Honoring the journey—then and now
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Reconstruction Diary Meditations: Expansion Excitement
Saturday, September 8, 1866 Quarterly meeting today which was large. Several foreign preachers were there: Robert Douglas & Cyrus Carter from Ohio, also Benjamin Fulghum, John Carey & Joshua Jeffreys from different parts of our own state. A proposition for to establish another quarterly meeting to be composed of Carthage and Walnut Ridge monthly meetings…
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Are You a Finicky Writer?
“Finicky” and “high maintenance” aren’t usually words that describe me- at least, so I’m told. But I may have a few idiosyncrasies when it comes to writing. When I’m writing in one of my many notebooks or journals, a gel pen beats a scratchy old Bic any day of the week. My current fave is…
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The Most Acclaimed Bad Novel I’ve Ever Read: “The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead
Colson Whitehead’s historical-fiction novel The Underground Railroad was published in 2016, and rare praise wasn’t far behind it! The book won a National Book Award, a Pulitzer Prize, and a host of other prestigious commendations. It’s the story of Cora, a young woman who flees slavery on a Georgia plantation via the storied grassroots escape…
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Reconstruction Diary Meditations: My Fair Lady
Friday, August 31, 1866 Milton and I went to the Fair today; saw quite a number of very nice things, among them a knitting machine which knits stockings very completely, and a great deal of fancy work. I saw quite a number of friends whom I was glad to see. [I] heard that Wm Wales…
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Why I Don’t Have A Home Church Anymore
My Quaker faith journey was interrupted. As a young, single mother who had returned to my beloved Friends meeting where I grew up, I eventually was tapped to serve on the Ministry and Oversight Committee. What incredible work! I was honored to be nominated and took my responsibilities seriously. Unfortunately, my idealism and understanding of…
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Reconstruction Diary Meditations: On Threshers and Literary Picnics
Saturday, August 25, 1866 The threshers finished at 9 o’clock and went to Clifford’s. Lizzie & I went to town this morn, she to take her music lesson. We did some shopping also [and] bought some new gaiters, dresses, etc. Samuel Gause and Mary came down to visit Alpheus and Ruth Emily. They found her…
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Five Things I’ll Never Miss About the First Days of the New School Year
The moments raced, but the week went on and on: An odd paradox for the week that school resumed each year. Every afternoon, I dragged myself home and let Jerry tell me what was for supper and when. I was too exhausted from leaving a summer of haphazard fun and lack of responsibilities to the rigid…
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Reconstruction Diary Meditations: Were 19th-century Quakers More Religious Than We Are Today?
Richard Ratcliff, renowned Indiana Quaker historian from Spiceland, commented on my ancestor Mary Jane Edwards’ 1866 diary. I gave him a copy of its transcript when my mother and I visited him to learn more about our family’s history at Spiceland Friends. More than their adventure and work in the South teaching freedmen, Richard was interested…
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Floodwaters Then and Now: The News vs My Ancestor’s 1866 Diary
Although the bend in the White River around Muncie, Indiana, supposedly protects our area from tornados according to an ancient Indian legend, rainfall apparently is not included. Ten inches of rain in ten hours was no joke. Current local flooding–the worst since 1913–has closed Delaware County schools and businesses, torn apart road infrastructure, left residents…
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Reconstruction Diary Meditations: A Familiar Unease
Monday, August 13, 1866 This morning was dark and cloudy with some mist in the air, and it continued so during the day. Lizzie has not been very well for several days. She has [a] continued headache. We succeeded in getting the washing in the last rinse. I was very tired when it was done. …
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