The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or
4 journalers for this copy...
I heard about this one from a lovely bookrelayer, so when I saw it today at the thrift store, I had to pick it up!
From Amazon:
While her sometimes abusive husband drank away a third of his weekly take-home pay, Evelyn Ryan kept her ever-growing family afloat by entering every contest she came across, beginning with Burma Shave roadside-sign jingles. In post-World War II America, money, appliances, food, excursions-anything you could think of-were routinely offered to the person who sent in the best jingle, essay, or poem, accompanied, of course, by the company's box-top or other product identification. Although she more often won prizes of products, such as a case of Almond Joy candy bars, Mrs. Ryan once won enough for a down payment on a house just as her family was being turned out of their two-bedroom rental house. That contest also won her a bicycle for her son. She entered so many contests, often several times under different forms of her name, that hardly a week went by without some prize being delivered by the postman. Charmingly written by one of her 10 children, this story is not only a chronicle of contesting, but also of her mother's irrepressible spirit. With a sense of humor that wouldn't quit, she found fun in whatever life sent her way, and passed that on to all her children who, despite the poverty they grew up in, lived and still live happy, useful lives.
From Amazon:
While her sometimes abusive husband drank away a third of his weekly take-home pay, Evelyn Ryan kept her ever-growing family afloat by entering every contest she came across, beginning with Burma Shave roadside-sign jingles. In post-World War II America, money, appliances, food, excursions-anything you could think of-were routinely offered to the person who sent in the best jingle, essay, or poem, accompanied, of course, by the company's box-top or other product identification. Although she more often won prizes of products, such as a case of Almond Joy candy bars, Mrs. Ryan once won enough for a down payment on a house just as her family was being turned out of their two-bedroom rental house. That contest also won her a bicycle for her son. She entered so many contests, often several times under different forms of her name, that hardly a week went by without some prize being delivered by the postman. Charmingly written by one of her 10 children, this story is not only a chronicle of contesting, but also of her mother's irrepressible spirit. With a sense of humor that wouldn't quit, she found fun in whatever life sent her way, and passed that on to all her children who, despite the poverty they grew up in, lived and still live happy, useful lives.
received at the 2006 Toronto Convention. It was so nice to meet you, Ri
Evelyn Ryan is a woman who discovers the contests available in the 1950s and 1960s. She has an alcoholic husband and 10 children. Poverty is right around the corner but Mrs. E. Ryan enters contest after contest multiple times in order to feed her family.
The jingles she writes are worthy of the ad writers today. I must admit some of them were mind numbing, meaning they made no sense to me. Every contest she won seemed to be in the nick of time to save her family from disaster. Terry Ryan also writes of the joys of living in a large family. Sometimes funny and sometimes frustrating.
The moral is an upbeat enterprising woman can solve anything.
The jingles she writes are worthy of the ad writers today. I must admit some of them were mind numbing, meaning they made no sense to me. Every contest she won seemed to be in the nick of time to save her family from disaster. Terry Ryan also writes of the joys of living in a large family. Sometimes funny and sometimes frustrating.
The moral is an upbeat enterprising woman can solve anything.
mailed last Saturday. Enjoy!!
Journal Entry 5 by CrazyDutchwoman from Heemstede, Noord-Holland Netherlands on Friday, March 21, 2008
Thanks Ace. The book arrived just a few minutes ago. Also thanks for the West of Mars bookmark. :)
Looks like an interesting book. will let you know once I've read my thoughts on it.
(waves to Ri)
Looks like an interesting book. will let you know once I've read my thoughts on it.
(waves to Ri)
Journal Entry 6 by CrazyDutchwoman from Heemstede, Noord-Holland Netherlands on Friday, April 11, 2008
Just wanted to let you two know I picked this book to go to bed with me last night. (what an honor) lol.
Picture me reading in bed laughing so loud, I could not stop.
I love it when a book makes me laugh out loud. The first 50 pages, the story with the bath, babysitting, the funny cat, all so recognisable. reminded me of my own youth. (I had only 3 sisters)
Now I have read 85 pages. Really enjoying it so far. Think my mom might like it too. (don't understand all of Mum's jingles, poems and such but that does not matter that much.
Picture me reading in bed laughing so loud, I could not stop.
I love it when a book makes me laugh out loud. The first 50 pages, the story with the bath, babysitting, the funny cat, all so recognisable. reminded me of my own youth. (I had only 3 sisters)
Now I have read 85 pages. Really enjoying it so far. Think my mom might like it too. (don't understand all of Mum's jingles, poems and such but that does not matter that much.
Journal Entry 7 by CrazyDutchwoman from Heemstede, Noord-Holland Netherlands on Saturday, April 12, 2008
Just finished reading this book. I enjoyed it so much I decided 1 hour ago to go and settle myself on the couch to read the last hundred pages.
Now I am a bit sad I have finished it.
What a great read and here I was always thinking this book was about a horse!!!! It has been offered in swaps before and last time when i read it was about a mother who participates in contest, I thought I might like it.
I laughed a lot. Such a great family, what a mother. Also loved the stories about the stray animals. The smart cat, the crazy duck, the funny sparrow.
One of my favorite reads of 2008 so far.
Thank you for sharing this Ri and Ace. 9.5
Now I am a bit sad I have finished it.
What a great read and here I was always thinking this book was about a horse!!!! It has been offered in swaps before and last time when i read it was about a mother who participates in contest, I thought I might like it.
I laughed a lot. Such a great family, what a mother. Also loved the stories about the stray animals. The smart cat, the crazy duck, the funny sparrow.
One of my favorite reads of 2008 so far.
Thank you for sharing this Ri and Ace. 9.5
Journal Entry 8 by CrazyDutchwoman at Happiness Day Exchange By mail, Happiness Day Exchange -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, August 10, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (8/10/2008 UTC) at Happiness Day Exchange By mail, Happiness Day Exchange -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Well I have mailed this book a few days ago (August 5) and forgot to journal all the books that were in the box to Xeyra who is my Happiness Day partner.
I forgot to tell you I lend this book to my mother and she really enjoyed reading this as well.
Now I hope Xeyra will enjoy it as much as we did.
Well I have mailed this book a few days ago (August 5) and forgot to journal all the books that were in the box to Xeyra who is my Happiness Day partner.
I forgot to tell you I lend this book to my mother and she really enjoyed reading this as well.
Now I hope Xeyra will enjoy it as much as we did.
And this is the final JE for all the pretty books I received today as part of the Happiness Day Exchange. Marlene, you really outdid yourself this time. I'm so happy with my package, I love all the books and candies and I'm looking forward to reading this one especially as it been on my wishlist since some of the first swaps I participated in, back in the old Bookrelay forum. Thank you!!!
