Grandma Raised The Roof....

[Kathleen Brueckner]

Hi Jimg20 and INFamily.

I am very happy to keep you informed. My plan is to have my editing and prologue and epilogue done by August 31. I also hope to visit St. John, perhaps with my cousin Alline Thurlow who lived there until 1999. We would like to interview people who remember Ethel and collect any reminiscences and stories about her.

My husband and I took our four children to the island in 2005. We stayed at Maho Campground and visited Island Fancy. We realized at that time that there is an ongoing interest in my grandmother's story. It is a marvelous story, but on re-reading her book, I and my cousins felt that a major edit was needed. The story certainly does encourage people to work to achieve their dreams, no matter their age.

Thank you for your interest in the book.

Trinki Brueckner

[tana]

Ms. Brueckner,
I was reading, with interest, through the various posts on Virgin-Islands-On-Line Forum Index. Seems like I read this book many years ago on the recommendation of a friend who had visited the place where the book is set. I remember talk of donkeys, a beautiful home, lovely views, peacocks or some other bird, and a great climate! From what I recall from the book, your grandmother must have been a very interesting person. I am also a writer (of sorts) and was pleased to hear that the book - in rewritten form - will be coming out. I will be anticipating a post that can give a time frame for this. You said that you now own the copyright. How does that happen? Does a person have to will it to you? Is it something you apply for? I guess it is something I never thought about and am curious as to how that works. Hope you see this post and have a chance to respond. Good luck with the rewrite!
Tana

[Gromit]

@Kathleen-- When you do the re-write/edit I think you need to go back the the original title that your grandmother proposed for the book: "I did it with Donkeys"

Back in the day I know the publishers cringed and made her change it, but these days (When Betty White is a hit on SNL) and when sassy titles sell books I think the old title would make it a HIT!!

Keep us posted!

[SusieD]

When will the book come out? In 1965 we moved from CA to the VI and stayed for a week in St. Thomas before visiting St. Croix where we ended up settling for 9 years. During our stay in St. Thomas we stayed at the Mafolie where we met Ethel. What a delightful woman!!! She took us under her wing and gave us lots of good tips about the islands. I have never been able to find her book and would love to read your new version.

[jaq w]

I have the original book and love it! Kathleen I would love to read the updated version too. There is a piece about your grandmother in the book "St. John People". You should probably check with Tradewinds too, I seem to remember reading something about her years ago. An interesting note for you - when I went to start looking for the book I first found it on e-bay but I stopped bidding when it hit $175. I finally found a copy on Amazon which had originally been in a library and was in great condition and luckily at a reasonable price. I'm sure you will find quite a few people interested in your book here on the forum. I know I've bought every St. John book I've heard of.

[mkb]

I have been looking for this book in used book stores for several years. I recently realized I could request it through inter-library loan. I read it this weekend and loved it. I was struck by the similarities between Mrs. McCully's "building blog" and the St John building blogs I read today. I wish she had written more books of her life on St John.

I do hope her family is able to do a re-print of the book. I'd love to own a copy.

I'm also pleased to learn Island Fancy still exists and is apparently part of the park system. I was wondering what had become of Island Fancy as I was reading the book.

[Agent99]

I just ordered a used, signed copy of a first edition hard cover on Amazon for $30 so they are out there. Can't wait to read it. Kathleen, if you are still reading what is the latest on your re-write? Would love to see that also!

[Agent99]

Update:

I confess, I had not heard of the book before reading this thread but thought I'd see if I could find a copy. As mentioned in the previous post -found a copy on Amazon for $30. It said it was signed. This is what I found inside:





The clipping on the left reads:

Louder, Please

The sweetest sound to hear
Or sight to see
Is dishes being washed
By one not me.
--Dorothy Janke

and on the right: I did not alter the case, punctuation or spelling from what is written on the page

Grandma

Grandma on a wintry day, milked the
cows & fed them hay. Saddled the mule
And got the children off to school.

Did the washing, Scrubbed the floors,
Washed the windows & did some chores,
cooked a dish of home dried fruit, and
patched her husband's Sunday suit.

She swept the floor & made the bed and
baked a dozen loaves of bread.
Split some wood and lugged it in, enough
To fill the kitchen bin.

Cleaned the lamp & filled it with oil, and
stewed some apples she thot might spoil.
She made a supper that was delicious,
And afterwards washed all the dishes.

She fed the cat & sprinkled the clothes,
And mended a basket full of hose,
Then opened the organ & began to play.
"When you come to the end of a perfect day."
-Author Unknown

How cool is that?

[betsyv]

That is SO COOL!
I love old finds like this...
Enjoy your read...I'd love to get an edition, but no luck so far.

[liamsaunt]

Great find, Agent99! Let us know how you like the book once you read it. I'd like to find a copy someday.

[Agent99]

I'm saving it for our upcoming trip, then will donate it to a library on the island. Can't wait.