Pictured Life
And True Stories from Northern and Upper Michigan
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Opening the Door
Tomorrow is my birthday; I will be five years old. The brass door handle, leads to a new “life.” Quietly, I walk upon the pathway. Behind me are wild flowers of the pathway. In shyness, with anxious calmness, I reach upward to open the ancient, dark-stained oaken door. The Yellow Black-Eyed Susan Daisies watch me, as a Painted Lady Butterfly views my every movement. The Great Horned Owl of wisdom watches, as hope is given me. Hope is the wisdom of my forefathers. The Great Horned Owl cares and blesses – knowing all.
Blizzard of 1938 - North Bessemer School
One winter day in 1938, the snow began to fall. A blizzard it was, they said. Oh my, we were stranded. For six days it snowed to the depth of twenty-five feet – my teacher measured the depth. Men, women, and children dug tunnels through the snow, in order to transverse from one place to another. The temperature was minus 33 F. History records fifty people across the Upper Peninsula died as a result of this blizzard. We were cold and we were hungry; we huddled together and we became anxious. We began to bicker. My kind teacher read us a story.
Lake Superior - Little Girls Point County Park
Indian Maiden
Joy, thanksgiving, and peace encircled the Native American camps … until, one afternoon; a young Indian Maiden swam out into the icy Lake Superior waters. The waves were strong and dangerous, the winds blew, and in unbelief, the waters took the young Maiden out further, and further. The young Indian Maiden never returned. I am overwhelmed in sorrow, as I feel pain of great loss.
Copper Mine Cave-in
Courageous and strong, the men and their sons were, until a loud rumble echoed through the tunnel. A piercing scream was audible; the men trembled, realizing the rumble was a tunnel collapse. November 3, 1926, forty-two women lost their husbands; 132 children lost their fathers.
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About the Book
In a new world the day before she turns five, Anneke finds herself walking down a pathway leading to her new school in the United States of America.
That’s when she sees a lock and a large brass door handle.
Anneke opens the door, and her life unfolds in this tale highlighting the immigrant experience. Her story takes you through her family’s struggles and toils, and shines a spotlight on the schools, barns, houses, magnificent architecture, and the astonishing sights of nature in Northern and Upper Michigan.
She recalls her adventures singing in the auditorium of North Bessemer School, where four teachers lived on the second floor of the school, and how students memorized verses from the Bible. She also recalls the class bully and the unforgettable blizzard of 1938.
Forward and backward, this story is filled with pictures and reveals a community that finds beauty in nature and strength in each other.
Recommendation - LaVerne Blickley
“Part immigrant memoir, part colorful visuals of natural beauty, this book will speak to and draw forth your own experiences and dreams. The author generously shares through astonishing award-winning pictures and imagery the immigration journey as a young child through adolescence into adulthood. Family life in all its successes and tragedies, its promises and realities, anchors this book into a strong sense of nature’s grandiose strength and endurance. Your own heart and mind will be moved by memories past into reminisces of more recent events and on to inspirations for future road trips and vacations.”
Exquisite– John Van Ooyen
Anne has inquiring and exquisite eyes for nature’s moment, caught by her camera. Anne’s photos bring out the beauty hidden in nature. Anne’s photos are beautiful!
Timeless – Anneke
The promise of new lands, education for immigrant children, large barns of meaningful, architectural design – tell the story … walking, canoeing – discovery, observing. Immersed in nature – use your imagination viewing colorful diversity within nature of wildflowers, birds and insects. “Pictured Life” will stimulate your imagination, as memories of past are relived.
About the Author
Anneke Letitia Van Ooyen Crans is a music instructor and flautist, who recently felt renewed as an artist when she began exploring photography and writing. Her photography has been shown in many venues and has received numerous awards. She has performed as principal flutist in local orchestras and bands, has been a choral director, a director of middle and high school bands, and an adjunct professor at GVSU. She earned her bachelor of arts in music education from Calvin University, and a master of arts in music education and flute performance/pedagogy from WMU.