Traci DePree, Aprons on a Clothesline

Aprons on a Clothesline By Traci DePree

In Austin, Minnesota, near Lake Emily, Virginia Morgan tells her friend Lillian Biddle that she has a bad headache, but will be okay. However, not long afterward, Virginia collapses inside the Spam Museum. Nurse Mary Shrupp calls 911 believing the kindhearted grandmother suffered a stroke.

Virginia survives, but is not the same person as she feels unneeded since she is unable to help others like she has all her life. Depressed, Virginia begins to question whether she and those caring for her would be better off if she was dead especially since she knows that others in town need help but her body refuses to cooperate. However, she thinks her worst failure is not being there for Jessie Wise who needs a nurturing mother just like the pre stroke Virginia provided to everyone for decades in the Lake Emily area. Instead the post stroke Virginia has given up on life.

APRONS ON A CLOTHESLINE is a deep look at small town rural life with an emphasis on believing in God, hard work, and honesty with one's self and towards others. Many of the characters return from previous novels (see A CAN OF PEAS and DANDELIONS IN A JELLY JAR) with new troubles as relationships change. However, the star of this tale is Virginia who goes from an active elderly person providing assistance and nurturing whenever she can to a beaten individual struggling with receiving love and care as opposed to giving. Fans of inspirational character driven tales will enjoy the Lake Emily series especially this powerful third entry.

Harriet Klausner