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From readers of  ...
I have just finished reading I just called her Momma. It was a very touching book: how hard life was for Momma – six loaves of bread every morning, sewing for the family right down to the bathing suits, starching and ironing in the summer heat. Yet here and there are the small touches of how hard the Father works to make life better for Momma – for instance the washing machine contraption with the spinning belt! At first Mae seems nostalgic for the good old days but as soon as electricity shows up, it is clear that better days arrived. Thank you for sending me the book. I will treasure it along with my collection of Western stories. --Janet Huseby is a free lance writer and the editor of the recently published (by Stone Bridge Press) collection The Berkeley Book of College Essays . She has been helping students with their college essays for over ten years. A graduate of Barnard College, Janet Huseby began her career as a copy editor at the Brazil Herald. After a stint as a reporter for the Associated Press in Rio de Janeiro she freelanced for Time Magazine and Time-Life Books. She also worked for the University of California as editor of Cal Neighbors.
It was a wonderful read… It would be my hope that every child read it so they may know how life once was and how a life lived on a farm in the 30s and 40s, without frills, was so beautiful… -- Paula Bohnert, Comfort ISD teacher
I bought the book for Ann (wife) for Christmas but before wrapping it I read it. I could not put it down and the pictures are great…-- Rev. Bill Campbell, Littleton, CO
I think your book is a treasure, not only for children but for anyone interested in nurturing our German heritage. I’m reading it to my mother (macular degeneration) and we discuss it at dinner. A blessing for her and all of us… -- Dolores Steubing, CISD Secondary English teacher
…the book in first person gives life, action, vigor and spirit to what the author experienced as a young child growing up in a closely knit family during the Great Depression Era to the arrival of rural electrification in the early 1940’s… The book is alive interactive and rewarding… -- Irene Spenrath, Comfort ISD Librarian
…I have taught Secondary Language Arts for 23 years and greatly appreciate the MOMMA book’s many special qualities…I will be contacting to share with friends, teachers and lovers of Central Texas history…-- Sharon Sanders, Llano ISD
…read the book and I want you to know I found it to be a real blessing. Not having any recollection of your mother and father…I wonder if my inclination to enjoy hard work is something I inherited from them. I admire their patience, resilience and persistence demonstrated in the book…learning from their lives, helps me put my problems and challenges in perspective. -- Don Durden, CEO Engineering Firm, S.A.
…got the book on Saturday, stayed in and couldn’t put it down until I finished it. As soon as I did -- I lent it to my Uncle and Aunt. They declare it an accurate and colorful description of the life of a Hill Country German family…-- Steven Kensing, Retired SA Teacher
Your mother’s life was surely dedicated to long hours and hard work. God hopefully rewards women like your mother…-- Dr. & Mrs. Jerome Ippolito, Birmingham, AL
I had an awful, pain-filled, uncomfortable last night as I am still trying to bounce back from surgery…but I wanted you know what a pleasant distraction your book was for me. I started reading well after 1 a.m. and finally dozed off after finishing it in the wee hours. I was totally transported! -- Amy Bosworth, Comfort
You have great recollections of a time and place in history most people can’t remember or have never experienced. Well done! Also impressed with Bill’s photography. He did an excellent job capturing the uniqueness of the period. His black and white photos are clean, crisp and uncluttered. He made it look easy… which is why I know it was not. -- Art Grand, Author and Photographer, Ashville, NC
…thank you for that wonderful book. I read it yesterday… laughed, and cried when MOMMA died. It’s the best book I have read in quite awhile… --Adele and Milton Wendel, Kerrville
…just finished your book. You tell the story in such an engaging way, I felt I was there! -- Debbie Bosworth, CISD elementary teacher
News stories and letters following speaking engagements:
…a standing room only crowd attended the recent Friends of the Library sponsored program at the Fredericksburg Pioneer Memorial Library… especially enjoyed was the part about how the author’s family made a pleasure trip to Galveston and the author’s Momma had to explain to her daughter the meaning of the word vacation…
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post: I JUST CALLED HER MOMMA could be that perfect Mother’s Day gift… The Comfort News about Author’s visit to Barnes and Noble in San Antonio.
…the students learned lot of interesting things like making blood sausage and using all sorts of strange inventions and gadgets that came before our modern conveniences. Sprinkled with authentic German language and customs, the author offered students insight into the German culture…-- Ellen Collie, Assistant Principal, Comfort ISD
Thank you so much…Momma book. So many memories are relevant to us here at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm. Once started, I had a hard time putting it down. We’ll see you at the LBJ Book Festival… Lyndon B. Johnson State Historical Park, Stonewall, Texas.-- Vickie Beasley, Farm Interpreter
On behalf of Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site, and Western National Parks association, we wish to express our gratitude to you for participating in the first Texas Book Festival on the Road in LBJ Country….It succeeded because authors like you supported the event. -- David Vela, Texas State Coordinator/Superintedent and Iris Haecher-Neffendor, Park Manager
…honored author and community servant, Mae Durden-Nelson, addressed the Sunrise Rotary Club of Boerne, Texas last Tuesday. She has a marvelous story directed to the children of the current generation who know nothing of the world before electricity and indoor plumbing. The author closed her presentation with a wonderful observation. People may forget what you tell them, but they newer forget how you made them feel. -- Boerne Sunrise Rotary Club at La Hacienda Restaurant.
We were very grateful that you spoke at our Society of School Librarians International Conference in the Menger Hotel. We enjoyed you both and your love story brought tears to our eyes. Keep up the wonderful writing and may the honeymoon never end…-- Jeannie Schwartz, President. Charleston, SC
Boy did you make me look good! What a marvelous speaker you are. You had that audience in the palm of your hand. And Bill, you charmed the ladies too. Take good care of each other -- you are so lucky! Thank you for a delightful interlude…-- Mary Alice Yelverton. Program chairman, Boerne Reading Club, Fair Oaks Country Club
From Middle school students…exactly as written:
Thank you for the wonderful things you shared with us today. I appreciate people who know what it is like to have nothing. Thanks, Chase Lantz
I strongly appreciate you comming out of your way to explain the background of the book, by the way, is very interesting. I like to read about how people lived their lives in the “old days”. That is why I read all of the Laura Ingalls Wilder book…Crystal Boerner
Thank you for the wonderful visit… (Cuz we got out of class!!!) I’m learning a lot from your book. I hope you visit again…Scotty Richter P.S. Great pictures Mr. Nelson!!! Keep on taking them!!!
Thank you for talking to us. I enjoyed it very much and you enspired me to maybe become a writer sometime. Thank you. It was very fun. Nathan R.
Thank you for having us. I really enjoyed listening to your past. I hope we weren’t a hastle. You really inspired me into writing more in my diary and maybe someday I’ll write my own book… Pauline Garate
Thank you soooo much for visiting our school….interested in your book…I can’t wait to see what happens next…can’t wait to finish it…Brittany Vaughan
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