Thursday, March 31, 2016

For my students...


I didn't get to your symposia. I will tell you that I was heart broken to miss the event that we have been talking about all semester. As you know, I was stranded at the Atlanta Airport.

Since my return, notes have been sent on your behalf thanking me for your extraordinary work you did on Tuesday afternoon. (Notice I did not say "okay" work or "fine" work, the words were extraordinary.)

Perhaps we have found and cultivated this passion of writing within ourselves.

We looked at this poem last week, but for now it belongs to you, my extraordinary creative writing class.

(I know you will read this as you are required to read our blogs!)

See you on Tuesday.

PH

P.S. For those of you who do not know this poem, please listen to it. It makes me cry every time; perhaps it will for you.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

It was good to drum in the equinox at Pokagon...

It was good to drum in the equinox at Pokagon: The clouds hung close to the horizon with the sun slanting its rays into the mountain gullies when she, the leader, asked us to join her on the top of the mountain. Because she asked, we went, all of us. Holding a bodhran in one hand, she kept the beat with the other as we followed her. First to join in the circle were her sisters in faith. We watched, and held our breath, as they circled up and danced to the drum beat. I was reluctant to leave; I thought the possibility existed that she would open the circle to the rest of the women, and I didn’t want to miss it.
 
 
 

To my friends near and far, here is this week's column on Drumming in the Sun on the Equinox. The day was clear and cool and full of laughter and friendship. I think we have started something big. A special thanks to Stephen Rowe who just knows how to make things happen. Enjoy, and thank you for reading. Just click on the above link!
 
As always,
Lou Ann

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Shakespeare...coming soon to a town near you!

 
This April marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Shakespeare. Trine University and my town of Angola are going to make sure it is celebrated very well.
 
A few months ago my friend, Carolyn Powers, wrote a Facebook note about a woman in Atlanta who was reading all the sonnets of Shakespeare. Hmmm....why not Angola?
 
So, starting April 1st and running all the way through April 30th, I will be reading the sonnets of Shakespeare on the Square at 4:00 every afternoon. If I am on the road or working, I will have a friend read for me. This is open to anyone who would like to stop by and read a sonnet also. Just pop on by a few minutes before four, and I will hand one over to you! I will be located between City Hall and the Brokaw Theatre.
 
On April 4th, Tim Mooney, actor extraordinaire, will be performing "Breakneck Hamlet" in Fabiani Theatre. The event starts at 7:00. Tim is a fellow Fringe friend of mine and it will be a wonderful event.
 
So, don't let this anniversary pass you by!
 
Here is the first verse I will be reading:
 


Saturday, March 19, 2016

Turning pages has been a constant for book club...

Turning pages has been a constant for book club: “What do we give it, five, four, two?” we ask as we sit knee to knee around the table. One by one we give our opinions until a consensus is reached. Ah, finally, the book is rated and the Page Turners confidently turn the conversation to other matters.
 
 
Here is the link to this week's column. As always, thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy it! Just click on the above link, and let me know what your book club is reading!
 

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!



Today is one of my favorite days, St. Patrick's Day. There are lots of celebrations in my town, but I am choosing to attend the celebration at the newly restored, beautiful Brokaw Movie House in downtown Angola, Indiana.

I am hoping to win the contest for wearing the most green and I think I have a good chance for that. (I will check in tomorrow to let you know.)

So, wherever you are, be sure to enjoy this day, wear your green, and recite a limerick or two!

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Drumming in the spring...



Sunday is the first day of spring which is always a day for celebrating especially in the northern climates.

This year we will be drumming in the spring at Pokagon State Park at 1:00 at the Apple Orchard. 

Please bring your drums, your tambourine, your lawn chairs, your children or even your old oatmeal boxes. You may drum or sing or dance or just watch as we share in the ancient ritual of welcoming spring!

You can be sure I will be there!

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Time for a few kicks on spring break via Route 66...

Time for a few kicks on spring break via Route 66: It is spring break and time for a vacation. But where should I go this year? I toss the dart across the map of the United States. Where, oh where, will it land? I move in closely to see where the pin drops. Ahh, I say, Route 66. Perfect. I was hoping the dart would land on a new territory and it did.

Yes, get your kicks on Route 66!

Here is the link to this week's column. I hope you enjoy and have YOU traveled on Route 66? If so, I would love to hear your stories.
For my column just click on the above link, and as always, thank
you for reading!

(More pictures to follow this week!)

Friday, March 11, 2016


"One man, one family driven from the land; this rusty car
creaking along the highway to the west. I lost my land, a
single tractor took my land. I am alone and bewildered.
Anhams and the women and children listen."

and in the night one family camps in a ditch and another
family pulls in and the tents come out. The two men squat
on their hams.
 
John Steinbeck

 


 

 

Saturday, March 05, 2016

Welcome, March, we have been waiting for you!

Welcome, March, we have been waiting for you!: I turn the page of the calendar to March, which comes in roaring like a lion in our part of the world. This first week of March has proved once again that winter still rules our lives, our schools and our street departments!



Here is the link to this week's column. I hope you enjoy it, and here is a photo of my martenista. You will see me wearing it around town.
Just click on the above link! As always, thank you for reading!

Wednesday, March 02, 2016

My new best friend, William Shakespeare!



This April marks the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. I think it is amazing that we still love his work and refer to him almost on a daily business!

April will be bringing lots of events to cities all around the world, and Angola is no exception. Tim Mooney will be here on the Trine campus to share his love of Shakespeare in his work, Breakneck Hamlet on April 4th. My students will be celebrating the poetry of Shakespeare on April 21,

And last, but as they say not least, I will become the Bardess of Angola reading all the sonnets of Shakespeare on the square beginning April 1st and concluding on April 30th. I would love to have some guest readers if you are willing just meet me by City Hall at 3:50 every afternoon for the readings at 4:00.  I want to thank Carolyn Powers for bringing the Bardess of Atlanta to my attention!

I will have more later on all these events, but just wanted to share some of the fun celebrations that will be happening in my little hometown!

This photo was taken outside the Furth Center last Sunday by my photographer friend, Tyler Moore. It was fun to do a photo shoot with Will!

Spring break in St. Pete...

  Adam and his pups! The late-night flight is full. Everyone is heading out for spring break. Students and teachers, moms and dads, kids and...