True Sisters by Sandra Dallas

 

I came across True Sisters by Sandra Dallas while browsing the shelves of my local library.  The cover, a painting of pioneer women walking through tall prairie grass, reminded me of the novel One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus, a fiction story based on a supposed true event.

In One Thousand White Women, Little Wolf (a real person), Chief of Northern Cheyenne Nation, goes to Washington DC in the later 1800’s to talk with President Grant about various treaty proposals (a true event).  During conversations/negotiations, it is rumored that the chief suggested the US Army supply the Cheyenne Nation with 1,000 white women to be the brides of 1,000 warriors. The chief thought that by mixing the races, the whites and natives would gain wisdom of each other’s culture and that by doing so, cultivate peace between the People and white men. (Again, this has NOT been verified, but rather is a rumor or wives’ tale. However, it was all that was needed to spark a story idea for the author.) Of course if it really was suggested, it was denied by the U.S. government.

So as fascinating, entertaining, and informative as 1,000 W.W. was, I decided to give True Sisters a go. As I have blogged about previously, I enjoy learning via historical fiction. This story was no different.

We’ve all heard of Brigham Young, the Mormons, and Salt Lake City. What we may not know is their origin stories. This novel gives (again) a fascinating, entertaining, and informative account.  Let me tell you, it’s as harrowing as any pioneer wagon train across America story ever was. I honestly don’t know how they did it.

Many people from England converted from the harsh, punitive Church of England to a new forgiving, loving, serving religion created by Brigham Young. The Mormons and the Church of Latter Day Saints.

For me this was not a story about religion as much as it was a story of survival.  Did you know that the newly converted Mormons came to the United States, made their way to Iowa City, Iowa where a handcart convoy walked, yes I said walked – and pulled their carts of belongings some 1,300 miles across the prairies and mountains of the interior USA to Salt Lake City, Utah. Additionally, they were only allowed seventeen pounds per person. I think I take more than seventeen pounds of crap with me when I go out of town for the weekend!

Mormon Handcart trek- image via Google @ legionsofamerica.com

From the start, I wondered why they didn’t just carry their stuff on their backs rather than pushing a cart, and by the end of the journey, many of the caravan did… I digress… These people walked through heat and thunderstorms. They walked through icy rivers and over mountains white with blizzards and sub-zero temperatures.

Babies were born along the way and many, many people died. All the while, the handcarts kept moving. Sometimes people didn’t catch up.

Handcart Horrors via historynet.com

Even though they tried to be pious, some stole from others out of desperate hunger. As with any religion, there were charlatans, leaders who gained power, then goaded and persuaded their followers- often ultimately to their death.

If the hardships of nature and  human nature were not enough, the Saints questioned polygamy and Brigham Young, as well as God’s wrath and grace. They wondered if they’d missed signs from God that would have saved them from the hell on earth they were going through.

Of the nearly six hundred who started they journey in Iowa City on July 28, 1856, nearly two hundred died before the handcart caravan reached their destination in Utah on November 30, 1856.

If you’re interested in reading a factual telling of the Mormon Handcart Tragedy,  there are several books out there, including this one by David Roberts, Devil’s Gate: Brigham Young & the Great Mormon Handcart Tragedy .

I am always in awe of the people who came to this unknown and wild land and settled this great country of ours. If you’re a fan of historical fiction relating to the settlement of the United States you might like this book. If you enjoyed One Thousand White Women, you will enjoy this book. If you’re a Mormon or a Latter Day Saint, this book is a must read.

So, I’ll ask: What are you reading? I’m always looking for a good book!

Until next time,

Be Good to Yourself!

~Nadine

Play That Funky Music…

I wish I were more musically inclined.

I don’t sing all that great unless I’m singing with someone (Tim) who can carry a tune. I also sing well with the radio (I think.). But when I sing alone, I’m flat and sharp and just basically out of tune; just ask my granddaughters. They usually ask me to NOT sing them a lullaby before bed. (In fact, my oldest granddaughter, who is seven, has taken it upon herself to sing their lullaby to her younger sisters so that I DON’T to sing it to them!)

I don’t play and instrument, either. I did play the clarinet from sixth through tenth grade, but it was half-hearted attempt because I thought it was too hard. And rhythm? Well, I can keep a simple beat for a while.  Have you ever been to a concert where the audience gets off beat while clapping? I started that.

But, you know what?  I LOVE live music! I’m drawn to it. I’m in awe of the musicians’ abilities. It’s multi-tasking at its finest!

A couple of weeks ago Tim and I saw a group called The Diplomats of Solid Sound. They are a group of nine. Drums, guitars, two saxophones, keyboard, and three what I call “do-whop” girls. And boy could those ladies sing. And dance. Reminded me of the Supremes from back in the day.

The Diplomats of Solid Sound (courtesy of Google Images)

We were at the Triple Crown Whiskey Bar and Raccoon Motel in downtown Davenport, Iowa. Their drinks consisted of about a dozen various beers and every kind of whiskey you could think of. The décor was early 1960’s crap-from-the-garage-attic. It was an interesting and fun venue. And again, the music was amazing!

 

A while back we went to The Redstone Room, also in downtown Davenport. It’s a smallish concert spot supported by River Music Experience. We saw a singer who called himself The Chicago Farmer.

Me taking a “Selfie” AKA Creeping on the Chicago Farmer!

He sang bluesy type songs and told great stories in between. We enjoyed his music so much that we bought one of his CD’s and have memorized every song! My favorite is called Twenty Dollar Bill, and I think had Johnny Cash had the opportunity it would have been one he would have sang and recorded. It’s got bad-ass written all over it!

The Quad Cities is becoming a music destination. Many great artists are coming through our neck of the woods and playing at venues all around the area. And I’m not talking about the people you hear on the radio, although we can see those artists at the Tax Slayer Center in Moline, Illinois just across the Mississippi River from Davenport.

However I’ve noticed a new trend at all these cool music venues- standing room only. Standing for the whole concert. No chairs, or at least very few. And it’s awkward when you get there early to just stand in the middle of a half empty room, waiting for it to fill up.  When it does fill up, I have to be up close to the stage because at 5 foot 2 inches, I wouldn’t be able to see the band if I were not up close.

Triple Crown Whisky Bar and Raccoon Motel (google images)

I don’t know why or how this trend started. Maybe because you can pack in a whole lot more people standing that you can seating them. Or maybe it started because the people in floor seating at acts in big arenas like the Tax Slayer Center, stand up during the whole concert. I never get seats on the floor.  Can’t see.

Maybe at our next concert I can sit on Tim’s shoulders. You know, Woodstock style! That would be a trip!

 

Until next time, listen to some music and

 

Be Good to Yourself!

 

~Nadine