Still Life in Shadows---a novel without a bonnet

I heard about your new novel. And judging by the cover that has a buggy on it, I bet I know where it takes place. Lancaster, Pennsylvania? Holmes County, Ohio? Yes, I'm concluding that your next novel must be an Amish tale. The plain life?


Actually, Still Life in Shadows is not an Amish story. Gideon Miller has left the Old Order lifestyle. Although it's been fifteen years since he ran away from home the night of his cousin's wedding in East Carlisle, Pennsylvania, he still eats apple butter. He isn't sure about his faith. Or his father. He helps dissatisfied Amish youth relocate to the "English" life.


Perhaps, Still Life in Shadows is more Amish than I thought.

I started out with an agenda. I was a bit put off by the love for Amish lore. Come on, why all this simple farm life idealism? You do know that not all Amish are happy. They have issues and troubles and face family turmoil.


But then Gideon Miller took over. After all, this is his story, not mine. Gideon is a thirty-year-old trying to make life in Twin Branches, North Carolina, work for him.


All is going well with his job as a mechanic at the auto shop, until his younger brother Moriah comes to town. Moriah is good-looking and has a way with the ladies . . .


Told from Gideon's point of view, and thirteen-year-old Kiki's (an autistic girl who lives with her older sister), Still Life in Shadows is a story of belonging. It's also a story about forgiving---especially yourself.


Here's an excerpt from the novel:


Kiki was not only good at holding her breath, but she could also read upside down pretty well. The name on the file was hers. She bet that if she looked inside, it would have in large, mean letters: Retard.


But she was not a retard, she was autistic. That’s what Dr. Conner said. And it wasn’t bad to be autistic. That’s what he told her whenever she shouted how she hated being this way. Being autistic just meant she was unique. The key was learning how to adapt to her uniqueness and make it work in a complex world. Complex.


Suddenly Kiki wanted to ask the principal if he knew what that word meant. She looked across the desk at him as he continued burrowing through her file.


But before she had a chance to speak, he asked, “Did you get into trouble at your school in Asheville?”


She wanted to say, “No way!” but she knew that was a lie. In fact, in all her thirteen years, she couldn’t recall ever not being in trouble. But she wouldn’t tell him that. She opened her mouth to say something—she wasn’t sure what would come out. But just then the door scraped open and in walked the man from the auto shop, wearing his work clothes and smelling of the identical aftershave her social studies teacher wore.


“This is Mr. Miller.” The VP motioned the newcomer toward the chair by Kiki and then closed the door.


Look forward to Still Life in Shadows, coming in August from River North.

Get yourself some boiled peanuts!

"I'm in the mountains----home to boiled peanuts and apple cider. Surely everything is congenial and kind here. This man isn't on "America's Most Wanted"." ~ Deena in How Sweet It Is (Bethany House, 2009)

If you haven't seen a sign for boiled peanuts for sale, I doubt you've been in North Carolina's mountain regions. Sometimes the spelling is a bit different, true, but whether it's boiled p-nuts or boiled peenuts, it all means the same: Get out of your car and get yourself a bag. This Southern delicacy cooks inside the bubbling container of water and is enjoyed by folks of all ages from May to November.





Most likely what you'll see when you pull over to park at a roadside store is a man standing beside a 55-gallon drum, stirring peanuts with a long utensil. When you say you'd like some, he'll scoop up a bunch with something that looks like a circular wire basket McDonald's uses to cook french fries in. He'll place your order inside a brown paper bag. He might even give you an extra bag for the shells. If you plan on eating the peanuts during the rest of your ride, you'll probably need that extra bag.

So, what exactly are boiled peanuts? Ah, let me tell you about this part of Southern cuisine and culture. Although I must confess that I didn't grow up on these offerings and had never heard of nor had a boiled peanut until I was married and my husband and I stopped at a rickety fruit and vegetable stand somewhere outside of Spartanburg, South Carolina.




Boiled peanuts are "green" (raw) peanuts that have spent a considerable amount of time in boiling salted water. Yes, they're damp, soft, sometimes drippy. To eat, remove the shell. Then pop one into your mouth and chew. These are best when eaten outside so Mama doesn't complain about empty shells all over the living room carpet. Many claim you need a bottle of cola or a glass of sweet tea to drink along with these nuts.

You can purchase boiled peanuts in cans at grocery stores. You can even make your own. Here's what you need----a large pot, water, plenty of salt and about a pound of raw peanuts, known as green. For every gallon of water, you need 1/4 cup of salt. Some add cajun spices to their water or a combination of salt and seafood spices. Bring the water and peanuts to a boil and continue to let boil for four to six hours. Then turn off the burner and let the pot cool as the peanuts continue to absorb the salty water. You might want to try a test batch first and then after eating them decide whether you need to add more or less salt the next time.




Keep in mind that boiled peanuts you buy fresh from a country store or make yourself, don't have a long shelf life at all. They need to be consumed within two days of purchase or they'll taste like something the cat dragged in from the barn.

And if you are really desiring to get into the flavor of the land, you can't say boiled peanuts in any sort of drawl but Southern. To perfect this, keep your mouth closed a little and then let these words roll around inside your mouth before letting them out: Boll'd peanuts.




For more boiled peanut experiences, check out these videos of all sorts of encounters at Boiled Peanut World.