#AtoZChallenge - All Gallow's Eve - A

In the past 24 hours, we've had a flat tire, DH has had to fix his father's lift in his wheelchair van and I was the recipient of an amazing kindness from someone I just 'met' a short while ago.  Oh, and my husband's great-uncle came and plowed our field for us - to the consternation of our dogs.  So my post today is going to be a little different than I had planned.

My chosen A to Z theme for this year is "All Gallow's Eve" a Halloween-inspired cozy mystery, set in Kentucky.  When people hear 'Kentucky', they usually think of 3 things:  the Kentucky Derby, the UK Wildcat men's basketball team (GO BIG BLUE!) and the Hatfield & McCoy feud.  But there's a lot more going for the state than that.  So, in the WIP (Gallow's), I will be bringing up some of our other interesting features!

So, where does the "A" stuff start, you ask?  Grab a drink, pull up a chair and I'll tell you!

Amish - At least in my county (Lincoln), there is a considerable population of Amish.  My FIL used to drive for them on their longer trips (PA, NY, MO).  Every once in a while, you will see a buggy outside the dollar store or see the traditionally garbed folks in WalMart.  There is an Amish butcher who we see for a side of beef or pork when our HUGE freezer gets low.  Uh-oh.

Yes, I'm going to get sidetracked and tell you a funny story.

My husband went to the butcher's farm one day, taking our then 11 year old daughter with him.  She brought along one of her small stuffed wolf toys.   The butcher made a joke about taking the toy in the back and 'packaging' it up for her.  Our daughter handed the toy to her dad, and ...

...squared off on the butcher, fists at the ready!

My husband nearly fell over from laughing.  The butcher came around the counter, knelt down in front of my daughter and said, "My dear, I would never hurt your friend."  And the moment was passed.

Suffice it to say, that at least one Amish character will be present in All Gallow's Eve.  Right now I'm leaning towards a woman, who while on a visit to a dollar store, becomes injured and needs help from my MC to get back home/to the hospital.

Last but not least, "Ale 8" is a ginger ale type soft drink made here in Kentucky.  I don't think it's sold anywhere else.  (Kind of like how Texas keeps Whataburger all to themselves, or nearly so.)

Anyway, those are my thoughts for Day 1 of the A to Z Challenge.  Let me know what you think in the comments?  I will return the visits and/or other engagements asap.