The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Dear Folks,

This is for all of you who love Ocracoke.

Who is the Hunchback of Notre Dame??

No hints! The first one who guesses correctly will win a handful of candy!

Lou Ann

Happy Haunted Halloween....

Happy Halloween everyone, a little haiku for the season:

 

ghostly brocaded raindrops

erases Autumn's facade

leaving stark limbs of bareness

 

laboring crickets

tucked behind kitchen cupboards

nightly lullaby

 

floating black bats

whisk down into my chimney

swerves in hallways

 

And what is Halloween without a visit to an Indiana pumpkin patch?

Are you there Charlie Brown??

 

 

 

 



Gathering Coal for the Lord

Frank Basile Emerging Stories

Sponsored by Frank and Katrina Basile

Saturday, November 3
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Frank and Katrina Basile Theater

Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center

450 W. Ohio St
Indianapolis, IN 46202

Advance Tickets - Tickets $10, Door $15

Buy tickets on line, or call 317-232-1882.

Since 2000, in support of Indiana storytellers, Storytelling Arts of Indiana annually awards financial fellowships for the develoment and premiere of a new story.

This year Lou Ann Homan will tell Gathering Coal for the Lord, stories of her father's childhood in Fort Wayne, Indiana during the Great Depression.

The storefront mission of Lou Ann's grandparents, Ralph and Goldie Saylor, is the setting for tales of harvesting horseradish, cooking cornbread and beans, and saving souls to the tune of "Amazing Grace."

Join Lou Ann as she shares these personal yet historic stories. For more information visit www.louannhoman.com.

 

Halloween weekend!

Click here for this week's column!

This past weekend held a plethora of Halloween activities and visits! Thanks to my small town for supporting all the storytelling activities and events. One more show and then I can hang up my witch's hat for another year.

The photo was taken by Fred Wooley at Pokagon on Saturday night. It was a spectacular night with the almost full moon, crispy clear night and the scent of popcorn in the air.

To my friends in the pathway of Frankenstorm, I am thinking of you. Take care and know that the Midwest is concerned about you even though we are miles away. Most conversations are of Hurricane Sandy and the elections.

Stay safe. If anyone needs a place to go, come on over. I have lots of room for you. This is a serious invitation, just drop me a note and we will be waiting for you.

Almost full moon at Pokagon State Park. This photo was taken
by Fred Wooley.

Out and about at Trine University

Hi Folks,

This has been a very exciting fall for me as I took a part time job at Trine University. I think I always wanted to teach there and actually applied a couple of years ago.  Last summer I received a call asking if I was interested. I must admit that I definitely was curious.

I teach part time, or better known in colleges, as an adjunct professor.

I am enjoying my classes and enjoy the students very much. It has been challenging, and very interesting.

My schedule is well done so that I have time to write, create, and travel for my storytelling and writing schedule. It is only three blocks away so I can bike to work. I am very active in lots of the activities as well. It is nice to live so close to this job, that is a first for me.

So, let's just have a look at Trine University.

As always, thanks for watching.

Lou Ann

Here are a few photos for those of you who cannot view the video. I am sorry you cannot hear the ten bells!

You know you are in a small town if....

Dear Folks,

I know I usually post photos and shows and all of the artsy kind of things I am know for.


But....this morning when I went to the gym to work out, I noticed that my neighbors already had their trash out by the curb.

Let me clarify this story. Larry and Cheri live next door to me. They live in their wonderful old house which is perfectly cared for. I believe they have lived there over 40 years...at least since their wedding.

I can always count on the seasons with Larry and Cheri. The day after Thanksgiving the Christmas lights and wreaths come on. September 30 out come the jack-o-lanterns, flags for race day...need I go on? I never have to worry about the upcoming holiday as I am already perfectly informed.

Larry also is the kind of guy that gives candy to the kids after work. When he arrives home, most of the children flock to his yard for candy. (I always check with Larry to see if it is time to drink a beer yet. If he is drinking, then I know it is OK for me to do so as well.)

They also had a beautiful playhouse built for their grandchildren and then had their own house re-sided to match with the shutters and all. They really make the rest of the neighborhood look bad.

Our trash pick up is early on Wednesday morning. I have lived in my house over 10 years and they have never missed a deadline. I even take my cue from them for holiday pick ups. Larry and Cheri put out their trash at 3:30 on Tuesday.

ALWAYS!

Until this day. Why is their trash out early? It is also heaped high so what is in the garbage can?

I came home from the gym and remarked again to Virginia about the trash. I am out and about on my bike...the trash. I really can't seem to get over it.

Now I don't think Larry and Cheri read my blog, but if you do...please answer my question. Why is your trash out on Monday? My week is all messed up! If today is Wednesday, I am really behind.

So folks, you know you are in a small town if you cannot get over an issue such as this.

Do you think they are on vacation???

Lou Ann

Stories and music into the evening...

Cllick here for this week's column!

This week's column features my friend Jim Pfitzer. Jim is a storyteller, actor and environmentalist.

Here are a few photos of Jim.

You can see more onhis show at: www.astandardofchange.com

Enjoy the column and, as always thanks for reading!

Jim is sharing his love of music here in a parking lot!

Jim inside his show, "A Standard of Change,"

Family Stories at Angola Carnegie Library!

Hi Folks,

On Thursday evening I will be sharing family stories and encouraging families to write their own.  This workshop is not designed for ancestral genealogy, but the stories that build the fabric of our own lives.

I will be sharing stories from my grandfather, my father and with my own children. Each family will receive one of my favorite CD's, "Growin' Up a Hoosier." These are stories of growing up here in Indiana. By the way, I purchased the spinning wheel 30 years ago from a fellow in Ohio. I wanted a small traveling wheel (like Abigail Adams), and I wanted it made our of cherry wood. He sent it to me and then wrote these words, "If you like it, you can pay me." I sent the check immediately.

Also this photo was taken last Friday in my garden. As you can see, there are still roses blooming and a few other items that survived the first hard freeze. (This photo was in the paper this morning.)

I know that most of my blog readers are scattered across the world, but you could take a little time to sit with your own children or grandchildren and write a story or two from your own memories. It will be cherished forever.

As always, thanks for reading and listening.

Lou Ann

A vistit to Crown Hill Cemetery!

 

 

Dear Folks,

 

Saturday night was an evening of ghost stories at Crown Hill Cemetery. It was an amazing experience sponsored by Storytelling Arts of Indiana and the Crown Hill Heritage Foundation. This foundation conducts guided tours and genealogical research along with education programs.

 

This was an amazing evening as I shared the stage with some of my favorite tellers. I loved telling Poe at this event as the wind was blowing and bits of rain were falling. There were over 700 at this event which made it even more fun.

 

Here is a video of the cemetery as I was definitely out and about before the show began!

 

As always, thanks for watching!

 

Lou Ann

 

 

 



 

 

 



Happy Birthday Charles Dickens, you don't look a day over 200!

Click here for this week's column, Happy Birthday Charles Dickens.

In case you didn't know that this was the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens, I am now letting you know!

It has been an interesting school year with sharing this book with my college Freshmen!

Also on this day I have two shows in Indy:

2:00 College Avenue Branch Library for Gypsy Stories!

6:00 Gothic Chapel reception followed by Ghost Stories at the Crown Hill Cemetery! Make sure you come up and say hello, the crowds will be large!

My Indiana life today consists of writing, then going outside to ride my bike, back to writing, then going outside to hang out laundry, back inside to rehearsing for tomorrow's ghost story concert at Crown Hill, back outside to take the kids to the pumpkin patch, then back inside with the microphone. It will end with a neighborhood campfire with stories tonight!

 

I can't stay inside. The weather is spectacular. The leaves are cascading like jewels from a king's crown.

 

I can only sigh and love each moment.

 

Today's photo comes from my friend, Ken Oguss. Ken is a storyteller, writer, and videographer (among other things) in the Indianapolis area. I love this phot he took in Indiana, and with his permission, I am sharing it with you.

 

The poem is one of my favorites. I always shared this poem with my own children growing up on an Indiana farm.

 

Thanks to Ken and to all who treasure this life we all share.

 

Lou Ann

 

 

“October” By Rose Fyleman:

 

The summer is over,
The trees are all bare,
There is mist in the garden and frost in the air.
The meadows are empty
And gathered the sheaves-
But isn’t it lovely kicking up leaves!

 

John from the garden
Has taken the chairs;
It’s dark in the evening
And cold on the stairs.
Winter is coming and everyone grieves-
But isn’t it lovely kicking up leaves!

Ghost Stories!

 

 

Come on out to Crown Hill Cemetery on Saturday night. There will be a small reception and then stories by Indiana storytellers. I will be telling as well and looking forward to an evening of ghost stories. Actually I have the shivers as I even think about it. I won't tell you what I am telling, but I can say that you will be looking over your shoulder as you walk back to your car. I know I will be bringing my flashlight!

 

Looking forward to seeing you there! This is sponsored by Storytelling Arts of Indiana. If you need more information, just leave me a comment and I will get back with you!

 

 



 



Dear Friends,

My house was built at the turn of the century (that is the last century, 1900). I am sure it did not have a balcony then, but somewhere along the way, someone put one off the front bedroom. That room is mine. I have huge French doors that lead onto that small balcony.

Sometimes I go out just to watch the moon rising (it faces East) or just to see the brilliance of the stars. Oftentimes I take Matthew and Jonah out to see a planet on a clear night.

Yesterday I took a short video of Autumn from that balcony.  I thought you might like to see a short clip of Northern Indiana in mid-October.

As always, thanks for reading.

Lou Ann