that he had been an Ohio soldier in the Civil War. His granddaughters, my aunt Nancy Lybarger Rhoades, told me two stories about him that she had been told by
It’s a good story, but…
For many years, the only thing I knew about my great-grandfather was that he had been an Ohio soldier in the Civil War. His granddaughters, my aunt Nancy Lybarger Rhoades, told me two stories about him that she had been told by
Do you make good coffee?
What were a woman’s most important qualities in the 1860s, in the eyes of a Union soldier? Edwin Lybarger, an officer in the 43rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, received letters from a dozen Northern women between 1862 and the end of the war
Do you make good coffee?
What were a woman’s most important qualities in the 1860s, in the eyes of a Union soldier? Edwin Lybarger, an officer in the 43rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, received letters from a dozen Northern women between 1862 and the end of the war
Great-grandfather’s photo album
Edwin Lewis Lybarger (1840-1924), my great-grandfather, compiled a photograph album at the end of the Civil War. He had served for nearly four years in the 43rd Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry (1861-65), in the Army of the Mississippi from Feb. 1862
Great-grandfather’s photo album
Edwin Lewis Lybarger (1840-1924), my great-grandfather, compiled a photograph album at the end of the Civil War. He had served for nearly four years in the 43rd Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry (1861-65), in the Army of the Mississippi from Feb. 1862
Ms. Lee threw it out the window
“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy, sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” In frustration one night in the late 1950s, writer Nelle Harper Lee
Ms. Lee threw it out the window
“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy, sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” In frustration one night in the late 1950s, writer Nelle Harper Lee
Almighty purpose
“The prayers of both [North and South] could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has his own purposes.” – Abraham Lincoln, 2nd Inaugural Address, March 5, 1865 ALEXANDER GARDNER, photographer This photograph, printed despite the crack in
Almighty purpose
“The prayers of both [North and South] could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has his own purposes.” – Abraham Lincoln, 2nd Inaugural Address, March 5, 1865 ALEXANDER GARDNER, photographer This photograph, printed despite the crack in
Sherman broke her heart, twice
Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson was 34 years old, over 6 feet tall, handsome, brilliant, kind, charming, and universally well-liked when he took command of the Army of the Tennessee in March 1864. Gen. Wm. T. Sherman granted his request
Sherman broke her heart, twice
Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson was 34 years old, over 6 feet tall, handsome, brilliant, kind, charming, and universally well-liked when he took command of the Army of the Tennessee in March 1864. Gen. Wm. T. Sherman granted his request
Grandmother’s 1896 trip to Italy
At the age of 10, my grandmother Ethel Finney (1885-1969), the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries in Egypt, was invited to join a wealthy family on a tour of Italy. She wrote a letter about the trip to her 11-year-old cousin Lucile,
Grandmother’s 1896 trip to Italy
At the age of 10, my grandmother Ethel Finney (1885-1969), the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries in Egypt, was invited to join a wealthy family on a tour of Italy. She wrote a letter about the trip to her 11-year-old cousin Lucile,
Flirting with a fan in 1860
Victorian ladies flirted and sent their lovers messages with their fans, a language with its own codes: You have won my love – place your fan near your heart You may kiss me – press half-opened fan to your lips
Flirting with a fan in 1860
Victorian ladies flirted and sent their lovers messages with their fans, a language with its own codes: You have won my love – place your fan near your heart You may kiss me – press half-opened fan to your lips
Passementeries, soutache & ruching
Ladies’ dresses in the 19th century had yards and yards of fabric, and yards and yards of trimmings, often handmade.
Passementeries, soutache & ruching
Ladies’ dresses in the 19th century had yards and yards of fabric, and yards and yards of trimmings, often handmade.
