Hippity-Hoppin' 'Cross Kansas

     Have you been following Donna Aviles on her blog while she's hippity-hoppin' 'cross Kansas?  What a time she's having.  I had to chuckle the other night when I read about possible tornadoes and baseball-sized hail.  Coming from Delaware, that must be quite a shock to her.

     Donna does seem to be enjoying her time in Kansas, though.  The stories and pictures she has posted on her blog have been a lot of fun to read.  I especially enjoyed the fact that, after years of visiting schools and sharing her knowledge of Orphan Trains and Baby Trains, she met a young man named Eli who was able to answer a question that no one has ever been able to answer, before.  Sounds to me as if Eli is a pretty smart kid.  Go, Eli!

     After reading all the fun posts from her first week in Kansas, I'm looking forward to learning what other kinds of fun Donna can find.  For sure, she's gonna' wanna' have a nice, loooooooong rest, when she gets back home.  She'll certainly deserve it, after all the hard work and effort of this trip.  Hang in there, Donna.  You're doin' a great job.

     If you haven't found your way to Donna's Orphan Train History site, already, I do hope you'll take a few minutes to run on over there and check it out and become a follower.  Its well-worth the reading time.  Until the next time, keep a hug on.

~ Yaya

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