On the road: Montana, part 7
Flathead Valley: Two women writers, a bank robbery and an adopted fox
The best thing about traveling is the people I meet along the way. In the Flathead Valley in Montana, I met two remarkable women. Rooted in their Christian faith, both write under a pseudonym and self-publish their books. Meet Hannah and Sarah, and their powerful stories - both in real life and in their books.
I started writing in my youth. A woman of strong faith who lives in Montana. I am adventurous, unique, insightful, and sometimes quirky. I have a Certification in Photography and an Associate Degree in Environmental Science. I enjoy spending time with my son, music, water aerobics, kayaking, and kites. I hand write on paper the story before typing onto a computer.
“Writing with a Purpose”
Are you a river or a lake? Does your life flow with the choices you make or do you stay in one comfortable design?
Read and discover more in my book “Poetically, Therapeutically, Spiritually. Dancing Your Way Out of Despair” (2020).
Book cover ©Hannah Oswine This book started one summer from collected notes in a journal to release a mental block from trauma. Months later, I organized it on an antique typewriter as a journey of self-healing. Several years following, I retyped it from its original papers onto a computer. I have self-edited the material several times over several years while I was struggling with my demons.
I coped and danced just like I do in the book my way out of despair. The dance I did in my childhood bedroom with dreams at heart and the songs and poems I wrote then are in my book. The trauma dance I did as troubled young girl to release and hide the fear and shame. The joyous dance came with my baby boy while celebrating motherhood. The hopeful dance as a woman of faith with a new purpose in life, this dance I continue to dance.
“Wrote this book to help other women and glorify God."
Since childhood, I have loved to sing, dance, write songs and poems, play piano, and collect music. And I dreamed of sharing my interests professionally. But at age nineteen, part of my soul was silenced. In my book, I tell an intimate story of how a frightening and traumatic experience, coupled with many other painful tragedies, sent me into deep despair.
I tell how my life was transformed by turning negative experiences into positive outcomes through a genuine way of living. This book took root from more than thirty years of journal entries where I worked through my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by multiple traumas in my young life. I established strength through writing inspirational poetry, spending therapeutic time in nature, practicing my spiritual beliefs, and expressing my emotions through dance.
Through my personal journey of healing and restoration chronicled in my book I seek to uplift and encourage others who might be trapped in similar battles. I hope you find the peace and tranquility you’ve been seeking.
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Are your children trying to discover their self identity?
Read about how a lovable fox discovers his in my book “Different Name Still The Same. An Adoption Adventure” (2023). I created this adventure from a short story I wrote for my adopted son when he was a baby. The illustrations allow your imagination to be fully involved in the story. Parents can read it to their young child or consider the book for a young reader. It is also available as e-book.
Book cover ©Hannah Oswine “Wrote this book to celebrate adoption and help children with self identity."
Written with an appeal to the young and the old at heart. A heartfelt journey of the days and years of growing up, and learning and loving your surroundings and family. I liken the baby fox to a human baby who is chosen i.e. adopted and raised with the same nurturing love as any other baby. The quality of love stays the same!
Adopted Fox is on an adventure. His adventure begins at birth with the serendipitous meeting of his Adopted Mother.
Adoption is a wonderful experience. No matter what name the child has at adoption, there is an adjustment. Self-discovery in their own identity becomes important. The child can learn that from the love for oneself and from others, s/he can remain the same. Children need to feel a sense of love, security, and belonging. They also need to experience achievement, develop knowledge, explore change and all the beautiful things of the world.
Adopted Fox learns his identity by exploring in the beautiful forested mountains with his adoptive mother, camping under the stars in the big open sky. Enjoy the story of curiosity, laughter, friendship, senses, and achievement for this little fox who is loved from the start.
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Book projects
I have ideas for four more children's books. They will be a series on adventures in the mountains.
I write under the pen name, Sarah Nutting, in honor of my grandmother’s grandmother. Writing is an avocation. I am semi-retired from nursing. I live in the Flathead Valley in Northwestern Montana with my husband and eccentric cat.
“Stories of Resilience and Hope”
Working at a clinic in a small village in Alaska provided quiet time. The job alternated between boredom and stress. I appreciated the quality of patient interactions—I had time to listen and examine and research. But the down time could be time to waste. Internet service was slow—no streaming, but it was fast enough to play with Ancestry.com. I worked extensively on my family history. I read books. At some point I decided to write a book.
I was raised in a Christian family. My ancestors were strong Christians—many pastors and missionaries. My personal faith does not extend to evangelism. Maybe I could write a book which included a Christian message.
My first book was the story of a woman I had known when I lived on the Mexican border in Southern California. The framework was factual but I filled in with fictional dialogue and details. I included my personal experiences to support her emotions. Because of the personal features, I decided to use a pseudonym. During my genealogy research, I learned about my grandmother’s grandmother and decided to use her name, Sarah Nutting. A cousin helped with editing. I learned a lot about publishing. Seeing the first copy of “Inocencia’s Story” (2022) was gratifying.
Inocencia grew up living in a walled compound in Mexicali, her family forced to work for a drug trafficking enterprise. Her childhood ended with rape and prostitution. She endured losses and tragedies but maintained her faith. God’s love and grace is sufficient for all.
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I accompanied my husband on a hunting trip in Northeastern Montana with two friends. We were staying in Glasgow, a small town founded by the Great Northern Railroad. While the men were hunting I walked down to the museum and wandered around exhibits from the early years. I was intrigued by the law enforcement items but didn’t see a memorial to any fallen officers. I checked the Officer Down Memorial Page and found two entries, a jailer and a posse man killed only 10 days apart in June, 1903. The museum docent found the 1903 newspaper and made copies of articles relevant to the killings. I was fascinated by the story and continued research. As I gathered more information I decided to write a book titled, “Montana Tragedy: The Great Jail Break of 1903” (2023).
I have lived in Montana off and on since 1965. Montana history has been a special interest since attending K Ross Toole’s class at the University of Montana. In my first visit of Pioneer Museum of the Valley County in Glasgow, I was drawn to the law enforcement display. My son was a Montana Highway Patrol Trooper who was killed in the line of duty. (..) The law men of today reflect the bravery and dedication of their predecessors.
Sheriff Harry Cosner and Undersheriff Harry Rutter fought Bill Hardee, a “demented criminal”, to bring justice to the raw frontier of Northeastern Montana. Bill was in the Valley County Jail in Glasgow, Montana, scheduled to be hung for the heinous murder of a teenage boy. He convinced the three other prisoners to escape with him. Twelve days later the lawmen and desperados rested: some safely in their homes; others in their graves. What brought these men to this tragic event? Childhood trauma, substance abuse, bad friendships, good friendships, Christian faith, strong brotherhood, exposure to harsh living conditions? How did each of them face their fate?
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It was time to write my own story. I decided to change the names because the details were so personal. Although I published the book, I have not shared it with many people. “Donna’s Story” (2024) tells how I found peace after a lifetime of struggles.
Donna finds peace after a life of sin, depression, guilt, and loss. God’s grace offers redemption.
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I returned to my family genealogy and dug into Sarah Nutting’s history. Although she lived in the 1800s she traveled extensively. Her son, daughter, father-in-law and sister-in-law wrote many letters preserved at Wheaton College and Dartmouth College. I visited Wheaton, Illinois, Groton Massachusetts, and Randolph, Vermont, to explore her hometowns. “Sarah’s Story. Survive and Thrive” (2024) describes her personal, family, and professional challenges.
Sarah was an accomplished artist - drawing and painting. A pioneering teacher - training many artists and teachers of art to use their talents to serve Christ. Sarah was an active reformer - campaigning to abolish slavery, gain the vote for women, and temperance in alcohol consumption. Sarah was a devoted wife - caring for her disabled husband. A busy mother - bearing eight children, burying one and caring for two with special needs. Burdened by chronic pain, Sarah overcame poverty, physical disability and discrimination in her long influential life.
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Books in progress
I have some ideas for my next book. I have written stories about my adventures working in Montana and Alaska as a rural family nurse practitioner. I have started research into the Luciano family and may write about “Montana Mafia”. Sarah Nutting’s sister-in-law, Mary Olivia Nutting, was a writer and I have discovered many of her letters, journals, and books. There are other Montana history stories which could become a book.
All the books can be ordered through the authors’ websites or via Amazon.
You can also read this story in German on my website.