Saturday, October 31, 2015

Halloween is a wonderful celebration for all...


Here is the link to my Halloween column. Just click on the above link. As always,
thank you for reading. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

My garden scarecrow!

Friday, October 30, 2015

Dedication of Lady Columbia...

Photo by Jennifer Decker

The wind was howling at the four bells yesterday afternoon so we moved the celebration into the Masonic Lodge. It was the perfect place for the celebration as we were on the second floor and the windows looked out over the mound.

There was a nice crowd for a late afternoon event. Mark Gropp, my piper, was there to play, the mayor was there to give a nice speech as well.

It was my honor to tell Columbia's story. This was my second time to do this for my town. In 1993 Mayor Selman asked me to do the same for the 4th of July. 

Notice I kept my cape on even though we were inside because I love the festive look.

So, congratulations to my town for a job well done. 



Thursday, October 29, 2015

A typical day in my town...

The monument at Christmas.

Sorry to confuse you, no, it is not Christmas. I just love this photo.

Today we are celebrating the restoration of the mound (not the monument) on the square at 4:00 this afternoon. The Mayor will be giving remarks and my friend and piper, Mark Gropp, will be on hand to play the pipes. I will tell the story of Columbia. It is my honor to do so and this is the second time in my life I have been asked to do the dedication story.

It will be cold and blustery on the square, but the stories will warm you (and so will the hot chocolate!). See you at 4:00 to make history once again.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

One more night of Poe!

Photo by Dean Orweiler

Tonight my students, along with a few theatre students, will be presenting an evening of Poe. This year there will be two shows because of the popularity of this evening: 7 bells and 9 bells.

The performances will be held in Wells Theatre in Taylor Hall. There is no charge and the community is invited. I hope to see you there in the audience. We have worked hard to bring you a wonderful show tonight!

Yes, I say with a sigh, one more night of Poe and one more night of stories before this storyteller pulls out the shingle...at least for a while!

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Poe!


Today I will presenting a symposia on Poe! The event begins at 3:30 at Wells Theatre. It is the perfect addition to your Halloween week and, for those of you in my neighborhood, a great way to spend an afternoon before the winds howl and the rain pours. Come on out and hear things about Poe you never knew...Nevermore! This is part of our Hall of Haunted Humanities!

I took this photo last January on my journey to Poe!

Monday, October 26, 2015

Haunted Hall of Humanities 2015 Promo





Today kicks off our Halloween Week at the Haunted Hall of Humanities at Trine University. We have had so much fun putting these events together. Come to one...or come to all...can you guess how many I will be attending?



Enjoy the video and come on out and see us.



Lou Ann

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Autumn's beauty...

I do not think I have ever known an Autumn to last thing long or be of such great beauty. It is as if a painter stopped in his or her tracks and couldn't move on. What a lovely, lovely day. Here are a few photos of my old purple house and yard.





Enjoy this last glorious week of October...

 
Here is the link to this week's column. Just click on the above link!
 As always, thank you for reading.
It was a great night at Pokagon last night. The crowds were huge, the stories were scary,
and it was a very creepy drive home in the mist and fog. I took this photo at the park
last night before the darkness settled in.
 
 

Saturday, October 24, 2015

October hauntings...


 Tonight there are ghost stories at Pokagon State Park for our annual shows. The other day I met someone who told me they love bringing their children to my shows just as their parents had brought them. Wow...how long have I been telling stories??

The weather is for wind and thunderstorms and hail (no, I added the hail actually)...so dress warmly and bring a friend to sit with to keep you safe.

The children's show begins at 7 and the adults are at 8:30. Steve Etheridge and I are looking forward to another great evening.

This will conclude my whirlwind of storytelling for October...except for Poe events at Trine University, but I will talk about that later.

Until then.

Lou Ann

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Waiting for the Great Pumpkin...

Photo by Earthsky.org

Tonight was the night to wait for the Great Pumpkin. A crowd of us gathered at the pumpkin patch at the community gardens at early dark. I lit candles all around the pumpkin patch and we waited.

Hmmm...nothing appeared to be happening so I read "The Raven" by Poe, of course. I think the kids got a little anxious and they began running around the gardens in the dark yelling "nevermore!" 

After a while we realized that perhaps the Great Pumpkin wouldn't be coming this year or at least not on this night. We picked the final crop of pumpkins by flashlight, blew out the candles and drove home. As I was coming into my garden gate I thought I saw something orange flash through the sky...what it was I cannot say, but never give up hope, Charlie Brown, never.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Warmshowers.com



This is a photo of Steven from Brakel, Germany. He was my guest last night as part of Warmshowers.com.

I joined the organization several years ago in order to host bicyclists who are crossing the United States. I have had many folks stop by on bikes. I love hearing their stories, feeding them breakfast, and sending them on their way.

As it was, Steven arrived just as I was leaving for a storytelling performance. He said he was tired and slept his way until morning. Today we went to the Village Kitchen where he fueled up for the day.

Steven left his job in Germany to explore the United States. He is traveling in 25 states with Indiana being his 24th. Two days until Chicago and then back home. I told him to hurry as the snow was coming!

He shared stories of the kindness of Americans. I am glad he was able to come here to see for himself that we are a friendly nation.

Safe travels, my new friend, and thanks for the invitation to Germany!!

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Campaigning...


Campaigning for City Council has been very interesting. I love meeting my neighbors and talking about our town. It is fun to hear their ideas and what they think should change and what they love about Angola.

Today my opponent, Dave Martin, and I had a conversation while we were both on the campaign trail. He gave me a hug and wishes me luck. He has held this office for 20 years. His signs say, Experience Wins. My signs simply say, "Your town is my town."

Whatever the outcome I hope folks vote, even though it is such a small election this year. If you live in Angola, District D, I would love to have your vote! 

Until tomorrow...
Lou Ann

Saturday, October 17, 2015

First frost brings a flurry of activity...


Here is the link to this week's column. As always, enjoy, and thank you for reading.
Just click on the above headline.

I took this photo in the garden yesterday.
Perhaps it is the end of the roses and the
morning glories, but how lovely they have been.
Notice the sweet drops of morning dew.

Saturday, October 10, 2015

My GPS always gets me home!

 
Here is the link to this week's column. Enjoy and, as always, thank you for reading!
 
Dustin Woods at Sunset.
 

Friday, October 09, 2015

Crown Hill Cemetery...


This weekend the storytellers of Indiana will gather under a huge tent at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana. No, there is not a burial or a wake, but an evening of ghost stories that will cause you to look over your shoulder.

The event begins at 7:30 at Crown Hill. Tickets are available at the door. This is a great way to kick off this ghostly season. Please be sure to come up and say hello after the show!

This event is sponsored by Storytelling Arts of Indiana.

Until then...

Wednesday, October 07, 2015

My favorite literary day...

Edgar Allan Poe's grave in Baltimore.

It is a known fact to everyone that reads my blog that poetry is very important to me. My studio shelves are full of poetry books from the greats and the not-so-greats.

I pay attention to births and deaths of poets and where these dates fall in the timeline of the world. Having said that, today is one of my favorite literary days.

On this day in 1849, Edgar Allan Poe died in Baltimore. His death is still shrouded in mystery. Why was he in Baltimore? Whose clothes was he wearing?

I have traveled to Baltimore and to Richmond in search of answers, but have found none.

At the same time on this date in 1849, James Whitcomb Riley was born on what was known as the edge of the prairie. He became one of Indiana's favorite poets leaving us with Little Orphant Annie, and The Raggedy Man, to name a few.

Coincidental? Hmmm....think about it!

Tuesday, October 06, 2015

Brookside...


Today is an exceptional day for me as I will be telling my story, Sandstones and Scholars, at St. Francis University. I told my commissioned piece last year in November, but this time it is for the faculty and staff. 

I am so excited they wanted the show "in person" as this was also done as a PBS special. Isn't it wonderful that storytelling is so alive and well?

So, another quick rehearsal and I am off to do what I do best...tell stories.

This photo was taken by my grandson, Matthew, last year after the original show.

Sunday, October 04, 2015

With the tip of a hat, it’s a LaGrange adventure...


Here is the link to this week's column and my adventures into the
world of millinery. Just click on the KPC link and there you are.
As always, thank you for reading!
I took these photos on the morning I visited!

A milliner's dream table.


Jacqui from Chicago.

...and more hats!



Thursday, October 01, 2015

October's Bright Blue Skies

This sunflower graced my garden last year.

There is something so spectacular in turning the calendar to October especially here in northern Indiana. Everything smells crisper...the colors brighter...and most folks appear to be in a state of pleasantness. When I was a teacher in the public schools one of my colleagues always read this to his class on the first day of October. Each one in turn had to memorize it. It may be the only poem that the students knew by heart. 

Today my two grandsons were over for breakfast before walking off to school. As is my habit, we had breakfast by candlelight and then the poem recitation. This was, of course, today's poem for them and for you. Happy October.
“October’s Bright Blue Weather”
O SUNS and skies and clouds of June,
And flowers of June together,
Ye cannot rival for one hour
October’s bright blue weather;
n loud the bumble-bee makes haste,
Belated, thriftless vagrant,
And Golden-Rod is dying fast,
And lanes with grapes are fragrant;
When Gentians roll their fringes tight
To save them for the morning,
And chestnuts fall from satin burrs
Without a sound of warning;
When on the ground red apples lie
In piles like jewels shining,
And redder still on old stone walls
Are leaves of woodbine twining;
When all the lovely wayside things
Their white-winged seeds are sowing,
And in the fields, still green and fair,
Late aftermaths are growing;
When springs run low, and on the brooks,
In idle golden freighting,
Bright leaves sink noiseless in the hush
Of woods, for winter waiting;
When comrades seek sweet country haunts,
By twos and twos together,
And count like misers, hour by hour,
October’s bright blue weather.
O suns and skies and flowers of June,
Count all your boasts together,
Love loveth best of all the year
October’s bright blue weather.
Helen Hunt Jackson

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...