Saturday, July 30, 2016

Pokagon an important gift to Indiana

Pokagon an important gift to Indiana: Christmas was often sparse in the Homan household when my three sons were growing up. Often there were homemade gifts of mittens and scarves, or wooden benches. Once there was a pony. As they grew older I filled their stockings with some strange fare … my grandmother’s recipes, a typed journal or small books on wildflowers and butterflies of Indiana. There was always a silver dollar in the toe of their Christmas stocking.



Happy Birthday, Indiana State Parks. Tomorrow (Sunday, July 31 is the big birthday party at Pokagon State Park. You will even get to tour the new "pocket museum" which is delightful.)

Here is the link to my column and what the park means to me. As always, thank you for reading! Just click on the title or the above link! What are your stories???

See you at the party!

Lou Ann  

Thursday, July 28, 2016

For you, Miss Potter....

Happy, happy
150th birthday,

Miss Beatrix Potter!

Thank you for all your books!


Years ago I spoke at a conference in England. I loved going to England very much and found myself visiting a University by Ambleside. I stayed with one of the professors and his wife during my visit. On my day off from speaking to students he asked me what I would like to do that day. It was an answer of which came rather quickly, "I would love to visit the home of Beatrix Potter." He put down his glass of sherry, picked up his tweed coat and we were off.

It was a charming day and visit. Everyone should make one trip to her home. It was magical. Happy Birthday, Miss Potter!

 
 

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Robert Francis and Signs of Autumn...

Poet, Robert Francis  




As summer continues to roll on, I am noticing a few signs of those late summer/early Autumn days. And it is no wonder I do so as I love Autumn best of all.

For my area in northern Indiana the temps will dip into the 50's within the next week which will be welcome after the heat wave we have all experienced.

Another sign for me is the return of the Perseid showers in August. This year is to be a stellar year so I am planning an all night party on August 11...bring your sleeping bags or cots and plan to sleep out under the stars.

Another sign is that the constellation, Orion, is also peeking out among the constellations.

I love all of these signs of nature. I love being tuned into it as it helps rule my own life and keep it in perspective. 

Robert Francis wrote a marvelous poem, Summons, which I am sharing with you here. It always makes me think of Autumn.

As always, thank you for reading...

Lou Ann
 
Keep me from going to sleep too soon
Or if I go to sleep too soon
Come wake me up. Come any hour
Of night. Come whistling up the road.
Stomp on the porch. Bang on the door.
Make me get out of bed and come
And let you in and light a light.
Tell me the northern lights are on
And make me look. Or tell me clouds
Are doing something to the moon
They never did before, and show me.
See that I see. Talk to me till
I'm half as wide awake as you
And start to dress wondering why
I ever went to bed at all.
Tell me the walking is superb.
Not only tell me but persuade me.
You know I'm not too hard persuaded.

Sunday, July 24, 2016

The Midwest is the place we call home...

The Midwest is the place we call home: The early morning sun casts shadows on the yard at White Picket Gardens as I haul the gear to the Jeep and give the garden one long drink. With the gate closed behind me and the old cat, Harley, lazily stretching out in the dampened grass, I once again head out.


 Queen Anne's lace photo by Michael Czarnecki.


Here is the link to this week's column. I hope you enjoy it. I love traveling through the Midwest by train...the beauty is astounding. I love the land full of summer beauty. Just click on the above link and there you have it!

As always, thank you for reading! 

Lou Ann

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

There’s music in ‘Lights! Camera! Action!’

There’s music in ‘Lights! Camera! Action!’: “Lights! Camera! Action!” Ah, those words are music to my ears whenever I hear them, or say them, or even think them in my head. And this week they happen all over again with a completely new group of kids…and Jonah.

The cast and crew of The Perilous Carnival!!



Jonah is doing what all directors do...telling the audience to shut off their cell phones!

Back stage at the Tibbits Theatre.


This theatre production was certainly a labor of love for me. It was a whirlwind of work which I now call...from Script to Show in four days.  I love taking this on the road and this was one was very special to me with Jonah as the student director. I hope you enjoy the column. Maybe you will want to bring Script to Show to your town! As always, just click on the top link.

Lou Ann 

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Experiencing Balloons Aloft

Experiencing Balloons Aloft: With my red glitter shoes tucked inside my bag and two little sleepy girls tagging along beside me, I made my way to the Balloons Aloft. I am not exactly the early bird as I knew the fog was as deep and thick as, well, as pea soup. I let the girls sleep as long as they could and then I frantically woke them up, “Hurry, the balloons, hurry.” I don’t like to wake them in such a fashion, but on this day I did.

Photo courtesy of Bill Eyster and the Steuben County Tourism Board

Here is the link to last week's column. No, I never got to go so the photo is from Bill Eyster. The column has a bit of a different twist...I believe it is my response to the events our nation experienced last week. I appreciate you reading this piece...two of friends really loved it. I must say that I could barely see to edit it as I was crying so hard.

As always.
Lou Ann

Sunday, July 03, 2016

Two little girls make Nannie feel like a kid again...

Two little girls make Nannie feel like a kid again: Not that I follow the advice of T.C. Steele to rise every morning at 4, there is something fiercely wonderful to rise before the sun each morning, even on these summer mornings. Sometimes it is simply to get the “morning work” done before the day begins or it is the way the day arrives with coffee in the garden or out on the porch.


Already best friends! Holly and Brianna with the Katie and Lily
having their first tea party in the play house!



I always try to live my life full of adventure and fun. I am so happy to pass this on to my little granddaughters as they visit me for nine full days without their parents. Bedtime at midnight...campfires...tea parties...theatre...stories...music...and well, everything in between including the stars every night.

Yes, my house is a wreck, cookie crumbs fill the cracks in the old floors, and everything is a bit in chaos...and it is wonderful.

Please enjoy the above column. Just click on the above site.

As always, thank yo for reading!

Lou Ann




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...