Oysterville Kids (r to l) Nancy, Judy, Anne, Me
When we were kids, Anne Cannon (Nixon) was always just a bit out in front of the rest of us, as well she should have been. She was the oldest, after all. Youngest was her cousin Judy Heckes (Stamp). Next came her sister Nancy Cannon (Goodell). Then came me, the family friend.
My mom and Anne and Nancy’s mom, Gyla Kemmer, had been girlhood friends right here in Oysterville. And so it was with us, the second generation of summer kids. They were part of the big, friendly Heckes, Kemmer, Caulfield family who ran the Heckes Boarding House a block or so north of my grandparents’ place. Judy, though she was youngest, definitely had it over the rest on us in one important way: she lived here all the time.
By Anne Elizabeth Nixon
But Anne was always first – the first to have a crush on someone, the first get ‘a figure,’ and the first to qualify as truly ‘sophisticated’ by learning how to smoke! And so it went all through our lives. And now she’s done it again! She’s written a book – a Kindle book – about a questionable preacher! It’s not the writing of the book or even the Kindle edition that is a step ahead, though. I’ve done both of those. It’s the subject!
I, too, have been dinking around with a story about a preacher. My story, though fiction like Anne’s, is based on a real Oysterville preacher – Reverend Josiah Crouch. I’m not sure if Anne’s protagonist has a real basis or not. But. From her description of him he has some very serious character flaws – just like Reverend Crouch.
Her book’s title, Better Poor Than a Liar: Which is the “Rev”? hints as to her preacher’s problem, as does the front cover with its picture of piles of money and grasping hand. And Amazon.com’s online blurb doesn‘t leave much doubt: ‘Reverend’ Eddie and his ditsy wife, Tilly, travel the county in a lavish motorhome, scamming with abandon until God decides He’s going to turn the tables on him. The Rev convinces the willing and unwilling with what he believes are his ‘golden words.’
I can’t wait to read it and, since I don’t yet have a Kindle or e-book reader, this will undoubtedly be the one that forces my hand. Knowing Anne, the story will be full of fun and good humor. And, also knowing Anne, I’m not one bit surprised that her preacher book was first! She’s spurring me on… just like always!
I TOLD YOU Mrs. Crouch’s story would make a great novel. I don’t have a Kindle either. Man, now I may have to buy one.
To clarify, Stephanie: Anne’ s story is not about Reverend Crouch. Her questionable “rev” is a modern-day, fictional character and, as far as I know, has nothing at all to do with Oysterville.
I appreciate all Sydney’s flattery! If she thought I was first in all those fabulous things growing up, she was certainly all by herself! While I was oldest and tallest, and had the biggest feet, I’m still not aware I was top at anything else. Well, maybe one thing – with those big feet, I had new school shoes one year, pure white as I remember. They looked huge! As we took off our shoes and socks at the bay, I lay those monsters on the sand where I knew the tide would come in as we threw ourselves around in the water. Sure enough, as all we kids played, I sneaked looks every so often at the shoes, and eventually saw them heading out to sea! What I said to Mom later I think I’d better not say…
PS – If you don’t have a Kindle you can download a free Kindle app. Just below my book is a square that alerts readers to it. Then you can read it easily on your computer, especially simple if you use a laptop.