tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post1269825808615737456..comments2024-03-27T03:14:07.652-04:00Comments on Seekerville: The Journey Continues: Five Reasons to Read - And Write - the Oregon Trail with guest blogger Kathleen D. BaileyMissy Tippenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-15490957068148576442022-07-29T16:18:57.303-04:002022-07-29T16:18:57.303-04:00The giveaways are announced in the Weekend Edition...The giveaways are announced in the Weekend Edition which will be posted on Saturday.<br />Sandy Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920692341258066387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-30372995105558172842022-07-29T11:49:13.261-04:002022-07-29T11:49:13.261-04:00Who won the giveaway for this post?Who won the giveaway for this post?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-71922672708115506792022-07-26T21:19:11.591-04:002022-07-26T21:19:11.591-04:00Kathy, I knew my grandmother well. I was 32 when s...Kathy, I knew my grandmother well. I was 32 when she passed. She was very special.Sandy Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920692341258066387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-75263174604716583172022-07-26T16:35:58.726-04:002022-07-26T16:35:58.726-04:00I guess that's it. This has been a fun day, as...I guess that's it. This has been a fun day, as all my days with the Seekers are. Thanks so much for stopping by, and to Carrie for hosting me!kaybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473317230010542909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-30438246298810045092022-07-26T15:46:35.230-04:002022-07-26T15:46:35.230-04:00Thanks, Audra. Good points made. And I'm thril...Thanks, Audra. Good points made. And I'm thrilled that you'll soon be writing again!kaybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473317230010542909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-19337946300410946912022-07-26T15:14:24.443-04:002022-07-26T15:14:24.443-04:00Wagon train stories take the reader away on journe...Wagon train stories take the reader away on journeys with none of the amenities American East Coast and British Victorian era enjoy. Talk about hearty folk roughing it along the trail! I think Debby mentioned that schools really don't explore the gritty reality those pioneers endured and I agree, that is too bad. The adventure of crossing the untamed land of our nation might actually inspire kids of all ages to explore beyond their gaming devices and television.<br /><br />I'm so proud of all your successes! <br /><br />AudraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-86781424888341302882022-07-26T15:00:44.990-04:002022-07-26T15:00:44.990-04:00Thanks, Sandy. I'm so glad you love the books!...Thanks, Sandy. I'm so glad you love the books! What a rich heritage you have, and what fun to live in the middle of it all! I had to depend on Google, and in the very earliest stages, encyclopedias and other reference books. (I have been at this series a while.) <br />"Anna Vinita" is a great name! Do you have any family stories about her?<br />kaybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473317230010542909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-34089586034377903142022-07-26T14:58:57.049-04:002022-07-26T14:58:57.049-04:00I keep forgetting that Illinois and Indiana are co...I keep forgetting that Illinois and Indiana are considered the west. Well, I grew up in Illinois and live in Indiana so maybe I should write an Oregon Trail novel soon. Lol.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-77055105438066040522022-07-26T14:51:03.368-04:002022-07-26T14:51:03.368-04:00Kathy, so sorry to be late joining in today. I wan...Kathy, so sorry to be late joining in today. I wanted to be here earlier, but had appointments and shopping all morning. You know that I love the series and was glad to be part of the launch team for Redemption's Hope. I love the Oregon Trail and western stories. After all, I do live on the Oregon Trail. My ancestors didn't travel to Nebraska by way of the Oregon Trail, but my great grandparents came up from Texas by covered wagon. My grandmother was born along the way in Oklahoma Territory. It was near the town of Vinita, OK, and she was named Anna Vinita, but she always went by Vinita as her name. I have seen the entire trail, although not at once. I have visited St. Joe, Missouri where it all started, and I have seen the end of the trail in Oregon City, Oregon. St. Joe has great museums and depicts well the start of the trail. Oregon City was a bit disappointing. They readily admitted to us that their museum needed a lot of work. We actually gave them the contact information to the director of the museum here in Kearney--the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument--which is a museum that spans the interstate. They were excited to get that info. It was 10 years ago we were there, so I hope they were able to improve their museum. My dad grew up in the shadow of the Scottsbluff hills, and whenever we went to visit my grandparents, we passed Chimney Rock. Like the pioneers, it was a landmark for us, as it meant we were half an hour away from their house. So as you can tell, I do love anything related to the Oregon Trail. As you know, I don't need to be entered into the drawing. Whoever wins your prizes will be in for a treat. Glad to see you here today!Sandy Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920692341258066387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-45604748891938880282022-07-26T11:14:03.214-04:002022-07-26T11:14:03.214-04:00Thank you, Debby. You are always so encouraging. A...Thank you, Debby. You are always so encouraging. Another great plot point in our history is the American Revolution, and I am blessed to live an hour and a half from Lexington and Concord. So my current WIP is about that. But the frontier just won't let me go. I haven't done a barroom brawl yet, a cattle drive or the Oklahoma Land Rush. Oh my muse is calling...kaybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473317230010542909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-83846725011965000132022-07-26T11:12:11.121-04:002022-07-26T11:12:11.121-04:00Carolyn, good morning! I was blessed to have you. ...Carolyn, good morning! I was blessed to have you. You write a great review, and you really "get" what I was going for. Keep in touch.kaybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473317230010542909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-13967132144111204572022-07-26T11:11:35.084-04:002022-07-26T11:11:35.084-04:00Oh, Mindy, they are, they are. That's what I w...Oh, Mindy, they are, they are. That's what I was going for -- that there was nobody who would do for either of them but each other. They're both larger-than-life characters who "get" each other. <br />If anyone's blog-hopping today, I also have an interview with Jenny on Kelly Goshorn's "Romancing History." Jenny in her own words...kaybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473317230010542909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-7259284742294072002022-07-26T10:54:23.794-04:002022-07-26T10:54:23.794-04:00So proud of you, KB, and what you've accomplis...So proud of you, KB, and what you've accomplished. In my childhood, wagon train tales were common. Today's kids aren't exposed to them like my generation was, which is a shame. We need more stories like yours that reveal the strength and determination of our early forefathers. They were hearty folks and sacrificed much to settle our country. Thanks for sharing their stories!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-54799025390198574702022-07-26T10:27:56.195-04:002022-07-26T10:27:56.195-04:00I love stories about the old west and especially w...I love stories about the old west and especially wagon train stories. I loved this series and was blessed to be on the launch team for Redemption's Hope. Carolynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10183652593629845085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-34506394278178147582022-07-26T09:56:10.765-04:002022-07-26T09:56:10.765-04:00Kathy, it's obvious there is a lot of passion ...Kathy, it's obvious there is a lot of passion behind these stories. And I've been intrigued by White Bear since you went into that teepee to get to know him better. ;-) He and Blue Eyes sound like a match made in heaven.Mindy Obenhaushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15049730175697756032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-3099731425645000842022-07-26T09:53:52.130-04:002022-07-26T09:53:52.130-04:00Hello, dearest kaybee! Always a joy to have you wi...Hello, dearest kaybee! Always a joy to have you with us - be it on the blog or in the comments :)MeezCarriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09082724442387837601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-1637947393127226532022-07-26T09:51:39.175-04:002022-07-26T09:51:39.175-04:00Thanks Jan, always nice to hear from you. I can on...Thanks Jan, always nice to hear from you. I can only imagine the challenge a Plain family, or group of families, would have on a wagon train full of Englischers. They would be the first ones to be picked on for being "different." And there would be a huge conflict if the train was attacked and the rest of the pioneers took up arms to fight Indians, renegade whites or whatever. Saw this plot on James Arness's "How the West Was Won" and several times on "Wagon Train." Definitely an issue... and there's always the Plain girl who falls for the Englischer guy, or vice versa. <br />Oh Jan, hope your westward migration story simmers and boils over so I can read it!<br />Kathy Bailey<br />Your Kaybee<br />Encouraging other writers in New Hampshirekaybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473317230010542909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-33769916163717864272022-07-26T09:46:20.890-04:002022-07-26T09:46:20.890-04:00Don't have physical book of "Redemption&#...Don't have physical book of "Redemption's Hope" yet, sorry. Good luck with your book. There are thousands of stories that can stem from the Trail, and yours might be one of them.kaybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473317230010542909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-57000414778212248152022-07-26T09:34:23.465-04:002022-07-26T09:34:23.465-04:00Good morning, Kaybee! It's nice to see you on ...Good morning, Kaybee! It's nice to see you on the other side of the blog screen!<br /><br />I'm an avid fan of the West - the westward migration, cowboys, cattle drives, the various Native tribes and their histories. It's all fascinating, especially since I live in the middle of it. <br /><br />One of my Amish historicals takes place on a wagon train. About the time of the first emigrants to Oregon, many Amish were leaving eastern Pennsylvania for points west: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa. It was challenging to write about this fairly small group of people against the ever-changing background as they traveled. <i>Everything</i> posed a challenge for them and external conflict was everywhere. Ever since then, I've had a westward migration series cooking in my mind. Maybe someday it will actually get onto the page!<br /><br />Congratulations on the third book in the series!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-71598767230457353162022-07-26T09:11:12.320-04:002022-07-26T09:11:12.320-04:00This is Kayla James. Wow. I have been watching a l...This is Kayla James. Wow. I have been watching a lot of cowboy shows of late and of course I have heard of the Oregon Trail, but that might be interesting to write. Your post has actually sparked a story premise in my head. It might work. I wonder if I can try and write several manuscripts all at once because I have way too many ideas in my head.<br />Being entered into the drawing might be fun. Are there any physical books in the pack, though? If there are I can't read those, please.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-84611238106954290882022-07-26T08:42:43.865-04:002022-07-26T08:42:43.865-04:00Ruthy, I was hoping you'd stop by, you have al...Ruthy, I was hoping you'd stop by, you have always been an inspiration to me. Yeah, it seems to me that the entire panorama of American history is "raw courage," from the Pilgrims to the Revolution to the Trail to the rich mosaic of American life today. We've made a few mistakes along the way, but who hasn't? Oh, and we also helped whup Hitler, which is one period I will NEVER write in because so many people are doing it better. This is a great country, Ruthy, and I think it's something we both try to show through our work.kaybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473317230010542909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-26650466533875411632022-07-26T08:39:30.084-04:002022-07-26T08:39:30.084-04:00Thank you, Glynis. It's nice to know people wh...Thank you, Glynis. It's nice to know people who "get" what I am doing. <br />kaybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473317230010542909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-15989134250760375292022-07-26T08:08:09.046-04:002022-07-26T08:08:09.046-04:00Kathy, good morning! I love seeing your enthusiasm...Kathy, good morning! I love seeing your enthusiasm not only for the Trail, but for those pioneers... they've been given a kind of short shrift these days. I'm not a fan of that, I see the raw courage that it took to settle the West.... and so many immigrants coming up from Central America, coming in from Asia, and the pioneers, forging their way to new opportunities. Amazing times.... so good to see you here today!<br />Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-67932976554002494532022-07-26T07:55:52.872-04:002022-07-26T07:55:52.872-04:00Kathy, you are correct that the Oregon Trail has ...Kathy, you are correct that the Oregon Trail has fueled the American imagination for a couple of centuries now. I love the fortitude of the pioneer stock and my personal roots are in the Pacific Northwest, so I have a deep love for that area of our beautifull country. I love these books and the characters you've created. Thank you so much for sharing them with the world. Glynishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01764754822702091594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-44530458124792892352022-07-26T07:30:34.786-04:002022-07-26T07:30:34.786-04:00Well good morning, and thanks to Carrie for hostin...Well good morning, and thanks to Carrie for hosting me. I'm thrilled to be here. (I'm here most days opining about something, but I'm thrilled to be here and be INVITED.) I've been hanging around Seekerville for years, back to the "unpubbed island" days. I was a Contest Diva in 2015 and sailed off the island in 2019. I've learned a lot here and made some lifelong friends! I'll be around all day and look forward to answering your questions.kaybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473317230010542909noreply@blogger.com