" Whatever else you want to be remembered for, make sure kindness is at the top of the list. It might be the only thing that can truly change the world. " 
​Laurie Samsel Olson
Hello there. I'm Laurie Samsel Olson. Welcome to my page! Here you will find information about some of my favorite creations from my 70-year-old (and counting) life.

  • Shooting Stars - A metaphysical novel that highlights the importance of environmental responsibility and diversity.
  • He Was Still My Daddy: Coming to terms with mental illness - A personal memoir.
  • Dell E. Millard: Rogue Valley Pioneer - A biography about my husband's grandfather, a founding father of Shady Cove, Oregon.
  • Where the Roses Grow - A photo book with stories and lessons from my garden (originally a blog).
  • Notes From My Mother - A collection of stories about my mother and our often comical experiences as caregiver and care receiver (originally a blog).
 
​​​The Metzger Family

One page of this website is dedicated to the history of the Metzger family, which I'm proudly connected to via my late mother, Joyce Metzger Samsel, the youngest child of Noble and Carrie Metzger of Indiana, Montana, Washington, and finally San Pedro, California.

Our roots in America date back at least to 1630 when the Winthrop Fleet arrived and started the Third Colony of Massachusetts. Nathaniel Bowman, who was part of this fleet, is our direct ancestor and is named on a monument to the founding fathers of Watertown in Boston.

The Metzger page is a constant work in progress. Additional stories will be added as my research continues.



My Book Shelf