The Talespinners

About the Book

If you have ever been camping overnight you have probably spent time around a campfire telling jokes and stories to pass the time. That is the origin of this book–not campfire tales, but evening entertainment because that’s all there was in the early 1900s. There were no televisions or DVDs. There was only family conversation where the interesting events of the day were related and probably embellished and most certainly used for teasing and joking. Many of these events have survived in the form of short anecdotes that live in the memories of the younger generation–like me.

Here you will find:

Romance

“We could get a sack of meal and a jug of molasses and live fat all winter.” [The Proposal]

Politics

“Philip announced that he guessed he would have to be a Democrat when he grew up, ‘cause I can’t say pudican.’” [How to Choose a Political Party]

Adventure

“I think there is a crick (Hoosier for creek) just about here-re-re!!” [Coon Huntin’]

Suspense and drama

“Where’s Edwin?”

“He’s down by the corn crib.”

“What’s he doing down there?”

“Oh, he’s just hangin’ there.” [Climbing the Corn Crib]

You will also find a window into the life of those who made their living from the land without benefit of modern technology and transportation–a hard but satisfying life.  So pull a chair up to the stove and discover that the “simple life” was not always as sedate as it seems in history books.

About the Author

Shirley Oliver Walker is a life-long resident of Indiana, growing up on a farm between Bloomington and Ellettsville. As a county girl, Shirley enjoyed the life depicted in many of the situations related in this book. The work was hard but there was always something to chuckle about.

Shirley has always had an interest in writing. She spent several years as News Editor of The Journal, a weekly newspaper published in Ellettsville, and eleven years as a faculty secretary at the Indiana University School of Law. Shirley has also published articles in The Indianapolis Star Sunday Magazine and in Grit and she is an active member of the Bloomington Area Christian Writers.

With George, her husband of 53 years, she lives in the country not far from the home farm. They have two children, four grandchildren, and a good crop of great grandchildren coming up.