NINE HUSBANDS of Aunt Ida💋

Strong women inspire me—not simply because of their physical strength, but for the impact they make in the world. I’m passionate about writing about women who create positive change.

Writers promote, entertain, and connect through their stories, often building a brand along the way. They have a gift for turning an idea into a vivid reality. While writers and authors share similarities, they can serve different audiences and pursue different goals.

Some writers specialize in handwritten letters, a practice that may feel outdated today. Still, a thoughtfully written letter is deeply appreciated, whether delivered by mail or by hand.

Today, we often communicate through email, Facebook messages, or texts. As impersonal as they can feel, they’ve become a way of life. Yet a handwritten letter carries a special charm—like receiving a beautifully wrapped gift.

I feel fortunate to celebrate with all of you. I’ve written and completed eight novels and am currently working on three more, along with a fairy-tale fantasy book for children and adults.

Interacting with readers each day allows me to bring a little joy into others’ lives. I’m sincerely grateful to everyone who has supported this journey of empowering women. My blog, "Nine Husbands of Aunt Ida," centers on one particularly remarkable woman.

The first woman who comes to mind is May Hannah, who touched many lives from 1903 to 1989. May mostly communicated through handwritten letters and lived a remarkable, private life. She possessed extraordinary abilities—gifts that could only be described as superpowers. Yet these abilities were never known to the world; she kept them carefully concealed from prying eyes. Above all, she wanted to be known only as Michael’s mother.

May kept parts of her past hidden, but the large scars on her arms were constant reminders of her history. She stored her beautiful stationery in a decorative wooden box and spent hours writing letters. Each one was sealed with a kiss and finished with a $0.22 postage stamp featuring the Statue of Liberty. I watched as she meticulously penned long letters, her handwriting resembling a sketch more than simple words.

The deep scars on her arms came from removed tattoos—daily reminders of her time as a Rosie the Riveter. She moved from Minnesota to California to work in a shipyard during World War II.

A woman can achieve anything she sets their mind to. May was not only a writer, but also an entrepreneur, a visionary, a loving mother, a trusted friend and neighbor, and a resilient woman I respected and loved.

In the picture above is May with her son Michael, who

was her firstborn at 40 years old.

I enjoy creating stories about powerful women who defy norms, pursue their dreams, and challenge societal expectations. May was a powerful example—and my greatest mentor—who inspired me to write my next novel.

The story of Nine Husbands of Aunt Ida shares a theme rooted in women’s history. It portrays women who overcome challenges, shape their destinies, and inspire future generations.

Let’s revive the art of writing. Start by keeping a journal, writing a letter to someone special, or daring to write your novel. Follow the story of Nine Husbands of Aunt Ida and create a better world, one word at a time. Let’s keep our history alive for the next generation of strong women.

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The impulse to tell this story began with a simple moment with my granddaughter—one that underscored our widening generational gap. One day, as the mellifluous music of Elvis Presley filled the room, she turned to me and asked, “Who is Elvis Presley?” Her curiosity, sparked by an unfamiliar voice and rhythm, made me realize she is the same age Elvis was when he first walked into Sun Records in Memphis to record “My Happiness.”

Elvis, with only $4 in his pocket, obtained an acetate copy of a 78 RPM record from the studio. He meant it as a gift for his beloved mother, Gladys.

Unbeknownst to him, this seemingly ordinary act was about to take its place in history. The year was 1953—a pivotal time now largely unknown to many teenagers. That disconnect between past and present strengthened my resolve to document this story. It is an essential piece of our shared history, one that must not be allowed to fade into obscurity.

That realization also reminded me how many precious fragments of our collective past are quietly slipping away. Now, more than ever, we should return to the tapestry of our history and have meaningful conversations with our elderly grandparents, relatives, or friends. They are living links to the past—silent witnesses to remarkable events and profound societal change. It is our responsibility to record and preserve these invaluable stories for future generations before they are lost to time—and it is “My Happiness” to do so.

Here's ONE CLUE about Aunt Ida: She is dressed to the nines.

MORE about Aunt Ida, The Smooth Operator

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