The JRW Blog

Yes, I know, it’s been a long time between blogs for my website. I can only say that work came first. Additionally, I was busy typing and uploading the numerous episodes of Strands of the Web, now available on Substack.

What I call a “romantic spy thriller” originally appeared as a weekly newspaper serial when I lived in California. It went on for a year and a half and was well received. Brought in subscriptions for the paper. In the beginning, I drew illustrations for “Strands” so that readers could get a better idea of the characters. Then the newspaper decided to run my picture. That was interesting. People began to recognize me, like at the grocery store. More than once, a fellow shopper approached me and asked what was going to happen in the next episode! I usually hedged, mainly because I was somewhat foggy on the details myself. I normally didn’t write the next episode until the last minute.

As I explain to my Substack readers following the final “Strands” episode, the story was inspired by true events. Some of the characters are patterned on real individuals, and the plot is based on certain situations in which they were involved. In the story, as in real life, the characters try to get to the bottom of a drug smuggling operation in Southeast Asia, but that leads to surprising activities on a completely different front.

If you’re interested in a bit of escapism, head on over to “Strands” with this link: https://cathyswormstedt.substack.com/428f718b

In school, I had always earned an A on any English or English-related course I took until I became a Junior in college. As an English major, I was required to take Shakespeare, and although it was a senior course, I talked to my counselor about taking it a year early. I was a transfer student and had a lot of credits to make up. He advised against my taking Shakespeare until my senior year, but I persevered.

Stacked deck

Unfortunately, my counselor was also the Shakespeare teacher! I was one of just a few juniors in the class, but I didn’t foresee a problem. The work consisted of four essays. We were to write about certain plays and our interpretation of Shakespeare’s thought process as he created them. As it turned out, grading was based on how close we came to the professor’s interpretation, so I found it a very confusing course. At the end of it, the professor flunked not only all of us juniors but about eight seniors as well. That meant they couldn’t graduate, and their parents raised holy hell with the university. The professor was fired, which was gratifying, but that didn’t change our failing grade.

A brighter view

Fortunately, there was a brighter side to my chosen major that year: my English Lit teacher was a gem. He patiently and often humorously explained even the most complex subjects. There were always questions, indicating that he was successfully reaching the minds of his students. Ours was his last class of the day, and it sometimes went into overtime. When that happened, those who wished to do so would adjourn to the local bar/eatery and continue to pepper the professor with questions in a more laid-back atmosphere.

Lasting impressions

The things I learned in English Lit have stayed with me. I am a happy, eager reader and reading has no doubt helped to sharpen whatever skills I possess in terms of writing. As for Shakespeare, I’m afraid that flunking the course has put me off the ability to thoroughly enjoy The Bard’s works. No doubt he labored long and hard over his plays. I can’t help but wonder if my personal views of his writings were closer to the mark than what my professor obviously thought they should be.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit old friends in Georgetown, Ohio. To that end, I walked through the Greater Cincinnati Airport (CVG) for the first time in decades. A lifetime ago, it was from that airport that I left for stewardess college in Dallas and preparation for my first job as a flight attendant for American Airlines. I was so excited.  But I had no idea then of the choices I would have to make at the milestones in my life.

About two years after that, I quit flying, having developed issues with my ears. By then I was living in Los Angeles. I began working for a department store in Beverly Hills, but I sort of fell into various jobs from then on. I worked in advertising, the motion picture industry, banking, healthcare, investments and then the corporate world, which is when I began to write. As a member of the marketing department, writing was one of my responsibilities and I grew to love it. On the side, I wrote what I called a “romantic spy thriller,” which, to my delight, was accepted by a local newspaper. The serial ran weekly for the next 18 months and consistently brought in new subscriptions for the paper.

My Ohio friends, Annette and Chuck, have a beautiful farm, and it did my heart good to stay there, visit with them and simply absorb the peace and quiet of their 130 acres.  It so happens they are very good writers, so we were never short of subjects for conversation. In fact, since both Chuck and I are train enthusiasts, he has suggested that we collaborate on a book about choo-choos (stay tuned).

When I returned to CVG to catch the plane back home, I had time to sit and watch the activity on the tarmac through a wall of windows and think about the great time I’d had in Georgetown. The airport had changed and grown over the years, of course, but I could still remember what it looked like in days gone by. Of course, it was smaller then, less complex. But, as a young person, so was my world. On the day I left for stewardess college, I couldn’t see very far into the future. I had no way of knowing that I would eventually become a writer, let alone a published author.

A long time ago, I satisfied my desire to fly. But life takes us in many directions. As I boarded the plane at CVG following my delightful Ohio getaway, I reflected on the years I spent in a variety of occupations. It was my good fortune to happen upon a path that eventually brought me to the rewarding world of a freelance writer.

The first flight I ever took was on a Lockheed Super Constellation. The first foreign country I ever visited was Italy. The first celebrity I ever saw was George Hamilton, impeccably attired (of course) and waiting to cross the street in New York City. The first thing I ever got published was Strands of the Web, a romantic spy thriller. And, as a writer and history buff, I am now enjoying another first, my new project and website, travelintohistory.com.

When I write magazine articles, they are usually about American history. For example, I wrote one about our Founders entitled “Jefferson and Other Bookworms,” and another called “The Men of the Monitor” about the crew of the famous Civil War ironclad. I am fascinated by American history and worry that our past is in danger of being altered—or wiped out entirely—by those with a troubling agenda. Witness how many statues of war heroes, founders, and even presidents have been taken down in the past few years! And what kind of American history are kids learning in school these days?

So, I created “Travel Into History,” which provides information for those who might want to visit places like Williamsburg, VA, Boston, MA, or Savannah, GA. Each blog provides some historical background information plus a few area lodging and dining suggestions. At this writing, there are about a dozen destinations on the website, but I keep adding interesting places to visit. I mean, there’s SO much history out there!

You might be a history buff like I am. But even if you aren’t, you and your family would enjoy a trip to Old Town in San Diego, CA, or a train trip from Williams, AZ, to the Grand Canyon. History comes in many different forms in America. I enjoy writing about it, and I guarantee you will enjoy learning more about it during a fun-filled visit. To that end, I invite you to take a look at travelintohistory.com

I have an abiding interest in American history. I also like to travel. So I’ve combined the two and launched a new website: https://travelintohistory.com

Troubling incidents

Given the fervor for tearing down statues of Confederate soldiers and even those of former U.S. presidents, I have become increasingly concerned about the blossoming interest in rewriting the history of our country. If you are a parent with children in grade school, are you concerned, too?

We know that certain facts are glossed over or purposely left out of the history books students are required to read these days. I see “man on the street” segments on TV in which reporters ask questions—simple questions—about American history. Some of the college kids they interview are bright and give the right answers. But most simply have a dazed look in their eyes. They don’t have a clue.

Learning about our past

When I was 12  years old, my parents took me to Williamsburg, VA. My dad said he could think of no other place where I could better “experience” the 18th century and learn about the events that led up to the founding of our country. I loved the homes, shops and taverns. I loved seeing the Governor’s Palace and the Capitol. I was enchanted by the whole look and feel of the Historic Area. Years later, I would actually live nearby and become a proofreader for the wonderful books published by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Country-wide destinations

So that brings us to Travel Into History. History is everywhere, in big cities, in small towns and in geographical areas you may never even have heard of. The blogs on my new website fall under South, West, Midwest and Northeast. For example, you’ll find Willliamsburg, VA, the opening blog, under “South.” The number of blogs will grow steadily. So, if you’re planning a vacation with your family and you’re interested in a destination with history to explore, keep checking back. New blogs will be available weekly, perhaps even more often. In addition to a brief discussion of area history, each article will include suggestions on how to get there, where to stay, where to eat and more.

Providing inspiration

Learning about your past can be inspiring. Find out about the people who created our country, who fought for us so we could enjoy the freedom we have today. Seek the truth, not someone’s biased interpretation of American history. The facts aren’t always comfortable, but they’re woven into the tapestry of a magnificent nation. Admittedly, Travel Into History leans toward the more positive aspects, but those are nonetheless important. After all, you and your family might as well have fun while you go exploring, right? And when you do, you’ll come away with a greater appreciation for the life you have in the United States today.

“You can’t really know where you are going until you know where you have been.” — Maya Angelou.