Nebraska, the Good Life with Authors, Annette Snyder and Erin Pearson

Because of the National Holiday tomorrow, I’d first like to include this video I found on Face Book.  It’s worth a view if you haven’t already seen it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8C7i9kdEf8 

 I’m Annette Snyder, Author of many novels and this blog, homegrown in Nebraska and, except for a few years in Texas, I’ve resided within fifty miles of my hometown.  I grew up only half a mile from the house I live in and my kids went to the same school I attended.  It’s a little funny as I look back now and remember how bad I wanted to leave this small town when I was young.  There wasn’t anything to do.  Nothing new ever happened.  Everyone knew everyone else and, because of that, knew what everyone else was up to.  All those things I disliked as a kid, I appreciate as an adult.  If I were to write one of those ‘Letters to Self’  pieces so popular right now, I’d be sure to include something ironic about my feelings for my town as an adult and make sure my kid self knew not to discount the advantages. 

Most of the time I like small town life but I also love to travel which is where the premise for this blog developed.  My husband and I just returned from the wedding of one of our European kids in Germany.  God bless you Anna and Tobi and I wish you many years of happiness in your new life as partners plus more of that awesome ice cream from Lust Auf Eis, that amazing little place on the street around the corner from your apartment in Emsdetten.  

Thanks to all our families in Germany and The Netherlands for the wonderful trip.  Hello to Tine and Marco who we couldn’t visit and thank you Marie and Lars of Sweden for holding down the fort here in Nebraska while we were gone—and for letting us keep Erik for the year.  I also want to wish our Favorite Italian Princess, Evy, a giant hello.   We miss you and hope someday to be lucky enough to visit you and your family. (By the way, we just watched Germany win their semi-final soccer match…Johanas, I sure wish I had some bitters to celebrate…just a little bit anyway)

I got absolutely no writing done on our trip because there was just too much to see so I’ve been making up for it since I got home.  I’m almost finished with the third novel in my contemporary series and I’ll be looking for a home for it.  I’ve been inspired to write another kind of book which is off my usual genres and I’ve got a few home projects to finish up, and work at the real job which I’m lucky enough to like.  Seems like even in my small town where life is a little slower, there’s still not enough time in the day.

You can check out previous posts about my Nebraska home in the archives section under Nebraska and keep reading to see what Erin Pearson has to say about her love for this diverse state.  This time, rather than post why I love, live and work here, I wanted to share that I left my middle of the USA home for somewhere way out of my comfort zone.  My good friends will confirm that I’m not one to venture past those boarders yet alone fly  

4000 miles to other countries!

As my thanks for stopping by, I’m offering a treat from my vacation along with one of my released novels.  Check out my site http://annettesnyder.atspace.com  or use the tab at the top of this blog.  Winner will be selected from comments. Now I’ll turn you over to Erin!  Enjoy!

The View from My Front Porch by Erin Pearson

As I sit on the fifty-year-old concrete steps of my tiny house, I can see the broad and stretching neighborhood around me. 

Tightly packed houses, nestled between new asphalt streets, all surround the oasis of Dryden Park. It is a haven for the local kids, who find refuge in the pine tree hideouts they’ve created to escape the bleary heat. The softball field is typically occupied by girls in bright colored jerseys, practicing with the neon softball. As I sit on my steps I can close my eyes and watch the game in my mind; the metallic clink of the aluminum bat, the roar of the gathered crowd, the sing-song chants of the teams. It brings back my childhood, one far away from a city scape, peppered with softball fields across from corn fields in the middle of my old hometown.

To the west, a new addition gleams in the summer sun. Wet and refreshing the newly installed splashpad entices even the youngest ones to dance in the man-made rain. The smell of the wet concrete, the fresh spray of the misted water is welcomed as the summer sun blazes on in the clear blue sky. As the droplets pelt the smooth concrete and the children’s feet splash in the puddles, I can feel a smile creep across my face.

This is my hometown. 

I bridge the gap between country girl and city girl; caught in an endless toss between my roots in the country and my comfort in the city. I slip into my drawl when I visit home, and I can drive through Omaha in rush hour. I love the lights of the city, the convenience, and the opportunities that surround us for my sons to experience anything new. But, I love the clear skies and seeing every known and unknown star while gazing up from the ancient sandhills. And it is an existence that I treasure, for what would I be without the country in me? Not as strong, not as resilient, not as knowledgeable or kind. Yet, what would I be without the city in me? Not as adaptable, not as compassionate, not as outspoken or fierce. 

Much like me, Nebraska is a toss of country and city; fiercely traditional, overly loyal (sometimes to a fault). But a visitor to my home state wouldn’t think that the people weren’t welcoming, or that our hospitality lacked. Here, we cater to whatever your needs may be. Do you yearn for sunshine and broad landscapes that have changed little since the pioneer days? We’ve got that. What about the urban pulse of the concrete jungle, flecked with sports cars, world-renowned restaurants, and anticipated to be the best place to start the American dream? We’ve got that, too. 

So, stop by where the hay gently dances, wafting in the light summer breeze in Nebraska. Because even within the biggest city’s limits, one can still smell the alfalfa fields.

Read more about Erin’s work here:

http://erinlpearson.tumblr.com

http://herviewfromhome.com/author/erin

http://christianfictionreviewguru.blogspot.com/2015/08/interview-with-erin-pearson.html

http://www.amazon.com/E.L.-Pearson/e/B011PCU8GM/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

"Follow Erin on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hewntreescribe and post that you saw her on 50 Authors from 50 States. A winner will be chosen randomly and will receive a signed copy of Prodigal Lost!"

(all info provided by authors)