The Bunny

It's early morning. As the sun filters through the trees,the shadows lay long on the dewy grass. I can hear the the conversation of the birds as they sing their praises to the most high.Peace is everywhere! Now I can sneek across the lawn in search of some breakfast.What!A new fence! It surrounds the morning buffet. Where should I go,thought the bunny?I know the Father feeds me so I must go to the woods.Filling my stomach will feel so good. But wait!Who is coming?It's big and brown and running fast.I must flee! It's the family dog.I heard them call her Bella.Good,she can only chase me to the edge of the woods.I think its her collar! It stopped her in a flash.  I'll be back tomorrow to start a new day.

Golden Minnesota Sunrise

As I look across the lake the amazing view displays the golden sunrise.The colors of fall are fresh and different than summer.Even the smell of the morning air has a beautful aroma.Peace is everywhere.It shouts of Gods creation!As the sun slowly breaks dawn the shadows seem to creep across our back yard. I know it is fall,distant gun shots tells me duck season is hear.All summer the ducks nest in the reeds along the lake.Our backyard also have these reeds that helped become a scene and painting for  my book "A Crown for a Princess".

Chirstmas Story

      I heard this special story of a Christmas around 1944.        I am the youngest child of  10 and my oldest brother, Jay,told the story at our yearly family reunion over the Fourth of July,2008.  My parents,Ralph and Violet, all with their four small children,lived  on a farm in South Dakota. It had no electricity,plumbing,running water or phone. Just before Christmas a huge snow storm hit. There was no food for the family left so Dad took off walking in the blizzard following a railroad track that would take him to Veblen that  was at least four miles away.   My brother and sisters said it seemed a very long time he was gone not knowing if he had made it or not.  The next day the excitment arose. Mom and the kids could see something dimly coming through the Dakota blizzard.    Even though it was snowing hard,they could see the shape of a Chistmas tree coming through the storm. It was Dad!  He was pulling a sled with food for the table and even Christmas presents for the family with  a tree tied on top. What excitement to have Dad safe and such a gift he brought to his family.                     
         I  was very exicited to win 2nd place.I entered the contest at our newspaper one hour before the dead line hand written.Now that
I have a book nearly published,I can see a real story unfolding from this!

I thought I'd tell a little  of my life, I was born at a farmhouse near Claire City,South Dakota, youngest of a family of ten to Ralph and Violet Ruckdaschel. I later moved to Brainerd Mn. and graduated from high school.I  now own Salon El Rio in Baxter Mn. I married  Dan and the adventure to North Long Lake brought the inspiration to write A Crown for a Princess.As I painted,the story began to flow.Each painting brought  the book to life. A Crown for a Princess is in final publishing and soon to be released.  

Book description

My book has a name change." A Crown for a Princess" is the new name. The book is in final layout and my publisher says hang tight  and they will send me  a book to approve soon. When I return the book the printing will start.I will recieve copies to sign before the  press release,That makes me very excited. In the mean time I have started a second book. Enjoying the beautiful fall colors of my Minnesota lake home my first painting for my second book is finished. Friend-ship oozes between the girls as they gather the colorful leaves.Now back to" A Crown for a Princess"   The book description  as it appears on the back  cover.       Faith and Daniela are best friends,and they love to play together They learn about nature by going for walks by the lake, staring at the clouds, and looking at all sorts of God's  creatures. But its'when they try on princess gowns that they learn the most valuable lesson of all: God's gift to them is  A Crown for a Princess.