In Time: Ten Stories of Nick and Mitch

by Alan Howard, Kay Balmer (Editor)

The ten stories found in this anthology are neither completely true, nor completely fiction. The incidents of each may have taken place in some way, but not as portrayed by the characters, Nick and Mitch. That is to say that neitherNick nor Mitch are ever one character as they appear in the stories. They are in fact a culmination of Howard men and women who appeared generations before I was born, during my lifetime, and will continue as long as our family lives on.It is my intention that my children, and my grandchildren will have a glimpse into a very small window of time these stories took place, between the years 1953 and1970, a time before cell phones and high speed internet. It is a time when we were, in many ways sheltered, and led much more secluded lives than living in the cosmopolitan world of today.In 1950 our family moved from Boise, Idaho to Richmond, Oregon, an isolated remnant of gold mining days. My second grade education included a daily fourteen mile jaunt down a winding gravel road to the bus stop, then twelve miles of pavement along the John Day River to the diminutive village, Spray, Oregon. Most of my classmates were in awe that I had not only traveled out of the state, but had lived in the big city of Boise, Idaho. On the playgrounds and in the halls my siblings and I were simply known as, “Hey Boise.”Our next move to Redmond, Oregon was much easier. We were no longer looked upon as out of state foreigners. And, since that time, in my mind, everyone in myimmediate family became Oregonians. In my limited travels, I have found there is a certain distinction and pride that goes with the label, Oregonian. In my stories, I have attempted to capture the Southern roots of my parents and the pride they planted in us, their children and an inherent love of the Oregon opportunities. It is my hope that the ten stories, which could have taken place in any rural American setting, will in some way be looked upon as stories of family, family love, and stories of Oregon.

118 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2015