Irene Sandell, author of the award-winning book, “The House on Swiss Avenue,” spoke at the Lakewood Library Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 15.

Sandell is a local historian, retired history teacher and author of historical fiction. She has written “River of the Arms of God,” “In a Fevered Land” and most recently, “The House on Swiss Avenue.”

“River of the Arms of God” and “The House on Swiss Avenue” were finalists for the Willa Literary Award honoring outstanding literature featuring women's stories set in the Western United States.

Sandell shared with the group attending the library that she had always wanted to be a writer, long before she wrote or made that desire public.

“I also love old houses,” Sandell said. “And one always finds its way into my books as one of the characters.” 

Having lived in historic East Dallas for the last 25 years (my own house is celebrating its 100^th birthday this year), I, too, love old houses and understand their sense of character and personality. 

The old house in Sandell’s latest novel, though now long gone, stood on the lower end of Swiss Avenue toward what is now the edge of town and was owned by the Henry Boll family.

Of all of Dallas’ colorful history, Swiss Avenue, with its elegant residences, often conjures memories of wealth, romance and mystery­­­­­— ­all the right elements for a story.

“I think several things draw us to Swiss Avenue. Old houses hold the stories of families.  I think each house has a personality all its own imprinted by the people who dwelled there. So there is a mystery when we see the house, and it makes us curious. Swiss Avenue is even more so because of its connection to the European background of its original settlers. It’s the mixture of frontier roughness and old world charm that catches our interest”  Sandell said.

Many residents of early Swiss Avenue had a colorful beginning in Dallas. They had made their way to Texas to become a part of La Rénuion colony. La Réunion was founded in 1855 by Victor Prosper Considerant. It was intended to be a socialist utopian community, inspired by the teachings of Charles Fourier, who advocated communal production and distribution for communal profit. Located near the forks of the Trinity River, it was made up of French, Belgium and Swiss colonists.

The premise of the constitution of the colony was that everyone shared equally in work and in reward. However, that theory does not always pan out as planned, and eventually the community failed.

With its demise, some of the colonists returned to Europe, but many of the skilled craftsmen and artisans populated the eastern area of Dallas and built the houses birthing the stories that made Dallas such a fascinating city.

The House on Swiss Avenue weaves a tale of Adeline Sinclaire, who in the twilight of her life, is looking to save her historic family home on Swiss Avenue,  and Robyn Merrill who comes to Dallas for a new job in a new city, hoping to find a new life away from the tragedy she suffered in Atlanta.

The house brings the two women together as they unveil skeletons in the closet, make peace with the past and embrace the future; all elements of a good book.

Writing seems to be the dream of many people, so I asked Sandell what words of inspiration she has for those wannabes.

“Don't give up on your dreams. However, know that writing is a very hard job. Write what you feel strongly about, not what someone else thinks might be the next big seller.  If your heart is not in your writing, it will show. Find your interest, find your voice (in your writing) and even if you never sell, or sell big, you will enjoy the ride. Writing is like tossing pebbles in a pond. You don't know how far the ripples will travel,” she said. 

“Once it is written down, your words might live forever.”

By now you have likely read about, or seen Isabelle and Katherine Adams selling their origami fold Christmas ornaments at local craft fairs and retail shops.

Through their project, Paper for Water, the young sisters, ages ten and seven, respectively, along with the help of volunteers and their matching donor, Lemi Shine, have raised more than $350,000 for Living Water International, a Houston-based charity that drills water wells in developing countries.

“Every 20 seconds a child dies because they don’t have clean water,” Isabelle told BubbleLife in December of 2012. 

Isabelle and Katherine learned about the need for clean water in these countries during the summer of 2011 when a family friend shared stories and videos about the perilous conditions brought about by unsafe drinking water. This made a big impression on the sisters and on their parents, Ken and Deborah Adams. 

This past Christmas, Isabelle and Katherine got to see firsthand the need for their work and the result of their efforts. Accompanied by mom and dad, their little sister and their maternal grandparents, the family spent two weeks during the Christmas holidays touring India.

Leaving Dallas on December 21, they flew to Delhi. Upon arrival in India, a driver and a mini-van became their transportation for an itinerary that took them to Agra, Lucknow in the Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi, Jaipur and back to Delhi. They visited the Taj Mahal on Christmas Day.

Living Water International had arranged for the family to visit several schools and wells, so they could meet the children that were helped by the wells.

Both girls were surprised by many cultural differences between our country and India. Most of the schools they visited had no electricity. At one school, class was being held on the rooftop of the building.

When the Indian children were asked how many drank the water from the wells, they all raised their hands. School officials said that there are far fewer absentees due to illness than before because of the clean water provided by the wells.

Although the children come from hardworking parents, many of the families are living on less than $2 a day, and they can’t afford to build the wells from their own resources.

Other perceptions noted by the girls were the disparities throughout the country. They saw many beautiful well-maintained homes, as well as people living in tents, three-sided sheds and lean- tos along the side of the road.

But even in the face of such poverty, one thing is universal, the girls found: kids like to play.

The game of cricket was played everywhere, and the children used whatever they could find to use for a bat.

Katherine commented on the greenery of the landscape and the assortment of animals they encountered.

“Everything was so green,” she said. “We saw monkeys, cows, goats, water buffalo, dogs, camels and elephants.” And, of course, everyone got to take a turn atop an elephant for a ride.

“What about the food?” I asked.  Everyone agreed that it was good, but added that the hotels prepared an Americanized menu with less “spice” for the country’s visitors.

The travel through India was an exciting adventure and momentous learning experience. The family even got to meet U.S. Ambassador Nancy Powell and Deputy Director for the U.S. Agency for International Development, Kathryn Stevens.

Still, India remains one of the world’s poorest nations. Poverty, hunger and illness are widespread, especially among the rural areas.

“Education is the key to social change, especially education of the girls.  Clean water is necessary to keep students in school. Without clean water many kids are sick. Staying healthy and keeping kids in school are our main goals in what we are doing,” mom, Deborah Adams said.

What were some thoughts that Isabelle brought home about her trip?

“How privileged we are in our country. Many kids in India have needs we don’t even know or can’t even think about. We can drink from the faucet and we can turn on the lights. We are lucky to have a school to go to and be able to go to it,” she said.

Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding that started in the 17th century and was popularized outside of Japan in the mid-1900s.  Intricate folds without the use of cuts or glue result in a sculpted object.  Isabelle and Katherine learned how to fold from their dad who learned from his mother.  The Adams brought back beautiful printed paper from India and new ornaments will be produced using those colorful prints. Learn more at www.paperforwater.org.

Hi, I’m Wheels, a Boston terrier and a special contributor to BubbleLife.com.   This past week-end I was the recipient of a kind deed̶̶̶̶̶ –one fitting this season of warmth and good will–‒and I want to share it with you.

 If you live in one of the historic East Dallas neighborhoods, you know that it is not uncommon to live in a 100 year old bungalow set on pier and beams. 

 On a recent Saturday morning when I went outside, instead of just taking care of business and returning back to the safety of my warm home, I found a small hole that led me under it rather than back into it..  I did try to get back into my yard but I couldn't find my way.

There I was,  trapped like Alice, and believe me, it was no wonderland under the house.

No crates with cushy pads, no soft beds near the heat vents, no bowls filled with fresh water or jars filled with treats.

My owner was trying to lure me out with promises of jerky, biscuits, even a second breakfast.  She was worried about other critters that I might meet in the dark space under the house. So far I had only dealt with furred friends of a different species that were filled with cotton stuffing and squeaked when smashed.

Eventually, I did make my way out.

But by then, a huge fire truck was parked in front of my house and six firemen had joined the party to rescue me from the darkness and dangers lurking among the piers and beams that hold up my home.

Although my owner was thrilled that I was safe in her arms, she was not especially happy with me and I didn’t get those promised treats and I haven’t been outside unaccompanied since.  However, when I went to fire Station 17 with a bag of human treats to thank the firemen, they were very nice to me and let me pose on one of the big red trucks.  That’s me on The Pride of Lakewood.  

Parishioners and guests gathered in the parlor of Dallas’ Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) on Friday night, Dec. 13, for a dramatic reading of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

While sipping homemade hot chocolate and enjoying delicious holiday fare, the party settled in to hear an oral interpretation of Barbara Robinson’s hilarious and heartwarming story about what happens when the orneriest kids in the community get involved in the church’s Christmas pageant.

“Hey! Unto you a child is born” may be an unusual presentation of the point, but the message is powerful.

Critics loved this book, describing it as outrageous, funny and wonderful. Central has made the dramatic reading an annual tradition.

Central celebrated its 150th anniversary this year.  Sitting on six acres at 4711 Westside Dr., it is home to a soccer field, a meditations garden, Central Dog Park, (voted best dog park in the city by the Dallas Observer) and the Acres Community Garden.

View the church website www.cccdt.org for a schedule of Advent worship services.  All are welcome.

Tis’ the holiday season at Autumn Leaves Retirement Center and Johnny Rockit was back in the building performing one of the best impersonations ever of the King of Rock n’ Roll.

Thursday evening, December 12, Autumn Leaves, 1010 Emerald Isle Dr.,  held their annual open house for residents and their families.  A beautiful buffet of holiday appetizers and confections was served while Rockit performed Elvis hits from the past—a holiday tradition at the retirement center..  

With gyrating hips and a hunk of burning love, nobody does it better than Rockit, right down to a sense of humor that skillfully mimics Elvis.

We were all saddened to learn that after 11 years and over 900 performances, Rockit is retiring the gig.

But during the party, the audience was captivated as “Elvis” serenaded each of the  ladies, leaving them with souvenirs of teddy bears, leis and silk scarves like those worn during his later live performances.

Rocket did hint to watch his website, www.johnnyrockitshow.com for a new show, perhaps “A Tribute to Las Vegas.”