Elma Schemenauer's Blog

My lively 2nd cousin Freda Martens Boehm just turned 90! Bob and I very much enjoyed the party at her house in Pinantan Lake north of Kamloops, BC, Sept 12, 2025. She's in several of the pictures including the last one--with the baby. Happy birthday, Frieda. God bless you now and always.

I have many relatives through my grandpa Jacob Peter Martens born 1870 or 1871. Here are about 25 of us at a get-together (treffen) hosted by Erich and Hildegarde Penner and family. Thanks to them and all the others who made this such an enjoyable event. August 16 2025.

 Big thanks to all who helped make this an enjoyable event. Tasty food, laughter, and good conversation. 

Are you thinking of publishing a poetry book? Click on the link for helpful information on making it look good. https://blog.bookbaby.com/how-to-self-publish/book-design/poetry-formatting?utm_campaign=BB2529G&utm_source=BBeNews&utm_medium=Email#

The IAG (Interior Authors Group), based in Kamloops, British Columbia, is on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064754766977 . Its blog is https://interiorauthorsgroup.wordpress.com/ .

The Ampersand Review, based in the Toronto area, is a paying publication currently accepting "submissions of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and essays" until July 31, 2025. NB: "In keeping with our mandate to foster literary culture in communities within Canada, we only accept submissions from writers who reside in Canada." Thanks to Erika Dreifus of The Practicing Writer for this info. Details at: https://theampersandreview.ca/submit?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

The IAG (Interior Authors Group), based in Kamloops, British Columbia, is on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064754766977 . Its blog is https://interiorauthorsgroup.wordpress.com/ .

Simon is a good father, but his mother doesn't always think so. Here's a three-generation scene from my novel SONG FOR SUSIE EPP.

 

I sat at the kitchen table paying bills while Simon's mother, Adeline, made oatmeal cookies and Simon unpacked the portable organ he'd ordered.

 

"Daddy," five-year-old Emily asked, "is this organ for playing real music?" It was a snazzy-looking instrument, chrome with red trim.

 

Three-year-old Norine grinned at her reflection in its shiny surface. "Is it for me and Emily?"

 

"It's for all of us," Simon said. "Shall we try it?" He took Norine's right hand and set her index finger on the white key in the centre of the organ's keyboard. "This is middle C."

 

Norine regarded him with solemn Simon-like eyes.

 

He placed Emily's thumb and middle finger on the E and G above middle C. "I'm going to say one, two, three, go. When I say go, both of you hit your keys."

 

The first try didn't work because Norine's finger slipped off. However, the second attempt produced a passable chord.

 

"Good," Simon said. "Stay right there." He scooted around to the lower end of the keyboard. "I'm going to play a song down here. Whenever I nod my head like this, you hit your keys."

 

He played Yankee Doodle Dandy, signaling the timing for the girls.

 

When the song had galloped to a finish, I applauded, though Adeline's face was stiff with disapproval.

 

"Can we play it again?" Emily asked.

 

"Okay," Simon said, "but this time—"

 

Adeline banged a cookie sheet down on the counter. "Why can't you teach the girls a Christian song once? What's Yankee Doodle? Just foolishness."

 

"It's fun, Mother," Simon said through clenched teeth. He grabbed the organ's cover and threw it over the instrument.

 

Emily glanced from her father to her grandmother. "Could you leave it open, Daddy? Please?"

 

"We'll play the organ later," Simon said. "After Mrs. Killjoy goes home."

 

Adeline scowled. "That's no way to talk about your poor old mutta."

 

"I'm sorry, I guess. I just wish you weren't such a spoilsport."

 

"I'm trying to learn your kids to be good Christians."

 

Simon grabbed his sunglasses off the top of the refrigerator. "Some Christians actually enjoy life. It doesn't need to be all doom and duty." He turned and stomped out of the house.

 

The girls glanced at each other, then scampered after their father.

 

If you'd like to read more about Susie, Simon, and family, ask for my novel SONG FOR SUSIE EPP in a bookstore or library. Or order it from an online seller such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Chapters Indigo. https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/search?q=Elma+Schemenauer&search-button=&lang=en_CA

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to Sheri Hathaway for this thoughtful review and to editor Patrick Lee for publishing it in FOLKLORE: SASKATCHEWAN'S YESTERDAYS PERSONIFIED, Spring 2025.

Elbow, Saskatchewan (fictionalized as Dayspring) is the setting for about half of my novel SONG FOR SUSIE EPP. Here's a peek into Susie's life there in April 1976.



April brought rapid changes to the Saskatchewan prairie. The kids waded through puddles on the south side of the house whilesnowbanks lay like dead sheep on the north side. Mallard ducks swam on reedy sloughs. Farmers tuned up their tractors. A meadowlark perched on a barbed-wire fence, pouring out its lilting song.
An earthy lightness filled the air. For the first time in months, I opened the windows of my sewing room.
I was embroidering a seagull for my marina quilt when Simon burst into the room, his cheeks glowing. I was relieved to see it was a healthy glow, not the bloated flush of drunkenness.
"I got a summer job," he announced.
If you'd like to read more about Dayspring, Susie, Simon, and family, ask for my novel SONG FOR SUSIE EPP in a bookstore or library. Or order it from an online seller such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Chapters Indigo. https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/search?q=Elma+Schemenauer&search-button=&lang=en_CA