Lazy days on Ocracoke

Sometimes the days can seem pretty hectic on Ocracoke. There are ghost tours and the Opry. There are porch talks and dockside talks as well.

But once in a while silence falls upon the day and my time is spent watching dragonflies dance in the morning sun or stars twinkle in the evening sky.

The other day when my family was visiting we found ourselves playing at the beach. My little granddaughters tossed their crackers out to the seagulls. They laughed and laughed when the gulls swooped down.

I grabbed my camera and took this shot. It defines lazy days on Ocracoke.

Days of Wine and Roses

It is actually more like the days of Joe Bells and sand spurs during the lazy month of July. So let's talk. I would especially like to talk to new subscribers to my blog and welcome you.

My real name is Lou Ann, but I also go by Maggie Mae or Mad Mag. I am from the Midwest, Indiana to be exact, but of recent years have been spending summers on Ocracoke Island. (No, that is not in Australia!)

I am a  writer and storyteller by trade which makes for a very interesting career. In this field I travel a great deal, write and talk a lot, and listen profusely to what lives around me.

I make the best soup of anyone I know, tell more ghost stories than is allowed by law, and know the phases of the moon at any given moment.

I fiercely believe in family and have strong feelings about chocolate.

Sharing my thoughts and photography on this blog is just another way to tell stories.

And yes where I currently hang out my laundry the Joe Bells bloom and the wind blows the sand spurs right up into my clean clothes.

So, what about you?

Howard Street ghosts did more than haunt this tour...

Howard Street ghosts did more than haunt this tour - KPC Media Group: Kpcnews

Dear Friends,

I always find it difficult to type with just one hand, but here we go again!

Reading the above column might explain my absence of late. It was fun to write this week's column even with hunting and pecking out the keys!

If you have ever walked down Howard Street on Ocracoke Island in the dark of night, you will be able to picture this story!

Lou Ann

Another summer begins with sand and sea....

Another summer begins with sand, sea and PBJs - KPC Media Group: Kpcnews


Dear Folks,

I have been back on Ocracoke for a week and this is my first blog! How did I get so far behind?

Let me see..four girls from Indiana were here so we had a few Girls Only Nights!
I have already had two ghost walks, written and performed with Philip a new radio show for the Opry on Wednesday evening. I have also spent time reuniting with friends and getting used to having sand in my shoes!

Happy Solstice and Full Moon to all. Don't forget tonight is the Strawberry Moon which is the first full moon after the Solstice. It is also the Super Moon which means it is the moon closest to the Earth.

My family from all around the country will be joining us today so the full moon will get lots of attention from this Ocracoke crowd.

The above link is my column traveling to Ocracoke!

This photo was taken by a friend of mine. Three of us went to the beach to welcome in the Solstice yesterday morning.

Salutations!

Lou Ann

Stories are to be told with unearthed treasures....

Stories are to be told with unearthed treasures - KPC Media Group: Kpcnews

Dear Folks,

The above link is for this week's column about find treasures. I hope you enjoy it! I am on a search for the owner of a bracelet so let me know if you have any information or similar stories!

In one of my treasure boxes from my mom I received this photo among many other items! It was my sixth birthday. I am sitting next to my great-grandmother Berry. Enjoy the story.

Lou Ann Homan is Out and About at the Gene Stratton Porter Historic Site.

In order to know Gene Stratton Porter, I am going to quote from William Lyon Phelps. He wrote an article in 1913 for "Educator and Critic." Enjoy.


"Gene Stratton Porter lives in a swamp, arrays herself in man's clothes, and sallies forth in all weather to study the secrets of nature. I believe she knows every sound in the forest, and can tell you what caused it.

"She is primarily a naturalist, one of the foremost in America and has published a number of books on the flora and fauna illustrated with photos of her own taking.

"Thus she hit upon the plan of writing sentimental novels, in which her observation of nature is brought to the attention of America.

"She is as full of energy as Theodore Roosevelt, and as hearty an American. She is eaten up with ambition, and with the joy of life: few have more fun in their daily existence than she. I have no doubt that if the public  could see some of her letters which she receives by the cartloads they would share her belief that she has not lived in vain."

I have always loved her work, and because of it, I travel as a storyteller sharing her tales as a first person Gene Stratton Porter. This show is available at Arts for Learning in Indiana. It is especially beneficial to fourth grade students.

As always, thanks for reading. Maybe you know a little more than you did before!

My June Garden

June is the month for gardening, at least it is so in the Midwest. All the work of April and May finally pays off and the garden blooms. 

At my House at White Picket Gardens I have tried to build an English cottage garden in my back yard. I have also registered my yard with the National Wildlife Federation.

My back yard is full of flowers, herbs and lots of vegetables. All are tucked away in lovely little places. Sometimes it is a bit like a puzzle or a maze, if you will. 

With a rain barrel, compost heap, clothesline, small gardens and a fire ring, I have a small farm inside of town.

Here are a few photos from my early morning stroll through the gardens. With more rain predicted today, I will  plant the last of the lavender and a beautiful new coreopsis.

As always, thanks for reading and listening.

Tomorrow is a new Out and About, stay tuned!

Lou Ann

Golden Yarrow

Old-fashioned roses over birdhouse

Early June peas on the vine

The mountains call us for a wedding...

Monarch Mountain in Colorado

I spent last week end in Colorado. It was a great family trip with scenic beauty to take your breath away.

Here is this week's column about the trip, and as always, thank you for reading.

I took hundreds of photos, but I think this is one of my favorites. 

Lou Ann


The mountains call us for a wedding - KPC Media Group: Kpcnews

Brookside Mansion

Brookside Mansion, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Today I want to introduce you to the Brookside Mansion in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The first cottage was built in 1889 but was destroyed in a fire. It was  replaced in 1903 by this mansion.

It was built by John Henry Bass (1835-1922), a native of Salem, Kentucky.

In 1944 The Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration bought the home and 65 acres from the Bass family. 

It is now listed as the John H. Bass Mansion with the National Register of Historic Places.

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to have a private tour of the home. Needless to say I was in awe and respect. 

This beautiful piece of history was recognized by Indiana Landmarks and received the coveted Cook Cup in April.

There will be more on this later, but for now, I just wanted to introduce you to  the Brookside Mansion. 

Peony in Bloom

Peonies in bloom in my garden.

One garden at a time comes alive at the White Picket Gardens. In the last two days my peonies have opened in full bloom. They join my Iris garden and my French lilacs. With all my windows open, the scent from these gardens waft through all the rooms in this old house.

I remember peonies in my grandmother's garden. They are perennial and, once established, they bloom for decades. In China these lovely flowers are as important as the plum blossoms.

The peony is the state flower of Indiana. This was decided by the Indiana General Assembly in 1957. It replaced the zinnia. Although I must say, I still love zinnias in my garden.

What is blooming in your garden?

Apology

Dear Friends,

I understand that yesterday's blog did not pay reference to the right column! Please go back and read the story. It was a delightful time traveling to St. Pete to have lunch with my son!

Lou Ann

Salvador Dali, St. Petersburg and my son Adam!

A couple of weeks ago I traveled to St. Pete to have lunch with my son Adam. Yes, it is a long way to go to have lunch, but moms must keep tabs on their kids!

We had a great time visiting, having lunch, walking the town at dinner with late night bistro dinners and his dog, Zoby, of course. Please sit back and enjoy this column and the video at the Dali Museum!

Click here for the story of my travels to St. Petersburg!

Memorial Day

We are truly blessed to live in the heartland - KPC Media Group: Kpcnews

I want to wish each one of you a peaceful and reflective Memorial Day. I also want to thank my grandfather, Walter F. Rhoads, and my uncle, D. Dean Rhoads. Thank you men and all the others for my freedoms.


The above is the link to this week's column. As always, thank you for reading.

The courthouse is my hometown.