• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Advertising
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • Speaking
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

15+ Memories: Why I Know I Had the Best Childhood

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Did I tell you about the time my Dad and I went to Santa Barbara for dinner? We ate at J. K. Frimbles by the tree, and later, we walked up and down State Street, window shopping.

the shadowWhat about how Mom and I used to sit in the “family room” half of her bedroom at night and listen to old radio shows—Fibber McGee and Molly, Paladin, Dragnet, Henry Ulrich, The Shadow. She’d knit or crochet, I’d embroider, and while the night came alive for the desert creatures, we learned all about how you should never buy a house without an attorney. Thanks, Bruce Williams. Sorry I didn’t follow that advice back in 1988 when we bought ours…

Or did I tell you about how my brother, Berechyn, used to bring home treats from his class parties? Someone might bring cupcakes because it was her birthday. Maybe one of the guys brought Valentine cookies, courtesy of his mom. Perhaps the teacher let them make something for “chemistry.” It didn’t matter. If he got a treat at school, he brought one home for me. I sure hope he got some of those himself!

Why I now I Had the Best Childhood Ever

Links in this post are likely affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Oh, surely I’ve told you about sitting at Grandma’s kitchen table playing Crow’s Foot, Go Fish, and Aggravation. Grandma rolls the dice on one of Uncle Oscar’s handmade, super-sized boards with a lip edge so the dice can’t roll off. Oops! Into one of the dimples for the marbles. “Diaper rash!” She’d re-roll, of course. Can’t let a diaper rash stand. Dad walks in. “How’s the game going?”

“Plum ducky, quack quack!”

Never did know what that meant. Just one of her Ruth-e-misms. She had a million of ’em.

Argosy JunctionIf you’ve read Argosy Junction, I know you know about how our dog Boozer used to run straight for the car, do a side jog, jump through Mom’s  window (while we were still moving!) and land on my lap (usually covered with homework). Every. Day. I just had to put that somewhere.

And, of course, there’s that bit about how I almost fed Challice (#1 daughter) hot chocolate one night when I got up to make her a bottle of formula and grabbed the wrong canister. If you read Aggie, you know how that would have turned out if I’d not noticed a brown trickle running down my wrist when I tested the temperature.

See the Book Chat about it HERE.

Climbing in the Superstition Mountains after donut holes and milk at Duncan Donuts—good times.

Listening to Mom’s stories from when she was a girl.

Dad playing the guitar.

Drat. I promised myself I wouldn’t go there.

After all, you’ve heard me ramble on and on about those music fests more often than not. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check out the posts linked on THIS page. There’s some fun stuff in there if you’re just anxious to read more of my nostalgic blather.

Has this week’s challenge topic become obvious? Yeah.

“My Favorite Childhood Memory.”

Who asks someone to pick just one? I’m supposed to choose between laughing with Noemi about the craziest things and cooking sourdough pancakes with wolfberries inside? How do I choose between time with my amazing uncles on Dad’s side and my amazing uncle on Mom’s?

How did I never realize that the day would come when I wouldn’t have to anymore.

swimming pool
Image free from listcoloring.com

Uncle Ron went home to Jesus a few years ago. He always made me feel so special. Well, except for when he got a cool-beans new above-ground pool and I asked when he was going to put up the “Play-Boy Pool.” For the uninitiated in ’80s pools, that’s Doughboy Pools. Yeah. He laughed like I’d done it deliberately. And me? Totally clueless.

You know, I realize some people had these epoch-like moments in their childhoods—those really unique things that set one day above all else. Maybe it was an older sister’s wedding (or the birth of her first child. Now THAT was a cool day. I became an aunt at age seven!). Maybe it was that trip to Hawaii, or the family reunion when that uncle came—the one no one ever thought they’d see again.

I don’t have one of those days. I just have day after day of ordinary moments that created one extraordinary childhood.

Want to know a secret?

If people analyzed my childhood, they’d say it was a dysfunctional mess. Between moving often (sometimes more than once a year), a father who was a drunk (he’d kill me if I said alcoholic), siblings who ran away, a grandmother who hated me, another grandmother who wouldn’t speak to us—and that’s just the beginning… It should have been horrible.

It wasn’t. God blessed me with a childhood I’d never trade with anyone else’s. As far as I’m concerned, I had the best childhood ever.

Share99
Pin
Tweet
Email
100Shares
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
100Shares

Related

Filed Under: General Information, Personal

Previous Post: « 3 Reasons to Love A Ruby Glows & Why You Might Not
Next Post: Warning: Unintended Consequences Will Make You a POW »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
byChautona Havig

I had a chat with actor and author Henry O. Arnold a while back, and boy did we have a lot of fun. His Song of Prophets and Kings series features the advent of Israel’s kings from Samuel’s birth through David hiding from Saul (so far) and onward. Listen in as we chat about his most recent release, The Singer of Israel.

 

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

What Made David Such a Man after God’s Heart?

I think this series will show us. I love that Henry O. Arnold started back at Samuel’s story to prepare us for the story of arguably the most influential king of Israel. Yes, Solomon was the wisest and richest, but David offered something that Solomon didn’t have. He was an average guy—a shepherd, no less—chosen by God to lead his country.

In a sense, it’s kind of the ancient Jewish version of a poor, everyday guy growing up to become President of the United States. If you know what I mean.

This five-book series is available as an eBook, in print, and as an audiobook, too! Henry read a snippet of it to us, and boy you get a feel for his love of Scripture and God’s people as he reads.

And if that wasn’t enough, he even gave us a hint of his upcoming Christian suspense/thriller “series. He says he has two books planned for sure, so… at least a duology, but maybe we can talk him into a trilogy at least? Get those odd numbers and everything?

The Singer of Israel by Henry O. Arnold

A singer’s voice inspires a troubled nation…A shepherd’s courage vanquishes a giant

The last official act of the prophet of Yahweh was to secretly anoint a replacement for the king of Israel who has been brought low by an unbalanced mind. The great prophet of Israel lives in fear of the wrath of the king. Then out of the hills of Bethlehem emerges the last-born son of a family of shepherds to become the unforeseen hero of Israel.

When David sings of the glory of Yahweh, this shepherd wins the hearts of the royal family and restores King Saul’s troubled mind. But when the singer/shepherd defeats the champion of the Philistines in single combat, David becomes forever known as “the giant slayer.” Saul quickly sees that David is now a threat to his kingdom and secretly plots to have him killed.

David may be the champion of the people of Israel, but he must live under the constant threat of Saul’s wrath until he is finally forced to flee for his life.

The Singer of Israel is a tale of triumph and tribulation, deepest love, and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.

You can learn more about Henry on this WEBSITE.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Stitcher
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 214: A Chat about After the Shadows with Amanda Cabot
March 21, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 213: A Chat about Daughter of Eden with Jill Eileen Smith
March 17, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 212: A Chat about Code Name Edelweiss with Stephanie Landsem
February 28, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 211: A Chat with Lynn H. Blackburn about Under Fire
February 24, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 210: A Chat with Jennifer Deibel about The Maid of Ballymacool
February 21, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 209: A Chat with Tracie Peterson about Remember Me
February 17, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 208: A Chat with Author, Hallie Lee
February 14, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 207: A Chat with Daniella Rushton about Portal Fantasy
February 10, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
February 7, 2023
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Check out the Sparrow Island novels. A tiny island with a lot of heart

independence islands series

Featured Books

A Ransomed Grete

A Ransomed Grete
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
A Ransomed Grete
Buy now!

Twice Sold Tales

Twice Sold Tales
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Twice Sold Tales
Buy now!

Under the Hibiscus

Under the Hibiscus
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Under the Hibiscus
Buy now!

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • Why I Can’t Wait to Read the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing Series!
  • What Kinds of Lessons Can We Learn from the First People?
  • Why Would Anyone Send Beautiful, Thorny Roses with Strange Messages?

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Found this book at our local bookstore, Red Rock Found this book at our local bookstore,  Red Rock Books. It changed one direction of my next Bookstrings novel. I think we need more emphasis on picture books. So... this will sit around to inspire. 
#Bookstrings 
#bookishbooks
Reposted from @lornaroseboutique Annnnnnnd here th Reposted from @lornaroseboutique Annnnnnnd here they are!!! I’ve been anxiously waiting to see how they turn out, and they’re AMAZING!!! Gahh I love these post cards! 
If you love them too, you can check out the link in my bio!!

#digitalart #redbubbleartist #iloveart
When @kathleendenly offers to send an ARC, you squ When @kathleendenly offers to send an ARC, you squeal and accept before she changes her mind d. Eeep! I love her Chaparral Hearts series!
#AmReading 
#historicalromance 
#ChristFic
My first Goudge this month was a DNF. However, I My first Goudge this month was a DNF. However,  I found this while sorting my books in our home library and decided to read it now. Delightful. 
#yearofgoudge
#ChristianFantasy
Reposted from @susankbeattyauthor Take a trip to t Reposted from @susankbeattyauthor Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart with Book 2 in the series, Wheelers Design.

Clay is messy and so is Sabrina’s life sometimes, but will God mold it into a work of art?
	
Wheelers Design releases March 28, but you can pre-order now: 

Pre-order the ebook copy now to get a special pre-order price of $2.99 https://buff.ly/3TPO7NT

Preorder the paperback copy to get 30% off plus free shipping. Just fill out the form https://buff.ly/40aLI2s 

#preorder #newrelease #cleanreads #contemporaryfiction
New ARCs arrived from @tyndalehouse over the past New ARCs arrived from @tyndalehouse over the past couple of weeks.  Looking forward to reading this one by Cindy Woodsmall.  Haven't read anything by her in years. 
#AmReading 
#christianfictionreaders 
#ChristFic 
#amishfiction
Reading right now. It's so good!!! Reposted from Reading right now.  It's so good!!!

Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks ⏰ If you haven’t read Cold Dead Night, you can enter to win it! Plus 45+ exciting Inspirational Mysteries & Thrillers from a great
collection of authors... AND a brand new eReader :D
--
Enter 👉 via link in bio.
When you’re done, comment to let me know you’ve entered!
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!