History – Sonia Nicholson

With Best Wishes

Mrs. Gerig Beiber Cal April 28, 1911 Dear Grandma, I am going to send you a card to tell about my big boy. he was born the 25 of april and he weighed 10 pounds. we haven’t named him yet. Yours Truly, Mrs. Rohena Conklin I feared not being able to find any information onContinue reading “With Best Wishes”

Birthday Greetings

Mrs. Nellie French,Kezar Falls,Maine Post marked South Hiram, Maine, December 19, 1924 12-19-1924Wishing you a very happy day and many more to follow. From your friend Alice [B. or D.?] Nellie G. Ridlon French was born on November 28, 1867 in Parsonfield, York County, Maine to Magnus and Emily Emery Ridlon. She was one ofContinue reading “Birthday Greetings”

All Good Betide

How much can a single postcard tell you? Quite a lot, actually. All it takes is some effort, a bit of luck, and most importantly, just enough details to launch a viable search. And always, “hope’s beacon” pointing the way. This particular story begins with a postcard sending good wishes for the New Year, 1912.Continue reading “All Good Betide”

Tragedy’s Heir

I’m the Shell,The Dark’ning Shell!My smoke-clouds shroud Dominions where my red rainnever fell:Far beyond the seven seas,On the mountain and the plain,Hearts are shrunken to the lees,Souls are withered for the slain.I am the Shell!My dread reverberations echo over hill and dell,Where the grey-haired Mother sits,Fearful that the sock she knits,Will never reach the boyContinue reading “Tragedy’s Heir”

Summer Solstice

I didn’t write yesterday. Not a word. Despite setting aside the entire afternoon, a glorious few hours for uninterrupted productivity, on the longest day of the year. June is busy, even during a pandemic. When All the Things that come with season’s end take over, time is hard to come by. So I’d settled myselfContinue reading “Summer Solstice”

Place

Look at me,really.Not a glance as you passthrough the daily grindthat grinds you down to function and noformof emotionto see my heart,this space is more than the sumof itspartsand peeling oilpaintsplattered where I see a picture,do you?Am I only four walls on a foundation,roof overhead, abedtoo hottoo coldjust right ? Look closer,behind features and paper-workContinue reading “Place”

Objects of Affection

Well, my fingers didn’t fit in the holes quite like they used to when I was young, but everything else was perfect. The white numbers and letters circling the clear plastic dial like groups of children on a merry-go-round. The chrome hook cradling the heavy handset with its curly cord hanging slightly kinked in aContinue reading “Objects of Affection”