Mary E. Trimble

Girls of Brackenhill by Kate Moretti is a gothic mystery set in a spooky run-down castle on a mountain top in the Catskills, Virginia.

Hannah Maloney rushes to Brackenhill after she learns her favorite aunt died when her car plunged over a cliff. As a child, Hannah adored the castle and the surrounding woods, but now she dreads returning to it. Hanna and her pretty older sister, Julia, spent many delightful childhood summers at Brackenhill with their aunt and uncle. It was a relief getting away from their aloof mother and abusive step-father.

For many years, the sisters were inseparable, but on their last summer’s visit Julia grew distant, didn’t want her younger sister to tag along, and rarely even spoke to her. Then, in the summer of 2002, Julia mysteriously disappeared. Hannah had not returned to Brackenhill since that tragic summer seventeen years earlier.

Now, when talking to town’s people, mysteries about the events surrounding the castle begin to surface. Hannah wants nothing more than to solve those mysteries and resume life with her fiancé. But as she delves deeper into that fatal summer, long-buried truths expose her repressed childhood memories.

The book toggles between the early summers visiting the delightful castle and seventeen years later when disturbing memories begin to surface after her aunt’s death, forcing Hannah to question the events of her last summer at Brackenhill.

Girls of Brackenhill is a gripping novel of depth. Descriptions of the castle and surrounding grounds are vivid, as are the various personalities of the townspeople. I was intrigued by this mystery of a castle, its ghosts, and long-buried secrets.

Book Review: True Biz

Posted on June 25, 2023 by Mary

True Biz: A Novel by Sara Noviç is an enlightening story about the deaf, particularly deaf children. The contemporary story takes place in Colson, Ohio at River Valley School for the Deaf (RVSD).

The title of the book, True Biz is an exclamation used in American Sign Language (ASL) that means really, seriously, definitely, or real talk. Students at RVSD simply want to understand the world around them, hang out with friends, and blend in. But, as with any special needs children, there are always obstacles to overcome.

The story centers around two children and the headmistress of the school.

Charlie, lives with her father as the result of a custody battle. Both her parents can hear, but Charlie was born deaf. When she was three years old she had surgery to install a cochlear implant, which, unfortunately didn’t work. Charlie suffers with annoying buzzing sounds and headaches. She attended public schools but became rebellious when she couldn’t understand what people were saying and had no way to communicate. When she was placed in RVSD she still couldn’t communicate because she had never learned ASL, which was how the students communicate with their teachers and one another.

Austin, also a student at RVSD is deaf like his parents and grandparents. He’s a well-adjusted, popular kid and is asked to show Charlie around the school, and the two form a special bond. Austin and his parents’ world become confusing when they have a new baby girl who can hear.

February is headmistress of River Valley School for the Deaf. She desperately fights to keep the school running despite its threatened closure, to meet her obligations at home, and try to fulfill the needs of her aging mother. She is a CODA, an acronym that stands for a hearing child of deaf adult(s).

True Biz is an unforgettable story. I learned a great deal about the deaf, their challenges and feelings of isolation. Author Sara Noviç, is deaf, so I had the assurance that she knows the loneliness and struggle for human connection. I learned about the debates surrounding deaf children: should they be equipped with a cochlear implant, learn to lip read, or learn ASL, choices that all have advantages and disadvantages. I learned that ASL is a language of concepts, that only as a last resort will a word be spelled out. Chapters are interspersed with interesting tidbits of deaf historical “cures,” remedies through the centuries, conventions to discuss deaf education, and diagrams of ASL.

Book Review: The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece

Posted on June 19, 2023 by Mary

Tom Hanks has been a favorite actor of mine for many years. He can do no wrong. Much to my surprise and amazement, he’s also an excellent writer! I loved The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece, a novel by Tom Hanks and R. Sikoryak.

The story is told in three parts. Part One takes place in Lone Butte, California, 1947, when five-year old Robby Anderson meets his Uncle Bob for the first time. Bob, a troubled soldier, leaves an indelible impression on the little boy, then disappears from the family for twenty years. Robby constantly draws, and even as a pre-schooler shows real talent.

Part Two takes place in Oakland, 1970. Robby has attended California Institute of the Arts, teaches drawing, painting and ceramics in public schools, and draws underground comic books. He reconnects with his uncle and draws a comic book with his uncle as a World War II fighting hero.

Part Three takes place back in Lone Butte, present day. A commercially successful director discovers the 1970 comic book and turns the story into a contemporary superhero movie. We read the nitty-gritty of movie making, the long hours of waiting for the director’s queues, the massive amount of people and equipment it takes to create a movie. We learn how scenes are set up, most often out-of-order as how they will eventually appear.

At the end of each chapter are interesting footnotes, tidbits relating to the story or clarifying the movie-making process. Within the story are three comic books—created by Tom Hanks—including the comic book that becomes the tie-in to the movie.

I was impressed by this funny, informative, and thought-provoking story. It was fun reading the ins and outs of movie making, things I have often wondered about. For instance: how do they make a scene where three trucks crash? (They get three trucks and crash them.) The logistics of making a movie are staggering and this novel does a good job of describing the process. I think The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece would make a good movie. Staring Tom Hanks, of course.

Book Review: Nine Years Among the Indians

Posted on June 12, 2023 by Mary

Nine Years Among the Indians, 1870-1879: The Story of the Captivity and Life of a Texan Among the Indians by Herman Lehmann and edited by J. Marvin Hunter was first published in 1927, though I read the 2017 edition. J. Marvin Hunter personally knew Herman Lehmann, and this marvelous account is presented as given to Hunter “without exaggeration, nor boasting, with the hope that the reader will find it interesting and a true recital of facts.” And that’s exactly how I found this read, plus gaining a far greater understanding of the Indian’s plight.

Herman Lehmann was captured by a band of Apache Indians when he was about eleven years old. His first several months were grueling with cruel treatment and sometimes scant food. Eventually, he was accepted into the tribe, forgot the white man’s ways and became a fierce warrior, plundering horses and property and killing the white man who had robbed them of hunting grounds, destroyed game, and brought disease.

Four years later, when he was about fifteen, he had a misunderstanding with members of the tribe and struck out on his own, living in the wilderness for about a year.

He came upon a band of Comanches and was eventually adopted by them. During that time he met Quanah Parker, a leader of a Comanche band called Kwahadi. By this time Lehmann had forgotten his own language and was totally immersed into Indian culture.

The book contains many interesting facts such as Indians weren’t particularly afraid of regular army soldiers, but dreaded Texas Rangers and frontiersmen whose guns were always loaded and their aim unerring. Another observation I found interesting was that Lehmann found the Comanche a fun-loving people and enjoyed a good laugh, while the Apaches were morose and never laughed except when someone was hurt or calamity befell them. Another interesting tidbit was that the Apache were characteristically silent, while the Comanche shouted and yelled, making all the noise possible.

In 1878, Herman was brought back to the white man’s world. At first he rejected life there, even though he was with his widowed mother, brothers and sisters. He didn’t remember any of them and couldn’t even converse in their language. Eventually he accepted their ways, married and became a good citizen, though he still retained his Comanche tribal rights and privileges, and remained a friend of Quanah Parker.

I have read many accounts of captured whites, many of whom preferred to remain with the Indians who had become family to them. This account is perhaps one of the most famous of the captivity stories. Though it has some gruesome scenes, it has a ring of authenticity. I found Herman Lehmann’s account of his nine years with the Indians riveting.

Book Review: Finding Chika

Posted on June 5, 2023 by Mary

“What we carry defines who we are and the effort we make is our legacy.”
Mitch Albom

Finding Chika: A Little Girl, an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family by Mitch Albom is an emotional, moving story of love and loss.

Chika Jeune was born three days after Haiti’s devastating earthquake of 2010. Her extremely poor family was dealt another tragedy when Chika’s mother died giving birth to another child. Chika, three, was brought to the Have Faith Haiti Orphanage that Albom operates in Port Au Prince.

When Chika was five years old, she developed a weakness in one leg and a droopy eyelid that was later diagnosed as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, DIPG, which had already advanced to grade 4. There was no help for her in Haiti. Janine and Mitch Albom, in their late fifties and with no children of their own, brought Chika to their home in Michigan, hoping to find a cure for the little girl. They took her to C. S. MOTT Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where they performed surgery on Chika’s brain. They were able to remove only ten percent of the invading tissue because the mass involved too much of the brain. The mass was somewhat diminished by radiation, but subsequent treatments were ineffective. Twice they took her to Cologne, Germany, but the treatment received wasn’t a lasting one. In the meantime, the little girl became a cherished member of the Albom household with her bravery, self-assurance and wonderful sense of humor.

Finding Chika is yet another example of Mitch Albom’s impressive, heartrending work. He tells his story in hindsight, and through imagined conversations with Chika herself. The memoir shows how dedication and love can bring unimagined blessings. This would be a good audio book—it was sometimes hard to read through tears.

North Cascades National Park: Wilderness at Its Best

Posted on May 29, 2023 by Mary

North Cascades National Park in northern Washington State is our kind of place—more than 94 percent of it is protected wilderness. We love to visit and participate in the many aspects of the park including hiking, camping, and water activities. The park shelters grizzly bears and gray wolves, plus more than 200 bird species.

Driving along scenic State Route 20 there’s plenty to see: majestic conifer-clad mountains, glaciers and lakes. Along the way viewpoints lead to hiking trails such as Cascade Pass Trail and the steep Thunder Creek Trail. Crystal clear Diablo Lake, Ross Lake and Lake Chelan offer boating and fishing in season.

Campers have their choice of four campgrounds along State Route 20: Goodell Creek, Newhalem, Colonial Creek and Gorge Lake. We recently camped at Newhalem and found the campsites spacious and with the perfect combination of privacy and convenience. The campground has three loops totaling 107 sites, with each loop containing restrooms and a central water supply. There are also two group camps plus 13 walk-in sites.

Although Newhalem Campground is private and secluded, the town of Newhalem, a visitor center and other amenities are only a short distance away. The Newhalem Visitor Center is one of the finest in the state with exhibits depicting wildlife, complete with sound, a relief map of the park and adjacent forests, a theater featuring video presentations, a sales area with books, maps, videos and other items related to the park, plus several short accessible interpretive trails.

We especially enjoyed three short hikes from the campground. The “Meet a Tree Trail” meanders around the forest with signage identifying various trees found in the area. The “Rock Shelter Trail” took us to a 1,400 year old hunting camp sheltered by a large boulder alongside Newhalem Creek. “Trail of the Cedars” is a self guided nature trail that identifies a wide variety of native plants and animals.

Camping season at North Cascades National Park typically stretches from May to September. State Route 20 is normally closed November through early May depending on snow levels, so plan your visit to North Cascades National Park during late spring through fall.

Before you go, check road conditions online
For more information about North Cascades National Park, visit
https://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm

Book Review: The Bargain

Posted on May 22, 2023 by Mary

The Bargain: An American Historical Romance Novel by Irene Bennett Brown is a wonderful example of what this author does best: writing historical western novels. The story begins in New Hampshire, 1885.

Clare Hobb’s powerful family runs a successful lumber, flour and cloth mill. Unfortunately, her father suffered a brain injury when a horse kicked him in the head. Since then, his brothers have treated him with ridicule, belittling him when he performs at a slower pace, or becomes confused, torment that actually makes his condition worse. When an accident happens that kills one of the brothers, Clare’s father is blamed.

Clare is in love with Larken, a neighboring farmer, whom her uncles and their wives disdain, claiming he is “beneath” them. Seeking a better life, Larken leaves with his mother and younger brother to start a new life in Kansas, hoping that Clare’s family will follow. Unfortunately, she never receives his letters, and she has no way to reach him. The situation with Clare’s father worsens and her family has to flee New Hampshire. In the meantime, Clare finally receives the “lost” letters and now they, too, are bound for Kansas, leaving behind the family business, determined to start anew. Clare wonders if their fresh start will include Larken.

The Bargain reminds me how tough life was in that time period, not only in attitudes about class and “stations in life,” but also the difficulty in eking out a living with scarce resources. It took determination, sacrifice, frugality and the willingness to help one another to scratch out a living. Irene Bennett Brown is a master in bringing to life attitudes and living conditions of the time. The Bargain is a good, wholesome read, full of character and customs of the period.

Book Review: Dollbaby

Posted on May 15, 2023 by Mary

Dollbaby, a novel by Laura Lane McNeal, is an unforgettable story that takes place in New Orleans beginning 1964.

Liberty (Ibby) Bell, twelve, is still grieving the sudden death of her father when her mother drives her from Olympia, Washington to her grandmother’s house in New Orleans, Louisiana. They arrive at an old mansion that looks as though time had passed it by a century ago. Ibby’s mother, a bitter woman, leaves her daughter at her mother-in-law’s, together with an urn of her husband’s ashes, and says, “Be sure to tell her it’s a gift from me.”

For many years Ibby expects her mother to come back for her. Her grandmother, the Black household staff, Queenie and her daughter, Dollbaby, make sure she feels welcomed and wanted.

The South in those years was another world, steeped in traditions. But much of that was about to change as the new Civil Rights Act is introduced and sit-ins, protests, and racial tensions became commonplace, along with the demonstrations over the controversial Vietnam War.

Dollbaby covers a period of eight eventful years. We learn about Ibby’s grandmother’s colorful past, feel the devotion and comfort Ibby feels from her grandmother, Queenie, and Dollbaby. Ibby learns about her family’s secrets, betrayals, and violence, but also about unconditional love. The story is packed with wonderful words of wisdom, such as, “You have to live the life given to you,” and my favorite, “You got to dance even when there ain’t no music.” Dollbaby is a remarkable story, steeped in Southern tradition and charm. I highly recommend this heartfelt novel of family, southern customs, loyalty and love.

Book Review: The Cowboy and His Elephant

Posted on May 8, 2023 by Mary

The Cowboy and His Elephant: The Story of a Remarkable Friendship by Malcom MacPherson warmed my heart.

The story begins in the late 1980s on the plains of southern Africa. A baby elephant, weighing about 150 pounds, was born into a herd of elephants. A single elephant can eat more than 300 pounds of food a day necessitating a herd to constantly move in their quest for food. They can easily trample down fences and they were becoming a threat to a local tribe, eating crops in the fields, and endangering tribesmen. When the baby elephant was two years old, the entire herd was “culled,” slaughtered within a few moments. Only the baby’s life was spared. She was named Amy and transported to America to be sold.

Bob Norris was a successful Colorado cattle rancher and horse breeder. The T-Cross Ranch was one of the larger ranches in North America. A handsome fellow, Bob became the Marlboro Man and appeared on TV and billboards all over the world. But that’s another story. One day a fellow came by the T-Cross asking if he could temporarily rent some stalls in Bob’s huge barn. The fellow needed a place to house a few baby elephants, just until they were sold. He managed to sell all but Amy. Norris’s heart went out to the pitiful little thing. She was obviously severely traumatized, terrified and bewildered. He bought the elephant, knowing how incongruous having an elephant on a ranch would be, but not fully realizing the impact it would have on his life.

An incredible bond developed between the rancher and the baby elephant. Bob felt his first obligation was to help Amy overcome her fear of the world, of her mistrust of humans. Gradually she began to trust him and to discover how to play with some of the ranch animals. Amy would accompany Bob on chores and became a beloved member of the Norris family. Her intelligence was obvious. She learned to open gates, to turn on faucets, to outsmart the other animals.

Elephants continue to grow throughout their life. It was clear that Amy’s life on the T-Cross could not go on forever. Bob’s goal was to help her develop confidence. Her bulk and grace were obvious. Bob discovered there was no better friend, but if she chose, no worse enemy. She needed to be with other elephants, to find her real place in the world. Bob’s goal now was to find a permanent home for Amy, a challenge that took time, determination and resources.

I loved The Cowboy and His Elephant which deals with two of my favorite subjects: cowboys and elephants. The author vividly describes the various settings of the story, the strong personalities of both Bob and Amy, and the plight of the elephant in the wild, and in captivity.

Caught in Conflict

Posted on May 1, 2023 by Mary

My heart goes out to the civilians caught up in the conflict between rival factions of the military in Sudan that began in April 2023. The warring conflict reminds me of the terror we experienced during an attempted coup d’ etat while we served with the Peace Corps in the tiny West African country of The Gambia.

In 1981 my husband, Bruce, and I happened to be in the capital city of Banjul, 250 long miles from our village in Mansajang. We had been called to the country’s Peace Corps headquarters for our exit physicals, since we were nearing the end of our two-year tour of duty and were scheduled to leave in September. We traveled light since we’d only planned to be in Banjul two or three days.

We had taken care of our business and were ready to return to Mansajang. Much to our consternation, we couldn’t get out of Banjul—the entire city was locked down. Main intersections were blocked with tanks and military personnel carriers. Turning on the radio, we were chilled to hear frantic announcements that a military coup had effectively closed down the capitol city and much of the country.

While the president of The Gambia, Sir Dawda Jawara, was in England to attend the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Diana, rebels took advantage of his absence to attempt a coup.

After some scurrying around, we ended up at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence. Though nice it wasn’t the grand residence usually associated with a high-ranking officer’s home. The concrete house wasn’t particularly large—certainly not for the 118 people seeking refuge: Americans, Germans, Swedes, Canadians, Indians, and a few tourists.

Bruce’s skills as a licensed radio operator proved to be a valuable asset. He manned both short-range and a medium-range radios, allowing communication between embassies and to the State Department in the United States.

It was a harrowing eight days of mortars thundering close-by, making the house shudder, plus flurries of rapid gunfire, yelling, and screaming. We ran dangerously short of food, couldn’t take showers because of a diminishing water supply, the electricity was spotty, and nerves were frayed with the crowded conditions. Later we learned that more than 500 people were killed in the fray.

Amazingly, it was British Special Air Service commandos and troops from neighboring Senegal who came to the rescue. A helicopter landed on the beach near the Ambassador’s residence and two Special Air Services men, dressed in civilian clothes and armed with MP5s and Browning 9mm pistols, plus hand grenades, called on us, used the radio, and warned us that there soon would be heavy combat noise and to stay inside, assuring us the coup would soon end. The two men had flown in with Senegalese Forces, some of whom surrounded the residence for our protection. Within a very short time, the coup was over.

We Peace Corps people were flown in a US Military C-130 to Senegal for two weeks while the country settled down. We were then free to go back to our villages. I couldn’t wait to tell my Gambian friends where we had been. But they already knew—they’d heard all about it on the drums. The talking drums, now there’s a mystery. But that’s another story.

Note: Read more about this and other stories in my memoir, TUBOB: Two Years in West Africa with the Peace Corps.