This Week at Monday Creek: Autumn

Autumn greetings from Monday Creek!

Tomorrow is the last day of September. The year seemed slow at first, then all at once it twirled and the endless summer ended. Hot days and sultry nights filled with starry skies and lightning bugs is now a memory. I will miss the summer of 2023, but press forward to exciting new endeavors as the year winds down.

We've news at Monday Creek Publishing and our authors have been working on new titles, new art, and tons of networking. Book marketing is a lifelong journey and authors who embrace authorship know that a book they've written is a part of them - just like an arm or a leg (almost). 

New this month at Monday Creek Publishing...

1) No One Cheers for Goliath: My Leadership Journey by award-winning author Timothy J. Brown, Ph.D., is now available in hardcover

2) Poetry and Pearls II: Romantic Poetry by N.R.Hart is now available in hardcover. 

3) Kathy S. Elasky, Children's Lit Author, received the NYC Big Book Distinguished Favorite Award for the cover of Pudgy Possum the Brave: How Pudgy Got His Name. The third book in the Pudgy Possum series will launch in October.  

4) T.W. Harvey, Historical Fiction writer, received his second NYC Big Book Distinguished Favorite Award, Military Fiction for Answering Lincoln's Call: War in America. The third book in Harvey's Civil War trilogy will launch in October.

5) We are working on Turtley Awesome Journal by Jennifer Kempton of Shelled Ones & Friends. The journal will release in October.

6) Our VistaPrint website has been taken over by Wix (to our dismay). What a bad move by VistaPrint, but mostly for us because we have to get used to a new platform, etc. Look for our totally revamped website sometime in October (however, if the weather is super nice, this will be postponed until November).

7) We have a full house of authors for the Hocking Hills Book Fair at The Dairy Barn, Athens, Ohio. The event will be Saturday, December 9, 2023. See the Author Directory here and follow the Hocking Hills Book Fair on Facebook!

8) Finally, we would like to give a shout-out to one of our favorites - Cornerstone Homestead, Marietta, Ohio. They have yummy homemade treats, as well as creamy lotions and soaps. Follow Cornerstone Homestead on Facebook and Insta.

Enjoy the journey to October!

Gina

Monday Creek Publishing

Hocking Hills Book Fair

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

www.gmcknight.com

 

Milliron Monday: Letters Home March 5 1960

 

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith. 

"Does Pete need any of these? Let me know."

― Virginia Haley (Jody's mother)

Jody's letter home to Mansfield, Ohio. Backstory: In the envelope folded in the letter is a photo of Pete and Jody's niece, Debbie, and a Box Sale for Men flyer from the Higbee Company, Cleveland, Ohio.

917 Remington

Fort Collins, Colorado

Saturday, March 5, 1960

Hi All,

    Thanks for the postcards, letters, etc., Mom. We got the airmail letter from Illinois in yesterday's mail and the 4 cent one today. 

    The blue and white checked skirt and blouse arrived last Monday and the 3 piece pedal-pushers, etc. came Thursday. I sure like that color of blue. Thank you so much for both outfits. I'll definitely have to begin wearing all your gifts in another week or two; I'm slowly but surely losing the "battle of the bulge" but I guess that's sort of to be expected after five months. It'll be exciting to start wearing all these new clothes - just wish they weren't maternity clothes, but sure glad to have such nice ones, Mom.

    I'm glad to hear that nothing too drastic has happened to my ballerina picture.

    Also glad to hear that Gary's doing so well.

    The clippings on Europe were interesting.

    I don't think I need any more formals for a while but thank you anyhow.

    I'm sure Pete could use any of the things listed in the Higbee box sale - particularly shorts or undershirts - except handkerchiefs. He received quite a few handkerchiefs for Christmas.

    The temperature got up to 30 today (after going down to -20 below frequently for the last two weeks) so Pete and I went for a sleighride. It surely was fun! And such a nice study break. Finals are next week so it's study, study, study!

    Yesterday was my last day of work in the bookstore - glad that's over.

Love, 

Jody

Previous Letters Home: 

Sept 15, 1959 

Oct 16, 1959

Oct 26, 1959 

N0v 22, 1959

Dec 2, 1959

Dec 13, 1959

Jan 17, 1960

Jan 23, 1960 

Jan 31, 1960

Feb 5, 1960 

Feb 12, 1960 

Feb 27, 1960

~  ~ 

  

Connect with Gina...

Milliron Facebook Page

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.

  

Milliron Monday: Letters Home Feb 27 1960

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith. 

"One thing I could use, though, would be a pair of maternity Levi's."

― Jody Smith

Jody's letter home to Mansfield, Ohio. Backstory: Pooh is Pete and Jody's cat. Jody is four months pregnant, in her last quarter at Colorado State, and continues to ride Starboy. 

917 Remington

Fort Collins, Colorado

Sunday, February 27, 1960

Hi All,

    Thanks for the recent letters. Looks as though you've been traveling about quite a bit. Thanks also for the clippings, magazine articles, etc., the one on names was particularly interesting.

    Am returning the insurance policy form. What is it for anyhow? I didn't even know you had it. It seems kind of silly to be paying on it now if it's life insurance for me.

    Glad to hear that you got to see Arlo and Virginia. Hope they're going through Colorado sometime and can stop here.

    We've been having lots of cold weather and some snow. I hitched Starboy up to the sleigh this afternoon (I converted the cart) and we really skimmed over the fields but there isn't enough snow on the roads.

    Haven't received the shirts or blue checked dress you mentioned, but they will probably show up soon. 

    Pete gave Pooh a bath this evening, much to Pooh's dismay. He's still quite upset with us.

    We're still enjoying the ham, Jess; fried with eggs for breakfast and cold for sandwiches.

    Thank heavens this quarter is nearly over, only one more week of classes and then finals. So far, I've managed to move the buttons over on my skirts and wear bulky sweaters so I haven't been wearing maternity clothes. I'm afraid I'll have to begin putting them on after spring vacation

    In answer to your question as to whether or not I need anything, I think you're more than amply supplying me. One thing I could use, though, would be a pair of maternity Levi's since I hate to wear those nice black slacks you sent out to the barn. My old Levi's still fit but they're sure getting snug. If they don't sell them "back east" I can probably get them here through Sears catalogue. 

Love, 

Jody

     

Previous Letters Home: 

Sept 15, 1959 

Oct 16, 1959

Oct 26, 1959 

N0v 22, 1959

Dec 2, 1959

Dec 13, 1959

Jan 17, 1960

Jan 23, 1960 

Jan 31, 1960

Feb 5, 1960 

Feb 12, 1960 

Feb 21, 1960

~  ~ 

  

Connect with Gina...

Milliron Facebook Page

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.

  

Milliron Monday: Letters Home Feb 21 1960

 

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith. 

"How does Jessica Lynn sound for a little girl?"

― Jody Smith

Jody's letter home to Mansfield, Ohio. Backstory: At 21, Jody is pregnant, continues to ride Starboy, attends college, and keeps house. Anticipating the new baby, packages arrive weekly to the Smith household from Jody's parents.

917 Remington

Fort Collins, Colorado

Sunday, February 21, 1960

Dear Mom,

    I certainly hope you have a very happy birthday. Sorry we can't be there to celebrate but we'll sure be thinking of you.

    Thank you so much for the last package. The little suitcase will certainly be handy when it comes time to take our young'un visiting. Starboy is elated with the sugar. He hasn't had any since last spring. Pooh appreciates his mouse very much. He carts it all over the apartment and also takes it to bed with him. Thanks also for the Constant Comment tea. Its really a nice change from Liptons when we have company. I enjoyed the Jordan almonds tremendously. I don't think poor Pete got more than two out of the whole box. Thank you for the diapers, Swiss candy, toys, baby magazine, etc. 

    Hope I haven't forgotten to mention anything. Oh, yes, thanks also for the baby names book. Of course, if it's okay, we won't have any decisions to make. How does Jessica Lynn sound for a little girl? We'll probably change our minds a dozen times between now and July. I'll send that insurance policy back in my next letter.

    Did you ever find Mike's pedigree? 

    Starboy is losing some weight, so we bought him 50 lbs cracked corn which should have him fattened up pretty quick (along with his hay, molasses and oats, cattle cake, and the little grass that's left). He is in real good shape - he's all muscled up like a real athlete.

    I went to pay the doctor my regular visit and everything's fine except that I've gained too much weight - 7 pounds - so I'll have to cut out candy and such completely. 

    We've really been living it up. Last weekend we had wonderful steaks with all the trimmings at the best steak place in town and then to a show with Les and Hope, thanks to your Valentine money. This last Friday night Burr and Lou Betts were in town for an Arabian Horse Club meeting (he's president) and they took us to the smorgasbord at the Northern.

    Lots of "birthday love" along with the "regular love",

Love, 

Jody

     

Previous Letters Home: 

Sept 15, 1959 

Oct 16, 1959

Oct 26, 1959 

N0v 22, 1959

Dec 2, 1959

Dec 13, 1959

Jan 17, 1960

Jan 23, 1960 

Jan 31, 1960

Feb 5, 1960 

Feb 12, 1960

~  ~ 

  

Connect with Gina...

Milliron Facebook Page

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.

  

Milliron Monday: Letters Home Feb 12 1960

 

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith. 

"Pete seems to be doing better this quarter with his studying. That vet school is really tough."

― Jody Smith

Jody's letter home to Mansfield, Ohio. Backstory: Simmy is Jody's best friend and was her Maid-of-Honor. Les and Hope Rivers were Pete and Jody's lifetime friends. As a teenage cowboy, Pete worked with Les on a nearby ranch. The horse skeleton Pete assembled was a fixture at Milliron Clinic for many years, as well as Sydney, the skeleton of a greyhound from the track where Pete worked while in vet school.

917 Remington

Fort Collins, Colorado

Friday, February 12, 1960

Dear All,

    Well, it's still like Christmas around here. Thanks so much for all the latest gifts. The ham, bacon, pancake flour, syrup, and sausages arrived in fine shape, Jess. Thanks so much. We'll really be eating well around here. The bacon is extra delicious. I'm saving the ham for a Sunday night dinner to which I've invited Simmy since I haven't even had her over for dinner yet. Thanks loads for the fruit, too. Those grapefruit are so good I even ate one for dessert instead of pie. A couple of the oranges were spoiled but the others are certainly nice, juicy and easy to peel.

    Thanks much, Mom, for the $10. We're going out to dinner tomorrow night with Les and Hope Rivers. We always have a nice time with them. We spent last Sunday with them at the ranch where they work. It's really pretty country. They gave us a whole hindquarter of deer so it's really nice to see all that frozen venison in our freezer - nice on the pocketbook too. The little "flower girl" arrived alright. We've been attempting to grow a sweet potato vine which is now threatening to take over the kitchen. I removed the vase's pretty bouquet and put one of the sweet potatoes in it. It looks a lot nicer there than it did in the old peanut butter jar.

    As far as going on for a master's at this time, I'm still considering it, but I really don't feel I want to very badly. Thank you for the offer of a sitter but I'm sure it'll be important for me to be the one taking care of it although our young'un might not particularly care.

    Had a short, nice ride after my 3-4:00 class this afternoon. It's supposed to be in the 40's again tomorrow so perhaps I'll get some more riding in. Starboy is really in nice shape. He's still his sweet old self though, even though he does feel so good and frisky.

    Pete's pretty well cut down on extra jobs but he's still pretty busy keeping the rooming house in shape (he does all the things for that - heat, light, water, phone, bills; cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming halls twice a week, repairing things, etc.); he also shoes and trims horses when he gets the chance and is putting a greyhound skeleton together for a vet in Denver.

    Oh yes, we now have a horse in our house! Pete moved his horse skeleton, which he built last year, in from the garage. The horse was a little bigger than Starboy so you can imagine how much of his study room it takes up.

    He's gotten his contract for the track job this summer. We'll be living here and he'll be riding to Denver with Dr. Frandson, a vet who lives in Loveland and works at the track with him.

    Guess I've asked you this before but without much success. What happened to my ballerina picture? I surely hope it didn't get lost en route. If he doesn't have that frame or glass or something, just have him put a cheap, plain frame on it.

    We got a cute valentine from Terry Ken Everett, the little neighbor boy of McArthur's. 

    Pete seems to be doing better this quarter with his studying. That vet school is really tough.

    Guess I can't complain much; got a 100% and a 99% on the two large tests we've had so far (I and a graduate student were the only two to get those grades, so I was feeling pretty cocky. Unfortunately we're having another logic test Monday which I'm not so sure of. Also got a 95% on the Ar91 test, 97% was highest). Haven't gotten our E167 test or mid-term back of it.

    Did you find Mike's pedigree?

    Enclosed is Gary Franklin's picture. Thanks for sending it.

Bye now, Love,

Jody

Previous Letters Home: 

Sept 15, 1959 

Oct 16, 1959

Oct 26, 1959 

N0v 22, 1959

Dec 2, 1959

Dec 13, 1959

Jan 17, 1960

Jan 23, 1960 

Jan 31, 1960

Feb 5, 1960

~  ~ 

  

Connect with Gina...

Milliron Facebook Page

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.