Back in Newsprint

Once upon a time I published a county newspaper. I also did the photography, which was dark room stuff in those days, sold advertising, drew cartoons and scrubbed the john. I don't miss it. But I do miss the writing. So I have made a comeback. "River Life", an upbeat newspaper, is printed in the capital of our state, Pierre, SD, every other week. You can find my work under Dee LeRoye or Clarice Roghair. A year's subscription is available for only $20 from Co-op Printing, 420 West Sioux Ave, Pierre, SD 57501. The Christmas articles I sent off today will appear in the Dec. 11 edition. Won't you join us?

Roghair Family Reunion

Just returned from a weekend Roghair Family Reunion in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. We try to get together every 3 years. There are only 4 surviving children of the original 13 that were part of the Henry and Cornelia Roghair family. Which reminds me, if any of you are into South Dakota history, you might enjoy reading the book "Dakota Roghairs". I opened the last box of books in order to take some to the reunion, so there are now a limited number of copies available. Interested? Check out my website at dakotarose.vpweb.com

Christian Writer's Conference

Estes Park in the springtime....is this a bit of heaven on earth? I had the privilege of attending the Colorado Christian Writer's Conference last week. The conference could not have been better. Rubbing shoulders with famous writers, great publishers and editors...it did not make any difference...we all were like one big family. I wonder if heaven might be a bit like that. It was actually hard to step back into a world of people thirsting to know Jesus and not even knowing what their need is. But there is a job to be done and I must do my part.

Granddaughter # 11

Jubilee Deborah arrived Thursday afternoon. 7 pounds 6 ounces. What a little doll! Three little blonde girls are delighted to have a baby sister. Her dadddy and mama seem to be pretty satisfied with their bundle.

Grandchild #22

Shawna goes in for C-section on Thursday. Join us in praying for a healthy baby and a quick recovery for Mom.

Strawberry Pie

Did you ever try to find a recipe on the net? I usually have no problem at all, but last night...ooo-wheee. Every time I tried to get strawberry pie, something weird popped up, even peach pie, but I have strawberries, not peaches. Finally found one in the battered, old Farm Journal cookbook off the shelf. Stop in later for fresh strawberry pie.

Ticket To Heaven

For those of you who have inquired about my beliefs, these excerpts may explain it best.

From the book "The Bronze Cowboy"....

page 77....They pulled up their horses at a clump of white-burdened bushes and Tom snapped off a short branch of flowers. He handed it to Amy, "Look at the petals; perfect, beautiful, all different. You can't tell me that happened by accident."
Her eyes met his, "What are you trying to tell me?"
"That I believe in God," he hesitated, "Is that enough?"
"Enough for what?" she asked weakly, studying the blossoms, afraid to look at him.
"Enough for God, for heaven," he started his horse walking slowly toward the barn, "enough for you."
Her voice trembled, "If believing God exists is enough, did Christ die on the cross for no reason?"



pages 93, 94...."Yah. This country is hard. You gotta be hard to live here. That's what I told you at the picnic the other day. But I've changed my mind. I don't think you ought to marry Tom Wuley. In the first place, he is not a Christian like you, and next, you are too much of a lady to survive here." She set a steaming mug of coffee in front of Amy.
"Actually, he is a Christian, he was saved at the Country Cross Rally when they were in town."
Lizzie's coffee cup paused on the way to her lips, "No kidding." She set the cup back down.
"Lizzie," Amy handed the worn photo back to the other woman, "Don't you want to see your baby again?"
Immediately tears welled up in the sad, tired eyes of the bereaved mother. "My folks will take care of her."
After a brief interlude of silence, Lizzie continued, "I won't ever be good enough to go to heaven, Miss Amy, and what's more, I don't want to try to be good enough to go to heaven. I can't help it if I break the rules."
"Lizzie," Amy replied gently, "None of us are good enough to get to heaven. If we were, Jesus would not have needed to die a horrible death on a cross. You get saved from eternal death and hell by simply accepting His gift, by trusting Him to save you. There are no rules you have to keep."

New book

Can a displaced Haitian missionary survive the wilds of the South Dakota prairie as housekeeper for a grubby old rancher and his three handsome sons? Can she learn to ride horses, pull calves, make butter, patch jeans and tend a garden? She can if there is a bronze cowboy involved.

An easy read in one setting. Sells by mail for $12, which includes postage in the U.S. Be the fifth person to respond to this post and your copy of The Bronze Cowboy is FREE!