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

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.

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/

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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!!

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.

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!