Portrait of Peninsula Woman

Trecia R Greene
iUniverse (2006)
ISBN 9780595395705
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (11/06)

These unique stories come from Trecia Greene’s neighbors in Nahcotta.  “I discovered that I was living among interesting people, actually living next door to stories.”

A Peninsula woman is many things, a weaver of cloth, a healer, a shaman, settler, provider, a pioneer, warrior, ancestor, a seeker of wisdom, she is a teacher to all, a keeper of the flame, an artist, is patient and smiles,  “How different our life would have been had there been no Peninsula Woman.”

These are stories of strong women.  Sojourner Smith made a “conscious choice years ago that I wanted to live my life, not just talk about it.  We have to decide you know.  We can’t do it all.”  She is very proud of her front yard.  A Linden tree stands there.  It is unique to the area.  Mary Tufts’ diagnosis of MS came when her children were still babies.  Mary wants to share a bit of advice with others.  “Don’t tell them they can’t do something!  If they want to do something let ‘em try.”  Samantha Weir, aka Pastor Sam, is a United Methodist Pastor, shares her calling into the ministry.  The call is a tugging at the heart, it is relenting. “When the door opens—it opens wide and you can not ignore it.  Gifts and Graces describe one’s natural talents or abilities or those skills one doesn’t accumulate or refine until they’ve lived a while.  In other words they are natural abilities enhanced by God’s grace.”  These are just a few of the Peninsula women.

These are women to celebrate.  They are not a lot different than other women you know for most women are unique and worth our celebration of their lives. 

This is a beautifully unique book.  It tells the story of several women from Long Beach Peninsula in the state of Washington.  The women are unique and yet I find uniqueness in my mother.  This is beyond unique.  I believe that Ms Greene is asking us to search around us and seek the unique women that God has surrounded us with.  Seek them and learn from them, they have much to teach us.

The cover of this book urged me want to sit on the swing and relax.  I can picture Ms. Greene and the lovely ladies chatting there enjoying the fresh air.  This book is enjoyable.  You will be glad that you read it and you will read it a second time.  Well done, Ms Greene. It is a pleasure to recommend “Portrait of Peninsula Woman” to all readers.

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