In 1945, Carl and Lilian moved their three daughters and two grandchildren to Connemara farm in Flat Rock, NC. As a young child, Paula spent seven years surrounded by nature, a warm nurturing family and many famous visitors to the house. She later wrote a memoir, My Connemara, depicting those formative years of her life on the farm. As an adult, Paula returned to the area, married Stanley Polega and settled in Jeter Mountain. She devoted time and energy to support the legacy of the Sandburgs and the historic site of Connemara. Flat Rock resident Richard Labunski had a rare interview with Paula in 2015. A short video from that interview with some wonderful family photos can be viewed here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlPEBwv48dA
Karlen Paula
I love thy face with a love given to fresh flower blooms.
I love thy spoken words as the shimmer of sun slants and the drift of rain.
If I should believe in angels and meet one she would be somewhat like you.
Until I come to know one angel worth cherishing I shall go on in my cherishing of thy face and spoken words.
Carl Sandburg
Connemara, 1946