Guest Author, Erma M. Ullrey

 

Erma is a sweet friend and critique partner. I found this story powerful and eye-opening.

 

BEFORE LETTERS WITH LOVE
By
Erma M. Ullrey

 

Have you ever met someone whose impact so greatly affected your life that it continues on today?

When Lila Concord first came to life in my imagination, her love for the Lord and her wisdom inspired me. From the moment she uttered her first words, I knew she’d change me. How, exactly, I didn’t know. After all, she began as a minor character in my rom-com, Journaled With Love. But she hinted at something larger, igniting her scenes with her undeniable presence. Lila had heart and grit and a stick-to-it strength that commanded a story beyond her sub-character role.

As a writer, you pray and hope your character(s) will share their stories with you. …thankfully, Lila opened up like a beautiful, fragrant flower.

She and I talked throughout the dreary Winter of 2025. By the Spring of 2026, I understood the passion and pain that pumped through Lila James Lane Concord’s veins enough to flood the pages of Letters With Love.

While Lila joyously remained conversant, she put me to work, demanding I do my research. I learned, for example, that 1940s car radiators forbade distance driving. Painted gray, the retired Queen Mary safely crossed the Atlantic 1001 times during WWII, transporting people and soldiers back and forth between N.Y. and England. Mixed race couples could legally marry only in a handful of states in the early 1940s. Black pilots were used as decoys for fighter planes piloted by whites. Inhumane experiments were performed on base in Tuskegee, Alabama.

On a happier note, Mrs. Spinnler* became the catalyst for good in Lila’s life, encouraging her to learn Latin, which opened the door for her WWII codebreaker position. These behind-the-scenes heroes translated intercepted messages, giving the Allies an incredible edge over the Third Reich.

Much like her parents, Lila’s life didn’t begin as one of ease. But even when she didn’t see it, she trusted the Lord, choosing to walk beside Him come what may. As a young Negro woman, she experienced merciless prejudice, moments of joy, heartbreaking disappointments, and victorious miracles. Her darkest nights eventually yielded to brightest, golden days.

As only the Lord can, He placed other inspirational people in Lila’s life. Her best friend Dotty revealed the heart of a true friend. Joseph Lane believed love was colorless and proved that in undeniable ways. Anna Lane and Thurston Bunkard III taught Lila to fight for herself. The risks Bessie Smith and Dannetta Applegate took pushed Lila to find God’s purpose for her life. Duncan healed her heart with the love God meant for her to enjoy.

I’m not sure what more the Lord will say through Lila to me, but I know the adventure He began hasn’t come to an end. He reminded me of that through His word in Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (NKJV)

Lila, you, and me … we’ve still got more races to run. And thanks to people the Lord brings into our lives, we’ll find His purpose.

By the way, Mrs. Spinnler taught eighth grade history at Memorial School, West Paterson, N.J. From 1926 to 1970, she took the stage daily, delivering unforgettable scenes from the Civil War. But it was what she did beyond the classroom—giving up her lunch hour to help struggling students—that brought her and Lila together in this WWII historical romance.

 

Letters With Love
Available on Amazon June 25, 2026.

Website:    https://onceuponaromance.substack.com

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A Great Summer Meal From Kathy's Kitchen Rerun

I’ve been checking out some summer and salad recipes, and these sound great. I’m planning to have this potato salad soon.

From July, 2024

This delicious potato salad recipe has been tested and approved in Kathy’s kitchen. And the sloppy joes—or juicy burgers as I learned to call them growing up—sound like a winner to me.

 

From my friend, author Mary Lou Cheatham

 

Sloppy Joes

 

2 pounds lean beef such as ground round

1/3 cup finely chopped green bell pepper

1/2 cup finely chopped onion 

1 15 ounce can tomato sauce

1 package (dry powder) sloppy joe mix (store brand?)

1/3 cup barbecue sauce

1/4 cup Louisiana hot sauce

1/2 cup salsa

1/2 to 1 teaspoon barbecue seasoning (I used McCormick's Grill Masters.)

Brown the meat, pepper, and onion. Drain the grease. Add the other ingredients and let it simmer.

 

Serve on hamburger buns. Toast them if you like.

 

From my friend Nina:

 

I heard of a recipe that I want to try- a former Amish woman suggested it on her blog.  Ranch potato salad.  A few pounds of baked potatoes, peeled, cooled and diced. A cup of chopped celery.  A half cup of cooked and crumbled bacon.  And enough ranch dressing to make the salad moist but not gloppy. It doesn’t sound healthy but it does sound good! 

Daily Gifts

I’ve spoken before about dealing with mental health issues, depression and anxiety. Many years ago, I was not able to function because of these. But thanks to my husband’s insistence I receive help, and because of the miracles God gives through medication, I was able to come out of that pit.

 

I still have trouble with mental health problems, sometimes more than others. But I wish I could more fully describe the difference from where I was before.

 

Many mornings I wake up feeling down, maybe from disturbing dreams, maybe just from happenings in our lives and in the world. But one gift I received long ago from my church in college was the suggestion to start every day with Bible reading and prayer. That has stuck with me for over forty years, and what a gift it is.

 

Most days, after I’ve spent time with Scripture and prayer, I am lifted up. Recently, I’ve been reading in Psalms, and I run across verses that I have learned through song. Some days, God’s Spirit reminds me of other praise songs. These are simple daily gifts that I will always be grateful for.

 

I’m not claiming that some days aren’t worse than others, but I do praise God for the gifts he’s given me, that he daily gives me, to bring me to health.

 

Psalms 40:1-2:

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.

 

John 14: 25-26:

 “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 

Psalm 32: A Shower of Hope

Of David. A maskil.

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven,

    whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them

    and in whose spirit is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away

    through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy on me;

my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”

And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found;

surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.

You are my hiding place;

    you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding

but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

Many are the woes of the wicked,

but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;

    sing, all you who are upright in heart!

 

Father, what a gift of hope this Psalm has always been to me. Your desire is to forgive and counsel us. To bring us to joy. 

Wacky Cake from Kathy's Kitchen

My friend Nina says this is the only cake she makes anymore. This cake did happen in Kathy’s Kitchen this week; it was pretty yummy. I think I’ll make it for Father’s Day.

 

Here is the cake recipe.  It calls for an 8” glass pan but I only have a 9x7” pan and it works just fine.   I like this recipe because it mixes up in the pan without having to grease the pan or get out a mixer.  The recipe came from the Santa Barbara News Press back in the 1980s when we lived on Vandenberg AFB in California.

 

In the pan, put 1 and 1/2 cups of flour, 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa, 1 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp salt.   Blend the dry ingredients with a whisk or fork.

 

In the center of the dry ingredients make a well.  Add 6 tablespoons oil (I use olive since that’s what I have on hand, any will do), 1 tsp vanilla and 1 cup cold water.  Mix well with fork or whisk.

 

Add 1 tablespoon vinegar (any will do) mix well but quickly!  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes.   

 

Let cool and frost with your favorite frosting. 

You of Great Faith Rerun

This blog post was dated from back in 2016. I still thank God for these verses.

 

Matthew 14:25-31: Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

 

This is one of my favorite stories about Peter. It makes me a little sad, though, because Jesus seems disappointed with Peter when he becomes afraid. But when I thought about it more, I realized that isn’t the main point. The most exciting issue is that Jesus expected Peter to have great faith.

 

The first thing Jesus said to Peter when he said he wanted to walk to Jesus on the lake was, “Come.” Jesus believes we can have that kind of faith.

 

When the Roman Centurion in Matthew 8 shows his trust that Jesus can heal his servant without coming to his house, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” Verse 10

 

When the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15 showed her bravery and belief that Jesus would accept her, he said, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” Verse 28

 

He doesn’t expect more of us than we are able.

 

Matthew 17: 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

 

Sometimes in dark moments, I’ve felt I was only holding on to God with my thumbnails. But that was enough. Truly, it was not my strength that kept me holding on. God held me securely in his hands. John 10:28-30

 

God will help our faith increase, and he will do great things. Mark 9:23-34

  

Diamonds From Isaiah Chapter 2

Verse 4 

He will judge between the nations

    and will settle disputes for many peoples.

They will beat their swords into plowshares

    and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against nation,

    nor will they train for war anymore.

 

Dear Father, I pray for the day when you will bring peace between all nations, when people will no longer war against each other.

 

Verses 10-12

Go into the rocks, hide in the ground

    from the fearful presence of the Lord

    and the splendor of his majesty!

The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled

    and human pride brought low;

the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.

The Lord Almighty has a day in store

    for all the proud and lofty,

for all that is exalted

    (and they will be humbled),

 

Lord, I do not understand what all will happen. You are mighty, and everyone will know that you are mighty. The pride of all lofty people, of what they’ve created and worshiped, will be destroyed.

 

Verse 22

Stop trusting in mere humans,

    who have but a breath in their nostrils.

    Why hold them in esteem?

 

Father God, thank you for your love, that you call us to worship you and not to turn only to people, who in the end cannot satisfy us. 

I had never Been to Denver

So, a couple weeks ago, Murray, Ping-Hwei, and I went to visit Benjamin.

 

Until last fall, I hadn’t flown for a number of years. And the feeling I had from last fall was that I didn’t like it much. Especially the airports. Fast moving, hard to find where we need to be, need to hurry.

 

This time the first airport and the flight itself went pretty smoothly. I shouldn’t worry so much.

 

We touched down in Denver at 1:20 p.m.

 

Then, with walking through the airport, finally finding our luggage, looking for the shuttle to the rental cars, finally getting to the rental cars, and fighting with GPS to get to the other side of town, it was after 5:00 before we got to Benjamin’s.

 

Benjamin climbed in the car and said, “Well, I’m glad you made it here.”

 

I was so happy to see Benjamin. I hadn’t seen him since last May. He likes Boston brown bread that I make, so I’d been trying to get him some for eight months.

 

In September, when Murray went to help Benjamin move from Michigan to Denver, I sent some bread, but they forgot it in the Michigan apartment. For Benjamin’s birthday in December, we mailed him some, but the package took so long to get there, the bread was no longer edible.

 

So, when I said, “Benjamin, I brought you some Boston brown bread,” he said, “But?” The poor kid didn’t believe it could have got there successfully.

 

This time he got his bread.

 

Benjamin showed us some great restaurants over the weekend, some well-known, some local. Hamburgers, Mexican, pizza. All so yummy.

 

Benjamin suggested we go to a movie on Saturday, “Project Hail Mary,” and he told us the theater had audio description. That was great, devices with headphones for Benjamin and me, where a voice described what was happening besides the dialogue. This was a fast-paced science fiction movie, so even though it was hard to hear the commentator when the music and action got loud, it would have been impossible to understand the movie without it.

 

It was fun, an earthling on a spaceship, Dr. Grace, and he meets up with a being from another planet on another spaceship, Rocky. Rocky joins Dr. Grace on his spaceship, so they can work to solve the problem together. Once, something exciting happens, and Dr. Grace wants to give Rocky a hug. Hugging is new for Rocky, and he’s not sure how to do it, and he asks, “How do you know when the hug is done?” The rest of the weekend, I would hug Benjamin and say, “Let’s see if we can figure out when the hug is done.”

 

On Sunday, Murray wanted to go up Pikes Peak. Once we got to the bottom where we had to check in and pay, the man said we couldn’t go up all the way because of icy roads. He said we could still go up about two-thirds of the way if we wanted to. Sure, why not?

 

Murray and Ping-Hwei got some fun pictures. I kept telling Murray to tell me what he could see around us. Some grass and prairie. Lots of big rocks, some dirt, snow. For a while, he said there were some aspen trees, then only tall fir trees, until finally we got almost to the tree line after which trees couldn’t grow anymore.

 

That’s about where we had to stop because the road was closed. But it was fun, lots of very swervy hair-pin roads. I’d expected to be afraid of driving in those, but I wasn’t.

 

Monday, we decided to just stay at the hotel and play cards. It’s always fun to play games with Benjamin, but this time I couldn’t bring the Scrabble on the plane. We played many games of Uno and Spades. Benjamin won the Uno, and, surprisingly, I won Spades. Murray played a lot more aggressively than I did. He really didn’t want to lose.

 

Ping-Hwei didn’t play cards. He stayed in the room and took advantage of the 57-inch TV.

 

What a joy. So much fun to spend time with Benjamin. In October, we plan to visit Rebecca and Steve in Omaha. I’ve got a good chunk of time before I have to think about flying again. 

Dreams Are Funny Rerun

This first appeared on my blog on October 18, 2018. I still have dreams like this sometimes.

 

Time to take a shower. I opened the microwave door so I could climb in.

 

What? I couldn’t get in.

 

Head first. Nope. Feet first. I couldn’t fit.

 

What’s going on? This is how I always take a shower. I always fit comfortably inside the microwave with the door closed.

 

Frustrated, I gave up and went to the bathroom. Inside the tub; close the curtain. This was so uncomfortable for me.

 

I needed to find all my stuff and keep it organized. Shampoo. Razor. Where was my body wash? Other unhelpful bottles kept falling off the shelves around the tub.

 

I could never get the water pressure right. Why wouldn’t the stream point the direction I wanted?

 

Family members kept coming into the bathroom—hurrying me up; saying I better leave their bath supplies alone. Can’t I have a little peace and privacy?

 

Worst of all? I finally got to washing myself, and I’d find a piece of clothing I’d forgotten to take off. Pull it off. Throw it over the shower curtain. Wash off . . . There’s another garment I have to remove.

 

No wonder I wake up so many mornings feeling like I’ve got no rest. 

Guest Author, Sherry Shindelar

 

Sherry Shindelar is an excellent author and one of my critique partners. I deeply appreciated this story.

 

 

The Hidden Civil War: Breaking the Chains of Addiction

 

Texas Reclaimed is a story of victory, redemption, and the rebirth of trust. It is a story of courage and of freedom from the chains of the past and the chains of addiction. It is a story that honors the Civil War soldiers who survived their wounds, only to return home to fight another battle: dependency on the opioid-based medicines that had helped save their lives.

I first heard of laudanum when I watched the movie Amazing Grace about William Wilberforce’s eighteen-year battle to end the slave trade in Great Britain. Wilberforce played a pivotal role in ending the slave trade and eventually slavery itself in Britain by speaking, campaigning, and introducing bills into the British parliament. However, Wilberforce was also addicted to laudanum, a tincture of opium. 

 

It wasn’t his intention to become dependent upon a drug. A doctor prescribed it to him when he was twenty-nine years old for ulcerative colitis and other health ailments. Laudanum was used to treat a number of health issues and ailments in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, and no one, including doctors, had much understanding about addiction and dependency. The word addiction didn’t even exist as we use it today. But the soul-deep struggle was very real for too many people, even a man of faith like Wilberforce.

Addiction is pernicious, and laudanum took its toll on Wilberforce. He suffered physically, mentally, and spiritually from its poisonous effects.

Years later, I learned that even some of the nineteenth-century authors that I admire, such as Louisa May Alcott and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, struggled with laudanum dependency, as well.

In the nineteenth century, doctors and the public viewed opium, in its various forms, as an essential medical tool. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were wounded in the American Civil War, and many more suffered from debilitating and potentially life-threatening illnesses. A Civil War medical manual, quoted in Dr. Jonathan Jones’s Opium Slavery, states that opiates were as “important to the surgeon as gunpowder to the ordinance [military weapons].” 

Unfortunately, the medicine that saved their lives, too often, enslaved them for years after the war. According to Dr. Jones, “Veterans, their families, and communities struggled to cope with addiction’s health and social consequences, which included much victim-blaming that compounded suffering unnecessarily.” Too often, society’s reaction hindered instead of helped the men’s recovery.

 

My heart went out to Wilberforce, the tens of thousands of soldiers, and others enslaved to laudanum or other substances through no fault of their own. For many, once infected, it could be a lifelong battle, one that many did not win on their own.  But there were victories.

And I love to write about soul-deep struggles and victories.

My hero, Ben McKenzie, is a Federal Cavalry captain captured and imprisoned in the notorious Andersonville Prison Camp. He barely survives the harsh conditions of the camp. His best friend, Jeb Scott, does not. Ben makes a deathbed promise to his friend that he will look after Jeb’s mother and sister who live in Texas.

Ben aims to keep that promise, but the medical treatment that he receives after his release from prison camp leaves him dependent upon laudanum. My story starts a year later. Ben determines to break the chains that are eating away at his self-respect. He throws away his bottle of medicine and heads to Texas to keep his promise.

I asked a friend of mine about his own deliverance from addiction. He had this to say, “It was a lifetime ago, my addiction was strong, but my pain was stronger. I’ve lost so much in my life, but then I found that God’s love was deep, and He was even bigger to forgive. Out of His mercy He set me free, and through His grace He healed me from my past.”-Rev. Mark Little Elk

That is my prayer for all of those who struggle. And I look forward to sharing Ben McKenzie’s story with you in Texas Reclaimed.

 

Amazon link for Texas Reclaimed:

https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Reclaimed-Lone-Star-Redemption-ebook/dp/B0FX5YK964

 

https://sherryshindelar.com/