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Lynda Lee Breckenridge Gaetano grew up on dairy farm in the 50's and 60's. The farm toped one of the undulating hills in Western New York State. As the only daughter, of a family of five, she shared the thrill and some of the hard work that farm life required. She often heard her Father, Uncle, and Grandfather, giving notice that they had "to head UP~South," for errands, collecting feed, seed or something or other, for the farm.
Yet, it was the pleasure and joy in that natural environment, which inspired her to seek an interest in conservation, and environmental ideas for the lands around her. Preservation of history, and recognizing the mundane past of the area, just naturally followed. Yet, the past history of the area, proved to be something, but NOT mundane.
Lynda lives in Austin, Texas, with her impatient husband, an electrical engineer, and their tolerant Golden Retriever "Beau." She has two daughters and a stepson. She writes while waiting for the grandchildren to arrive… so the stories can continue.
From an INTERVIEW with author of UP~South, SPRING
Lynda Breckenridge Gaetano
UP~SOUTH, Spring__Folk Stories Whispered on the Wind and seen through the Leaves…
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself…
* I grew up in West Bethany, NY on a dairy farm.
* I'm a daughter, a wife, a mother, I have two daughters and a step-son located in Western NY, Central Texas, and Atlanta Georgia.
* My Husband, is from Italy. He is an electrical engineer in the communications industry.
* We have a 6 year old Golden Retriever named "Beau.'
* I live in the bluebonnet hills… above Austin, Texas.
Q: When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
* I've always enjoyed writing and reading. Since middle school I wanted to put things that were important to me on paper or share my thoughts. (Not that everyone had to accept my beliefs, and surely many did not.)
* I was interested in our family farm, 4-H, and our Dairy Co-op.
So I wrote about them and for them in different ways.
* I must say when I went to college my first English Comp. professor…did NOT see much hope in me.
* And I still cannot spell. (Thank goodness for the Spell checker)
* But other instructors would see something in my attempts and they were encouraging.
* Also writing helped me through several difficult times in my life.
* I'd like to hope that what I have written… has help a few people through their own life challenges.
I have a little story to share.
* One day I was in a fast chicken restaurant, mid afternoon on a weekday. Eating a little something.
* There was One other fellow in the restaurant eating also. We glanced at each other once in a while.
* I reached into my purse and retrieved a couple of index cards and started taking a few notes.
* He asked, What type of Book I was writing?...
o Well, I was first shocked, then flattered.
o How could he know I was writing a book?
o I didn't have my manuscript with me, nor my laptop, not a reference book….
* Well, I told him my book was a regional folk history about early NY, where I grew up.
* Then I asked…,
o How did he know I was writing a book?
* He said, I looked like a "writer……"
o Well, that compliment MADE my DAY!
* Little did he know, that I was just writing a grocery list.
Q: How and when did you make this dream a reality?
* I started four years ago. I was in a dentist office getting ready for a root canal. (I had had several… but this was a new doctor) I had been reading a local (NY) novel, (The City of Light,
by Lauren Belfer, about Niagara Falls and it development of electric power, in the early 1900's.
* I thought…I have stories…I love to write. Why not get going and put them down for grandchildren? I was trying to think about anything else, rather than the root-canal…!!!
But, that was the start of my dream.
* The mobile society that we live in today, makes it difficult to share family tales like they
used to; say, around the dinner table, or at a holiday gatherings, or out working in the fields together. Our days are just different.
* The mundane episodes that may have taken place out of one's familiar area, or to some
family members we may never have known.
* I find these stories exciting!
* These are all part of our history and I believe part of what makes us who we are today.
o To answer you better…I'm still making it a reality.
* I hope I can influence others to share their stores and keep learning.
* We must communicate what is important to us to those who are important to us.
Q: What's the most important lesson you've learned so far in your writing career?
* "To thine own self be true." Believe in yourself…forget what others might say if they don't inspire you, or if what they say isn't a thoughtful constructive comment.
* Keep dreaming, work toward your goals.
* Give your self time.
* You are IMPORTANT, if you are having trouble, find a mentor, or BE ONE!
* Keep learning……… It is Fascinating
o Searching out family stories and the era in which they took place in has been very interesting.
* Also connecting with other folks that are writing,
o researching family genealogy,
o meeting those that are interested in preserving history, or are
o seeking some "how to facts,"
o It is so easy now days to find others with similar interests and to ask questions.
HOME
Q: What are you working on right now?
* The second and third volumes of UP~South series… which continue the stories.
o Summer (1840-1890) … is being edited now.
I hope it will be published this fall by Blue Stocking Press
o Fall (1890-1940).
* They are each written but not personally edited.
Ahead is Winter a cookbook, fun, entertaining…
+ My Special favorites after 30+ years or cooking & catering
+ Family oriented / culturally diverse, I hope that it will be out Mid-Year 2005.
Q: What is Blue Stocking Press?
* Blue Stocking Press the business name of my publishing house.
* Blue Stocking Press is named after a literary group in Victorian England, at the end of the 1800s.
o These meetings were held by women to converse with distinguished learned men,
about interesting topics. Something unusual for the women of that time.
o One gentleman who attended was a Mr. Stillingfleet, who always wore blue worsted-knit stockings, instead of the black-silk as most men of the time did.
+ It seems he was so talented with conversational powers that the Ladies felt that they were at a great loss if "Blue Stockings" was not in attendance at their gatherings. So the meetings became know as Blue Stocking Clubs and the attendees…BLUE STOCKINGS. are described in the dictionary as Female pendants or someone who makes an ostentations display of learning, (such as a school teacher)
Q: What excites or ignites your soul?
* Chocolate.
* Chilled white wine, Pinot Grigo, sharp New York Cheddar cheese and fresh fruit, & crusty bread.
* Nice Music and relaxing conversation with friends or reading.
* Cool weather. Viewing nature. Happy children.
* Learning something new. (I may not remember it, right away…
but I can work at it, and it will be there If I need it.)
* My first love was the Library.
o A computer is a portable Library.
o The Computer and the internet…are great.
o We are lucky to be living in this age and have such quick access to facts and timely information.
* They say learning keeps us young.
* Oh, did I say I started writing to leave a few memories for the grandchildren.
o Well! They are on their way!
UP~South Can be purchased locally in New York State at:
* Go Art! Genesee & Orleans Art Cultural Center -- Genesee-Office, Batavia
* Holland Land Office Gift Shop, Batavia *
* Rolling Hills Shops at the Old County Home, Bethany
* Genesee Country Village Museum and Shop, Mumford, NY
Over the internet at:
Hope Farms Press & Book Shop www.hopefarmpress.com
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