Thursday, December 1, 2016

History can be murder!

Please welcome Barb Schlichting to Killer Hobbies today.  Barb is an avid history buff who collects pictures of... Well I'll let her tell you.
 
 
I grew up in Minneapolis, MN and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1970.  My dad had also graduated from Roosevelt.  My grade school was Julia Ward Howe, and she wrote, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”.  She also was an abolitionist and a suffragist.  My junior high school, was Maria Sanford.  She was an educator.  I’m not sure if these historical icons played a part in my interest in American history, but I sure grew to love it.

First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was so elegant and soft spoken.  Her voice was like a whisper and she’d always outshine her husband even though, I liked him.  Every First Lady since Mrs. Kennedy, I’ve been interested in.

I could never imagine what it’d be like to live in the White House.  I loved it when Barbara Bush went sliding with her grandchildren, which me hope that my grandkids would love me just as much.  Laura Bush was so serene and a librarian, to boot!  I already loved books.  I grew up on Nancy Drew and Maude Hart Lovelace.

My love and interest in the First Ladies just kept growing.  Mrs. Obama was a great ambassador for good nutrition.  As an educator, I see firsthand how the lunch programs have become healthier because of her efforts. 

Suddenly, I decided that I wanted a signed picture of each of the living First Ladies.  Unfortunately, I missed Betty Ford, and I loved her.  She danced upon the presidential desk.  Can you beat that!  I contacted each of the libraries and foundations until my request was answered.  That includes a signed picture from, Mrs. Carter, Reagan, both Bush’s, Clinton, and Mrs. Obama.  From Mrs. Obama, I also received a letter which was printed on White House stationary.  Barbara Bush signed her name in the calligraphy script and attached a note.  Every First Lady deserves our respect for what they’ve contributed to our country and culture.

In my spare time when I’m not writing, I read a great deal, walk outside a mile every day, quilt and knit or crochet.  We live in the woods on the Mississippi River in northern Minnesota, so I can watch all the large and small animals of the forest plus observe the many birds. 
 
You can find Barb's newest First Lady Mystery, If Words Could Kill, at https://amzn.com/1945467037

 

2 comments:

Linda O. Johnston said...

Welcome to Killer Hobbies, Barb. I really admire your knowledge of the First Ladies and your contact with some of them!

Annette said...

It was so nice meeting you at Bouchercon in New Orleans. I look forward to reading your blogs on Killer Hobbies.