LOIS SLATER - AUTHOR

When Chanda was born I thought, as most parents do, that she was the most beautiful little girl in world. Growing up she was sweet, yet stubborn. She did things her way. Not mine. She didn’t like being held or cuddled. She’s still that way today. She’s always had a mind of her own. I never altered or tried to change that. I believed that would be her defense one day. It truly has been. I use to look at her and say, “Man, I wish you would have been twins.” So, Chanda Percifield became the inspiration for Liza and Lizzie Baxter. “My”, identical twins. In an era when the West was wild.

I incorporated her athleticism and personality traits into Liza and Lizzie’s characters. She was tough! When she was mad, a freight train couldn’t stop her. Her brother walked around with two black eyes for a week from constantly picking on her. She waited till the time was right and clobbered him right between the eyes with her doll. Determination. Family loyalty. Believes in truth and right. Stands solid as a rock in what she believes in. Still does.

But, being a single mom I wasn’t always able to go to all of her games. Especially, the far away ones. There are a lot of empty miles between towns in, Wyoming. So, I would listen to her games on the radio, scream and yell like I was there and write until it was time to pick her up from the school bus. Wonderful memories.