A quote from Night Bird Calling by Cathy Gohlke

“It’s not that much different today, is it?  People want what they want and they find a way to make their sin palatable to society—or legal.”—Cathy Gohlke, from Night Bird Calling Until next time, take care, enjoy these glorious days of summer, and may God bless you,   Cathy Subscribe to my Newsletter @ http://authorcathygohlke.com/contact/ Follow me on Bookbub for …

Gladys’s Pecan Cookies from Night Bird Calling

Gladys’s Pecan Cookies “It was Wednesday, time for Jesse’s next visit with Miz Hyacinth.  There was no new letter from across the pond, but they could have tea and maybe some of Gladys’s pecan cookies and play Miz Hyacinth’s Victrola—maybe some Caruso records she was partial to.” — Cathy Gohlke from Night Bird Calling Ingredients 1-3/4 cups chopped pecans 1 …

Story: Past and Future

Typing THE END of Night Bird Calling began a journey into the past for me.  With those words I realized I’d not finished with the characters or their deeper stories. What history brought them to this moment in time with the prejudices, personalities and concerns they carried?  What was the antebellum racial and Civil War history of No Creek and …

Poached Pears with Craisins

This attractive and delicious recipe came from a family member who received it from a B&B many years ago.  It’s one of our family’s favorites in almost any season—perfect for a nice brunch. Poached Pears with Craisins Ingredients: 3 pears halved and cored (I prefer Bosc Pears for this) 2 Tablespoons orange marmalade ½ cup sugar ¼ teaspoon salt ¾ …

Band of Sisters Quote

“My peace, my companionship,” Olivia said softly, “come from my surety that the Lord loves me.  Surety that because I’ve asked, believing He’s redeemed me, He’s also forgiven me and accepts me—now, as I am.  He lives inside me, walks beside me, in  the form of His Holy Spirit.  He holds my heart, my life.  He is my heart, my …

History Comes Alive

If you have the opportunity to visit Ellis Island and the Tenement Museum in Lower Manhattan this summer it is well worth your time.  Walking through the station where so many of our ancestors knew they’d either be accepted to begin a new life or rejected and sent back across the ocean sent chills up my spine. Exploring those reproduced …

History Comes Alive at Ellis Island and Tenement Museum

If you have the opportunity to visit Ellis Island and/or the Tenement Museum in Lower Manhattan this summer or just take a Virtual Tour, you’ll discover those visits are well worth your time.  Walking through Ellis Island where so many of our ancestors knew they’d either be accepted and find the opportunity to begin a new life or rejected and …

Owen’s Favorite Orange and Currant Scones

“The moment Owen stepped into the boarding school kitchen, Annie pulled him to the table and sat him down across from her. Carefully she set a pot of steaming tea and her plate of warm orange and currant scones, with pots of marmalade and Devonshire cream between them.”—Promise Me This Owen’s Favorite Orange and Currant Scones Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose …

Titanic Never Grows Old

 Exploring museums rich in Titanic history in South Hampton, England and in Halifax, Nova Scotia has given me an even greater appreciation of the tragedy and its aftermath than when I first conceived of this story.  Well over one hundred years have passed since Titanic’s sinking, and yet we are still learning stories of survivors and stories of those who …

Mothers–Our First Teachers

My mother, Bernice, is 93 years old, wheelchair bound and blind as the result of a stroke, is hearing impaired and lives in constant pain.  Still, she is the most positive person I know—determined to remain cheerful, engage and ask others how they are doing, and practice gratitude for the smallest things.  Her generous attitude, forged over decades, has been …