Thanks to everyone who came by to discuss telegraphy with me – enjoyed reading each and every comment. I threw all the names in a cyber-hat and pulled out the following three:
Hello everyone – Winnie Griggs here. I hope you all had a joyful and blessed Christmas and that 2026 is starting out well for you.
Yesterday—January 11—marked the birthday of Ezra Cornell, one of the founders of Western Union. That bit of calendar trivia caught my attention because I’m beginning work on a new story which has a heroine who’s a telegrapher. As often happens, one small detail led me down a research rabbit trail—and I thought it would be fun to share a bit of that history with you today, along with some telegraph trivia.
Western Union was founded in 1851, at a time when the United States was expanding rapidly westward. What began as a network of regional telegraph lines soon grew into a nationwide system as smaller companies merged and new wires were strung across vast distances.
As railroads pushed west, telegraph lines often followed alongside them. By the late 1860s and 1870s, telegraph offices could be found in cities, railroad depots, military posts, and many small frontier towns. Messages that once took days or weeks to arrive by mail could now be sent in minutes.
For communities in the American West, this changed everything. News traveled faster. Businesses operated more efficiently. Law enforcement and railroads coordinated more safely. Families separated by miles of open country could remain connected—at least in brief, carefully worded messages.
And of course, as the territory the wires reached grew so did the need for telegraphers. Telegraphy was skilled work. Operators had to learn Morse code, develop speed and accuracy, and be able to translate rapid clicks into written messages without error. Training came through private telegraph schools, which often lasted three to six months, or through apprenticeships and on-the-job instruction in telegraph or railroad offices.
By the late 19th century, a notable number of telegraphers were women. Historians estimate that roughly 20–30 percent of telegraph operators in the United States were female by the 1880s and 1890s, with even higher percentages in some locations. For many women, telegraphy offered something rare for the era—respectable work, steady wages, and a measure of independence.
Skilled operators often developed what was known as a telegrapher’s “hand.” Just as handwriting varies from person to person, so did the rhythm and cadence of Morse code. Experienced telegraphers could sometimes recognize one another simply by listening to the pattern of taps coming through the sounder.
During the 19th century, the telegraph was not an automatic system. A trained operator had to be present, listening to the sounder, for a message to be received.
You may have seen telegraph recorder tapes in old photographs or classic movies—long strips of paper embossed with dots and dashes. Early telegraph systems did include recording registers, but by the late nineteenth century many offices, especially in smaller Western towns, had moved away from them. The machines were slower and could be mechanically finicky, and they required extra steps to translate the markings into readable text. Skilled operators could receive messages more quickly and accurately by ear, so the sounder became the preferred tool in most everyday offices.
Which meant if a message was sent while the telegrapher was away from the desk in one of these small Western towns, it simply wasn’t received. The sending office would get no acknowledgment and would try again later. There was no visual alert, no saved record, and no way for the operator to know a message had been attempted.
In shared spaces—such as a railroad depot—someone nearby might hear the sounder clicking and later mention that the wire was active. But unless that person was trained in Morse code, they wouldn’t know who sent the message or what it concerned. As it does today, timing mattered and could even be critical – but delays were simply part of life on the wire.
A Few Telegraph-related Tidbits
Learning more about the telegraph and the people who worked it has given me a deeper appreciation for the skill and responsibility involved in keeping those lines of communication open across miles of open country.
Did any of this information surprise you? Do you think you would have made a good telegrapher—and if not, what part of the job would you have found the most challenging? Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for a signed copy of one of my books.
Hello everyone! Before I present my new release to you (or rather re-release!) I want to wish each and every one of you the happiest and most blessed of Christmas seasons. I truly count you all among my blessings – The Petticoats & Pistols readers are among the most supportive reader groups around.
His Holiday Deadline by Winnie Griggs
The Great Western Christmas Celebration
Now it’s time for our story twist. A catastrophe befalls our town – affecting the celebration or the Christmas Day service or some other aspect of Christmas for our town.
So what kind of catastrophe do we have and what is at stake? It could be disastrous – a blizzard threatens to cancel the charity food drive. Or tragic – a fever sweeps through the town. Or even slightly humorous – an unexpected balmy spell melts the snow and threatens to cancel the snowman building contest. Keep the year in mind so we don’t have a cattle stampede through town during modern times or canceled flights during the Oklahoma land rush.
Everyone who leaves a response by Saturday 12/13 will get their name entered in the random drawing for a $10 Amazon gift card.
Every entry will also be eligible for our oh-so-beautiful Grand Prize – a gorgeous quilt hand made by our very own Jo-Ann Roberts
NOTE: ALL winners will be announced on Sunday 12/14.
Here are the Charms and clues for today, presented in no particular order:
I chose a music note to represent my story because until I fled for my safety, singing was both a pleasure and my career. I never imagined using my voice again, until a stranger shared his story and I learned I had the right to choose how to use my gift.
I chose a dog—specifically a sweet border collie—as my clue because of the distressing trouble haunting my beloved Christmas store. A handsome rancher who’s caught my eye, then most decidedly my heart, loans me his guard dog, Zema, in hopes that will send the intruder packing.
When you’re ready to guess, you can log your responses AT THIS LINK.
DO NOT respond in the comments – your entry will only count when logged at the link noted.
POST 1 OF 2 FOR FRIDAY
CHRISTMAS STOCKING SWEETHEARTS Book 8
Winnie Griggs’ Hear Harold’s Angel Sing
One silent child. Two lonely hearts. Three lives changed by a Texas Christmas.
Emma Garland has worked hard to rebuild her life and reputation after a very public, painful rejection years ago. Now Crossvine’s respected piano teacher, she’s content with her quiet life—until the day she confronts Marshal Harold Winters about keeping his traumatized, silent niece in his office near the jail cells while he works.
Despite some misgivings, Emma agrees to help care for Lucy while the marshal’s housekeeper is away. Her own childhood struggles with a stammer help her understand Lucy’s pain, but Emma is determined to maintain professional distance. She knows all too well how quickly a woman of her status can become the subject of town gossip.
When Emma receives a beautiful handmade Christmas stocking from her former piano teacher, its message that “Music Speaks” touches something deep within her. As she, Lucy, and Harold work together decorating for Christmas, she finds her carefully constructed walls crumbling. But with long-buried secrets threatening their growing bond, Emma must decide if the promise of love is worth risking her heart again.
And here’s your “What’s In Your Christmas Stocking” question for this morning.
“Your stocking holds a ticket for two to your dream location. Where is it to and who would you take with you?”
You could win a $10 Amazon gift card or our Grand Prize quilt!
ALL PRIZE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14th
Hello, everyone, and welcome to our Cowboys & Mistletoes celebration! This year, we’re again spreading our celebration over two weeks instead of one. For this first week, we’re thrilled to reintroduce our Christmas Stocking Sweethearts series, which we have on 99 cent sale for a limited time, specifically for this event.
If you’re not already familiar with these books here’s a little bit about the series: The connecting thread is that the hero or heroine of each book is a former student of the same piano teacher, Melody Nightingale. At the opening of each book, the hero or heroine receives a package from Melody containing a very personal, handcrafted Christmas stocking and a letter written on the back of the sheet music for a Christmas carol.
This week we’ll be playing TWO games, the first one is a guessing game where we provide you with the image of a charm and a clue, presented from the perspective of the hero or heroine, and you get to guess which of the nine books that charm goes with. This game will have one winner, randomly selected from those who make the most correct guesses. The prize is a Christmas stocking decorated with all nine of the charms/tokens/pins.
The second game we’re calling “What’s In Your Christmas Stocking?” It’s easy-peasy and simply involves you answering the question you’ll find at the bottom of each post. A winner of a $10 Amazon gift card will be randomly selected from among the respondents of each post (9 total)
Here is the first Charm and clue, presented in no particular order:
I chose the snowman with a Christmas scarf around his neck because when one of my students leaves a scarf belonging to his late mother, I make a decision that will alter my Christmas plans…and my life. Little did I know I’d be stranded with the boy and his father until the storm passed
When you’re ready to guess, you can log your response AT THIS LINK.
DO NOT respond in the comments – your entry will only count when logged at the link noted.
CHRISTMAS STOCKING SWEETHEARTS Book 1
Winnie Griggs’ Christmas Melody
CHRISTMAS MELODY kicks things off with a story that not only introduces Melody, but gives us a peek into who the characters in the other books were as children.
And here’s your “What’s In Your Christmas Stocking” question for today. It’s meant to be fun, so use your imagination but don’t overthink it 🙂
“You reach into your stocking and pull out a key. What does it unlock?”
And don’t forget, in addition to the other prizes we’re offering,
All entries will also be eligible for our oh-so-beautiful Grand Prize – a gorgeous quilt hand made by our very own Jo-Ann Roberts
ALL PRIZE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14th
Thanks to everyone who stopped by to comment on my post this week, and thanks too for all the congrats and well wishes for my upcoming 50th wedding anniversary. I truly enjoyed reading all of your comments.
I tossed all the names of my commenters in a cyber hat and pulled out the following three names:
Kathleen O
Sally Schmidt
Kathy Bailey
Congratulations – you’ve won a signed copy of your choice of any book in my backlist – you can find a complete list HERE ). Once you’ve selected, email me with your choice and mailing info and I’ll get it on out to you.
Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here. Today’s post is going to be a little different—more introspective than usual.
You see, November has always been a special month in our household. It’s the month when autumn finally settles in for good, when I start thinking about what I’m grateful for, the Christmas countdown, and cinnamon-spiced everything. But more personally, it’s the month that holds two of our children’s birthdays—both of which seem to land near Thanksgiving, and every so often, right on it. Those overlapping celebrations have made for some memorable holidays over the years, full of cake beside pumpkin pie and laughter that carried long after the dishes were done. There are plenty of extended-family birthdays, too—November has always been a big month for births in our family!
And not just birthdays. My parents were married in November, and my husband and I celebrate our wedding anniversary this month as well. This year, though, November feels a little different—richer somehow. My husband and I will be celebrating our fiftieth wedding anniversary—the so-called golden anniversary—and it truly does feel golden.
Half a century of shared adventures, ordinary days, and everything in between. When we married, we were young and full of dreams, sure we could take on anything life sent our way. Looking back now, I realize that while the dreams and adventures were wonderful, the real gift came in the everyday faithfulness—the simple rhythm of two people choosing each other over and over again.
Our children have planned a big family fish fry to mark the occasion. Nothing fancy—just our crew gathered outdoors, catching up and swapping stories while the little ones run wild and free. It feels exactly right for us: casual, family-focused, and full of laughter. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate five decades together than surrounded by the family and love that grew from those early years.
Maybe that’s why I’ve been thinking of my parents a lot lately. Their wedding anniversary also fell in November—seventy-four years ago. Both of them are gone now, but the memories linger. I can still picture the big celebrations we held for their 35th and 50th anniversaries—dress-up events full of family, friends, and music. They had so many people who loved them—a real tribute to the kind of folks they were. And now, all these years later, I see the same kind of joy echoing through our own family gatherings.
As I look back, I’m struck by how gratitude has a way of deepening over time. When we’re young, we’re thankful for the big moments—new jobs, new homes, new beginnings. But as the years pass, gratitude becomes quieter, steadier. It settles into the small things: a familiar hand reaching for yours, a child’s quick hug, a sunset shared in comfortable silence. And somewhere along the way, that gratitude transforms into a sense of fulfillment and blessing.
Fulfillment in knowing you’ve loved and been loved. Blessings in the memories built, the lessons learned, the laughter that lingers even after the moment has passed
I suppose that’s why this milestone feels less like a finish line and more like a sweet blessing. Fifty years together isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence, forgiveness, laughter, and faith. And it’s about recognizing that the good things in life are rarely flashy. They’re built quietly, day by day, in the heart of a home filled with love.
So this November, amid birthday candles, Thanksgiving pies, and a family fish fry, my heart is full. Love and gratitude brought us here. A sense of fulfillment and an abiding faith keep us grounded.
And as a nod to the upcoming Thanksgiving Day celebration, what’s one person, moment, or memory you’re most grateful for this year? Leave a comment on this and/or on my post and you’ll be entered in a drawing for your choice of a signed copy of any of my books.
Thanks to everyone who came by to discuss pets with me 0 I truly enjoyed reading all of your comments. And I threw all of the names in a cyber hat and drew out the following:
Joannie Sico
Trudy C
Lori Smanski
Congratulations! You’ve won a signed copy of your choice of any of my available books. You can find a full list HERE. Once you’ve made your selection, send me (winnie@winniegriggs.com) the title and your mailing address and I’ll get your book on out to you
Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here.
Readers sometimes ask if the pets in my books are based on animals from my own life. The answer is, no more than the people in my stories are based on the people in my life. Though sometimes they are composites – especially when it comes to the pets. But the truth is, I rarely plan for the pets in my stories. Most of the time, they wander onto the page on their own—just when a character needs them most.
Animals have a way of softening even the gruffest heroes and grounding the loneliest heroines. They can bring humor, heart, or a moment of quiet companionship. In historical stories, they also help paint a truer picture of daily life. But most of all, they fill an emotional space that words alone sometimes can’t.
That said, not all of my books feature pets. Some stories simply don’t call for them, and I try never to include an animal unless it feels completely organic to the character and plot. When a pet feels forced into the story without true purpose, it distracts from the heart of the tale and can strike a hollow note. But when I sense a bit of emptiness—a character who needs someone to listen, or a moment that needs something another human character can’t provide—the right creature usually trots in on its own.
Take Miss Fanny’s canary Sweetie Pie and Miss Adeline’s cat Othello in Whatever It Takes. Miss Fanny is a soft-hearted widow who loves everyone, while Miss Adeline is a retired actress who thrives on drama. Their pets reflect their personalities perfectly—Sweetie Pie, gentle and clueless, and Othello, mysterious and theatrical. Together they add humor, warmth, and the occasional feather-flying tension to their shared household.
In Something More, Elthia’s little Yorkie, Poppy, provides courage and comfort for a young woman traveling alone from “back East,” fleeing a forced engagement to take a governess position in Texas. Far from home and all that’s familiar, Elthia needs something to hold on to. Poppy, lively and devoted, is a small piece of home she can carry with her—a friend she can draw courage from and a reminder that she’s not truly alone.
Then there’s Nate Cooper’s dog, Beans, from Second Chance Hero. Nate adopts the stray partly because he feels like something of a stray himself—and partly because Beans reminds him of the dog his now-deceased sister once loved. Through that bond, Nate reconnects with the tenderness and loyalty he thought he’d lost.
One of my more unusual “pets” is Ivy’s mule, Jubal, in Lone Star Heiress. Ivy began the story on horseback, but the opening chapter felt too stiff. Since she was traveling alone, her thoughts were trapped inside her head, and the scene seemed flat. Then I decided to trade the horse for an ornery mule with plenty of attitude. The moment I gave him a name and a problem—a stone stuck in his hoof—the scene came alive. Ivy now had someone to fuss over and talk to, and Jubal became an important part of her journey.
Over time, I’ve realized that animals in my stories aren’t just companions—they’re catalysts. They can sense things about people that others might miss, often showing readers who can be trusted long before my characters figure it out for themselves. Animals also affect how I write a scene. They slow the pace just enough to let emotion breathe, add texture to quiet moments, or bring out tenderness I didn’t know was hiding there.
My newest example is Ruby and her cat, Patience, from Griff’s Journey Home. By the time the story opens, Patience has been part of Ruby’s life for a few months. Once a feral stray, she’s now Ruby’s confidant and only steady companion in a world that hasn’t given her many lasting ties. Griff, on the other hand, thinks pampered house pets are ridiculous—he’s far more comfortable around saddle horses and cattle dogs than creatures who nap in sunbeams. Patience, for her part, treats Griff with queenly disdain. But over time, as Ruby and Griff’s friendship deepens, that distance begins to fade. One evening, while they’re playing checkers, Patience rubs against Griff’s legs, and he reaches down to scratch her behind the ears without thinking. It’s a simple, quiet gesture, but it marks an important shift. When Patience finally accepts and trusts him, Ruby realizes she can, too.
I’ve learned never to underestimate what a small—or not so small—faithful creature can bring to a story—or to a heart.
So do you have a favorite fictional animal—or a real-life companion who’s dear to you? I’d love to hear about them. Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for a signed copy of your choice of any of my available books!
If you’d like to meet Patience along with Ruby and Griff for yourself, you’ll find them in my newest release, Griff’s Journey Home, the third book in my Everharts of Texas series. It’s a story about second chances, finding home in unexpected places, and yes—the quiet wisdom of one very perceptive – and very independent – cat.
A detour he hadn’t planned. A connection he never saw coming.
Rancher Griff Everhart doesn’t go looking for entanglements. Burned by love before, he’s content to live quietly and focus on his ranch. But when a young woman asks him to escort her to Tyler, Texas, he reluctantly agrees—expecting nothing more than an uneventful day on the trail.
Ruby Anne Tuggle is chasing a fresh start, determined to make it on her own. But when an unexpected illness changes their plans, Griff finds himself relying on Ruby in ways he never anticipated. Amid healing, shared laughter, and days spent together, friendship blooms into something neither of them saw coming.
As Thanksgiving draws near and a temporary detour turns into something far deeper, two guarded hearts must decide whether love is worth the risk… and whether the road ahead is one they’ll walk together.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by to check out my post on what it was like to grow up in my south Louisiana hometown. I loved reading all your comments – Petticoats and Pistols really does have the nicest group of readers! Anyway, I threw all the names in a cyber hat and drew out the following three names:
Congratulations! You’ve won a signed copy of your choice of any of my available books (you can find a list HERE).Once you’ve made your choice, send me the title and your mailing info via my website.
