My grandparents met at a barn dance in Soldier a few years after your book setting. Grandma lived in Hill City and Grandpa was a "foreigner" from Denver. Her parents hated him because he owned no land so he promptly took out a land patent. Didn't work out so well for a city slicker but grandma said he could dance like Fred Astaire!

Hi Mrs Ballard! you are the bestest teacher ever!!!

I think you are a great teacher, but it's also very nice to meet someone out of the norm. and you are exactly that. I can honestly say I haven't met any one else who writes, has a web site, and is also a teacher.

I feel so old when I realize how much of the world is now online and I don't even know it exists! Way to go Amy! We're so excited to get to know you.

Just a thought--with the books that Tyler has to recycle cuz they are too damaged, why don't you set up an Etsy shop and sell the illustrated pages as craft supplies? I sold some of those in collage "kits" on Ebay last summer for between $15 and $25 each (also with beads, buttons, etc.) Illustrations from vintage children's books are all the rage for card making, scrap books, collage, etc right now.