THE PASSING SEASONS

 by Caroline Clemmons

Welcome Fall! Our weather is a little cooler. Several types of trees are getting Falll colors that show well among the dark green live oaks. I am  aware our Fall display in North Central Texas is nothing compared to New England. But this is where I live, and I'm enjoying my community.

Many people love summer’s heat, lying in the sun and getting a tan, participating in or watching summer sports, and just having sunny days. Perhaps I'm eccentric, but I'm so much more comfortable in cooler weather. Spring and Fall are mu favorites.

 As a child, I enjoyed things like climbing trees and softball in our neighborhood, but that's about the limit of my athletic acytivity. Usually, I was indoors reading comic books or playing with my paper dolls or writing little stories about a princess rescued by a dashing knight. The stories didn't vary much and didn't have many obstacles. Comic books gave way to Nancy Drew and paper dolls to riding my bike.

Now I love taking drives in the Fall and seeing all the trees and hedges changing color. With our recent rains, the grass is still green, which makes it even more attractive. My youngest daughter and I make great plans about what we're going to do to the yard. But not now—next spring.

I look forward to reading, writing, and watching movies on TV. The stories I write don’t feature a princess (with one exception), but are about  strong women ready to assist the valiant hero defeat the villain. Hmm, maybe they haven’t changed as much since I was a young girl as I’d thought.

My two precious daughters and I are slowly recovering from my dear husban’s recent death---although I don’t suppose anyone ever actually recovers from the death of a loved one. Some days are better than others, of course. I'm sure many of you have gone through the same thing. At least  I am feeling more positive and cheerful.

As the passing seasons are a part of life, so are the passings of our loved ones. It's all part of some great plan we don't understand, but we must have faith things are under control by the Almighty.

 

Irish Travelers by Caroline Clemmons

By Caroline Clemmons

What are you doing today? Why not go with me and spend a few minutes in Ireland? 

Irish Travelers are descended from medieval minstrels and poets who traveled Ireland telling myths and stories. At that time, they were respected and learned. Travelers have their own language, Sheldroo, which is linked to medieval language. At the time of English occupation, many Irish families were turned out of their homes. At that time, it was illegal for Irish to learn to read and write—only the English could attend schools and universities. Many of the homeless Irish families drifted in with the traveling minstrels and eventually became the Irish Travelers. They camped in fields. Later they acquired tents, then the colorful wagons that resemble gypsy wagons.

They are not gypsies, though. Gypsies are Roms and originated in India and migrated across the world. (They were one of the groups the Nazis tried to eradicate in World War II.) Travelers are of Irish origin, although they have now spread throughout the Western world.

 *Note: I haven’t visited Ireland in many years, so conditions may have changed. Plus, this information on Irish Travelers is a generalization—which is like saying all Americans are rude when visiting other countries. Still, this is the only way I know to explain the ethnic group. Please realize I am not bashing Irish people! I’m of Scot-Irish descent and love anything to do with Ireland. I’m merely identifying a stereotype. As with many other subjects, we hear about the bad ones. For a couple hundred years, Irish Travelers have been thought of as con men and their wives as beggars. They make an interesting backdrop for a historical romance—but I find most subjects do.

 In Ireland in this century, legislation set aside special camping places for the Travelers. There was much controversy then over whether the children should be forced to attend school or not. In the U.S., they are supposed to attend school. There’s a large base of Irish Travelers in White Settlement, Texas (a suburb of Fort Worth) and another in Los Angeles, California. In White Settlement, many live in RVs or mobile homes at a park owned by one of the Travelers. Most of the families are Roman Catholic, and the wives attend mass. They were/are also called Tinkers because there was usually one among them who repaired pots and pans and metal wares.

 Now let's leave Ireland and travel to the Texas Hill Country. I love Texas, even when we have those awful triple-digit temperatures, (My ardor is much higher when we have moderate days.) I love Texas. I love Texas history, especially the 1870-1890 time period. 

THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE is set in 1885 Central Texas near Bandera and Medina, and also the Lost Maples State Natural Area. That location appeals to me and is the setting of many working ranches and some fairly famous dude ranches. Years ago, my family and I stayed at the Mayan Dude Ranch, and the girls loved it. It wasn’t Hero’s thing, but he was a very good sport.

Visiting Ireland, I heard more about Irish Travelers. I'd already learned a little from Louis L'Amour's books. The more I studied about them, the more fascinated I became. Then I learned that a huge group of Traveler families wintered in the Fort Worth suburb, and some even lived there year-round.

 I decided to bring a group of Travelers from Ireland to Texas in 1885. Irishman Sean O’Neill’s family has been traveling with the group, though not truly absorbed by them. I love this book and love the cover. The couple is among my favorites about whom I’ve written. This book does include intimacy, but the couple is married at the time, and the sex is not graphic. If you haven’t yet read this book, Give it a try. I hope you’ll enjoy reading THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE as much as I enjoyed researching and writing Cenora and Dallas’s story. 

Here's the buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Texans-Irish-Bride-McClintocks-Book-ebook/dp/B008V1 

Here’s the blurb:

 Cenora Rose O’Neill knows her father somehow arranged the trap for Dallas, but she agrees to wed a handsome stranger. She’d do anything to protect her family, and she wants to save herself from the bully Tom Williams. A fine handsome settled man like Dallas will rid himself of her soon enough, but at least she and her family will be safely away from Tom Williams.   

 Texas rancher Dallas McClintock has no plans to wed for several years. Right now, he’s trying to establish himself as a successful horse breeder. Severely wounded rescuing Cenora from kidnappers, Dallas is taken to her family’s gypsy-like Irish Traveler’s wagon to be tended. He’s trapped into marrying Cenora, but he is not a man who goes back on his word. His wife chatters constantly and has a silly superstition for everything. Passion-filled nights with her make up for all her faults—but what is he supposed to do with her wild Irish family?

 In THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, how did the heroine and her family end up trekking across the U.S.? You’ll have to read the book to learn the answer. <G>

 Stay safe and keep reading. 

FALL, GLORIOUS FALL!

As I’ve mentioned before, Fall is my favorite time of year. This past weekend was absolutely glorious. The air was cooler but grass and shrubs are still nice and green though a few trees are beginning to turn colors. In our yard, a few oaks are tinged red at the edge of their leaves. The heat stressed elms are losing yellow leaves and have been for several weeks.

Bigtooth Maple at Lost Maples

Let me share with you a lovely place at this or any time of year in Texas. Lost Maples State Wilderness Area near Bandera, Medina, and Uvalde is a place of wonderment. Maples of various types are popular landscape plants. Bigtooth Maples don’t grow naturally in our state anywhere except in this lovely park. They’re truly lost from another time.

Entrance to the park

My daughter and I were here several years ago when I researched THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE (now FREE in ebook). We loved our excursion as we do all the things we find “on the way”. To people from mountainous areas with diverse temperatures, you are probably wondering why I think this place is such a great thing. I grew up in West Texas where trees were not plentiful. Even now that I live in an area where trees are taken for granted, I still hold them in awe. 

The area used to be an escape trail for rustlers and comancheros heading away from their skulduggery. Now families enjoy visiting the cathedral-like atmosphere of the walled route. The tall rock sides carry sound so I don't know how well it worked as an escape. I suppose that when camped, the criminals could hear a posse's approach.

Lost Maples is an outstanding example of Edwards Plateau flora and fauna. The park is a combination of steep, rugged limestone canyons, springs, grasslands, wooded slopes, and clear streams. The feature that amazes me is a large, isolated stand of uncommon Uvalde bigtooth maple whose fall foliage can be spectacular. Generally, the foliage changes the last two weeks of October through the first two weeks of November. The park is extremely popular during the fall and is often crowded. There are camping spots for those into outdoor living but parking is limited to 250 cars.

Green Kingfisher

Rare species of birds, such as the green kingfisher above, can be seen year-round. The endangered black-capped vireo and golden-cheeked warbler nest and feed in the park in spring and early summer. Wild animals include gray fox, white-tailed deer, armadillo, raccoon, bobcat, rock squirrel, and javelina. I imagine the occasional cougar is also a visitor--and I mean the four-legged variety.

Armadillo

If you’re in Central Texas and would like a unique experience, head to Lost Maples even if it’s not truly “on the way”.

FALL, GLORIOUS FALL, IS HERE

Fall is a wonderful time for Hero and me. The days are finally cooler, taxes and insurance are paid, we have the Christmas holidays teasing us ahead, and we enjoy the changing colors. The fires near Darling Daughter 1 are extinguished. With a recent rain that has renewed the greenery and refreshed the air, we might almost forget that parts of Texas are still burning, but we keep those people in our prayers daily.

To those of you in New England or the Pacific Northwest I suppose our changing leaves are laughable. But give us some leeway, please, and let us enjoy this season. So, stealing an idea from my lovely online friend Beth Trissel, here are some fall greetings.



Lost Maples State Natural Area near Bandera, Texas

 Lost Maples State Natural area is a breathtaking site. In fact, Darling Daughter 2 and I visited it several years ago and felt almost as if we were in a cathedral. It's the only place in the state (as far as I know) where these maples grow naturally. Ergo, the name Lost Maples. Years ago Comanche, Comancheros, and rustlers used the valley as a route to drive stolen cattle to Mexico. Now it's a state park for the benefit of everyone with peaceful intentions. No rustlers allowed.

"It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life." P. D. James




Lost Maples

 "There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been!"
Percy Bysshe Shelley
 
"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile."

William Cullen Bryant

Fall Harvest

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."
George Eliot

"No Spring nor Summer Beauty hath such grace

As I have seen in one Autumnal face." John Donne
"Every season hath its pleasures;

Spring may boast her flowery prime,
Yet the vineyard's ruby treasures
Brighten Autumn's sob'rer time." Thomas Moore

When I was a girl, I loved Emily Dickinson's poetry. I still do, of course, so I'll share this one with you.
"The morns are meeker than they were,

The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.
The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I'll put a trinket on." Emily Dickinson

"Summer makes me drowsy.

Autumn makes me sing.
Winter's pretty lousy,
But I hate Spring." Dorothy Parker

I'll close with a song by one of my favorite popular composers, Johnny Mercer. That man knew how to write a song we'd remember.



Autumn Leaves

 "The falling leaves drift by the window

The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall."
Johnny Mercer

Thanks again to those of you who have purchased my print or e-books from The Wild Rose Press at
www.thewildrosepress.com/Caroline-Clemmons-m-638.html or my backlist in e-book from Amazon Kindle. The backlist is still on sale for 99 cents each.

Thanks for stopping by.

RECIPE TO MAKE YOU THANKFUL!

Fall has arrived and Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Where did summer go? Never mind, I much prefer the cool, crisp days we now enjoy.

Since holidays mean cooking for some and eating for most of us, I thought I’d share a favorite recipe. Whenever I’ve prepared this, people take seconds and many ask for the recipe. It’s not original with me, but from a friend who now lives in San Angelo, Betty Beadle.

     SPINACH ARTICHOKE CASSEROLE


Preparation time: 10 minutes
Baking time: 25 to 30 minutes.
Serves: 8


2 pkgs. 10 oz. Frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 can 13 ¾ oz. Artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
½ cup heavy cream
1/8 tspn. Salt
1/8 tspn. Pepper
2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese [she uses block cheese she grates]
1 package 8 oz. Cream cheese, softened
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees


Combine spinach, artichoke hearts, cream, salt, pepper, and 1/3 cup parmesan cheese in a bowl with mixer on medium. Beat until fluffy.


In separate bowl on low mixer speed, beat cream cheese until fluffy and gradually add milk until blended and smooth.


Spoon spinach mixture into greased 8x8 glass baking dish or into 1 ½ qt. casserole dish. Pour cream cheese mixture evenly over spinach mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1/3 cup parmesan cheese. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until edges and top are golden.


Doesn't that make your mouth water? I'm drooling on the keyboard here. But then, I've had the good fortune to taste Betty's casserole.

Bailey helping me write

I'm busily writing the EXCLUSIVE FREE read to go into my November newsletter. If you haven't signed up, please do. One lucky subscriber will receive a $10.00 Amazon gift certificate this month. The form is on the sidebar at the right just under my photo.
Each newsletter will include an EXCLUSIVE FREE read, a recipe, news, and miscellaneous whimsical information.

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