Carolina Chocolate Drops

I thought a little toe tapping music would be great for your Friday! I first heard of the Carolina Chocolate Drops on NPR a few months ago. I love their music, it makes me want to dance or call a square dance! They are also on Pandora, so you can enjoy their music all day long! This piece is "Cornbread and Butterbeans."

"Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday," Judith Viorst

Today's garage sale find!

I love the book, "Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday," written by Judith Viorst. I have used it for my children, school children, and folks who just come perusing my library shelves.

The book is about Alexander who was given a dollar by his grandparents and by the end of the day he had spent the money. He ended up with a one-eyed bear, burned out candle stub, a bus token...to name a few.

Today I went to the garage sale of friend, neighbor and artist, Heidi Finley. Heidi and her family are moving to the Upper Peninsula as her husband has taken a new job. We will miss them so much in our community!

Today was the first day of Heidi's garage sale. I didn't get there until noon, but found treasures waiting for me. Here is what I purchased with my $25.00.

one ballet dress (not my size)

two sailor hats with the tags still on

two bars of English soap (still wrapped)

one garden hand trimmer

three strands of twinkle lights

one white cotton dress up skirt (now that does fit me)

small artistic glass pieces for my garden

wrapping paper

homemade paper from India

one jar homemade glitter

one picture frame

10 antique wooden leaves for old tables (to be used for shelving!)

one peacock feather

I had a wonderful time visiting with Heidi and wishing her well. I do not have $25.00 any longer, but I now own a peacock feather!

We will miss you, Heidi. Thank you for the treasures.

Poetry Passage

Arriving home from Arizona last night, it was only natural for me to plug in the lights of the Studio, check the mail, and reflect on the week.

Spending a week in Arizona I thought so often of those who came before...their hardships, the heat, and the mountains. I have not had the pleasure of exploring the mountain ranges around Queen Creek, that will come another time, but I was able to watch the sun rise and set each morning and night over those mountains.

Upon tidying up the Studio, I perused the book shelf and pulled down my book, "Women's Diaries of the Westward Journey" written and compiled by Lillian Schlissel. The book is fascinating and without watching the time, I spent most of my first morning home reading the book, again.

So, my poetry passage comes from one of the diaries. Whereas this is not our typical poetry day, I find her words to be of great poetic thoughts.

This is from the diary of Catherine Haun who crossed the Plains in 1849. Her diary was dictated to her daughter later in her life, so it is a bit of a memoir, thus showing her romance of the journey.

Do not all Journeys leave a romantic mist which surrounds our stories?

"It was the fourth of July. After dinner it was proposed that we celebrate the day and we all heartily join(ed) in. America West was the Goddess of Liberty, Charles Wheeler was orator and Ralph Cushing acted as Master of ceremonies. We sang patriotic songs, repeated what little we could of the Declaration of Independence, fired off a gun or two, and gave three cheers for the United States. We sang 'Home Sweet Home,' 'My Old Kentucky Home,' and 'The Girl I Left Behind.'  The strains of these ballads went straight to America West's heart."

The following photos are of flowers blooming in Abe's garden. He is definitely learning how to garden the Southwest way! Enjoy.

Happy Earth Day!

Click here for this week's column.

This week has been such an important week for me to share my love of so many things with Holly and Brianna.

I so appreciate your readership. Thank you for understanding the lack of photos and blogging while 'real life' was happening inside the pages of books, out under stars.

Photos will follow this week as well as back on blogging track.

Happy Earth Day, enjoy this splendid planet that we live on.

Many green and happy thoughts sent to you from Arizona,

Lou Ann

Everybody Needs A Rock

I have travled to the Southwest to take care of Holly and Brianna while their parents are working in Houston.

Flying into the Mesa Airport, I am once again amazed at the colors of the dessert. This week browns and sand tones are dominant with splashes of turquoise and ochre.

I can't help but be reminded of the book, "Everybody Needs a Rock" by Byrd Baylor. It was a childhood staple for my children and I hope for yours as well.

Luckily there is a new soft cover in print so it is once again available.

With so many technical advances in our world, isn't it nice to know that maybe all we really need is a rock in our pocket?

Check out the book for Earth Day, find your own perfect rock, and keep it in your pocket.

Art Out my Window...

At a railroad crossing in Wabash.

It was just a few years ago that I received a Lily Grant. The purpose of the grant was to study the life and works of Carl Sandburg. I flew to Oregon and traveled by train down the coast of California and then back up to Chicago. I spent ten days on the road...on the train, off the train.

However, the premise of the trip was extended as I traveled. I began to weave together the lives of Hemingway, Steinbeck, Fitzgerald as well as Sandburg.

I have often wondered how did their pathways cross or did they?

I also did not solve the question of whether or not Sandburg was a hobo who traveled and became a writer because of his adventures, or was he a writer in search of the hobo life for the stories he would later write?

Opinions?

Leaving behind a memory of song and story....

The Theatre comes to town, sets up stages, pulls out costumes and takes us all on an adventure! And as quickly as it happens, the stakes are pulled out, the truck is loaded and we bid farewell.

It was a week of rehearsals, of watching children grow and change and watching a community come together for the show.

I loved spending time at the theatre, long dinners with Anne and Alison, and sharing my small town with them. I loved taking them to Trine for International Night, to the Deli for lunch, Coachlight for coffee and late night martinis at The Hatchery.

I sent them on their way this morning. They were heading to Wisconsin to "do it all over again!"

As always, thanks for reading stories and enjoying the photos from this blog, Stories from a small town.."

Jonah loving his rabbit costume!

Cast photo of The Tortoise and The Hare.

A colorful scene from the play.

The rabbits all hopped off stage after each song. Jonah is in mid-air on this photo by Karen.

The show is over as well as International Night. We are just enjoying a drink at The Hatchery.
From right to left: Mengting, Kathy, myself, Alison, Anne.

Hear ye, hear ye, the Missoula Children's Theatre is still in town!

Click here for this week's column!

This week's column features the theatre week with Anne and Allison from Missoula Children's Theatre. It has been a great week with a wonderful show last night! Still one show today at noon at the Angola High School.

Pictures to follow tomorrow, as for today? On with the show...

Missoula Children's Theater

Forgive my lack of posting this week, however the theater has come to town!
On Sunday night two directors of he Missoula Children's Theater, Anne and Allison, moved in with me.

Hendry Park, the school I always talk about in my small town, has fund raisers and books fairs just to bring this traveling theater troupe to town.

The process is amazing. Monday are the auditions, rehearsals every night (meaning just Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) are from 3-8 with a break for a packed lunch.

There are over 40 kids in the show and it has been fascinating to watch this show come to life in such a short time.

Tonight the kids meet again at 3:00 for dress rehearsal and then the show tonight and tomorrow....7:30 and 12:00!

Be sure to come out!

Oh, and Jonah is in the show! Pictures to follow.

Now, on with the show!

Poetry Passage

Last week I mentioned a new book, Step Gently Out, by Helen Frost and Rick Lieder. I was fortunate to go to the book signing and talk at the Museum of Art in Fort Wayne last Friday night. The book is absolutely gentle to touch as well as beautiful.

Rick shared the photos and videos of insects and birds that he has captivated on film. It was spectactular.

I used the book as our Easter prayer at dinner on Sunday.

The book is published by Candlewick and is available in Fort Wayne at the museum.


Click here for the book's trailer, it is beautiful!

Art Out My Window

This photo was taken last week on my journey to Shipshewanna. The weather was so beautiful that I had the windows rolled down. I took this photo in the town of Topeka, Indiana.

Fixing comment links...

Hi Folks,
Be it known that I do get your comments, I just can't get them on the blog. I am working on this. Thank you so much for your notes. I read them all and enjoy them. I hope I can fix this soon. You would all enjoy the other comments as well!!

Art Out My Window will be published soon!!
Lou Ann

This week's column...A Trip to Shipshewanna and unexpected surprises!

Click here for this week's column!!


It was a perfect week to take a trip to Shipshewanna to view the barn quilts. Of course, like always, there are surprises along the way!! As always, thanks for reading! The following photos are just a few from my journey! Enjoy.