Once Upon A Time In the Ozarks

About the Book

The Ozarks are a range of mountains that run through Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. It was a hard-scrabble life for most. The people were hard working and close knit.

This is a story of some of those folks during the "Great Depression". Little Mary grew up much too fast. She loved her Mama, Miss Minnie, and was very close to her. She was raped at an early age, shot by a drunken neighbor, and beaten on occasion.

Miss Minnie was a quiet woman, and just went about the business of raising and feeding her large family. She would stand up her husband sometime, like when he sold her cow. She let him know he was not going to sell ehr cow, and give the money back to the man who thought he bought a cow.

Papa could show a lot of compassion when needed. Like when Button, the family pet, was hit by a car and killed. Button was the bright spot in this family's life.

When Carl was killed fighting Hitler in Northern AFrica, it was a most sorrowful time for the family. Miss Minnie had a nervous breakdown and went into deep deperssion. She was sick for a very long time. Papa was despondent, and the family was very afraid he might take his own life.

There was no money for college for the girls. Their options were working in a factory or marriage. The boys faired a little better with the GI Bill.

Velma was the saving grace for this family. She went to work at an early age. She made sure her little sisters and little brother had clothes to start school, and had a Christmas. She provided food and was very protective of her family.

This is, also, the story of young love, love lost, and living in life in the Ozarks.

About the Author

Ms. Clancy is a 30 year retired hospital nurse. She has never written for publication. This is her first attempt at writing. She kept notes and journals since she was a small child knowing that someday, she would have to write it all down. She lives in Ft. Worth, Texas with her best friend Miss Molly.