Written By:  Scott @ County Seat Living

library

What’s better than the smell of a library book?

There is something magical about the yellowed protective cellophane cover and the crack of the binding as you open an old book. Dig your nose into the spine and the scent is always familiar; a little musty and sweet. I loved when library books had a check out card nestled into a parchment sleeve on the backside of the cover. You could see who had checked out the book prior to you and in a way it was a primitive form of social media. You were not only checking out a written story but you were connecting with people of similar interests.

When my brother and I were growing up, my Mom was a champion of books and reading. It was something we were required to do on a daily basis and as a result we continue to share her passion for reading. As kids, trips to the Holdrege Public Library were frequent and we waited anxiously on the farm for “Sweet Pickles” book deliveries. By the way, “Zany Zebra” was my favorite “Sweet Pickles” resident because he wasn’t afraid to be different.

Since I have been back in rural Nebraska, I have enjoyed the opportunity of rummaging through boxes in my parent’s basement. My youth comes alive as a look through boxes filled with childhood mementos; letters from my German pen pal Simone Merkle…

simone merkle

My 8×10 head shot I received from being in the Alyssa Milano fan club…

alyssa milano

And a mixed tape my friend Cindy made me that was the soundtrack to my life in 1991…

mix tape + cassette

While in the basement, I came across a time capsule of literature.

At the top of the box sat a few books from a special author, Mavis Jukes.

MJ book stack

I feel like Mavis Jukes was as much a part of my adolescence as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and tight rolled jeans. Her words came into my life in a profound way and she taught me to love the art of writing. I first came to know this author as a result of an assignment. My 5th Grade English teacher, Mrs. Daffer gave us a task to write a letter to the author of our favorite book. Like the nerd I was, I took the job very seriously and knew I had to do some research. I went to our public library and check out a few titles that caught my attention. Among my selection was a book called, “Blackberries in the Dark”.

MJ Blackberries Book

While reading the story I began to cry. It was the first time a written story had made me experience an emotion in that way. I was 11 years old and a book had conjured up feelings that were usually brought about by movies and real life. This was the author I was going to write to!

My classmates and I sent off our letters and weeks passed. I began to realize that the assignment wasn’t about getting a response but rather teaching us the joys of reading and how to draft proper correspondence. I just wanted the author to know how much I appreciated her story.

I came home one afternoon to find a package had arrived and I was the recipient. It was a letter from Mavis Jukes and two signed books that I would never have to be returned to the library. She had written an inscription on the first page:

MJ Blackberries Inscription

It was a significant moment in my life because growing up in rural Nebraska I dreamed about the world far beyond my reaches. I fantasized about big cities, flying on an airplane, and even visiting Simone Merkle in Germany. Literature always fed that desire to experience life outside of my reality. Now I had sent word out into the universe and someone had responded! I didn’t feel so alone.

In the letter that accompanied the books, Mavis Jukes wrote eloquently about being a writer:

MJ original letter side

“People who grow up to be authors usually feel the same kind of passion about writing that you seem to express in your letter; I know that I longed-yearned to be an author for a time before I became one. Since I have written several books, I no longer “wish” I could be a writer, but I still have that same feeling of longing associated with writing; the longing is to write new work, to discover the next idea-or to explore an idea that I already have. The process of writing-you know, writing the words to the page, is sometimes really difficult-but it is also always satisfying as I move closer and closer to expressing the work in its final form.”

Her words were paramount; not because she had written back to me but because she didn’t pen a letter geared toward a little kid. We were not corresponding as child and adult but rather as writer to writer. At least that is how she made me feel. I was beaming.

mavis jukes headshot2

Whenever she would write a new children’s book she would send me a copy with a fantastic inscription…

MJ Nashville

 

MJ Jake

 

MJ Getting Even

 

MJ Dreams

 

MJ Jake Inscription

 

MJ Peace Inscription

 

MJ Eagles Inscription

Mavis Jukes and I kept in touch over the years. We would correspond with letters and cards; I would tell her about the trials and tribulations of being a kid and she would respond with updates about her family and the importance of writing.

MJ penpal letters

 

Often times, her envelope was the best part of the experience…

MJ envelope front

 

MJ envelope back

When my family and I moved to Southern California shortly after that class assignment in 5th Grade, Mavis Jukes sent words of encouragement:

“Remember: The same sun rises and sets over Solana Beach that rose and set over your hometown, and I’m sure it will always shine on you. California is an interesting place. But try to remember that you probably know more about what is meaningful in life if you have lived in a small town, so don’t let the “fast” California kids make you feel otherwise.”

An asterisk after those words took me to the bottom of the letter where she wrote:

“Stay away from drugs.”

When I entered those awkward years of adolescence that Mavis Jukes’ books highlight so beautifully, she wrote to me and said:

“Stay away from sports. Your big feet and skinny legs will carry you in a far more rewarding direction…writing maybe.”

And when I must have written to her about squabbling with my older brother she gave me solid advice:

“Cheer your brother on-he needs your support and encouragement along with the rest. You may ‘walk to the tune of different drums’ but nothing NOTHING should get in the way of your mutual affection. His success belongs to you too because you are brothers. Be his biggest fan and when you’re up getting your Academy Award for Best Screenplay or doing whatever you do best, he’ll be there cheering for you.”

She made me feel like words had value; that a book wasn’t just a story but rather an emotional journey. Like most friends from the past, we have lost touch. Every so often I “Google” her name and I sometimes think about shooting an email to her publisher. Then I realize that sending her a note highlighting the rather boring events of my life is not what it’s about. Because she taught me the power of words, the best thing I can do is put my thoughts down in print and send them out into the universe; just like I did so many years ago as a kid.

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Check out our new Keepsake Companion Journal that pairs with our So God Made a Mother book!

Order Now
So God Made a Mother's Story Keepsake Journal

Scott Rager

Robert Scott Rager is a Nebraska native who returned home to start a boutique business called "County Seat Living". His personal goal for "County Seat" is to translate the lifestyle design he was creating in Los Angeles for the past twelve years and apply it to the sensibility of the Great Plains. Whether he's writing about decorating, homemade ice cream, floral creations, event planning or product design, he wants the personality and style of Nebraska to shine bright.

What My Son Taught Me About Joy at the Holidays

In: Fatherhood, Uncategorized

There’s not a lot going on right now, but that doesn’t mean my family can’t still enjoy some of our favorite seasonal pastimes like trimming the Christmas tree, counting down to Santa’s arrival, and riding bikes around the neighborhood and loudly critiquing everyone’s decorating choices. Amidst the December doldrums, the announcement of a holiday decoration contest by our neighborhood HOA certainly sent a frisson of excitement through our household. My children are enamored with decorations anyway, but the prospect of a cash prize just for filling our yard with more inflatable monstrosities dialed up their excitement level to an 11....

Keep Reading

Christmas Magic May Look Different For a Special Needs Family

In: Kids, Motherhood, Uncategorized
Little boy looking at Christmas tree

Christmas can be a very magical time of year with Santa, decorations, presents, and family gatherings. It can also be a very tough and difficult time for families with special needs children. For many of us as parents, we are hanging on by a thin thread as we try to honor the traditions of our extended families while keeping our children with special needs happy and on routine.  My son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at 21 months and is non-verbal. He is now 5.5 years old. He doesn’t like the noise or chaos that gatherings bring. Sometimes lights...

Keep Reading

Kevin Hart to Star in Movie About Fatherhood That Promises to be a Tear-Jerker

In: Fatherhood, Uncategorized

Imagine having it all: you’re happily married to your high school sweetheart, settled into your dream home in Los Angeles, and over-the-moon excited for the birth of your first child—a baby girl. Then, without warning, tragedy strikes. Just 27 hours after your little girl enters the world, your wife suffers a pulmonary embolism and dies instantly, without ever holding the daughter whose arrival she had so eagerly awaited. Heartbreaking stories like this seem like the stuff of fiction, but for Matt Logelin, it is a terrible reality. After finding himself the sole caretaker of his newborn daughter, Maddy, Matt turned...

Keep Reading

Why Didn’t We Think of That? Dad Invents Candy Chute for Contactless Halloween Trick-or-Treating

In: Uncategorized

We know we aren’t the only dads who had big dreams for Halloween this year—after all, how often does the spooky holiday actually fall on a weekend? And one that coincides with a super rare blue moon, no less! Our kids have had their costumes picked out since last October, and we were fully prepared to endure 48-hour sugar highs and demand extra candy tax in compensation. Of course, no one could have predicted a global pandemic would throw a wrench into those plans, leaving many of us scratching our heads as to how to make a highly anticipated event...

Keep Reading

To the Great-Grandparents: Thank You For Loving Us So Well

In: Uncategorized

Can we take a minute to talk about the blessing of great-grandparents? Grandparents (i.e. your own parents) spoil your kids, of course—it’s a time-honored tradition, really. The reward for surviving parenthood with your own children is spoiling your grandchildren with abandon. All that spoiling prompts the inevitable wondering, “Where were these people when they were raising me?!” Your parents limited television and junk food. They enforced rules and consequences. Who are these pod-people who’ve invaded your parents’ bodies and are now spoiling the living daylights out of your children? This question doesn’t exist where great-grandparents are concerned. You know exactly...

Keep Reading

I Want My Son To Take Pride in His Heritage

In: Uncategorized
Mother holding newborn baby

I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked the same question, THE question. The one I have grown accustomed to hearing yet not grown accustomed to answering. “What are you?” I’ve been asked this by people I’ve known for months and people I have known for mere seconds.  As a child, I had my prepared answer, “I am Polish, German and Native American.” Not the full story. As an adult I’ve tested out different responses, “I am American; I am mixed.” Not the answer they want to hear.  The truth is I was ashamed. Ashamed as a young child...

Keep Reading

To the Average Kid: One Day You’ll Realize You’ve Always Been Exceptional

In: Uncategorized
kids students graduate graduation academics www.herviewfromhome.com

Hello average and below average kids and teenagers! Today you will not be on a stage receiving an honor, a pin, a certificate, a sash, a cord, or a badge for high academic achievement. Nobody will tell you your future is bright and positive, or that you can do and be anything you want. You will shuffle along the rest of your school days and years sheepishly wearing the “average” badge—which is actually no badge at all, rather it’s just you sitting small watching everyone else standing tall with honor. But I want to tell you something. Something incredible. It’s...

Keep Reading

I’m Not a Princess – But I’m Raising One

In: Kids, Motherhood, Uncategorized
I'm Not a Princess - But I'm Raising One www.herviewfromhome.com

It was at my baby shower that I received my daughter’s first princess tiara. It was a gift from a family friend and it was truly beautiful. Radiantly adorned with Swarovski crystals and perfectly sized to fit atop a tiny toddler’s head. I remember my mom gushing over it when I unwrapped the box after the party was over. I scowled at it. “She will not wear that thing,” I said. My mom looked confused. “But she’s going to be a little girl. Of course she will want to wear it!” she said. “My daughter will never be called a...

Keep Reading

Make Wanderlust a Must: Raising Kids Who Love to Travel

In: Kids, Motherhood, Uncategorized
Make Wanderlust a Must: Raising Kids Who Love to Travel www.herviewfromhome.com

The love of travel is perhaps one of the greatest gifts parents can give their children. It breeds curiosity, tolerance, adaptability and a sense of adventure. Whether it’s three hours or three continents away, traveling broadens the mind and restores the soul. Plus it’s just plain old FUN. But there is a difference between taking your children on a trip and cultivating a love of travel, and that difference lies in how you involve them in the process. Get their input. Where do they want to go and why? What types of activities interest them? While an African Safari may...

Keep Reading

For the Expectant Mom: You’re In For a Crazy, Beautiful Ride

In: Humor, Kids, Motherhood, Uncategorized
For the Expectant Mom: You're In For a Crazy, Beautiful Ride www.herviewfromhome.com

This article is meant for the woman who is expecting her first child. Congratulations to you momma. I am so happy for you and wish you all the best. You are in for a lifetime of happiness and joy, and also a whole lot of crazy. There are a lot of articles out there for expectant moms that talk about the joys of motherhood, or tips on how to survive, but here are the top ten things I’ve learned since becoming a mom four months ago myself. Take heart, it’s a great adventure. Days of eating meals with your spouse...

Keep Reading