From out of the blue I received the most intriguing email. And no, it wasn't from the Nigerian Lottery Board, nor was it from Oksana the lonely Russian lass who wanted to be my extra special friend...(dodgy spam filter!)
It was from a lady named Sherri in the United States who had a copy of Zoila Stables' book Tare Harvest. She did a Google search of the title and stumbled upon some old blog posts of mine which talked about how the book was connected to our house.
For those of you who are new to the blog, Zoila was one of the original owners of the house and I've been compiling a house history file which has information about the family who built the Sow's Ear. I discovered that Zoila was an author who had published a book in 1936 under her pseudonym Eleanor Peters. If you want to know more, you can read all the house history stuff here.
Sherri emailed me to see if I would be interested in acquiring the book. You can guess what the answer was...After a couple of email exchanges, the book will hopefully be mine.
As you can imagine, I'm thrilled to be getting a copy as I'd like to read it, and maybe gain an understanding of who Zoila was. I also think this book should stay with the Sow's Ear. Call me sentimental.
It was from a lady named Sherri in the United States who had a copy of Zoila Stables' book Tare Harvest. She did a Google search of the title and stumbled upon some old blog posts of mine which talked about how the book was connected to our house.
For those of you who are new to the blog, Zoila was one of the original owners of the house and I've been compiling a house history file which has information about the family who built the Sow's Ear. I discovered that Zoila was an author who had published a book in 1936 under her pseudonym Eleanor Peters. If you want to know more, you can read all the house history stuff here.
Sherri emailed me to see if I would be interested in acquiring the book. You can guess what the answer was...After a couple of email exchanges, the book will hopefully be mine.
As you can imagine, I'm thrilled to be getting a copy as I'd like to read it, and maybe gain an understanding of who Zoila was. I also think this book should stay with the Sow's Ear. Call me sentimental.
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| Tare Harvest book cover |
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| Tare Harvest inside flap cover |
That's a great bit of history to get back, Bris.
ReplyDeleteWow wow wow. Isn't the world just that bit smaller when you are part of a big bloggy family? Makes me want to get my butt down to the Archives and find out more about Betsy. Hoping she was built by an Adeline and Reginald or something equally amazing.And yes the book must stay with the house. melx
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a find! I love all those bits of history associated with living in an old house. Thee's something about knowing those previous souls which makes you feel even more secure in the old walls.
ReplyDeleteThat's so excellent! I love reading the blurb.
ReplyDeleteThe book should definitely stay with the Sow's Ear. It's almost spooky.
Isn't that fantastic! The book comes home :)
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely wonderful! ...and yes, the book should stay with the house. That's just where it belongs.
ReplyDeleteLesley
xx
This Oksana sounds interesting. What more can you tell me?
ReplyDeleteFirstly this is fantastic can't wait to hear more . The cover would be great blown up as a piece of art for the sows ear. Secondly , that mr Rooney, I'm just shaking my head, ha
ReplyDeleteHow amazing? I hope it is a good read. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHow exciting!! Your kids must be enjoying this too- and for a new homeowner- when you sell the house, this will be a wonderful gift!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a ripping yarn! You will keep us up to date with the plot won't you?
ReplyDeleteWhat a story! The wonders of the Internet! You should be on the abc series "who's sleeping at my house" :)
ReplyDeleteObviously not Oksana.......yet.
ReplyDeleteMore information please.
Photo's would be nice too.
I think the last thing you need is an Oksana, Mr Rooney. I have a sneaking suspicion you may have to part with some serious money to make Oksana less lonely. Anyway, can't you go to Fyshwick? xx
ReplyDeleteI suspect that the job of making Oksana less lonely would have been a smaller task than making Zoila, a whole lot less fruitier than she was. Mad as a box of frogs, she was. Barking mad. I bet her book is 'twirls right index finger anticlockwise around the periphery of the right ear' too. I do hope that when you get it, that you post excerpts. Also, what goes on at Fyshwick -stays in Fyshwick. Commercial in confidence and all that.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's amazing! The powers of the internets. Enjoy the read :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments everyone!
ReplyDeleteA cool story for you Mr Rooney - a man knocked on the door about a fortnight ago. He owns the rental house which backs onto us and wanted some feedback about his tenants. Anyway, we got to talking and it turns out this guy grew up on the street. He remembers this house well because he helped his Dad paint the house in the 60s/70s I think.
He only has a vague recollection of Zoila and Stan, but apparently his late Dad was quite friendly with the family. The most interesting thing he said was that Stan was quite tall and they were very nice people...but a bit odd.
Really?
There was something a bit "off" about them he said...He couldn't say why, but that was his youthful impression of them.
Interesting...There are some old folk who live across the road, maybe I should see if they knew the Stables?
Proof, if proof were needed, that the interweb is a wonderful thing! What a great story ...... hope you enjoy the read!
ReplyDeleteYes you should definetly see if they( the old neighbors) new them and you never know they might have some photos of the street etc even your place, also given your propensity / gift, for getting free stuff they would probably have some mid century delight they might no longer have need for....get over there girlie what are you waiting for...oh and take r with you his eyes could melt polar caps and definetly help secure info and possible treasures xxxxx
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I'm a complete history nerd, so something like this is too cool. Really charming. Hope you get the book!
ReplyDeleteOh how serendipded...serendipit.....serendupiddy...fortunate you are able to get the book! I love house history and I love when it stays with the house! Let us know if the story was any good!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
What a great find! Enjoy reading it. Ange
ReplyDeleteWhat a great discovery, I love those stories.
ReplyDeleteHow fascinating and exciting at the same time. Another piece of the puzzle solved! Amanda x
ReplyDeleteSure. If the internet was that great, surely there would be some news by now regarding Oksana?
ReplyDeleteFocus people.
Focus.
That's really cool. I bet she never imagined someone would be reading her novel...in her old house so many years later.
ReplyDeleteoh wow!!! how cool, that's exciting darl.
ReplyDeleteand tell me, did you use the powers of 'the secret'to bring this book your way?? i might have to use it for a new roof!
have a great weekend xx
the power of the blog :) how fab le xox
ReplyDelete