
This post is written for Friday Fictioneers.
He retired from the military financially broke. Some thought his drinking was the cause of his poverty. Some thought it was because he was taken advantage of by his friends. Writing his autobiography was the only way to support his family. He wrote outdoors in his distinctive script with his woolen scull cap to keep him warm. Neighbors and enslaved laborers helped him build this ugly log cabin. Julia did her best to decorate the place. Despite all their efforts the little house looked so unattractive that they called it hardscrabble.
Well done, Danny. After reading this, I suspected who you wrote about. Yep.
Then I read the comments. A wonderful hook in the name.
Then I read your “about” bio. Also well done.
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Thanks Bill!
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An appealing description of the ex-soldier, and his efforts to build a life and home after war. Like some other readers, I went googling and was glad to learn about Hardscrabble House and Grant.
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You’ve taught me another word. And ugly is as ugly does… It is ugly because it was built by enslaved workers.
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I, of course, totally agree! I try, and mostly fail, to somehow use the word in conversations.
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Some words are easier than others. This one, just might be able to make it in one, one day.
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It’s fun when you do!
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Indeed!
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Like others, your story drove me to research. Very interesting.
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we learn new things….that’s what I like about reading other authors posts.
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It may be ugly but I guess it serves its intended purpose and that’s what matters.
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Precisely.
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Another interesting word that I didn’t know. Good story.
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That makes my day.
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This is a large story with many avenues to explore.
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That’s true.
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I think anything can be made to look homely. But, even an ugly roof is better than none!
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Ask any homeless person, right?
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Interesting piece of history. I would love to go see it. I’m always happy when smart people have sense enough to preserve such things.
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Totally agree.
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Thank you for that! It led me to Google hardscrabble, and then Ulysses S. Grant – who seems to have been ahead of his time in his liberal agenda. Good bit of history to be reminded of in today’s miasmic politics.
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One of my favorite historical figures.
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Sent me off on an internet search for hardscrabble house – it doesn’t look so bad! Thanks for the history lesson.
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Your welcome.
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Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
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Indeed!
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