Tea and Trouble Brewing by Dorcas Smucker

tea and troubleDorcas Smucker, Oregon writer, Mennonite wife and mother of six, is one of my favorite authors. She recently released her fourth book entitled, Tea and Trouble Brewing. It’s a compilation of articles she has written for the Eugene Register-Guard. I’ve been reading her blog, Life in the Shoe for several years, and she never fails to cause me to laugh or ponder.

Dorcas’ writing captures the events and trials of her day to day life in her hundred year old farmhouse by the freeway. Her husband is principal of their Mennonite school and also pastor to their church. In addition, the family runs a grass seed business. Their life is always busy and never dull. When Dorcas put out the call to write reviews for her newest book I jumped at the chance because I think more people need to know about her.

Here are three reasons I love Dorcas’ writing:

1)      Dorcas is one of the most thoughtful writers I know. She has eyes to see both the complexity of life and simple truths as well. In one of the short entries of Tea and Trouble Brewing she delves into the big decisions we make in life. What might life have been if we’d married another person or taken up a different vocation? She quotes Sylvia Plath who compares our life choices to the green fig tree. Each branch represents a viable option for our life, but we can only ever choose one at a time. We can’t go back to make a different choice because the fruit has withered. Wow. Dorcas and Sylvia Plath.

2)      Dorcas is funny. She is one of the few authors who makes me laugh out loud. Sometimes the laughter is mixed with some angst, but it always reveals a take on life that is honest—it rings true.

3)      Dorcas is grounded. She’s not afraid to examine her life and ask questions, but she knows who she is and what she believes.

Would you like to own one of Dorcas Smucker’s books? You can order them on Amazon or write directly to her. OR, you could leave a comment on this site and enter the drawing to win a free, signed copy of Tea and Trouble Brewing. I’ll mail the book to the winner and the drawing will take place on November 20th. Check out the contact information and links below.

Dorcas Smucker

31148 Substation Drive

Harrisburg, OR 97446

The titles available are:  Ordinary Days, Upstairs the Peasants are Revolting, Downstairs the Queen is Knitting and the newest, Tea and Trouble Brewing. They are available for $15 each or all four for $40, postage included.

Well done, Dorcas.