My book BatÂtered Wings is now availÂable for downÂload on the Whiskey Creek Press webÂsite. It has been like carÂryÂing a baby for nine months. The pain of the burÂden of nourÂishÂing the “child” with good words and editÂing. The conÂstant worÂry about how the “baby” will turn out. Well, as with most childÂbirths, the baby is healthy and well, and today I got conÂfirÂmaÂtion of that when an old friend wrote to say the book was wonÂderÂful. I did a hapÂpy dance across the floor.
Archive for the ‘World War II’ Category
And what do they have to do with my novÂel. Well the wings are the item that inspired my stoÂry. I won a pair of 8th AF sweetÂheart wings on Ebay. I’m a bit of a WWII buff and a colÂlecÂtor of 8th AF memÂoÂraÂbilÂia. Of course I was also assigned to the 8th AF at WestÂover AFB in MassÂaÂchuÂsetts when I served in the Air Force in the earÂly sixÂties. When this pair of wings came up on aucÂtion I jumped at the chance to win them and did. (see below)
After holdÂing them in my hand I tried to imagÂine the stoÂry behind them. Since no hisÂtoÂry of the wings was availÂable, the stoÂry startÂed to unfold in my mind. I enhanced the wings in my mind. Hence BatÂtered Wings was born.
There are lots of sweetÂheart jewÂelÂry items out there in aucÂtion land. Some of it we are lucky enough to know the hisÂtoÂry, but all too many pieces are found in someÂone’s jewÂelÂry box with no note as to how the piece was acquired.
I have seen charm bracelets, neckÂlaces, etc. from the Army, Navy, Marines as well as the Army Air Corp. In fact, milÂiÂtary units of othÂer counÂtries also used sweetÂheart jewÂelÂry to boost morale. It’s great when you can get the hisÂtoÂry of the peoÂple who owned the item but when you can’t, just rememÂber that someÂone loved someÂone enough to give or wear that preÂcious piece.
Cheers,
Kathy