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RUTH MORGAN SMITH kept a secret diary about her life and and that of her homesteading family on the Nebraska plains

VIVIAN DOUGLAS SMITH, her daughter-in-law, edited and arranged the writings and presented them as a program with daughter, Debi

DEBI SMITH, a professional musician wrote songs based on her grandmother's writing; designed, co-edited, and published Ruth's story





LOOK UP AT THE HAWKS originally seen on PBS Television, NPR's "All Things Considered," and Radio Smithsonian...
NOW A BOOK!

“Look Up at the Hawks - And the Universe Overhead," a new book published by Degan Books, is a collaboration of three generations -- Ruth Morgan Smith (1894-1978), daughter-in-law Vivian Douglas Smith, and granddaughter Debi Smith.

In 1972, Nebraska farm woman Ruth Morgan Smith, handed Vivian Douglas Smith a little package that she’d kept hidden away for many years.  It was a personal journal of her life on the Nebraska plains in the 1930’s and 40’s, written on the backs of old envelopes, scraps of paper, notebooks - a random assortment of papers.  Ruth said, “I want you to do something with these, Vivian.”


Vivian Douglas Smith spent many years doing something with it, and the resulting work became “Look Up at the Hawks,” Ruth’s reflections on life on their Nebraska farm as it was happening to her, not looking back.  It was a spiritual odyssey of sorts, unknown even to her own family.  “How little we need for a satisfying life” is the theme that emerges from the pages of Ruth’s writings.  It is a story that reminds us that in the midst of depression and dust storms, droughts and floods, loss, pain, crisis and wrenching change, there is still ample cause for rejoicing.

Vivian’s daughter, Debi Smith, is a professional singer/songwriter/musician and recording artist, both as a soloist and as a member of  “The Four Bitchin’ Babes.” She was touched by her grandmother’s writing and set many of her words to music.  The original program was presented at the Smithsonian Institution, featured on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered,” and aired as a PBS television special, among other places.

Debi Smith designed and edited and the diary for publication, and it is available as an advance release beginning January of 2012. The cost of the book is $15 including postage, and it may be purchased at www.DebiSmith.com.

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