I am a Yale student after all!

I hope you enjoy this week's column as much as I enjoyed writing it!


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Friday thoughts...

The blizzard comes to Indiana as a mini blizzard, as I understand it. Schools are delayed, the traffic crawling along on the interstates, and folks are digging out. Even though the snowfall was just a few inches, those winds carry it into the unknown corners of barns and houses and old wooden gates.

Matthew and Jonah will shovel for me after school. Hopefully they will return the shovel to its rightful place on the porch as, on occasion ,it is found a block or two away.

As for here on Ocracoke, the wind pounds upon the summer rockers still out on the pizer looking as if ghostly beings have taken control of my favorite summer reading spot. The ferries to Swan Quarter and Cedar Island are idly sitting in the harbor waiting for the wind to abate. The cedars and yaupons bend with each howl of the wind.

It is an interesting feeling to know that here we are on this fragile piece of sand with nary a way to get to the Mainland. Isolated, but not deserted. No, life continues on as school children go off to learn their sums, postal clerks and bank tellers break for lunch, and homes are full of conversation and warm fires.

It is a good place to be on a cold windy afternoon by the sea.

Sunset on Ocracoke Island

Here are a few photos from the Sunset on Ocracoke Island. We went just at dusk to take a walk, and saw dozens of dolphins playing in the waves. A Simple Life.

Poetry Tuesday

This is from my collection of poems,

Knocking on a Glass Table

Behind each picture is time lost-

Open it up for flesh and blood and bones.

Unseal the frame for the past to spill out naked and raw

Burdened like a bride, except the new is gone.

Old and blue weave memory tales lost in wood and glass.

Seal it back up with a whisper and a sly look.

No one will know as we reset the nail.

Art out my Window

Here is a view out the cottage front window. I took this after a rain this morning. I love the winter colors here on Ocracoke. I think this looks more like a painting than a photo, probably because it is through the glass. It also is a bit crooked.

I am finally settling into the winter life at Ocracoke. We have already had lots of activites and places to go. Last night was the Twelfth Night party held at the Meeker's. Philip did such a great job writing about it that I am just going to refer you to his blog.

So, here I am writing away in my studio, catching up on work and getting back into the swing of things. I love being a gypsy and a writer. Thanks so much for sharing with me as well. Lou Ann

http://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/

This week's column...I saw three ships come sailing in...

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Traveling up the Eastern seaboard was an enriching experience. Please enjoy the article and the photos that follow! Lou Ann

The Battleship North Carolina, notice I couldn't get the entire

ship in the photo!

Another view of the North Carolina.



The Town Clock in Beaufort.

Sailing ships in the harbor at Beaufort.



Coming home on the Cedar Island ferry.

Happy Birthday Carl Sandburg!

Several years ago I received a grant to follow the footprints of Carl Sandburg. I flew to Oregon, boarded a train and spent the next ten days traveling by rail.

What began as a journey to study the works of Sandburg turned into a plethera of literary giants to study.

As I traveled from place to place, how could I not study Steinbeck, Fitzgerald and Hemmingway? I still am immersed in these authors and that time period.

On winter nights I can quietly sit and read the poetry and works of these great men.

So, happy birthday to Sandburg. Here is just a small sample of his work, this one is from a collection of his Chicago poems.

NIGHT from a railroad car window

Is a great, dark, soft thing

Broken across with slashes of light.

New Year's Blessing

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Art out my window...

Driving to Charleston last week, we passed a beautiful Airstream Trailer. It was so reminiscent of my grandparents that I couldn't help but take a photo. My grandpa used to park these at the rallies all the while my grandma collected blue ribbons for her cakes and pies. Many a night I stayed over sleeping in their Airstream. I do not know where these folks are headed, but wish them a safe and wonderful journey.



A Child's Christmas in Wales

Today I am posting the full text of A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas.

Thomas was born in Wales in 1914 and died in 1953. He left a body of work behind him of stories and poetry. Several years ago I began reading this every Christmas...to students, to children, to adults. I had several small paperback versions that have all but disappeared from my library shelves as I have given them all away.

I had attached the full copy of the story in print, but there are also versions on utube in which you can enjoy the strong Welsh voice of Dylan Thomas.

In the meantime, I am leaving the mountains of North Carolina to journey on to Charleston.

Enjoy a cozy read on this rainy day in the Carolinas!


A Child's Christmas in Wales

Art out my window...

Philip and I are spending the Christmas season in North Carolina with his son and family. They live outside of Asheville in the mountains and it is certainly beautiful.

We spent Christmas Day with Snee's family (his wife), and so we traveled deeper into the mountains for a huge family celebration.

The scenery was lovely as we traveled. As always, I keep my camera ready.  Philip graciously stopped the car so I could take this great photo in the mountains.

This really caught my eye. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. There are many stories to be told from this one photo!

Merry Christmas to my circle of family and friends!

Merry Christmas to all...enjoy this week's column!



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In the Bleak Mid-Winter

With coffee and camera in hand, I waited for the morning sunrise in the mountains outside of Asheville. It was so quiet a peaceful, a perfect Christmas Eve morning.

I couldn't help but think of the song, "In the bleak mid-Winter". Please click on the link to hear the song.

Join me tomorrow morning on Christmas to watch the sun come up wherever you are on the holiest of mornings.

Click here for text and music!