It’s our May book and you know what that means? Mother’s Day! The last couple years we’ve done a mom-related book in May and this year is no different! This year our book is Stories for My Kids: Learning to Yodel and Other Life Lessons. The book is a memoir written by Ileen Dunivent. When she was 87 years old, she decided to write this book about her life after her husband, Orville, died in 2022. This is a sweet and fascinating book about what it was like to grow up during the time of the Great Depression, World War II, and all the changes that have happened over that time period. Ileen was born in Colorado and still calls the Rocky Mountains her true home. But, as a young girl, she and her parents left Colorado and moved to Missouri where Ileen has lived ever since. We learned about this book from our beloved cousin, Lori, who is Ileen’s niece! Linda’s favorite part of the book were the stories about Ileen’s childhood and her Colorado exploits and adventures with her Aunt Beverly who was only two years older. Ileen’s mom pinned money on Ileen’s dress when she and Beverly would take the streetcar into Denver to go to the movies. A different time! Linny was also fascinated by Billie, a Native American woman who rented a cabin from Ilene’s parents. Nancy was fascinated at how rural Aurora was when Ileen was a little girl. Ileen’s house had a chicken house and outhouse, and was surrounded by the countryside. Ileen’s grandparents lived next door and they had two horses, a goat, and a large garden that she and Beverly spent a lot of miserable time working in. Nancy read an excerpt from the book that has haunted her: I idolized my father. What is it with girls and their dads? But my incessant shadowing didn’t elicit the desired tender response. One day, in frustration, he whirled around and said, “Do you always have to follow me?” No, I didn’t and I sure didn’t much after that. He broke my tender heart that day… It takes only one unintentionally harmful comment that really wounded Ileen. It’s then a scar. Linda remarked that she was amazed by the flexibility shown by Ileen’s parents and Ileen herself. They were able to do many different jobs very well and adapt to different challenges. Ileen had four kids in 3 1/2 years, by the time she was 21! She also sewed and cooked, entertained, was the community pool director, youth group leader, interior decorator, house designer, and much more. Nancy thinks she would be interested in writing a memoir at some point. Linny had not though about doing so until she read this book. Nancy also reminded Linny that recordings of older relatives is also an easy way to capture memories and that she has done so with their mom. Nancy and Linny thought the love story between Orville and Ileen was a highlight of the book. Linda and Nancy loved the photos and the recipes Ileen included.