FEATURED BOOK: Spokes
AUTHOR: Deanna K. Klingel
PUBLISHER: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press
GENRE: YA Fiction (triathlon, sports, faith, family)
SERIES OR STAND ALONE: Stand Alone
TARGET AGE: YA/ Early teen
I AM PLEASED TO WELCOME AUTHOR DEANNA KLINGEL TO PATTI’S PORCH. DEANNA SHARES WHAT SHE LEARNED FROM HER MOM ABOUT WOMEN WHO LIVE ABOVE THE FRAY.
Mother Babble
by
Deanna Klingel
I’m sitting with my 94 year-old mother at the Living Center that is now her world. She’s babbling the language of dementia in a voice I don’t recognize.
I remember a soft voice and gentle words of days long gone. Don’t get me wrong, my mom was never a push-over. But, no one ever saw her lose her cool, feminine approach against the world.
We lived in a small bungalow. No one had his or her “own space.” When mom had something private to impart to me, we went into the bathroom, shut the door, and sat on the edge of the bathtub. My brothers were probably listening on the other side of the door.
When the vicious playground sent me home in tears, mom told me, “Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words will never hurt you. Unless you let them.” In my grade school this boy hassled the girls. Today he’d be called bully, and the mom infantry would be marching in defense of their victimized daughters. My mom said, “If you didn’t run, could he chase you?” He demanded our candy at the store after school, threatening to beat us up. We girls wanted to beat him up! Mom said, “Then you’ll be no better than him. Girls need to be smarter. Stay above the fray.” We tried to think up vile things to call him. Mom said, “You’re giving him more ammunition. Do you want to be called those names? If you don’t want to hear them, don’t use them.” We wanted to get even. Mom said, “Fighting fire with fire isn’t the way to put it out. The best way is gentle dowsing and firm raking.” One plan was to throw tomatoes at his door and when his mom came out we’d tattle on him. My mom asked, “Have you seen David’s mother?” No, we hadn’t. “She had polio a few years ago and is bedridden.” I can still remember the taste in my mouth from my mother’s words. She never said don’t do it. She convinced us we could put our heads together and come up with something that was worthy of smart girls above the fray. Jewel made taffies and wrapped them in waxed paper and brought them to school sometimes. So we all helped Jewel come up with a new flavor, wrapped them in twists of waxed paper, and put them in our pockets. After school, pretending the victims, we surrendered our Cayenne-Pepper- flavored taffy. It was the last time the bully demanded candy. Mom laughed and said, “I guess he’ll respect you girls for being so smart.”
When middle grade gossip broke up friendships and brought out the worst in girlfriends, my mom advised me to stay off the phone. “Talk one-on-one to each girl involved. When you can see each other, it helps to understand,” she told me. “It’s easier to forgive, and move on. Don’t add fuel to the firestorm. Don’t talk to a phone. Talk to a person.”
In high school we had “those talks” on the edge of the tub. I rolled my eyes at mom’s old-fashioned babble. She told me, “Somewhere out there is your future husband. When that day comes, on your wedding night, you will want the best for him. The best you; pure, a woman no one has ever met before. If you’re patient, the best is yet to come.” I didn’t want to listen, but her words clung to me like a charm bracelet jangling on the wrist. Her words followed me to ballgames, school, dances, and dates. “Just because others are doing things, doesn’t mean it’s the best for you, or for them. Don’t let others write your endings for you. You are above the fray.”
My mom worked hard. She was a war bride of the Greatest Generation, with a high school diploma. I was the oldest of her three children. The youngest was born with arthrogryposis, a serious birth defect affecting all the limbs. Some of her own family thought she should let him die. She never considered it. She was a small woman, but she hauled her boy around in his wheel chair, figured out where to get the best care, how our poor family could pay for all the surgeries, and how without a car we could get him there. She was resourceful, and tough. From her I learned compassion.
She never visited another country, never lived in another state, didn’t learn to drive until I was in high school. She didn’t have friends or “do” lunch. She taught me how to pray, but she never attended church. She told me in later years she never felt she had the proper clothing or good enough shoes for church. But she always made sure I did, and I was in church every Sunday. Which church, was my choice. I went to all of them!
She took in ironings to help the income. Most of my memories of her are standing over the ironing board where she was when I left for school, and where she was when I came home. My middle brother was embarrassed that people brought their laundry to our house and that she was the ironing lady. But mom believed all kinds of work were important and should be respected, and she taught me that “women’s work” was noble and dignified. She was never embarrassed by work. She hummed. She knew the words of many songs, but mostly she hummed, while she ironed, worked in the garden, cleaned the house, took care of my brother, she hummed. She’s humming now.
From this humble woman I learned how to make my own happiness and find joy in my life, whatever I chose to do. She taught me I could color my pictures any color I wanted, and not to worry what others said or thought about it. She taught me if I wanted or needed something, I had to work harder to get it, and be willing to sacrifice for it. And I would never be a victim; my feelings aren’t hurt. I respect, and expect to be respected. Words spoken softly in a feminine voice, spoken with conviction and dignity, taught me what it means to be a woman. “Just try to do what’s right,” she said, “and think of others. Don’t take offense when none is intended. Women need tough skin.”
I hope I remembered to say thank you while the words still made sense to her. I wish I’d told her how much I admire her. Because now, she doesn’t know this woman beside her that she’s babbling to, is proud to be her daughter.
About Spokes
While training for triathlon, two teens look for clues in a mysterious hit and run death. In a summer of cycling, swimming and running, they learn the value of friends, the blessings of family, and the need for faith.
Deanna K. Klingel resides and writes in western NC in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. She lives with her husband Dave, and golden retriever Buddy. They have seven grown children and eleven grandchildren. Deanna writes for young and young-at-heart readers and travels with her books. Visit Deana at her website.
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WELCOME AUTHOR ANGELA D. MEYER
9/16/2016 1:03:00 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR DONNA SCHLACHTER
9/3/2016 1:56:03 AM by: Patti Shene
WHEN GOD SAYS "NO!"
8/22/2016 12:39:59 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR GAIL PALLOTTA
8/13/2016 6:12:58 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR JAMES CALLAN
8/6/2016 12:19:38 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR CAROLE BROWN
7/29/2016 10:27:52 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR CHRISTINE LINDSAY
6/3/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR LEANN BETTS
5/20/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Manners Are Golden ~ What the Bible Says by Nike Chillemi
5/7/2016 12:27:37 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR DIANE KALAS
4/16/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR TANYA EAVENSON
4/1/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR JENNIFER SLATTERY
3/18/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR JODIE WOLFE
3/4/2016 10:22:23 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR KARIN BEERY
2/24/2016 11:00:18 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR ANGELA RUTH STRONG
2/6/2016 12:49:04 AM by: Patti Shene
REVIEW OF SNOW OUT OF SEASON BY CHRISTY BRUNKE
1/29/2016 11:52:52 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR ELAINE STOCK
1/16/2016 12:57:46 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR GAIL PALLOTTA
1/2/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
IS CHRISTMAS REALLY OVER?
12/26/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR ANE MULLIGAN
12/13/2015 4:00:04 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR ANE MULLIGAN
12/13/2015 3:51:47 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR BROOKE COX
11/29/2015 4:17:05 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR H L WEGLEY
11/6/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
PERSPECTIVE
11/1/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR JO HUDDLESTON
10/23/2015 11:28:03 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR SALLY CHAMBERS
10/16/2015 10:21:11 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR TERESA POLLARD
10/9/2015 11:37:57 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR GAIL KITTLESON
10/3/2015 5:04:45 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR PAULA MOWERY
9/11/2015 10:39:52 PM by: Patti Shene
LIFE AFTER LIFE BY JUNE FOSTER
8/22/2015 10:18:01 AM by: Patti Shene
INTRODUCING A NEW BLOGGING COMMUNITY
8/9/2015 11:24:30 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR SUSAN ANNE MASON
7/24/2015 11:37:04 PM by: Patti Shene
WHY WE WAIT
7/11/2015 10:51:21 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR MISTY BELLER
6/27/2015 10:51:06 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR ELIZABETH MADDREY
6/13/2015 1:32:20 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR DONNA DOUGLAS
5/22/2015 10:51:09 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR JO HUDDLESTON
5/9/2015 7:57:00 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR LEE CARVER
4/10/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR VALERIE COMER
3/27/2015 11:19:26 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR MARIAN MERRITT
3/14/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR AMBER STOCKTON
2/27/2015 11:00:12 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR CONNIE ALMONY
2/14/2015 8:01:40 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR JAMES CALLAN
1/24/2015 1:41:32 PM by: Patti Shene
A MODERN DAY MIRACLE
1/16/2015 10:59:08 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR CONNIE PEASE
1/10/2015 7:44:16 PM by: Patti Shene
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS - PART SEVEN
12/27/2014 11:17:48 AM by: Patti Shene
AUTHOR GINA WELBORN RETURNS
12/20/2014 11:08:16 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR SUSAN ANNE MASON
12/18/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WHAT DOES ADVENT MEAN TO YOU?
12/14/2014 3:45:38 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR PEG PHIFER
12/8/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR JANET K. BROWN
12/6/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
AUTHOR H. L. WEGLEY WRAPS UP PURE GENIUS SERIES
11/29/2014 12:36:32 PM by: Patti Shene
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS - PART SIX
11/22/2014 6:55:52 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR BILL GARRISON
11/14/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WHAT DO YOU MISS?
11/8/2014 2:41:19 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR CAMILLE EIDE
11/1/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS - PART FIVE
10/25/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
DINOSAURS AND THE BIBLE
10/19/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR GINA WELBORN
10/10/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
POINT TO POINT TO POINT
10/5/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS - PART FOUR
9/27/2014 9:25:12 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR ANE MULLIGAN
9/19/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
BY THE NUMBERS
9/15/2014 2:24:11 PM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR ADA BROWNELL
9/5/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR JENNIFER SLATTERY
8/30/2014 10:56:45 PM by: Patti Shene
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS - PART THREE
8/23/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR REBECCA DeMARINO
8/16/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
SITTING IDLE
8/10/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
It's Hot Out Here! by CHERI SWALWELL
8/3/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS - PART TWO
7/26/2014 11:01:15 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR CAROLE BROWN
7/20/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WHY DO WE DO WHAT WE DO?
7/14/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
AUTHOR H. L. WEGLEY RETURNS
7/5/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS - PART ONE
6/27/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR AVA PENNINGTON
6/20/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
UNEXPECTED ACTS OF KINDNESS
6/16/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
REVIEW OF THREE NON-FICTION BOOKS
6/7/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR RENEE BLARE
5/30/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
SEVEN WAYS TO STRETCH SPIRITUALLY BY ADA BROWNELL
5/17/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WHEN FINE IS NOT REALLY FINE
4/23/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
MOMMY MEMOIRS BY ANN VAN DE WATER
4/19/2014 5:33:04 PM by: Patti Shene
PLAY BALL!
4/17/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
JOE THE DREAMER BY AUTHOR A. B. BROWNELL
4/12/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
ON THE PINEAPPLE EXPRESS BY H. L. WEGLEY
4/4/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
THE THIEF BY STEPHANIE LANDSEM
3/29/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
HUMOR AT THE HOSPITAL
3/26/2014 9:45:22 PM by: Patti Shene
HEAR NO EVIL BY MARY HAMILTON
3/22/2014 2:39:47 PM by: Patti Shene
WHEN THE ROAD GETS LONG AND LONELY
3/19/2014 12:56:57 PM by: Patti Shene
INTRODUCING RYAN'S FATHER BY JUNE FOSTER
3/15/2014 4:19:04 PM by: Patti Shene
WHERE ARE YOU THE MOST VULNERABLE?
3/13/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
INTERVIEW WITH WRITER BROOKE COX
3/8/2014 11:44:40 AM by: Patti Shene
Patti's Porch Welcomes Author Rebecca Carey Lyles
3/1/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Flying for Jesus by Lee Carver
2/22/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Putting Out the Fleece by Paula Mowery
2/15/2014 1:02:11 PM by: Patti Shene
What We Can Learn From the Olympics
2/12/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Hush, Little Baby by Deborah M. Piccurelli
2/8/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Baby, It's Cold Outside!
2/5/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
A Matter of Perspective
2/1/2014 12:52:05 AM by: Patti Shene
Introducing The Pure Genius Series by H. L. Wegley
1/25/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Monopoly!
1/21/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
welcome author Cheri Swalwell
1/17/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
What Did You Mean By That?
1/14/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Wildlife Video
1/10/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
My Best Reads of 2013
1/8/2014 1:28:40 AM by: Patti Shene
The Dumbest Kid in School
1/3/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Good-bye to 2013
1/1/2014 1:35:09 AM by: Patti Shene
Focusing on What Christmas Really Means
12/22/2013 7:00:40 PM by: Patti Shene
One Spectacular Christmas Display
12/19/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Where are You Going This Advent Season?
11/29/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Shared Experience
11/24/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Facing the Monster
10/25/2013 12:46:47 AM by: Patti Shene
Review of Reign by Ginger Garrett
9/27/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
I'll Be Happy When...
5/14/2013 11:49:55 PM by: Patti Shene
Sing Praises - Whether You Can Sing or Not
5/5/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
I Can't Do This!
5/2/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
BREAKING THE RULES
4/28/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
WELCOME AUTHOR TINA PINSON
4/21/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Vulnerability to Fear
4/17/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Faith and Fear
4/15/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Those Temporary Interruptions
2/21/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Grand Prize Winner at Int'l Wildlife Film Festival
2/7/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Starsongs Giveaway Contest
2/3/2013 2:04:28 AM by: Patti Shene
Taking Stock
1/30/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Welcome Author Janet K Brown
1/26/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Winter - Bah Humbug!
1/22/2013 10:18:37 PM by: Patti Shene
Welcome Author Tanya Eavenson
1/19/2013 10:35:41 AM by: Patti Shene
Welcome Author Margaret Brownley
1/16/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Travel Writing = Nearly Shooting Peacocks
1/12/2013 4:00:39 PM by: Patti Shene
Water, Water Everywhere - or Maybe Not
1/9/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
The last Day of the Christmas Season
1/5/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Accountability in the Extreme
1/2/2013 12:38:47 AM by: Patti Shene
The day after Christmas
12/26/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
It's Dec 22nd - And We're Still Here!
12/22/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
The Next Big Thing - Blog Hopping
12/19/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Vanquishing the Christmas Blues by Linda Rondeau
12/15/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Christmas Rayne by Joi Copeland
12/12/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
The Christmas Stalking by Lillian Duncan
12/8/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
News From Nashville & Beyond
12/4/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Author Susan Sleeman offers great advice about wor
11/13/2012 2:10:37 PM by: Patti Shene
Welcome Home!
11/13/2012 2:00:24 PM by: Patti Shene
Confessions of a first book editor
11/13/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Going Home
11/13/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
GPCWC in Restospect
11/13/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Vacation in the Adirondacks of New York
11/13/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
I am pleased to welcome author Staci Stallings
11/13/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Meet Award-Winning Journalist And Author Ada Brownell
11/13/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
An Interview with Author Eddie Jones
11/13/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene
Nano Day 11 - um - day 1?
11/13/2012 12:00:01 AM by: Patti Shene