Last week, I took my camera to a very special building, climbed the stairs to the second floor, and said to my all-time favorite skeleton, "Hi there, girl! Did ya miss me?"
Her name is Fly (like the wind), and she's famous for her outstanding career as a Civil War-horse and I have admired her since we first met, during a an elementary class field trip to the Workingmen's Institute in New Harmony, Indiana. I think I was about 8-years-old. I would visit her again many times over the years, and to this day, of all the museum exhibits I've seen here in the states and abroad, the two that are my favorites are Fly and the Hope Diamond. Of those two, Fly holds first place. Birthed on Mrs. Hazel Nelson's farm, in Posey County's rural Southern Indiana, Fly was a bonus when her mama was purchased by Mr. George A. Barrett, of nearby Stewartsville, IN. The grown dam was to help the Barrett family work their farm and Fly was to help too when she got bigger. How Fly's remains came to be on permanent display at the Workingmen's Institute in New Harmony, IN, is a story that is nothing short of magnificent and one that I wished all families of Yankee and Rebel descent would share with upcoming generations. Thankfully, to make it easy for you to get acquainted with both Fly and her wonderful family, author and artist, Bridgette Z. Savage has taken the time to write and illustrate Fly's story for you. It's a smooth read full of adventure and now ranks as one of the most treasured books in my collection. Before I go further, I have a very short video for you. Please bear in mind, my memory of Fly's statistics and particulars was a bit hazy when I made this somewhat-impromptu recording, before I read the book. Hindsight's 20/20, and I hope you'll be gracious and not mind it as is. Videos have never been my thing, but in this case, I have such a passion to share Fly's story I made this on impulse. The prime reason for the vid is predominantly to give you as best of a view as I could produce of Fly and her special home on the second floor of the Workingmen's Institute. About the author and her marvelous book ...
Per what I gleaned from her bio, Bridgette is a graduate of University of Indiana, an educator and artist, and she's spent many years in the Southern Indiana area.
I haven't seen indication that she has any other books out, but after being totally engrossed in Fly's story from start to finish, I definitely hope she's planning to put together another one at some point. I love the easy rhythm and flow she built the story with and that she wrote it in simple fashion. It's an epic tale for an agile reader to enjoy but the vocabulary is easy enough for even young readers to grasp and get as much of a bang out of the book. I hope I've got you stoked for a great read!
This isn't a book about the North and the South. Although the story is laced with geographical and incident information of the Northern Aggression as it pertains to George and Fly's adventures, the author is gently considerate of the feelings of both sides represented, whether they wore grey or blue, and even for the folks who were caught in the middle.
Her story's focus is on Fly and George and their fantastic friendship that spanned lifetimes.
If you've got children, grandchildren, or little ones who love a good story about hooved-heroes and brave riders, then this will be an exceptionally fun read to share with them. It's also inexpensive and would make a wonderful gift for anyone who loves historic literature stitched with twisting and churning adventure!
The finish line!
My thanks to you for your visit today and I hope you've enjoyed my attempt to get you acquainted with Fly, George Barrett and the awesome work of Bridgette Z. Savage!
That's it for this one, and I'll see you back on Thursday at femme's Desk for the weekly round-up! 'Til then, God bless you, thank you for the read and please don't forget to thank a veteran at your next opportunity! femmeflashpoint
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June 2018
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