Heading Home
“I’ve Been a Yankee Fan So Long, I Got Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”
by Susan Studier
Sid Scale: 4 Out Of 4 Paws Up
Download your FREE copy of Heading Home by clicking the following:
Tainted Rye Crisp
The Story of a Marriage and a Family Broken by Mental Illness
Susan Studier
Sid Scale: 4 Out Of 4 Paws Up
“In the 1930s, Albert and Frances Wetter lived with their four children in Lanesboro, Iowa. Albert worked for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Frances was a gifted pianist of above-average intelligence. Albert thought all was well with his family until the day Frances confessed that she loved someone else. Heartbroken and confused, Albert desperately tried to win back his wife’s love and keep his family together in the home they called Honeymoon Cottage.”
This is the story of my great grandparents as written by my aunt, Susan Studier. I had the privilege of interviewing Susan and gaining additional insight into how the book evolved and what she learned along the way.
A Conversation With Susan Studier:
What inspired you to write Tainted Rye Crisp?
My grandpa, Albert Wetter, who was born in 1885, kept daily journals from 1907 until shortly before he passed away in 1953. I am an incurable romantic, and when I read his journals, I found a heartbreaking love story I wanted to write.
How would you classify this book?
It is a story of real people and real events; however, I used liberal creative license to add details to the story, especially in dialogue. Thus, the book is not purely biographical. I would classify it as a Biographical Novel.
How did you go about developing the story?
First, I transcribed relevant journal entries to get them on my computer. From those, I formed the story. I had difficulty deciding where to begin, but finally narrowed it down to the shocking event at the heart of the story. From there, I used flashbacks to let the reader know that my grandparents’ marriage and family life had been loving and satisfying for the first couple of decades, but was torn apart by my grandmother’s mental illness. The story was further fleshed out as I tracked down relatives I did not know existed and visited with them. I found a 96-year-old gentleman who personally knew the people I was writing about, and he gave me a wealth of information.
Did anything surprise you as you were writing the book?
Yes. My grandparents lived in Lanesboro, Iowa, a town consisting of 270 in 1930 (from www.census.gov). While researching for the book, I found several other people from that tiny community had been institutionalized in an Iowa State Hospital for the Insane. I also heard about several suicides in that area in the time frame of the story. The Great Depression obviously had a significant effect on mental health.
What is your favorite part of the book?
My favorite chapter is one where Albert and his childhood friend reminisce about the grand plans for the future they had when they were teenagers, and how those plans did not come to fruition.
What moved you the most about the story?
I was moved about how faithful Albert was to his wife, Frances, throughout all those bad years.
How does the final product compare to your initial intent?
My intent was to write about Albert and Frances and how the marriage was destroyed by mental illness, thus, I was surprised to find my mother throughout the entire story. My mom told me about her life, but only to say that she had a perfect family for her first seven years, until her mother, Frances, became ill. She told me that her family did not want Frances to be institutionalized; that they loved her and accepted her illness and wanted her at home, but others in the community could not tolerate Frances’s odd behaviors, and so other people petitioned the Court for Frances’s commitments. Never Albert. Because my mom never complained about her childhood, writing this story made me realize the huge impact that Frances’s mental illness really had on her.
What do you hope the reader takes away from this book?
I hope the reader senses the value of family and tolerance.
How can people order your book?
Currently, the book is available on Amazon and CreateSpace.
Susan has graciously offered a $5.00 discount if you order the book on CreateSpace (the link will take you directly to her book). Simply use discount code: QEXA8KCV. The $5.00 savings promotional code will expire March 4, 2016.
I am also very pleased to share that Susan has agreed to sell autographed copies of her book to tanktopandtennisshoegirl.com readers. For only $16.99, she will autograph a copy and ship it to you. To be clear: The $16.99 includes shipping and handling! To take advantage of this generous offer, email your request for an autographed copy of Tainted Rye Crisp to studiersusan@gmail.com.
The Total Money Makeover 
A Proven Plan For Financial Fitness
Sid Scale: 4 Out Of 4 Paws Up
Regardless of where you are on your financial journey, Dave Ramsey offers sound and down to earth advice to keep you on the right financial path. Dave not only offers hope but also solutions to people struggling to get out of debt. His Debt Snowball plan provides a detailed method of attack to rid yourself of each debt and get you financially back on track.
For those who have conquered debt and are looking for the next steps, Dave offers guidance. Should you pay off your house before funding your retirement? Do you fund your retirement before or after you contribute to your child’s college fund? The Total Money Makeover puts these questions in perspective and provides a definitive approach that will guide you through each phase of your financial journey.
For me, Dave’s tell it like it is approach and resolute guidance makes this book an excellent financial resource. I genuinely appreciate that Dave keeps perspective with regard to money and its proper role in our lives.
I give up. Who is Unky Herb?
Great interview with Susan Studier