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/
5 comments:
Great interview...and terrific story. Thanks for sharing!
I wonder who ratted on you. Small towns have their dark side. Though the Health dept came out to checkout did you at least buy a license-- though fees pay the inspector salaries-- the inspectors have a job to protect the public-- the pony was a want not a necessity. This story to me has many layers the sacrifice is the major theme to me-- the sacrifice for all parties involved. from the pie buyers to the public at large to the mom working her fingers to the bone to please the younger generation.
Dear Anonymous,
I don't believe it was a situation of ratting on me. Probably the health inspector's wife bought the pie. No, I did not need or get a license at that time. Things are always different in the past.
As for the pony; my children did not have a television. They did not know about plastic or junk toys. They knew books and animals.
So when this Christmas came along and we talked about Christmas they unanimously asked for a pony. They did not ask for toys. Their toys were always fishing poles, etc. One time a friend of mine came to visit and she asked when I kept the toys. I remember telling her they had fishing poles, butterfly nets, and animals to take care of. (They were all 4-H members.) No, a pony wasn't a necessity; it was a wish in their hearts. I would prefer children (and adults) not wish for plastic crap or things that are easily broken or lost or forgotten. Our pony story remains as one of our favorite stories. We tell it every year.
I do appreciate the fact that you listened to the piece. Stories. They belong to all of us very cheaply.
Lou Ann
Thank you for responding. I was not suggesting a plastic toy instead of a pony for Christmas. Christmas to me, has evolved to wishes, gift lists, stress and eventual disappointments. What a tangled mess. In a secular world retailers have embraced the shopping season in a Santa-tized version devoid of the religious aspects. All the time spent baking pies and hanging laundry oh I digress . please have your sons record their memories of their youth do they remember the pony pies and Peace? Raising children is tough enough --- it seems one of your children grew to always have a connection with fish and water. Maybe all these modern day conveniences have created helicopter parents today-- maybe more should try baking a pumpkin pie with a pumpkin not a can of pumpkin.LOL
Thank you. And by the way, I still cut up pumpkins and hang out the laundry!
Post a Comment