Seven Year Old Goes To Prison!

     Have you entered my drawing?  Maybe I need to put some kind of a link on the side to keep you all updated.  Now, if I can only figure out how to do that, I'll set up a picture or sumpin' er' other over there on the side.  The drawing goes until Tax Day; April 15th, at midnight. For a full break-down, go to this link.

     The prize is a full set of the books written by Donna Aviles. The titles of those books are:

          1) FLY LITTLE BIRD, FLY

          2) BEYOND THE ORPHAN TRAIN

          3) PEANUT BUTTER FOR CUPCAKES

     These books tell the true story of Oliver Nordmark, who was an actual rider on one of America's Orphan Trains.  Donna Nordmark Aviles, Oliver's granddaughter and the author, takes us from when Oliver, at seven years of age, was sent to prison.  Prison!  At seven years old!  We see Oliver and his brother, Edward, snatched from their home and placed in a very strict orphanage... after Oliver spends time in prison, of course.

     If you haven't read these books, you truly don't know what you are missing. For your chance to win, here are the rules:

          1) Be a follower on my blog

          2) Be a follower on Donna's blog
          3) Get one more person to follow on Donna's blog

          4) VERY IMPORTANT!  Let me know on the post where I first mentioned the drawing that you have done those three things so I will be able to see all of the entries in one place.

     For seventy-five years, children were shipped by train to points unknown within the United States.  That so much history could have been buried and forgotten is beyond comprehension.  Donna Aviles does a good job of bringing us up-to-date on this hidden time in our history.  She is fairly new in Bloglandia, so let's give her a great big welcome by sending lots of followers her way, shall we?  And 'til the next time, keep a hug on.

~ Yaya

An Update And A Drawing

     Yesterday, Donna Aviles was back with us and shared more about her family and the many experiences that developed as a result of her grampa's trip on an Orphan Train.  I have tried to imagine what it must have been like for so many children to be separated from everything they knew and be dropped down among strangers.  There simply is no way I can draw a proper image of how difficult it must have been for those children, even in the best of circumstances.

     Of course Oliver, Donna's granddad, and her Uncle Edward fell far-shy of the best circumstances and it affected them in every aspect for the rest of their lives.

     After Donna left, yesterday, I thought of more questions I wanted answers to and she was kind enough to allow me some extended time for answers.  In fact, she has been most helpful and encouraging since I met her.  Below are her responses.  You'll want to read to the end because there is a surprise at the end of this post and I truly hope you will join in for some fun.

     Here, then, are the things I still wanted to know and Donna's very informative replies.  Don't forget to read yesterday's interview to learn quite a bit more about Donna's family and the Orphan Train experience.  Now, let's begin.

Yaya:  Donna, this is the most intriguing title from any of the three books. PEANUT BUTTER FOR CUPCAKES.  Could you please tell us how you came up with this and was this something that popped into your mind, long after you began writing. Or, did the name of the book come first?

Donna:  The "working title" was OLIVER'S CHILDREN.  The idea for the title, PEANUT BUTTER FOR CUPCAKES, came to me after I wrote about the time Benny was in school and for lunch he brought his usual, peanut butter on bread.  It was all he ever brought.  Another student - one of wealthier means - opened up his lunch bag and brought out 2 cupcakes with green icing.  Benny tried and tried to convince the boy to trade a cupcake...or even part of a cupcake... for his "delicious, creamy peanut butter" but to no avail.  He told himself that someday, he'd have all the cupcakes he wanted. (and as my father, I know that he still has an insatiable sweet tooth to this day and he just turned 81!)  So the title refers to that story.  But in fact, it has a second meaning as well. Oliver's children lived what could be categorized as a "peanut butter" sort of life.  But in the end, they all found the sweetness of "cupcakes" through hard work and love of family.

Yaya:  Do you have any of the items that were owned by Oliver from his childhood or any of his children's articles from their childhood?

Donna:  Yes, we have his tiny, pocket size book of Bible verses and prayers that he carried with him on the train. He carried it with him even as an adult. We also have his favorite belt buckle.

Yaya:  I don't know if Donna will be able to stop in, but if you're listening, Donna, this has truly been a wonderful time of learning for me.  As much as I thought I knew about the Orphan Trains, my education has been increased so much by visiting your blog and your website and having you here to share your story.  I am anxious to have you back here soon to talk to us about your last book, some more.  I feel that there is so much more to discuss.  You have certainly enlightened me on many aspects of what the children went through during that forgotten period in American history.  I am, in fact, in the process of reading your books again.  I'm sure that anyone who reads them will learn a great deal and enjoy the trip, in the process.
 
     Now, my friends, I promised you a surprise.  You see, I so believe in Donna's books and in the work she is doing in spreading the word about seventy-five years of forgotten history that I want to help her in her efforts by having a giveaway.
 
     So, here's what I've come up with.  Donna is a new blogger and I remember how difficult it was when I was starting out.  The most mysterious part of blogging, for me, was the elusive Follower.  Donna has no idea that I am posting this message on my blog, but I really want to help her out.
 
     These books are amazing.  I think everyone should have a chance to read them.  Now, I can't quite afford to get the whole set and give away, but I will buy Donna's third book, PEANUT BUTTER FOR CUPCAKES and give it away to the winner of this next contest.
 
     All you have to do is follow Donna's blog and get one other person to follow her blog (and if you aren't yet a follower on mine, it would sure make me feel good if you followed me, as well).  I don't want to go into a lot of elaborate rules for entering.
 
     1) All I'm asking is for you to follow this blog.
     2) Follow Donna's blog and
     3) get one more person to follow Donna's blog
          and you will be entered to win her book, PEANUT BUTTER FOR CUPCAKES.  
     Drawing ends on Tax Day.

     Please tell me in a comment on This Post that you have met these three requirements because I'm kinda' lazy not able to find everyone in posts all over the place.  Whoever wins this book is in for some exciting reading, so please tell your friends.  And you might enjoy checking out Donna's website, too.
 
     I look forward to reading all your comments.  Now, hurry out and follow Donna's blog and get one friend to follow her, as well.  You'll be glad you did.  Until the next time, keep a hug on.
 
Yaya

Winner Revealed!

     Boy, is my face red!  PJ, from PJ's Prayerline helped me to realize that I didn't do my word search puzzle correctly.  You know, I was all done with it and I made O-o-o-o-o-o-o-n-e  L-i-t-t-t-t-t-t-l-e  adjustment and POOF!  Two words disappeared and the whole hidden message was changed.  Hmmmmmm.  I'm sorry.  I shall do better, next time.  Maybe.

     On the other hand, I'll bet this is one puzzle no one was able to solve.  So that makes me the winner, right?  haha.  You see?  You didn't think there was a positive side to this, did you?  Anytime I win, that's a positive side.

     The two words, Microscope and CSN were mispelled because of my last-minute adjustment, so I must apologize for my accidental winning streak.  Even if it is only one win.  However, that doesn't make me sorry that I won.  Mwahahahahahaha!

     I'd like to congratulate http://fictiongroupie.blogspot.com/ for winning My First Drawing and choosing the Hoberman Sphere as her prize.  I have sent her address to CSN Stores Online and she will soon receive this wonderful treasure.  I think I am just the littlest bit jealous am so thrilled for Roni.  Thank you, Roni, and everyone for playing along.  I don't know about you, but I have had the most fun.  Thank you all soooooo much.

******************************

     I do hope you will all be here on Monday.  I have the most marvelous surprise for you.  Do you remember when I told you a little bit about the Orphan Trains?  There is so much mystery surrounding this era in American history.  I was only able to tell you a little bit, but Donna N. Aviles will be here on Monday to share so much more. 

     Donna's grandfather was a Rider on one of the Orphan Trains!  She has so much to tell us!  So don't be late.  I'll be back tomorrow and I look forward to seeing you, then.  But you'll absolutely want to be here on Monday!  Eeeeee!  I'm so excited.

     Until the next time, keep a hug on.

Yaya

Do you know who the winner is?

Winner To Be Announced Soon

     I've been gone for awhile, due to illness and other things.  I do hope you don't mind, but it will be a few days before I can announce the winner of the drawing.  In the meantime, please help me spread the word that I will be consolidating all of my blogs into this one.

     Thank you all for following and commenting and for all the support you have given me.  As it turns out, three blogs are just a bit much for this person to try and keep up with, so over a period of time, I will be moving all of my posts into Yaya's Changing World, where you can read them all in one place.

     I won't be around much, this week.  I hope to post a couple of times, but it won't be every night, as I had been doing.  On Friday, or sooner, I will post the winner of the drawing.  I do hope you will understand, as I didn't really imagine I would be as sick as I have been.

     Now, I'd like to ask a favor of each of you.  Would you please choose five of my followers from Red Wagon Flights or five of my followers from Word Designer and help me spread the word that all of my activity will be moved to Yaya's Changing World?

     I will be posting as much as I can, between now and Saturday and hopefully, by then, I'll be able to get back on track and visit with you every day.  I do enjoy our visits together and always like to think that you do, too, so if you could please help me spread the word, I would so much appreciate it.  Thank you, in advance, for anything you can do that will help me get the word out.  Oh, yeah!  And you will want to be here on Monday because we have a very special event for Monday that I think you will all enjoy very much.

     Keep watching 'cause I'll be back whenever I can.  I'm posting this same message on both my other blogs, in hopes that many of you will help out.  Thank you so much for all you do.  Until the next time, keep a hug on.

Yaya