Carol Hartley Bellows

The Whack of the Closing Stanchions: Far from Papa's Hill in Vietnam 1967 Carol Hartley Bellows

Jed's story begins the Summer of 1967, when he lives at his Grandparents' Dairy Farm during the confusion of War in Vietnam. Through that darkness, there emerged a vision of hope for non-violence and equality. Impressed by Dr. King's message, Jed takes giant strides, protecting vulnerable wildlife and neighbors. Coco, his Chocolate Lab is by his side, and Jed's twin friends, Nate and Effie help train Red Pony, Meggie Goat, and Hideaway Kate, born in a thicket. "Jed remembers the day he searched for the calf. Soon Jed set off for the marshy area where he was not allowed to go. Summer sun beat down, but still he sank up to his knees in tangled weeds. The boy stood dwarfed beside massive, thorn bushes towering in his path; he took a deep breath and covered his eyes with his arms. Bleeding, Jed plunged onto a patch of raised swamp grass. His heart raced in the darkened cave; it felt moist and soft through canvas sneakers. He spied a tiny calf still wet from her cow's licking. Jed froze; the cow looked up startled. Seeing the boy, the calf wobbled toward him, shivered and toppled over. Jed wasted no time lifting her. He hoped his arms would not give out, and the cow would not gore his back. Frantic bellowing brought the neighbor's plow horses racing to the fence to watch the barnyard commotion." Missing his parents, Jed finds humorous ritual in Nature's surprises. Wise and witty Grandad reinforces the boy's sense of belonging. Jed's view from jagged Granite Ledge, high above the farm, brings the wounded boy calm confidence through Summer of 1968.