Thresholds

Thresh is an archaic word appearing in the English language sometime in the 12th century, referring to the material left after threshing the grain from harvested crops. For centuries, dirt-floor cottages were strewn with thresh, creating a barrier between foot and floor to absorb spills and stench.A threshold was a plank or a stone at the door sill which served to hold the loose thresh from being dragged out by foot traffic.The word, over time, has evolved metaphorically, meaning passage, verge, cusp or brink.This is the story of a twentieth century woman who, in her youth, shelved her artistic ambitions and whole heartedly stepped over the threshold of marriage and motherhood.In channeling her talents to domestic tasks, she found painting a room, sewing, cooking and teaching, all provided creative outlets. Nurturing the family given to her, she was surrounded with love and purpose. Then, as life will have it, nothing lasts forever.When this faith- and hope-driven woman finds herself in a midlife crisis, Elizabeth Dare leaps at an offer that may resurrect the passion of her youth and restore purpose to her life. This opportunity will carry her overseas to tread the soil of her ancestors, to seek the artist she once was, and to create a new future.Will she allow suspicion, danger, threats or loneliness defeat her? Or will the promise of success and an exciting future carry her over unexpected thresholds?