This book tells the story of Juliana's family stretching back to its beginnings in
Scotland, England, and America. One grandfather comes from England to try his
hand at sheep farming, falls in love with a Texas girl, and takes her home. Another
comes from Scotland to Iowa to ranch, marries a Wisconsin girl, and stays. Another
comes from Scotland to Kentucky and marries a General's daughter.
Mother's and grandmother's letters paint amazing and heartbreaking pictures of
adjusting to war-torn England and growing America as men disappear. Women
hold family together even when apart. In all there is joy and determination to
change things in creative ways. They organize metal drives, sing-ins, and costume
parties to raise funds and spirits.
She describes memories of birds, songs, lilacs, and the little Texas bungalow to
ones more recent of hurricanes and favorite family gatherings. It is illustrated
throughout with a century of family documents and photographs.
Juliana Catherine Peddie Brewer Gillespie was born in Houston, Texas during
the Depression to a 2nd generation Scotsman in Emmetsburg, Iowa and a British
mother born in Castle Donington, England. Now (after stops in New Jersey,
Jamaica, Houston and Galveston) she has retired to Wimberley, Texas in the
middle of the Hill country. This is her fi rst memoir as told to her niece Jessica.
