Greetings! Today I am honored to welcome author Harriet Hodgson to The Indie Spot.
Excerpt from The Grandma Force
Readers remember stories more than statistics. I use personal stories to emphasize points and link me to readers. This is my favorite story in The Grandma Force.
It was early morning at the family cabin. I sat in a log chair on the dock with my granddaughter on my lap. Patches of fog lingered in the forest and mist was rising from the river. We sat there silently, no words, no wiggling, and watched the current carry a few leaves and twigs downstream. Mayflies had hatched in the night and trout jumped from the water to catch them. One trout jumped up inches away from us. We heard other trout splashing in the river as they tried to catch mayflies.
At the edge of our property, an eagle had built a nest on top of a Norway pine. When we canoed on the river, we often saw the eagle in its nest. That misty morning my granddaughter must have been thinking about the eagle because she jumped off my lap and called, “Eeeagle, you can fly overrr, if you want to.” Her sentence as almost a song. We smiled at each other and she came back and snuggled on my lap.
Minutes passed. Suddenly we head a flapping sound as the eagle swooped low over the river, a couple of inches above the water, its claws poised to catch a trout. But the eagle missed the trout, made a quick turn, gained altitude, and flew back upriver. My granddaughter and I looked at each other in amazement. Neither of us said a word. Spoken words would have spoiled the miracle.
I tried to write a children’s story about the experience and failed. There were too many facets to the story—the stillness of the forest, the mist rising from the river, the jumping trout, the grandmother-grandchild bond, and the eagle who answered a little girl’s call. Much as I hated to admit it, the story exceeded my ability to tell it. Yet I remember the story and it’s one of the most beautiful times of my life.
Author Bio:
Harriet Hodgson has been a freelance writer for 38 years, is the author of thousands of print/online articles, and 37 books. Hodgson is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and the Alliance of Independent Authors. She has appeared on more than 185 radio talk shows, including CBS Radio, and dozens of television stations, including CNN. A popular speaker, she has given presentations at public health, Alzheimer’s, bereavement, and caregiving conferences. She lives in Rochester, Minnesota with her husband, John. Please visit www.harriethodgson.com for more information about this busy wife, mother, grandmother, caregiver, speaker, and author.
Purchase Links: Amazon paperback https://amzn.to/31Kklgs
Amazon eBook https://amzn.to/31FoUt5
Barnes and Noble paperback http://bit.ly/2N28jLY
Barnes and Noble eBook http://bit.ly/31GeWaj
IndieBound paperback http://bit.ly.2TBRpol
Reblogged this on North’s World and commented:
Showing support for a fellow writer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks fellow writer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an amazing moment to share with your granddaughter, Harriet
I have your book on my TBR list!
Thanks for host, Beem:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you stopped by, Denise!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much D. L. and Beem.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for visiting my blog D.L. and to Beem for hosting.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for hosting Harriet today, Beem
LikeLiked by 1 person
As always, thanks for the visit, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Harriet. What an amazing story. I have had moments like that where its hard to put into words the experience because you don’t feel qualified to write it. But you know something? You did write it.
CONGRATULATIONS on your “GRANDMOTHERS: A FORCE FOR GOOD” Blog Tour!
Beem thank you for hosting and sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Shirley!
LikeLike
Thanks for your kind comments Shirley and for visiting my blog tour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did write it Shirley, but not as a children’s book, which was my goal.
LikeLike
What an incredibly beautiful story! Thank you, Beem, for hosting today!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jan!
LikeLike
Thanks for reading the story Jan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is an incredible, yet simple story, Harriet. Your words painted a beautiful picture and it was easy to impose myself into the scene as an onlooker. Thanks for sharing it with us. Good luck with your tour. Thanks for hosting, Harriet, Beem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for visiting, John!
LikeLike
Thanks for reading the story John and responding to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Harriet, I am a grandmother too and I understand you perfectly. I have just published my first book from this experience. Thank you, Beem, for hosting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for stopping by, Joy!
LikeLike
Thanks for visiting jinlobify
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats on the publication of your book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats on your book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Harriet’s book is timely and I’m looking forward to reading it! Thank you, Beem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for stopping by, Gwen.
LikeLike
Harriet’s book comes out in a time where more and more grandparents are taking care and in some cases raising their grandchildren. This is a great self care guide for everyone. Wonderful tour Harriet. Thanks Beem for hosting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting, Forrest.
LikeLike