A writer builds worlds. A reenactor recreates history. A visionary does both.

It is not enough to write the worlds I see in my mind’s eye. I want to build them. Use them. Live them.

I spent years writing at a tiny desk in the kitchen, plugging away amidst dinner, dishes, phone calls and those little daily chaos’ we are all far too familiar with. Nickel’s Luck was written from that desk, as was Ravens in the Graveyard. Yet, I wanted more. An office—but no ordinary space. No. I wanted a retreat to step away from all things modern. A place to blend fiction with true-to-life American history. Something I could use for photo-shoots, local writer meetings, and work on the next Great American Novel.

The journey began with my husband and son taking me “shed-shopping”. We prepped the spot, had it delivered, and what followed was a painstaking year and a half of hard work and a painful lesson on patience on my part. Slowly, ohhh, so slowly, layer upon layer, we built the interior of the Dream—the “split-personality” rooms I only envisioned up until now: the 19th Century Victorian Era Parlor, and The Saloon.

Trip after trip to local antique markets, the 127 Yard Sale and Flea Market, and even some marketplace finds brought me, among other things, the red velvet chairs and couch, original French Doors pulled from a mansion, and the original rolltop writing desk. Everything I pulled together is either original to the 19th century, or a reproduction of one.

From this room, countless stories will be written—and told, by yours truly. While the interior is not quite complete, our next big project is to tackle the outside of the studio…covered porches and a false front complete with white picket fence with a garden. I am also working on a series of photographs, which will be posted here and on social media. Upon request, local authors and photographers may be invited to join in the artistry and inspiration found within The Lucky Nickel.

Dream Big, Dear Reader, but don’t stop at the dream. Follow it, layer by layer, brick by brick, board by board. The end result is waiting for you.

Before and After: A Blank Canvas

Even as the bulk of our work dwindles down to details on the inside, the studio has taken to progressing almost on its own. One day recently, as I was seated at the bar working on a chapter, an old hot-rod drives up, and a friend walked through the door. He studied the room for awhile, looked at me, and said “You need a Parlor Organ. It’s a fancy thing, very old, and my sister’s looking to get rid of it.” Well, I only have so much room in the Lucky Nickel, and thought the furnishing was complete. Still, my curiousity got the best of me, and we rode out to look at it. Soon as I saw it, I knew we’d be transporting it home, the settee would just have to move in front of the work-in-progress fireplace.
I have not yet managed to clean all of the 150 years of dust and grime off of the magnificent piece, but it looks quite regal sitting in the corner, a piece of someone’s history preserved.

View from the parlor looking toward the saloon.
We will eventually be building a replica bar front.

Below: My 3rd Great-Grandfather’s portrait from the Civil War. His name was Neri, of the 17th PA Cavalry. Upon getting shot off his horse, he survived the war. Neri lived to be in his 80s, and was struck by one of the first Model T’s in the area, dying of his injuries. This is the face of my ancestry, and one of my heroes.
No doubt, he is where I gained my great love of horses and horticulture.