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Carolyn Paul Branch
I write, study history, and work the reference desk at the public library. My home in the Missouri woods is shared with Richard, my husband of 50+ years, Cookie, a little white terrier, and Sunshine, a big yellow cat. After seven non-fiction books, I finally turned to the writing I always wanted to do: mystery novels. TANGLED ROOTS, a tale of secrets, lies, and murder along the Missouri River, was published January, 2017. My next novel, THE SANITY OF STRAWBERRIES, a murder set inside a state mental hospital, will be published in 2018.
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Categories
Category Archives: Family History
A is for Psychiatric AIDE
In 1958, when this picture was taken, my mother, Myrtle Paul (left), and her friend, Ann Hall, were called Attendants. They were two of the frontline caretakers of the mentally ill at Fulton State Hospital. My mother took months of … Continue reading
James Hugh Paul, another Paul Family Tragedy
James Hugh Paul was born May 15, 1821, in Fayette County, Ohio. He was named after his grandfather and was called Hugh, instead of James. He was eighteen years old when his grandfathers household goods were auctioned off in Fayette … Continue reading
Posted in Family History, History
Tagged California, family, Genealogy, Gold Rush, History, IL, James Hugh Paul, Madison County, Nancy Gillham Paul
2 Comments
Mama
Mama was modest and didn’t usually let anybody watch her get dressed, but on the first day of her new job she called Sissy into the bedroom to help her and I went, too. Mama had a list of everything … Continue reading
Posted in Family History, Memoir
Tagged Fulton State Hospital, Mama, Missouri, Mokane, Snakes in the Kitchen
1 Comment
Porch Sittin’
Do you ever sit out on your front porch and just watch the world go by? When I was growing up, porch sittin’ was an art almost everybody enjoyed. It was a great “intergenerational” activity. That’s a new buzz word … Continue reading
Posted in A to Z April Challenge, Family History, Memoir
Tagged A to Z April Challenge, Callaway County Missouri, family, memoir, Mokane, porches
3 Comments
L is for Library & Lady
I’ve probably spent more hours in this building than I have in any other place. It was my refuge as a child. I spent hours looking at 3-d photo cards with the old stereoscope viewer, while the stern librarian Mrs. … Continue reading
John Henry Paul
The life of John Henry Paul reminds me of a song they used to sing on the TV show Hee-Haw: “If it weren’t for bad luck, he’d have no luck at all. . “ John Henry was born October 23, … Continue reading
Posted in A to Z April Challenge, Family History
Tagged A to Z April Challenge, aging, Callaway County Missouri, family, History, Mokane
2 Comments
Hugh Paul, George Washington, and the French and Indian War
During the 18th century, Britain and France were engaged in an almost continuous struggle to see which nation would be the world’s dominant military power. Wars between the two spilled over to their North American colonies. By the middle of … Continue reading
Posted in A to Z April Challenge, Family History, History
Tagged A to Z April Challenge, George Washington, History, Hugh Paul
6 Comments
Grandpa Riley Rogers and the end of the world
He was plowing a field near the house one Spring morning when he heard a strange loud noise. He looked up and saw something he had never seen before. It was bright white, wings spread against the blue sky and … Continue reading
Aunt Nellie sent us out to gather eggs
Aunt Nellie sent us out to gather eggs The hens were hiding them again trying to “go set” and raise a brood. (Aunt Nellie said that wasn’t good) when they set, they didn’t lay. Aunt Nellie needed each red hen … Continue reading
Posted in A to Z April Challenge, Family History, Memoir
Tagged A to Z April Challenge, memoir
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F is for Family
Family is the most important part of my life. This picture was taken to celebrate our 50th Wedding anniversary in 2013, so it’s a bit out of date. The grandkids have grown and we added a beautiful great granddaughter … Continue reading
Posted in A to Z April Challenge, Family History
Tagged A to Z challenge, Blogging A-Z Challenge
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