Ocracoke Journal

Reflections...

The bird bath in my yard under the peony bushes.

Trine HAC: 2014-15 Year in Review

The Humanities and Communication Department is small at Trine University. It is, however, one of the most active as you will see.

I have been teaching at Trine for three years now and love being part of this group of talented, creative smart folks.

Take a look at what we do and enjoy!

After 65 years, a bracelet brings back memories - KPCNews: Kpcnews

After 65 years, a bracelet brings back memories - KPCNews: Kpcnews

Here is the link to this week's column. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

There are always stories.

Lou Ann

Our Decoration Day traditions continue in Angola...

Our Decoration Day traditions continue in Angola...

I took this photo this morning at the service in town. Miss Columbia is even beautiful standing amidst the clouds. Here is the link to this week's column and, as always, thank you for reading. Please take a moment to reflect upon this day.

Annie’s Attic is filled with wonder and trust ...

Annie’s Attic is filled with wonder and trust - KPCNews: Kpcnews

Here is the link to this week's column with photos below. Just click on the above link. As always, enjoy, and thank you for reading. Now let's check out Annie's Attic...

Here I am waiting for a class to arrive.

Every student at Cumberland Elementary School came to the attic for stories...
class by class.

This is our good bye assembly on Friday afternoon.

I actually pick up my suitcase and walk out after I say farewell. I cried.

Make sure to carve out some time to dawdle ...

http://www.kpcnews.com/columnists/lou_ann_homan-saylor/kpcnews/article_bb0122d3-5233-553d-b02b-b7fe4fb3afc9.html?_dc=562479022424.6681

Last night I took my own advice for dawdling. I spent a lovely evening with my friends, Carolyn and Elten, catching up with news, stories and watching the sun set over the prairie. 

We ordered pizza, but they live too far out for delivery so Elten had to go to the local Pleasant Lake post office to meet the delivery guy! We sat with pizza and a nice cold wine just dawdling away the evening. Thanks for a lovely night!

Just click on the above link for this week's column. As always, thank you for reading, and don't forget to dawdle this week!

It has come to my attention that for some reason you cannot get to the column through the normal way. Please copy and paste the link in your browser. Sorry for this inconvenience...it will take away from some dawdling time, but I think you will enjoy it! The link is fixed so just click on the title!!

Lou Ann

My Crab Apple Trees

Outside my balcony

This has been one of the most beautiful springs I can ever remember. It came on slow and steady letting the sap run for day from the maple trees and the glorious arrival of color on the landscape.

Day by day we here in the Midwest have watched the progression from late winter to mid-spring with hushed reverence. It is almost as if you can hear the ground waking up.

My crab apple trees are spectacular this spring. This is just one of the two outside my balcony window. I also have a deep red one in the backyard. When I first moved in they were so small, but now have grown tall and lush and block out most of the view of my neighbors. It is almost like living in a forest or a nursery.

Hope your spring is as lovely as mine.

Lou Ann

My Johnny Appleseed Tree

Years ago I brought home a small sapling from the Johnny Appleseed Festival. It came with a certificate that said it was from one of the first orchards of John Chapman (aka Johnny Appleseed). I have watered the tree, talked to the tree, and kept hoping it might really be an apple tree, when this year it bloomed for the first time. The blossoms are fragrant as apple trees are supposed to be. I am curious about what these apples will look like. Well, it will be months before we find out. In the meantime, isn't spring glorious?

Early Morning Rain

Let the rain kiss you

Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops

Let the rain sing you a lullaby

The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk

The rain makes running pools in the gutter

The rain plays a little sleep song on our roof at night

And I love the rain. 

Langston Hughes

We owe much to Louisa Gale Hendry...

We owe much to Louisa Gale Hendry - KPCNews: Kpcnews

Mrs. Louisa Hendry spins a yard on a lovely Friday afternoon.
Photo courtesy of Carnegie Angola Library.

Friday afternoon was the culmination of weeks, or maybe months, of research and rehearsals. This project was a labor of love for me as I was able to delve more deeply into the life of Louisa Gale Hendry and the history of my town. 

It actually was my idea months ago to do this project. There were moments I thought to myself...what have I done? Especially as this show came back to back to back with The Baptist Girls' Guide and finals at Trine. But somehow two of the three have been accomplished.

When I was finished with the show I was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a rousing applause...more than once. Most of my audience followed out into the square for our evening Architectural Walk.  

Please enjoy this week's column about this project. Just click on the above link. As always, thank you for reading. 

Walking tour in Angola...

Photo by Lexie Bowen.

The library was full for the performance on Louisa Gale Hendry. Thank you all so much for coming. I loved coming down the staircase to the harp music! I also loved sharing her life and the history of the town I live in.

Following the performance an Architectural Tour was given by the Historic Preservation Commission. The tour began at 8:00, and I was delighted that we had over 50 folks show up. It was a spectacular night with a near full moon and lovely stories to tell.

Lexie Bowen was on the tour with her parents and sent me several photos. Here is one of my favorites. Sometimes everything is just right, and last night was one of those evenings.

Mrs. Louisa Hendry

Tonight at the Angola Carnegie Library I will be portraying Mrs. Louisa Hendry. The event is part of our 100th Anniversary and tonight's party will be eventful with the arrival of Mrs. Hendry.

The year is 1910. She is survived by her husband, Alanson Hendry, and she has gathered folks together to tell her stories about coming to early Angola. She witnessed many events in her life such as the coming of the railroad, the building of Tri-State Normal College (Trine University) and was instrumental in the shaping of my town.

The harp music begins at 5:00. Mrs. Hendry arrives at 6:00. Hope to see you there! Following the library event there will be an Architectural Tour of the square beginning at 8:00. The weather is perfect so come on out!