No Bed of Roses

No Bed of Roses is the true story of a marriage, told against the background of wartime America in World War II. Told about hardships interwoven with humor, commitment interwoven with courage, faith interwoven with joy. Told about a generation of Americans who gave so much. It is the story of the author's life, when a young Iowa girl, she married her college sweetheart, a lieutenant in the infrantry of the U.S. Army. The draft, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the patriotism and willingness to serve in the armed forces, and the united effort of all citizens to sacrifice, reveal an insight into the America in the decade of the forties. The problems of housing, food, and gas rationing were met head-on and solved in unique and humerous ways by this young bride when she joined forces with another, equally resorceful bride and took up residence along the Southern Pacific Railroad in the Arizona desert. They had no water, no electricity, no plumbing, but these innovative women managed to cope-even dressed for dinner and served it by candlelight.

Throughout the story, there are tender moments of love and devotion; the birth of their baby just before the young father went overseas, the waiting, the V-mails, and the dreaded telegram, "wounded in action". Finally, the joy of reunion-a wife, a husband, a baby. For them the war was over.

Fran Badgley has a B.A in Education and Library Science. She was a Elementary Teacher, Librarian, Real Estate Broker, and is now retired. She is a mother of 4 children, 5 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.