A native of Nowata Co, OK, msbev grew up near the Verdigris River in Nowata County, OK. She attended a one room country school part of her elementary years. Having researched family history for 40+ years, she knew the true stories about real people would be lost if someone did not write them. She listened as her Pioneer Blacksmith father and her "mysterious" mother gave her rare glimpses into their lives. Her father even kept his name a secret. msbev did not know his complete given name until after he passed away. Now msbev knew what was behind the looks she remembered seeing pass between her mom and dad, especially if they were disagreeing! She talks with them, listens, and loves them as though they were sitting beside her. She says their conversations are better than when they were alive, because she know them so much better now. Volume 1 includes several of these stories, but not the entire collection.