Memories from the Attic

About the Book

To Catch a Poem Poetry’s like the wind you know, Words fly by they come they go. You rush to put your thoughts to pen, For they may not return again. The best are caught when emotions are high, Snatching them up as they go by. Now a calm arrives... You scratch your head, The words are gone, your poem is dead. Then a stirring starts and before you know, You are writing as fast as your pen can go. Unannounced a tempest may sweep you away As a poem knows neither night nor day. Don’t be afraid to open your heart, For that is the place a poem starts. One day in the attic cold and gray, They will find the poems that you tucked away. And just like the wind, they will never die, For you captured the heart as the words flew by. Ruby Palmer ~June 1999

About the Author

Family Ruby Palmer was born in Roseau, Minnesota but raised in Englewood, Colorado. Her father, Milton E. Ostby, was a carpet-layer and served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. Her mother, Isabel (Huerd) Ostby, was a homemaker. Both have since gone home to be with the Lord. She is the middle child of five, three boys and two girls, but two of her brothers have passed away. Ruby married in 1969 and was a faithful military wife for many years. This marriage produced four beautiful children, but regrettably ended in 1994. On May 21, 2008, Ruby married Larry Palmer of Charlotte, North Carolina where they currently reside. They have 4 children: Amy, Douglas, Sara and Jeremy; and 19 grandchildren who reside all over the world. Professional Work and Medical Challenges Ruby is proud to be called a life-long homemaker, raising 4 children as well as being a talented cook, barber, seamstress, artist and interior decorator. As her children grew, her professional interest turned to nursing. She successfully completed training as a Certified Nursing Assistant, but her nursing career was cut short by a severe medical condition in her feet. Despite this difficulty and other trials of life, she returned to a skill she honed as a homemaker and started a clothing alteration business. An unfortunate accident caused a severe disability to her left arm, which left her unable to perform the detailed tasks required of a seamstress. After much self-instructed therapy she eventually regained regain the use of her left arm and secured employment in the secretarial field. She worked four years in this field before she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and was unable to continue working. Although wheel-chair bound, she was even more determined to get well and make something of her life. Because of how much she has suffered from medical disabilities, Ruby has a passion for researching alternative medical treatments. Through this effort, she was able to bring several conditions into remission including Arthritis, Lupus, and MS. In additional to all of this, writing poetry has been a passionate hobby throughout the past 48 years. In times of tribulation and trials, as well as time of joy and happiness she has been able to express her feelings through her poetry. Education Ruby did not finish High School with her peers, but in testament to her determination she resumed her education as an adult and was awarded her General Education Diploma in 1976. Ruby also attended some undergraduate classes at the University of Tyler in Longview, Texas but she continues to believe that her life’s experiences are her best education.