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— Jan Goldyn —

Reflective August

August, like a mirror

smooth, glassy, still

Reflecting dappled misty light

as morning breaks the hill

Splashing on the surface

jumping children come to play

Excitement meets the afternoon

as the sun starts to give way

And a deep pink settles

before the moon eases in

Campfires crackle

as the woods begin to sing

August calm, quiet

glassy once again

All through the night

A summer’s end begins

August Update

You know how river water feels when the afternoon is slipping by and the crickets start. And it feels so warm as the air cools. Sometimes it smells wonderfully sweet and you realize you’ve stepped into one of those enchanted moments that life decides to share — to me, that is August.

It’s when life all around is heaviest but also slipping away to autumn. With my father recently passing, it feels like all seasons have played out in real time.

We all know when a new season is coming. We see the signs as Nature tries to ease us into her ongoing cycles. Still, they can take us by surprise. But if we listen closely, She will guide us through.

Prequel, Julia

My vision for the unveiling of “Julia” had been on a Spring 2025 horizon. I’m now focusing on Summer 2025. But I promise I will update you regularly well in advance!

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I am so excited to be working on my Prequel — Julia. You’ve all given me such super feedback on Coal Town Girls! Those of you who have grown up locally have been sharing your excitement at seeing the landmarks of your youth (or your present!) showcased within its pages.

Now, with Julia, I’m taking a journey further back in time to the people, places, struggles, triumphs and dreams of those who came before Joan and Mary. I can’t wait for you to join me.

August Sneak Peek

-Excerpt from Julia -

Phil was having a glass of whiskey at Buddy Marone's Place, his sooty coal-blackened form accentuated only by the whites of his eyes. Buddy called to Phil, "Your sister's out here for ya, Pal." Phil put out is cigarette and met Julia at the entrance.

"What is it? This ain't no place for you to be wanderin' around, even in the daylight," Phil cautioned.

"I had to talk to you. John's taken it upon himself to keep me from seein' Francis. He even has Papa behind him,” said Julia.

"Weasel,” Phil spat.

"Oh, Phil, can you help us?" Julia pleaded.

"Go on home. I'll have a talk with John." Phil smiled as he squeezed Julia's shoulder. He then returned to his drink, took his last gulp and told Buddy he'd see him again tomorrow after night shift. Phil then hitched a ride into Windber to his brother's shop.

* * **

Jan’s Reading Nook

Throughout history, our ancestors gathered around fires telling and soaking in the magic that is “story.” This primal need continues and has not left us! I love to share thoughts on nuggets of literature I’ve been enjoying and exploring. For me, a main focus has been historical fiction, literary fiction, family sagas. Although all genres have their own jewels.

Marion Davies

A biography

— Fred Lawrence Guiles —

It’s not surprising I was drawn to this book by its cover — a sleek flapper in her 1920s cloche. After all, in my prequel to Coal Town Girls, Julia, 1920s culture is front and center

In the mid-1910s William Randolph Hearst was becoming a newspaper publishing magnate and the most powerful molder of public attitudes in America. He had come from a privileged background, although his father had pulled himself up from his bootstraps.

Teenage Marion Douras had come from a somewhat well-off but chaotic Brooklyn family. Her father was described as merely a “visitor” in their home. From a young age, Marion showed a tendency to “go against the tide,” and spent some time being educated in a convent in France, at her mother’s bidding.

This life, however, did not sit well with Marion and she soon returned to the States and followed her sister, Reign, into the world of show business. She even mirrored her sister’s idea of donning the more classic surname of “Davies.”

Marion’s mother, “Mama Rose,” was intent on setting up Marion and her sisters into beneficial Liaisons. The stage became a perfect arena.

In 1915, Marion was performing in the Ziegfeld Follies. William Randolph Hearst, many years her senior, was regularly seated in the second row. In a short amount of time, he was attending a party where Marion was a guest and caught her just as she was reaching for her coat. Slipping something into her hand, married William R. Hearst asked her to see him again.

She clutched her hand tightly closed on the taxi ride to her apartment, her boyfriend seated beside her. Once home, she opened her palm to expose a diamond Tiffany watch.

Davies has been quoted as saying, “God, I’d give everything I have to marry that silly old man. Not for the money and security — he’s given me more than I’ll ever need. Not because he’s such a cozy companion, either… No, you know what he gives me, sugar? He gives me the feeling I’m worth something to him.”

Hearst stayed married to his wife, Millicent, to the end, although she was well aware of his arrangements with Marion. He spared no expense for Davies, with lush homes, jewelry and all the finer things in life. Hearst used all his influence to boost Davies’ exceptional career, although he discouraged her natural inclination toward comedy and was at times obsessive in his control of her.

After the premier of the film “Citizen Cane” which portrayed a character who lacked talent but worked her way up through influential people, Marion’s career went on a downturn. Many movie-goers interpreted the story to be true, assuming that Marion must be the muse. Many actors later on expressed their feeling that this was not at all the case and that Marion was very talented in her craft.

Marion was at Hearst’s deathbed, not seeking his inheritance, which others around him commanded, but caring for the man she had come to love.

Marion’s mother died of heart failure at the age of 55. She and her sisters remained a very close family, all eventually buried in the family plot in Hollywood.

Marion was very much a product of her time, when men very often held the influence and power in the culture. Marion stood by her passion for her craft, even if benefiting by a man’s influence.

The fact that she stood with him and then shared her wealth enormously with charitable causes is an indication that she did her life very well under her circumstances.

Coal Town Girls

Coal Town girls was an idea that bubbled up over the years and finally found its way to paper. My mother, Joan, and her best friend, Mary, were often found on our back porch, telling stories of their youth -- the town, the river, the people, the adventures, the sadness's, the joys. 

Each month I’ll try to highlight a tidbit of history from Coal Town Girls!

—-Excerpt from Coal Town Girls—-

After dinner, Joan knew, her Grand Pap would smoke his pipe on the upstairs porch swing, wafting a dark sweet aroma that Joan loved to savor. She'd listen to his stories of the "old country" where he had traded tobacco for vodka with Russian soldiers, where tidy cottages had had shining dirt floors. Where white storks had risen majestically from golden fields of wheat at sunrise.

Grandma Celia might gather a band of grandchildren around her flower garden jumping while tapping together two sticks – the small children, falling and laughing to the beat as red poppies and gladiola swayed in the breeze. How Joan had loved that game when she was small.

Joan’s mother would squeeze lemons into a pitcher of water, stir in some sugar. She’d place it on the table under the apple tree, while she sat with her pageboy and pin-curl haired friends in their bright cotton dresses – some who worked alongside her in the munitions factory. They'd smoke cigarettes, talk and laugh while watching the McClellan men from next door dance jigs in the back yard.