restless journeys
Steve Stephens
A World Away From Home: An Icelandic Journey
Everything was taken from Undina. Her home, her horse, her dreams… it was all gone. At 14, she was forced from the fjords of Iceland by violent volcanic eruptions. At 23, she was forced from the tall pines of Lily Lake in Ontario by poor crops and heartbreak. She settled in the rugged lands of the Dakota Territory in 1881 with Jakob, whose alcoholism wreaks havoc on her life and those of her children. Every day was a challenge. Unbelievable tragedy struck her time and time again, and it almost destroyed her.
Undina refused to give up. With grit and determination, she built a life in the wilderness and is saved by her writing, courage, and the love of her father. This is the story of a female Icelandic poet who embraced beauty and found hope in the New World.
STEVE STEPHENS
FURTHER
from
HOME
Sequel to A World Away from Home
AN ICELANDIC JOURNEY"Further from Home" picks up the tale of Undina, an Icelandic poet grappling with the heart-rending loss of her daughter. As the sequel to "World Away from Home," the narrative sees Undina journeying back to Canada, where a charming Icelandic cowboy helps reignite her passion and purpose. The year is 1902, and they traverse the continent to start anew on a small Oregon farm. Yet, an unrevealed secret brings forth another tragedy, leading Undina to question her fate. Amid the tumult, Undina pours her soul into raising her three children, each with their unique paths, trials, and profound affection for their mother.In 1912, they seek solace in Christmas Lake Valley's high desert. There, Undina experiences love anew, and her family flourishes, until another twist of fate tests their mettle. Even as life tosses her from one storm to another, Undina's poetry, filled with hope, becomes her sanctuary. Alone but not forgotten, she discovers that her homeland of Iceland will always remember her. "Further from Home" is an untold story of resilience, love, and the enduring spirit of an Icelandic poet. It is the second installment in the captivating "Restless Journeys" series.
Steve Stephens
The Medicine Women
Lizzie Perry made a mark in Oregon history by taking unpopular stands with courage and compassion. She confronted Dr. Whitman at his Mission and Dr. McLaughlin at Fort Vancouver for their patronizing relationship with the tribes. She raised a family in the wilderness while providing medical care to whoever asked. This sensitive woman defended the Cayuse Five at their trial, hid Chief Thunder Sky from murderous white settlers, assisted the survivors of the Bear Creek Massacre, encouraged Chief Paulina when a posse was determined to kill him, and prayed for Chief Joseph as he fled the army on his long Trail of Tears.
Her closest friends were Indians at a time when this was seen as treason to her white community. Lizzie's story is wrapped up with her relationships with three amazing Indian women: her belief in Red Quail, her struggle to save Butterfly, and her forty-year friendship with Gentle Bird. She respected, defended, and protected many of the Oregon tribes while insisting that, "what we are doing to the tribes is not fair or right." For many years, these tribes watched over her farm in case the white settlers discovered her aid and allegiance to the Indians. They swore their protection to her and her family.
Lizzie told people that her specialties were bullets and babies, but she never turned down medical care regardless of who the person was, however great or small their need. Her conviction was that all people were special and that the worst failing was not to help them. The governor of the state applauded her "lifetime of kindness." A respected writer of the time wrote that she answered "… the call of Indian and white man by foot, by horse, and by canoe… " wherever she was needed. Hummingbirds and bear claws were symbols of help and healing, and these were the symbols of Lizzie Perry. This heroic story shows the strength and determination of a real pioneer woman as she settled in the American wild west.
Translated by Steve Stephens
The Poems of Undina
The Poems of Undina tell a story of a heart shattered which refuses to give up. Her words
show the strength in her sorrow and the beauty just beneath her brokenness. There’s something
haunting in Icelandic poetry which touches one’s soul with images one can’t forget.
Undina is the pen name of the Icelandic poet Helga Baldvinsdottir (1858-1941). Her poetry
has passion and power with a deep thread of melancholy mixed with hope.
At 14 her family moved to Canada and later to North Dakota and Oregon. Her life was difficult
and full of tears. But her poetry shows an intensity and resilience which has impacted readers
for the past 150 years.
Her poems were collected by her daughter and published in their original Icelandic in 1952 as
The Poems of Undina. Her poetry is timeless in its beauty and emotion. Here is the first full
translation of her works into English.
The complete story of Undina and her fascinating life is told by Steve Stephens, her great
grandson, in the following two volumes of historical fiction: A World away from Home and
Further from Home.
About the Author :
Steve Stephens has been a counseling/clinical psychologist, life coach, seminar speaker, radio talk show host, university professor, and author of over 20 nonfiction books. Steve loves life and embraces adventure.
Dr Steve has a minor in literature and an unending curiosity about history.
He has spent much of his career as a psychologist helping people deal with trauma and all the difficulties that come their way. Ever since he was a child he has listened to stories about the past and the marvelous adventures of those who overcame overwhelming challenges. He brings all this together in his historical fiction as he shows how people can face heartbreaking adversity and yet accomplish amazing things. Steve is married to Tami and they have three grown children. They live in the Pacific Northwest where they love to hike, explore, laugh, play games, read, travel, encourage people, and dream exciting dreams.
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