Saturday, December 28, 2013

Drifting down the tracks of Christmas memories -

Drifting down the tracks of Christmas memories - KPCNews: Kpcnews


The above link is this week's column sharing Christmas memories. When life changes, it is important to establish new customs and traditions so I did just that fourteen years ago.

The Christmases I spent on the farm with the boys cannot be replaced. I knew when I was divorced that it would be impossible to continue the traditions without the farm...without the children...without the past.

It is not easy to venture out to new horizons when we are caught up in our own traditions, but there comes a time that we must do it.

The above link shares a few of the adventures I have embarked upon since those days. I think the challenge is to be able to let go.

I met a woman the other day who said that her Christmas was to be the same as always. She was a single woman who had no reason to be living the same traditions that were making Christmas a season of sadness. I told her to hop a plane or a train and just go somewhere new.

She gazed at me as if I had told her to fly to the moon. Do we need permission to try new outings? Who gives us the permission to go or who tells us not to go? I guess these are things to think about in the new year.

As for this Christmas I decided to take a plane to visit Ocracoke. It is lovely here this time for year...no visitors (sorry about that), and no heat! It is always nice to visit Philip in his village of family and friends as well.

I took this photo of the Methodist Church yesterday in the late afternoon. Enjoy as well.

Until next time, let your mind wander a bit.

Lou Ann



Monday, December 23, 2013

A view from Cushendall, Ireland.

A lovely view of winter from Cushendall, Ireland. This photo was taken by my friend
and storyteller extraordinaire, Liz Weir.

The Winter Solstice has passed balancing the dark and the light. My old house welcomed friends and family as we gathered on that night to share each other's cooking, read poetry, and sing songs. We ended the night by lighting my Christmas tree and singing "Oh Christmas Tree."

As each guest left I handed them a bag of cornmeal to scatter around their favorite tree. It is an old Solstice custom.

As we near Christmas I have photos from friends and poems to share with you as well. The above photo was taken by Liz Weir who lives in Ireland. I had the opportunity to spend time with Liz a few years ago in Ireland and also in the United States. On this day she is snowed in by an old-fashioned blizzard!

The poem is from John Cunningham. I think it fits the photo very well. Enjoy the poem and, if you feel like it, please dance a jig at the end! We read this poem at our Solstice party.

"The dark of winter wraps around us tight.
The lamps are fired, and flickering light 
beats time to the fiddle as notes float softly down, 
like the years' first snow.

While outside the window a blast of late December wind
whistles harmony to the drone of the pipes.
We push the old year back against the wall
so we can dance a jig for Christmas
and welcome in the New Year."

John Cunningham
1729-1773
Dublin, Ireland

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Winter Solstice

Today is the Solstice. It is one of my favorite days in all the year. It is a simple day with the world balancing the dark and the light, the day and the night.

Traditionally, we light fires, sing songs, and wish for the sun to return. As we celebrate the darkest of the dark tonight, let's remember to toast the sun giving her permission to come back to warm our fields and grow our gardens.

Happy Solstice.

A winter scene in my small town in Indiana.
Photo by Tyler Moor

Lines for Winter

Tell yourself
as it gets cold and gray falls from the air
that you will go on
walking, hearing
the same tune no matter where
you find yourself—
inside the dome of dark
or under the cracking white
of the moon's gaze in a valley of snow.
Tonight as it gets cold
tell yourself
what you know which is nothing
but the tune your bones play
as you keep going. And you will be able
for once to lie down under the small fire
of winter stars.
And if it happens that you cannot
go on or turn back
and you find yourself
where you will be at the end,
tell yourself
in that final flowing of cold through your limbs
that you love what you are. 

Friday, December 20, 2013

Sing Ye Noel...

The cabin has been electrified, but is heated with an old pot belly stove.

Helen Swenson's Art Cabin
Jonah at the Christmas sing at Wing Haven


This is my youngest grandson, Jonah. (I have four in total!) I took this photo of him at the Christmas sing at Wing Haven in Angola, Indiana.

This lovely old cabin, nestled in the woods in northeastern Indiana, has been owned and cared for by Acres Landtrust since 1983. The cabin (see above) was built from 19th century tulip logs and was the art studio for Helen Swenson. The studio is open to the public the first Sunday of every month and the sing is held the first Sunday of December. 

This is the event that begins the Christmas season for me, just as you have similar events in your hometown. We gather for a Christmas sing-a-long with guitar music from some of our faithful folks who have always played! 

We just shout out the name of a song and we all fumble to find it as we are wearing gloves and mittens to stay warm. We sing and then find another one. Wassail and cookies are served after the event in the same cabin. The children always run outside down the ravine to the lake while the adults gather round and tell stories.

For more information on Acres Landtrust or to donate to the preservation of these beautiful land in Indiana, please log on here:











Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Stories from a Small Town

This is the Mound in my hometown.


Photographer Bill Eyster took this photo on Saturday evening after the big snowfall. He was on his way home from a photo shoot and said he just had to stop and take this photo.

This Civil War monument sits in the middle of our town and the commerce of this small town spins around this relic. The monument is decorated every Christmas and has music piped out of the base for folks shopping or just strolling by. The music used to play all night long until a few folks who lived in the downtown complained about the tune. The rest of us love it!

When our ball teams or choirs or bands come home after returning from competition they always circle the mound and honk (more than once!) Actually they go around several times!

I always make the circle myself when coming home. The mound is our welcome mat to visitors.

Here is the wikipedia entry:
The most popular landmark in Angola is the Monument, referred to by locals as "The Mound" or the 'Circle'.
Built in 1917 by E.M. Heltzer, The Monument commemorates the Civil War. It has statues for all four branches of the military. On top is the statue of Columbia, facing east. It cost $17,000 in 1917, over $1,000,000 if it were built today. The Monument is the center of many town celebrations and festivities. It was unveiled on Thursday, September 13, 1917 at 1PM to much fanfare. On the Monument are plaques with the names of the 1,278 men from Steuben County who fought in the war. Per capita, more men from Steuben County enlisted for the war than any other county in Indiana. The monument underwent a renovation in 1993 and was re-dedicated during Fourth of July ceremonies.

I was asked by Mayor Selman to do the dedication of Columbia in 1993. A scaffold was built for me so I could be seen from all four directions. I told her story and sang a few songs. I spent weeks sitting on the mound, waving to friends, and trying to imagine times gone by. It was the biggest honor ever given to me by my town.

Come on by and visit, take a spin around the mound, and then come on over for supper.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

It’s time to wish upon a Christmas star.








Here are just a few photos from today's storm. We were to get only six inches of snow, but as of last measurement, we had eight. 

It has been a gorgeous day in Indiana. Of course, plans all were awry, but then again, "plans of mice and men." Everything everywhere is canceled. It is nice to let the world rest for a day or so.

It is indeed nice to be cozy and warm in this old house of mine. Enjoy the photos and the link to this week's column.  As always, thank you for reading.

Lou Ann

It’s time to wish upon a Christmas star - KPCNews: Kpcnews

Sunday, December 08, 2013

Christmas activities culminate fun holiday season...

Christmas activities culminate fun holiday season - KPCNews: Kpcnews

Here is the link to this week's column. As always, thank you for reading. I love writing stories for you!


Finding the perfect Christmas tree.


Finding the perfect Christmas tree can always be time consuming. My family and I usually go to Booth's Christmas tree farm and cut down our own trees. However with the trip to Arizona we changed schedules. So Kathy Vaugn and I set out to find our own perfect Christmas trees. We knew we did not want to cut them down ourselves so we hunted all over town.

We finally found our trees at Gary Stroh's apple farm. Gary was right there holding the trees up and helping us find the best one for us. When we did find the best trees, he cut off the bottoms and loaded them into the truck. We felt like pioneer women driving around town with our trees in the truck.

Getting them out of the truck and into the house was a totally different scene. However mine is up and decorated, and it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in my Small Town.

Lou Ann

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Thanksgiving takes us to a sunny locale...

Thanksgiving takes us to a sunny locale - KPCNews: Kpcnews

Just a few hours and my family and I are in Arizona to spend Thanksgiving with Abe and Kristin. Although our Thanksgivings usually last seven days and this one is no different. Enjoy another adventure through my weekly column above.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving as well.

Lou Ann

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving from the Homan Family!




Happy Thanksgiving from the Homan Family. This year we are celebrating in Arizona with all the family members flying in. Everything is a new adventure for us.

As we were cooking this afternoon I felt a bit of my actress side coming out. Thanks to Karen and Kristin for putting up with their mother-in-law!

The video is short, but it will give you a laugh as you keep the fires burning.

Bon Appetit!

Friday, November 22, 2013

Friday, November 15, 2013

Happy Birthday Norbert Krapf


An interview with Norbert Krapf

Today is the birthday of one of my favorite Indiana poets, Norbert Krapf. I met Mr. Krapf at a book signing several years ago when he was the Poet Laureate for Indiana (2008-2010).

He is Emeritus Professor of English at Long Island University and is the author of 24 books. One of my favorites is "Songs in Sepia and Black & White."

In the above book Mr. Krapf reunites poetry with music and photography. Fifteen of the poems are dedicated to musicians such as Bob Dylan, Woody and Arlo Guthrie, John Lennon and Leadbelly.

I shared the above video with my composition classes today. They enjoyed the rhythm of the poems and the interview as well.

You may order books through Indiana University Press.

Happy Birthday!










Tuesday, November 12, 2013

First snow of winter...

First snow of winter...

The first snow of winter covered the land in northern Indiana last night. It was a beautiful evening with snowflakes the size of silver dollars. No one expected it would stick as the ground is still warm from the summer's sun, but it did!

I often post this view of my garden. I like the changes from early spring rains to the deepest blooms of summer to the first snow. 

The changing of the seasons allow us to think and contemplate the changes within our own lives. Winter brings us time to be quiet and listen.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Veteran's Day


I am on campus early this morning when a young man in uniform walks towards me. We are about to pass when I stop him. He is in the Air Force. He is young. He is proud. He is strong. I can barely speak, "Thank you," I say, and then I repeat it. He nods and we both move on.

For my grandfather, uncles, brother...those who came before and those who will come after, I speak the same words, "Thank you."

Sunday, November 10, 2013

"Hunting with my Dad"

This was photo was taken in 1945 of my Dad and his brothers.
From left to right: Richard (my Dad), Keith, Jim and Jerry.


Today is my dad's birthday. He would have been 84. This is a photo, as you can see, from 1945.

My dad left behind stories and books and poems that I now treasure in my studio. The other day one of his poems slipped out of a folder, "Hunting with my Dad." 

This past week Jonah brought home his first deer to the family table. I wove the hunting poem with stories of family traditions of hunting. I hope you enjoy the column. It was a labor of love.

Please click here for the story. 

http://www.kpcnews.com/columnists/lou_ann_homan-saylor/kpcnews/article_d7e1b218-dc41-55b5-99c0-0c0b3699c460.html





Saturday, November 09, 2013

Autumn's Light Through My Window...


With most of the leaves gone from the bushes and trees around my house, there is now space for the light of the sun to shine through. These prisms decorate all my downstairs windows and when the light is perfect, I take a wooden spoon and give a little tap on each prism. The walls of my house begin to dance as rainbows beams of life cast of the colors.

Sometimes I wonder if this could be true of writers. Are you not trapped among bushes and trees which causes delay in writing? Could these bushes or trees be physical or emotional? Could they be a part in modern living with cell phones and Facebook calling us? 

Just some thoughts for a cold, but sunny Saturday.

Friday, November 08, 2013

Who tells the last leaf to fall?

My maple tree this morning after our first snow.


Today's Haiku from my Scrapbook

one last leaf to fall
autumn's death waits patiently
good-bye October

Thursday, November 07, 2013

Old farms and ramblings...

Old Windy Hill Farm


The other day I was out rambling a bit in the car. It was an errand day and I found myself meandering out by my old farm. This is the farm I speak of in yesterday's Life Stories project.

I had my camera with me and took just one photo. Truly the beauty of the Indiana landscape is evident in this single shot.

November comes with the hint of color falling behind and the starkness of late Autumn and Winter approaching. This photo makes me think of falling hickory nuts, putting fields to rest, bringing in the last of the potatoes, onions, and winter squashes. These were all neatly placed in the root cellar. 

Wherever we travel the beauty of the land is what takes our breath away...wherever we travel.

Wednesday, November 06, 2013

Life Stories

Dear Friends,

I read with interest Philip Howard's blog of two days past on the new state project of interviewing and collecting stories in North Carolina. 

This is not a controversial issue. This is important to gather our stories for preservation of our lives; who we are, how we live, and what we leave behind. 

In Indiana there is a similar project called Life Stories. It is a collaboration between the Indiana Historical Society, WFYI, and Storytelling Arts of Indiana.

I was fortunate enough to share my story in August while performing at the Fringe. Ellen Munds invited me to tell my story, anything I want to say!

I had an hour to speak. No problem for me!

At the appointed time I arrived. I have to say I was a little nervous, although I knew what I wanted to talk about without rambling. I decided to share my farm stories when my children were young.

The ladies were trained and were volunteers. They offered me water and told me how the interview would proceed. The microphone was on the table. They were also prepared with questions in case I (or whoever else would be telling) were at a loss of words or stories. They also told me they would take a couple of photos while I worked.

I began. I did not stop or falter. Of course, for me, I love talking. I make my living by talking! The women were interested, nodding me on, laughing or smiling or sharing other emotions as they emerged in the story.

This project is not for storytellers. It is for everyone. I am fortunate enough to have been asked to tell my stories. As you can imagine the hour flew by.

Eventually I will receive the recording which I will share with my children. In the meantime Ken Oguss, friend and videographer, works with the project by editing stories and pulling out small clips. My clip was just finished, and I love it.

I am adding it to the end, please take the time to see and listen to it. No, it is not about fishermen or oysters, but it is about a lovely Indiana farm.

I thought this was a good time to respond to the blog I referred to by giving my experience. Everyone should tell their story!

As always, thank you for reading and listening.

Lou Ann


http://lifestoriesproject.net/homan-lou-ann/


Friday, November 01, 2013

What are you waiting for?

Halloween Night 2013


Halloween, 2013, has come and gone. Do I say I am glad October is over or do I miss it already?

This month has been a storyteller's delight with stories and more stories. The events have been varied in all ways.

I must admit the moment I take the stage the light is green and I am whisked away into a world of abandonment where I live with you, the audience, and the story.

Last night was the usual Halloween fare at my house. I dressed up as a witch, as you can see, and sat outside under the old crab apple tree waiting for the little goblins. Most are a bit scared of me, and I can see why. I did take this photo of myself while waiting for children. I had a great time with make-up and adjusting the settings on my camera for this effect.

Last night I offered eyeballs or candy (in a witch's voice of course). Some actually chose eyeballs. I think they were too scared to say candy.

The wind blew and the rain drizzled down upon us, but no one seemed to care!

Afterwards friends gathered for witch's brew and great chili made by Karen.

I must say I had a disappointment that not all of my neighbors had their porch lights on for children. I think I see a campaign coming for next season.

As for you and yours, I hope your Halloween was as delightful as mine. Drop a photo or two so I can see some of my readers. Without you there wouldn't be much of a blog and I would just be talking to myself, and that, my friend, happens enough!!

And now moving on....it is November.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween

Last week I told stories at the Fremont Public Library. I was seated by the fire with decorated
pumpkins all around. I had to talk this photo when I was finished as it was definitely
a piece of art!

Halloween has been one of my favorite holidays for most of my life.
There was something so magical about it when we were kids; making our our costumes, trick-or-treating weeks before the day, and then sorting and stashing away our candy for the winter months.

I still feel exactly life this. Could that be one of the reasons I grew up to be a storyteller? I love ghost stories. I love traveling to different libraries, schools, and, yes, cemeteries to share my stories.

My classes at Trine University even presented an evening with Poe which was very successful with a full house and poetry read by engineering students.

So, the day finally comes and I am still loving it. The house is decorated from top to bottom with lights and pumpkins and such. We are having a full day of rain and howling wind today so we shall see what comes of the evening hours. But then again, Halloween is scary! 

A special Happy Birthday to my mom in England. I was always so jealous that she was born on Halloween and I was not.

Enjoy the day for what it is. Dress up in your favorite, or not so favorite costume, and open your door for all the kids. You can be sure I will be waiting for them tonight at the bewitching hour!

Happy Halloween.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Halloween Tales...


Dear Friends,

This month of October has been literally filled with storytelling events, shows, rehearsals, and evenings by the fire.

My small town is decked out in pumpkins, orange lights, large spiders that light up when you pass, and the tumbling of russet leaves.

It is hard to find a more beautiful place than the Midwest during Autumn. But then again...upstate New York, Vermont, Oregon, Ocracoke...well, need I add more?

Friday night I will be telling tales at the Fremont Public Library for their Pumpkin Trail. This is suitable for young families. Come in costume, walk the trail, sit by the fire with me for a few 'not so scary' stories and find your way home in the dark. This event will be held from 5-7.

Saturday evening is the annual event at Pokagon featuring ghost stories. I will be sharing the stage with friend and storyteller, Steve Etheridge. I have been told this is our 22nd year at Pokagon. The children's stories are at 7:00 after Trick or Treating in the park. The adults will gather for stories at 8:30. Please dress warmly, it promises to be cold.

On Halloween Eve at seven bells (October 30th at 7:00) I am hosting Poe night at Trine University. The event will be held at Wells Theatre. Bring a friend and a poem or just listen to our renditions of "The Tell Tale Heart" and "The Raven" both by Poe, of course, as well as other selected pieces.

I know lots of you readers live far away and are unable to attend, but please support the arts in your local communities. I am sure there are concerts and Poe readings everywhere!

As always, thank you for supporting my work, and until later...

"Nevermore!"


Lou Ann




Monday, October 21, 2013

OK, writers; it’s time for the annual novel exercise...

OK, writers; it’s time for the annual novel exercise - KPCNews: Kpcnews

Hi Everyone,

I am so excited to start the National Novel Writing Month beginning November 1st. I am looking for a few good writing buddies to bounce off ideas and push each other along. The deal is to write 50,000 in 30 days. Ah, come on, you can do it. It is dark and quiet on those early November days so this will spruce up your intro to Winter with writing in the quiet mornings.

The above column will tell more of the story. Just click the above link and there is my column.

As always, thank you for reading. 

I realize I get behind at times, where do the stories go?

Lou Ann

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Welcome to the Halloween season in Indiana!

Time for the Halloween season fun to begin! - KPCNews: Kpcnews

Here is the link for last week's column. Just click the above and enjoy. More columns to come as I got a bit behind. Thank you for your patience! Lou Ann

Saturday, September 14, 2013

We all need to do a little purple for Mary

We all need to do a little purple for Mary - KPCNews: Kpcnews

Dear Friends,

Here is the link to this week's column. As usual, enjoy and thank you for reading.
Mary is a very special woman here in Northern Indiana. I am happy to promote our Fifty Shades of Purple campaign here. I know you all do the same in your own community.

I do like the purple in my hair...looks great with the red!

Lou Ann

Monday, September 09, 2013

A waltzing poet...

Dear Friends,

Being back and a bit stable for a while has left life in a whirlwind. Settling down means so much work to catch up on! (Would you believe some of my summer mail is still in a basket?)

However, events and life continue and I always want to be in the middle of it. So, without giving you a day by day account here is one evening that was especially wonderful.

Michael Czarnecki is a traveling poet and he waltzed right into my life last week.  Here is this week's column about Michael and one of my Out and About film clips with Michael as well.

Enjoy. Thanks for being patient with me as stories swirl around me!

Lou Ann

http://www.kpcnews.com/columnists/lou_ann_homan-saylor/kpcnews/article_5896474f-dd67-55a2-ab60-ac6ff0597818.html

Just click the above link for the story, you will love it!


Michael Czarnecki

Sunday, September 01, 2013

Packages from Mom always contain mystery items...

Packages from Mom always contain mystery items - KPCNews: Kpcnews

Dear Folks,

Here is the link to this week's column. Please click on the above site for the story.

I thought you might enjoy one of the photos mentioned in the article as well.

If anyone has any of Ron Embleton's pictures, please let me know!

As always, thanks for reading!!



Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Home

The past few months I have lived out of my suitcase. I started in May with a trip to St. Pete to visit my son, Arizona to visit my other son, and then a trip to Colorado for my niece's wedding.

I spent most of the summer on Ocracoke, of course, where I could put things away in drawers and small cubby holes.

I then spent a couple of weeks at the Fringe Festival in Indianapolis before I actually could unpack the suitcase.

Wherever home is for each of us, we need to find that place where we have our own special teacup, grandma's quilt and our books.

Home can change, but the name doesn't.

Virginia took this photo while biking a couple of weeks ago. This scene is just a bike away for me. Enjoy.




Friday, August 23, 2013

And the IndyFringe continues....

When I was eleven years old my life consisted of biking around my neighborhood, writing plays for my brothers and sisters, and performing those plays under my mother’s clothesline.  I was chubby with crooked front teeth and a pixie hair cut. Life was grand in every way.

Until one day…

The girls in my class at school were given pink invitations to take home to our mothers. We were so excited to be inviting our mothers to a tea party! I wore my best dress, anklets, and patent leather shoes. I loved the tea party with mints and cookies. But then we watched a film that changed our lives, “What is happening to my body?”

I slunk down into my chair as I watched all the changes about to occur and no way to stop it, something like a train wreck.

Growing up in my era we were groomed for the happily ever after which meant marring the man of our dreams and having children. This happily ever after was re-enforced by the rules of the Baptist church where we attended: 1. Always sit six inches apart from boys. 2. Do not swim with boys or their little spermettes will find you in the water. 3. Never smoke, drink, touch or have --- (we weren’t allowed to say the word) with boys.

This original piece, The Baptist Girl’s Guide to Sex, Love, and Happiness, explores these growing up issues in a humorous way while weaving back and forth between my women’s potluck group conversations and my own once-upon-a-time fairy tale.

This past year I have personally set out finding the happily ever after. Do folks still believe in it? What about me? What about you?

Writing of the script fell upon hard times as my pieces began to unravel onto the cutting room floor. Some stories were brought back to life. Others were swept out the back door along with the day’s footprints.

As with all storytelling performances, I needed an audience to bring the show alive!  I was able to share the story at Diva Fest in Indianapolis in the early spring. It was a great beginning for me and led to lots of discussions. With much more work, I was able to perform the show on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina to visitors and locals alike. I have since shared it with other Indiana audiences at house concerts.

 At the beginning of this adventure I felt my story would be enjoyed most of all by middle aged women. I was wrong. My audiences have been diverse, with men and women of all ages. The youngest was 15. She came up to me immediately after the show with tears in her eyes, “I really appreciate my mom after your story,” she said to me. “My mom is so honest with me.”

The oldest member of the audience so far was an 85 year old woman who sat in the back because she thought she might have to leave! She stayed and enjoyed the entire show. And all you men out there, the largest laughs have come from you, so don’t be shy!

Carolyn Powers wrote on Facebook, “Had a sneak preview of Lou Ann Homan's Indy Fringe show last night at our home. What a fantastic storyteller! Her story brought laughter, wonder, tears and joy. If you can drive to Indy to the fringe, be there. You will not be disappointed!”

It is with deep appreciation that I thank IndyFringe and Storytelling Arts of Indiana. These two organizations have created this venue for me to tell my story. Now it is your turn. Come on out, and then tell your own ‘growing up story’ with friends and family. Those of you attending, please make your presence known so that I may thank you for coming as well.


See you at the IndyFringe 2013!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Sea hatching turtles...

This is a photo from N.E.S.T.

Most of you know I spend my summers on Ocracoke Island. In the past I have often volunteered with the park rangers spotting nests early in the morning.

Other years I volunteer at the lighthouse or the radio station or O.P.S.
I usually leave too early to watch the sea turtles hatch except for last year. I was able to film it on you-tube. 

This year I missed it completely, but here is a lovely photo from the Network for Endangered Turtles.

If you are on Ocracoke don't miss the opportunity to see this amazing adventure. The turtles have just started hatching so you will have plenty of time.


If you have missed it like I have, you can go to my video from last year!

Enjoy!

Lou Ann

Saturday, August 17, 2013

We all should bring passion to our work and play....

We all should bring passion to our work and play - KPC Media Group: Kpcnews

Here is the link to this week's column. I think you will enjoy it and maybe inspire you a bit to find the passion in your own life. We all must have it!

So, let me catch you up a little on the IndyFringe. It was a beautiful night in Indianapolis last night. There was a fair breeze blowing through the city, and it was still cool.

My opening show was last night, and I am so happy to report that the house SOLD OUT! It was a great way to start! I am going to have high expectations after that, but I do know better.

However, if you are coming to my show at the Fringe, please order your tickets ahead of time to make sure you get in!

Once again the web site is IndyFringe13.

One of the best opportunities for a performer is the chance to catch all the other shows. I will post a list of some of my favorites for you as well! The shows have all been great!

Hope to see you at the Fringe!

Lou Ann





Friday, August 16, 2013

The Dance Begins

This is the stage door to the Phoenix Theatre in downtown Indianapolis.

Last night was the opening night for the IndyFringe13. I was not on stage last night as my first show is tonight. I spent the evening with Ellen (my great friend and director of Storytelling Arts of Indiana) at the Frank Basile Theatre located in the Phoenix.

The crowds were pretty good for opening night! The weather is cool here with temperatures in the 50's last night. I packed all sundresses. I think they will need to wait until next week!

I am staying with Ellen in the bedroom I have had for over 20 years. My bed is tucked under the eaves. I even have my own quilt which her parents bought for me years ago! It is cozy and quiet in that room. We have our own work spaces, however, since we both like to talk.

Until tomorrow's update, this is your roving storyteller!  Lou Ann

Thursday, August 15, 2013

IndyFringe13!


Ladies and Gentlemen!

Presenting Live:

Lou Ann Homan in concert 

at the IndyFringe with her new show,

The Baptist Girl's Guide to Sex, Love, and Happiness!

All shows will be held at the
 Phoenix Basile Theatre,
749 N. Park Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana


Tonight the opening ceremony begins at 7:00 on Mass Ave. My first show is Friday night at 9:00! For more information on my show and all the others, please go to INDYFRINGE.ORG!

My shows are sponsored by IndyFringe and Storytelling Arts of Indiana.

See you at the show!


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Saying farewell at the Amtrak Station...do I even need words?




It is time to leave one home for another....

It is time to leave one home for another - KPC Media Group: Kpcnews

Dear Friends,

Thank you for being patient with this blog. It has been a very emotional week leaving one home for another. Saying good bye is the hardest.

I am back home with lots of other adventures as well!

Thanks to all of you.

Please just click the above link for this week's article!

Lou Ann



Spring break in St. Pete...

  Adam and his pups! The late-night flight is full. Everyone is heading out for spring break. Students and teachers, moms and dads, kids and...