Sold on a Monday

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris. IL: Sourcebook Landmark, 2018. 352 pages. **** Reading Group Guide.

It's 1931, two years after the Stock Market crash and the country is in the middle of the Great Depression. Ellis Reed, a struggling young photographer snaps a picture of two young children playing in front of their farmhouse, but it is the sign on the front porch that captures his attention. "2 Children for Sale" Ellis doesn't intend to exploit their situation, but when a colleague submits the picture to the editor, it becomes Reed's big break. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Reed and his colleague Lillian Palmer, play a role in two other children being removed from their mother and their home. Who gets to decide what is better for a child, a Mother's love or someone financially able to care for them? Reed and Lillian struggle to do the right thing at the risk of losing their jobs and security.

Inspired by an actual newspaper photograph, it is a compelling tale. The extreme poverty, hopelessness, and desperation of that time in history is clearly evident in the premise of parents having to sell their children because they can't feed them. I enjoyed many aspects of this book which included romance, friendship, and redemption. Even in desperation, there is always hope. Like a Dorothea Lange photograph, the story haunts me. The Author's Note describes the original photograph and the subsequent research as background for the book. Definitely a worthwhile and enjoying read.

I received an ecopy for a review.

Kristina McMorris is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author published by Sourcebooks Landmark, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Kensington Books. Her novels have garnered more than two dozen prestigious awards and nominations, including the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, RWA's RITA® Award, and a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction. For more information on Kristina: http://www.kristinamcmorris.com/home

Book Club Guide: http://www.kristinamcmorris.com/pdf/sold-on-a-monday-book-club-guide-aug-2018-comp.pdf

#thegreatdepression #historicalfiction

Quilting Bus Trip

 September 11- 17, 2018

40 women on a bus for 7 days headed to the Fall Paducah Quilt Show and Missouri Star Quilt Company, over 2400 miles and we lived to tell about it.

 This trip was planned by Martin's Sewing Center  and Elite Coach  in Pennsylvania.

We needed to be at the bus by 5:45 am, so we were in the car by 4:44 am. My husband Bob drove us and it was dark!

We were greeted by Eric our driver and Janelle Martin, we were handed a folder with our assigned seats as we boarded the bus.

We are greeted by a Band at the Fall Paducah Quilt Show.

Brandywine Valley Quilt Guild Members pose for a picture at the entrance to the Show.

After seeing the quilts, shopping at the Vendor's booths and trying out the Longarm quilting machines, it was time for an afternoon adult beverage!

The next morning we were off to St. Louis...My sister and I pose in front of the arch and then a rush to buy tickets to actually go in the Arch and to the top.

Some amazing views from the top. 

 Time for lunch..

Next stop The Fairfield Inn  Chillicothe, MO. The excitement builds for Hamilton, MO and the Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Jenny's Trunk Show is fabulous and her message heartfelt...I am impressed by her enthusiasm (she must have given this speech a million times) and her approachability. What is especially touching is that her husband is the quilt holder and he still laughs at all of her jokes!

We were served a delicious lunch of pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans, and coleslaw.

Our Bus Group!

The MSQC Shops are amazing and pictures do not do them justice, you will have to travel there to see them for yourself...

 

Rob Appel of Man Sewing has informative and fun quilt tutorials on Youtube and I am a huge fan. Imagine my surprise when I ran into him at one of the shops, he graciously posed for a picture.

If you are traveling with your husband, MSQC has a store for him too...Mansland.

Last Group pictures before we board the bus, next stop, Indiana!

The last hotel, The Drury Inn in Indianapolis.

 

The hotel had a reception and evening beverages for us, a wonderful way to spend our last night.

I had a wonderful time and would absolutely take another bus trip. More than once, it was suggested that our next trip include a tour of breweries and quilt shops.

If you are considering taking a similar trip, a few suggestions:

• Take a pillow, blanket, snacks, and travel cup for the bus. With 40 women, someone was always hot or cold.
• Movies made the trip go faster...we watched two of the original Gidget movies on the way home...lots of laughs.
• We were offered a bottle of cold water each time we exited and entered the bus. This was always appreciated.
• Headphones are a life saver...some people speak loudly and may talk on their phone while you are trying to nap. 
• Collecting a little extra for the bus driver and tour hostess is a nice thank you. One of our hotels did not have an elevator and some of the rooms were on the second floor, the bus driver carried many suitcases up those steps. (he volunteered, it would have been really difficult if he hadn't) 
• Be courteous and exit the bus quickly (if you can), rest stops are brief and someone may need to go!
• Be on time...all of the ladies on the bus were early and we always left each location on time. 

Enjoy your trip and make sure you partner with someone who is fun! The women in our group were compatible and really enjoyed each other's company. Thank you, Janelle and Eric, for making it a memorable, fun trip.

#missouristarquiltcompany #paducahquiltshow #quiltbustrip #quiltersonabustrip #martinssewingcenter #missouristarquiltcompanybustrip