Lewis A. Armstrong, author “Oklahoma Boy on the Bumpy Road of Life” Review

“Tis so delightful to tell stories and share the fun of it with others…” Written by the author, Lewis A. Armstrong, on the back cover of Stories By An Oklahoma Boy. Retired Colonel Armstrong writes about what is important to him: family, church, career. He has self published topics from cookbooks to humor books; hopefully more are in the works. For this blog, I have chosen three of his family books: Oklahoma Boy on the Bumpy Road of Life, published 2018, Stories By An Oklahoma Boy, published 2014, The Writings of Leonard E. Armstrong, published 2012.

In The Writings of Leonard E. Armstrong: Stories, Poems, and Letters, Lewis compiles his brother’s poems, letters and stories. The dedication reads, “Although he no longer walks on the face of the old earth, yet he would dedicate this work to his grandchildren and great grandchildren whom he loved dearly…” The reader catches a glimpse of Leonard’s closeness to his family. One chapter titled, Big Red, puts in plain words the love of a grandma to let her three year old grandson fed the chickens and gather eggs. The rooster decided to scare the three year old. The rooster ended up invited to Sunday dinner. Another chapter, Merry Christmas, Christmas in Florida, rewrites The Night Before Christmas, “They knew that Santa was well on his way, In a shiny red sports car instead of a sleigh…”

Stories By An Oklahoma Boy provides many wonderful memories of hours spent listening and/or reading Han Christian Anderson, Brothers Grimms’ and others. My dad’s copy of Grimms’ sits on my shelf today. My personal favorites are the Bobbsey Twins and Winnie the Pooh; this may be because my cousin read to me. Later, I shared Winnie the Pooh with my son.

Oklahoma Boy on the Bumpy Road of Life makes available a glimpse into the author’s family. The author acknowledges people who have contributed to the person he turned out to be. Lewis shares the bumps and high points in his life. He starts with his 1941 smiling baby photograph. He ends with, “I will be 77 on August 18, 2018. There are benefits with age, but there are limitations as well… You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.”

Thank you, Lewis A. Armstrong, for sharing your life and family with your readers! We are no longer strangers, we are now friends too!

My connections with Lewis A. Armstrong: 

• Mr. Armstrong has been a member of Our Genealogy Group, Morrow, Georgia, for several years. This is where I met Lewis and Linda.
• Lewis is two years younger than I am, this provokes my childhood memories.
• We both are interested in the Armstrong surname. My direct Armstrong family came from Pennsylvania to New York then to LaSalle County, Illinois. Did any travel further west to Oklahoma?

Your narratives encourage others to share their family!

Colonel Armstrong, Thank you for your service to our country!

Alaskan cookbooks and bars

Juneau Centennial Cookbook written and collected by Jane Stewart and Betty Harris. Edited and designed by Phyllice Fallah Bradner. This distinctive Alaskan cookbook contains recipes from families who have lived in Juneau and Douglas at least 50 years. Many of their ancestors settled even earlier. The cookbook published in 1980 contains early photos, family history and wild game recipes. The chapters offer 18 pages of fish, 12 pages of game, 4 pages of fowl, 4 pages of vegetables, 10 pages of berries and 9 pages of specialties recipes. The specialties include ethnic breads, fermented eggs, punch, teas and stronger drink. The cookbook is heavy on game and light on vegetables, breads and dessert recipes.

 

Simply Sourdough: The Alaska Way by Kathy Doogan provides the starter and many delicious recipes. According to the author, this oldest form of leavened bread may have been discovered when Egyptians accidentally left dough at room temperature; it picked up wild yeast from the air and began rising. The date could have been as early as 4,000 B.C. In the 1800s, prospectors with their sourdough starter and some flour would not go hungry. Kathy continues with how to make sourdough starter, tips for working with sourdough and common terms. After the necessary preliminaries, the recipes include everything from breakfast breads to desserts. All 39 recipes are guaranteed tested and tasted.

A Guide to the Notorious Bars of Alaska by Doug Vandegraft provides the address, amenities, history and notoriety of 134 bars scattered throughout the state. What makes a bar notorious? According to the author who writes on page 10, "When a bar is around for more than twenty-five years it tends to gain a reputation and a kind of notoriety... The facts get distorted and the legend grows." Many bars have their own web pages, Facebook pages and/or YouTube videos. Their history may be a reason to check them out.

Family historians, publish your receipts with your history. Comments or questions, contact Selma Blackmon.

Stewart, Jane, Phyllice F. Bradner and Betty Harris. Juneau Centennial Cookbook. Juneau, Alaska: self-published. 1980. New books are available from stores in Juneau, Alaska.
Doogan, Kathy. Simply Sourdough: The Alaska Way. Anchorage, Alaska: Todd Communications. 2007.

Vandegraft, Doug. A Guide to the Notorious Bars of Alaska. Fairbanks, Alaska: Epicenter Press. 2014.