A weekend of Gypsy Stories, Helen Frost and John McCutcheon

 

 

Dear Friends,

Sometimes weekends turn out to be extraordinary as this one was. I drove my same pathway to Indianapolis (3 hours south) to tell my Gypsy Stories in the library at the Children's Museum. It was a free day at the museum, and it was wonderful to see all the families spending the day together.

 

Without changing clothes, I drove over to the History Center to the Author Fair to spend time with some of my favorite Indiana authors. I bought a book from Norbert Krapf and gushed over his work. I then spent time with poet, author, and friend, Helen Frost. I have watched Helen's work over the years change and evolve. Her latest book, "Step Gently Out," is a book of poems and photographs. All of my grandchildren already own signed copies. I don't think it is too late to order one of your own, it is spectacular!

 

I then spent the evening with Storytelling Arts of Indiana as they hosted musician, song-writer, and storyteller, John McCutcheon.

His featured piece, "Christmas in the Trenches," is such a moving story, I never tire of hearing it. The stage at the History Center was full of instruments, and he used them all.

 

At 12:30 a.m. Ellen and I finally had supper at our favorite hang out, Steak n' Shake (although we were good and didn't have the shakes.)

 

I did an interview with Helen Frost at the Author Fair, and here it is. I was scolded by a friend for not having enough quirky videos on my blog. So here is a fun video with a twist at the end. It is a little difficult to hear because of all the talking at the fair!

 

As always, enjoy,

Lou Ann

 







 

 

 

 



Helen Frost at the Author Fair in Indianapolis



This week's column takes a look at the kindness of strangers....

Click here for this week's column.

Dear Folks,

This week's column is about angels among us...those who randomly give with no thought of recognition.

As always, thank you for reading, and don't forget to drop a coin or two into the coffer when no one is looking.

Lou Ann

Embers from a November evening....

The full moon last night, I did not take the photo, however. It is from Sky News.

Last night was the full November moon. After stringing lights on the Christmas tree and putting the roast chicken in the fridge, I bundled up to go outside. Already the frost had covered my garden chairs, but I was not to be daunted.

My neighborhood was festive with colorful lights on trees and bushes and trellises. It was a bit like a fairy land.

Kathy and I built a fire and sat around watching the embers head into the sky.
The fire was warm enough to be comfortable and, of course, a glass of red wine always helps.

It was a brilliant sky with the full moon and the planet Jupiter holding court next to the moon. Jupiter is so bright now that it can even be seen next to this cold moon.

Kathy brought a bag full of summer rose petals of which we scattered into the fire as a tribute for a friend who recently died. We gave him a toast and watched the ashes from the fire and the petals drift away into the night sky.

"The sheep fairs had been held. The plums had tumbled off the trees in the first big winds, and here and there, in the lovely sunlight too soon enfeebled, a branch of beech or oak was turning yellow; the one to died quickly and mercifully, the other perhaps to hold grimly to the frozen tree and to hiss with its papery skeletons all through the east winds of winter, until spring was there again." T.H. White, The Sword in the Stone

 



 



The Beaver Moon

Tonight is the full moon for November. It is also called The Beaver Moon aptly called this as by now the Beaver has a full coat, strong and warm. By hunting the Beaver and capturing the fur, the Native Americans were sure to be warm during the long cold months ahead.

It is also the furthest away full moon looking languid and cold.

Last night I left my guitar lesson during the deep dark of dusk. The almost-full moon caught my eye with a ring of frost circling it. I must say the sight took my breath away.

Tonight is the full moon and hopefully these Indiana November skies will clear enough to catch another glimpse of this beauty as we gently slide into our winter.

It is a good night for one more campfire, one more walk through the russet leaves before snow and ice pull them back into the earth, and, if your quilts are not on the bed yet, do it now.

Lou Ann

This week's column!

Click here for this week's column!

Here is the link for this week's column. As always thank you for reading. I hope this Monday after Thanksgiving finds you peaceful. I am sure most of you are back to work, as am I.

As quickly as my family arrived for the "ten for ten," they departed the same way...in a flurry with packing, airport runs and streaming tears.

It was quiet in the old house last night, as well as this morning as I had coffee without golden haired granddaughters to sit with me.

Farewell Thanksgiving 2012, it was unique and fun and memorable. We were all together.

End of the day in my small town...

 

 

Saturday was Small Business Day in all the towns across America. I hope you visited yours as well.

 

With friends and family we frequented the small shops in my hometown. We have lovely shops owned by folks we know. As you already know I believe in tossing the coffers throughout my town.

 

All of our shops close at 5:00 which is a lovely in itself. I hope your town can say the same...none of that open all night Mall status. As we were leaving I took this photo of our circle just as the lights came on.

 

Please visit and shop from your town as well, these small businesses are the heart of America.

 

Lou Ann



Giving thanks...

Click here for the Thanksgiving essay...


Happy Thanksgiving to family and friends,

As an offering of love and hope for families whole or broken, I send you to this essay by Anne Lamott from the New York Times opinion page.

As for me, Wendall Berry will be my Thanksgiving read at my table.

Lou Ann