November 10, 2023

“I wipe tears from my eyes as thousands of boots march away to war.”

 An excerpt from “Trouble and Strife,” by Johanne Levesque


 


I watch the boys as they stand at attention while the Sergeant recites what General Currie told the Canadian Soldiers at the front in 1918: “Under the orders of your devoted officers in the coming battle, you will advance or fall where you stand, facing the enemy.  To those who will fall, I say: You will not die, but step into immortality.  Your mothers will not lament your fate, but will be proud to have borne such sons.  Your names will be revered forever and ever by your grateful country, and God will take you unto Himself.”

I wipe tears from my eyes as thousands of boots march away to war.  Both Melvin and Norman make a brave show in the parade.  They look swell as they march past me in their khaki suits to the sound of Alvin and all of his class mates waving flags and singing, “The Maple Leaf Forever.”

Gloria dabs her eyes with her handkerchief as the train pulls out amongst tumultuous cheers.  A man of about forty to fifty years old looks at them and says, “You should be proud that your men are wearing the uniform.  I tried to join, but due to injuries from the last war, I couldn’t be accepted in the first draft.  The medical examiner told me that I may be called later.  There is still hope for me yet,” he says as he limps away from the crowd.

“As Alvin, Gloria, and I walk to St. Michael’s cathedral, I hope that they will soon have Hitler where he belongs and Nazism dethroned.  As we walk in the church, I note that it is full of mothers and wives and children praying for peace to be restored and for their men to come back home.  I pray for leaders and government, for those suffering the agonies of war, for the soldiers on the battlefields, the sailors on the sea, and for the airmen, but most of all I pray for the safe return of Melvin and Norman.

As I walk home with Alvin and Gloria, it seems that all my problems of everyday life are insignificant in the face of the awful threat hanging over civilization.


If you liked this excerpt from Trouble and Strife, you can buy the book at any of the following links:

Austin Macauley Publishers™ (my publisher)
Amazon.ca
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Amazon.co.uk
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Indigo
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June 09, 2023

“As the March wind blows cold, the sun heats my black wool coat...”

 An excerpt from “Trouble and Strife,” by Johanne Levesque




As the March wind blows cold, the sun heats my black wool coat.  I am the first to enter Eleanor’s elegant home.  After the traditional kiss on both cheeks and me parting with my gift of fresh scones I made this morning, Eleanor motions me to follow into the living room.

As Eleanor sits down, she asks, “Which Agatha Christie book are you reading nowadays?”

“I’ve veered from my normal choices to read The Grapes of Wrath.”

“I’m surprised to find you reading this book Josephine; did you know that the Toronto Public Library has censored it?”

“On what grounds?”

“On account of its offensive language.”

“The language is not that bad...”


If you liked this excerpt from Trouble and Strife, you can buy the book at any of the following links:

Austin Macauley Publishers™ (my publisher)
Amazon.ca
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Barnes & Noble
Indigo
Walmart



April 07, 2023

“I can’t see anything that could possibly be gained by this woman’s death”

 An excerpt from “Trouble and Strife,” by Johanne Levesque




“I’m with you Phyllis.  It seems to me so cowardly to hang a woman for punishment when there’s other ways to chastise her.  Besides, it will not prevent evil,” I say.

“I haven’t heard one person say a word about the victims and their relatives.  Any man or woman who poisons another causing death deserves hanging.  They should be held criminally responsible.  End of story,” says Eleanor.

“Why must we adhere to this practice of killing criminals?  We’re not allowed to hang dogs and cats.  I believe hanging is the worst method of taking a life.  Anyway, I can’t see anything that could possibly be gained by this woman’s death,” says Phyllis.

“I can.  She won’t poison anyone else,” retorts Eleanor.


If you liked this excerpt from Trouble and Strife, you can buy the book at any of the following links:

Austin Macauley Publishers™ (my publisher)
Amazon.ca
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Barnes & Noble
Indigo
Walmart



February 10, 2023

“When did I start looking so worn and haggard?”

An excerpt from “Trouble and Strife,” by Johanne Levesque




Try as I may I cannot sleep.  I get up and write down all I need to tackle tomorrow, all my questions, all my worries so I can finally go to sleep and rest.  Before blowing out the candle, I look in the dresser mirror.  I have new lines in my face and my complexion is pale.  When did I start looking so worn and haggard?  Every day lately has been filled with overwrought nerves, lack of sleep, and tired out feelings.  Goodness knows I have suffered enough in the past five years.  My doctor has prescribed iron pills for my very low energy; but no amount of pills can mend my broken spirit.


If you liked this excerpt from Trouble and Strife, you can buy the book at any of the following links:

Austin Macauley Publishers™ (my publisher)
Amazon.ca
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Barnes & Noble
Indigo
Walmart