One degree...

Arriving home late from a Christmas Party, I drove around the circle. I often do that...especially at Christmas enjoying the Christmas lights, checking to see how many folks are at Rachael's Coffee Shop...were there enough folks to show the movies at the two small theatres...or check the temperature. Actually I think I was sorry for the temperature check...it was one degree.

One degree. I drove around the circle, came home to my driveway and fumbled for my housekey (before getting out of the car.) As I was unlocking the back door, I couldn't help but notice the icicles..some more than three feet long..smooth, sharp, pointy, clear, twisted. I just stood and watched (for a very short time).
There is something magical about icicles. I remember breaking them off and licking them as a kid. I like to tell a story about a great, great Uncle who was killed by an icicle on his way out to the barn to do the milking (I think I made that one up)!

But no matter what the stories, three foot long icicles on a porch roof means One Degree. Now where did I put that electric blanket????


Lou Ann Homan is a writer, teacher, and storyteller who lives in Angola, Indiana. She is available for writing seminars, storytelling, and speaking engagements. She can be contacted at locketoftime@aol.com. You can read more at www.louannhoman.com

Living in a snow globe...

Dear Friends in Angola (or of Angola),

You just gotta love it....cold and more cold. Snow and more cold.

The Farmer's Almanac predicted a heavy snow year. I will believe them the rest of my life.

We are already a half of what the entire winter should be...so keep the snow shovels by the back door (mine is) and the salt handy.

I spent some of my snow in days reading the old clasic, A Raisin in the Sun and The Historian. At least our Carnegie Library has stayed open. If you haven't been to the new library, then you are definitely missing out. It is beautiful, fully stocked with just about any book (or periodical) that you might want and a courteous staff to visit with.

Aaron and I took the boys on a field trip there on Friday. It was Jonah's first visit...he definitely was a celebrity and even picked out his own book. In fact he wasn't going home without it!!


Tonight is a Christmas dinner at a neighbor's house...I have books for the girls wrapped and ready, a freshly made cole slaw and a bottle of red wine for the dinner conversation.

So, let's toast the beginning of winter.

Lou Ann

Lou Ann Homan is a writer, teacher, and storyteller who lives in Angola, Indiana. She is available for writing seminars, storytelling, and speaking engagements. She can be contacted at locketoftime@aol.com. You can read more at www.louannhoman.com

Artist District

My small corner of the world is home to artists. All kinds. Painters, graphic artists, cartoonists, storytellers and others inhabit the streets where I live.

We have decided to call ourselves The Second Sunday Artists and get together once a month. When? The Second Sunday of each month, of course.

We meet at my house and discuss our work and marketing strategies as well as consume large amounts of brownies and hot chocolate. (Yesterday was cut out sugar cookies!)

Anyone who has an interest in becoming an artist is welcome, of course. You will get lots of good ideas, make goals for yourself, and network with folks from my small town. Oh, and the cookies are great as well!



Lou Ann Homan is a writer, teacher, and storyteller who lives in Angola, Indiana. She is available for writing seminars, storytelling, and speaking engagements. She can be contacted at locketoftime@aol.com. You can read more at www.louannhoman.com.

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Winter in a Small Town...

Late into the afternoon the snow began to fall in my small northern town...the warnings had been issued, and this tiime the forecasters were correct. By dusk the snow was whirling and swirling around all lampposts and street lights. We could not stop looking as the beauty was so great.

Our neighbor, Lee, called to bring supper over so we scurried around in the kitchen to add a hot cornbread, open several bottles of wine and light the candles.

It was a wonderful way to spend a snowing evening with good conversation, great food and no where to go.

By morning we were treated to eight and a half inches of snow. Philip shoveled while I baked bread.

It is stunningly beautiful.

Lou Ann

News from a Small Town...

You know you are in a small town when the lead story on the local radio station is the rescue of a dog off of a frozen pond.

We are all, however, glad to hear the tidings of great joy. The dog was tired, but safe.

And that's the news from the frozen tundra of the Midwest on this Tuesday afternoon.

Lou Ann

As November winds down...

I like November, I really do. I love the coming of winter...the stark barren trees. I love bundling up in my loden green cape during the day, and my Grandmother's quilt at night. I love the smell of cookies in my oven and candles on my tables.

What I regret is that November is winding down...Thanksgiving, family, the last leaves of the season, closing the screen windows for good, wrapping up the garden hose, and putting away my bike.

So, a toast to the ending of November....and a welcome to December!

Out my Window

out my window, rain has declared this her day

out my window, gray goblets of liquid rain pour on my car

out my window, children slush by in multi-colored slickers

out my window, yellow fog lights pulsate in darkness

out my window, barren bones of trees hold court in dampness

out my window......brrrr..pull the drapes and let's make tea