An Ocracoke Sunset

I usually work in the evenings telling stories through haunted graveyards, Bawdy Stories, and the Opry so it is a rare night that I am able to enjoy an evening off. Such was the case on Monday night. I spun out onto the sandy lane with my bike to enjoy the salty night air and to photograph some sunset photos. I was able to enjoy early evening kayakers and the sounds of the night. There was one couple that was trying to take photos of each other against the darkening sky. I asked if I could take their photo for them, and here they are. I don't know their names, but if you recognize them from vacationing here, let them know about this lovely photo from Ocracoke Island!

Night Blooming Cereus

Last night I was invited to a Night Blooming Cereus Party. The evening's event did not start until after 10:00 to make sure this gorgeous flower would begin blooming.

This night blooming plant only sends off a few blooms (after waiting seven years for the first bloom!) and it should not be missed. A friend of mine, Jude, called to say that last night would be the night. Everyone scurried with evening work. I had a ghost walk, there were other events on Ocracoke as well. I wore a white sundress to celebrate this occasion.

When Philip and I arrived, the plant was still just in bud. Everyone was disappointed, but sat out on the patio with a nice cold white wine and chatted until the midnight hour. As we began to leave, we noticed the three blooms were beginning to open. We stood literally watching as each petal opened up before our eyes. I took this photo in the wee hours. I understand that by daybreak, the bud would close never to be opened again. None of us stayed around that long, but what a wonderful event.

This past week's column and by the way, still not on the radio!!

This week's article, enjoy! (P.S. I am at the radio station right now getting ready to sweep the floor!!)

 http://www.kpcnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10201

Premiere of Bawdy Stories!

Tonight is the premiere of Bawdy Stories and Songs with my friends, Sundae Horn and Marcy Brenner. The show will be held at the Deep Water Theater here on Ocracoke Island every Friday night at 9:00. Adults Only! Tickets are $10.00 at the door. Hope to see you one of these Friday nights!



Early morning photo....

 

I went out to the beach early this morning before the sun came up to walk upon the cool damp sand after yesterday's rain and storms. It was perfect for making castles, but I was the only one there for miles, so it seemed. I took several photos of the early sun, the sea oats, but on my way back I caught a glimpse of this seagull and photographed him in midair.

My Uncle Dean, who is my writing and photography mentor, always tells me that it is the unexpected which makes the great pictures or the great stories. We head out the door expecting and looking for one thing, but waiting in the shadows (or in the sun) is what we really want or need.

Just a bit of artistic wisdom from my island to you.

Mad Mag's Studio

I took these photos early this morning of Mad Mag's Studio. As I said before, it is a restored old summer kitchen and washhouse. It is definitely a work in progress...as is my writing. After an early morning beach walk, great coffee and some household chores in the cottage, it is nice to retreat to my studio and write away the morning hours!

Mad Mag's Studio



View from one of the side windows!





Work in progress!!

Poetry for our photos...

There were so many photos taken during our week on Ocracoke that I don't know how to involve all the photos...maybe a few at a time. In the meanwhile, I put together this poem to describe our magical week!

Photos

Turquoise edges of liquid sea

Splash into the faces of children.

Sun-kissed warm cheeks

Tell flashlight stories as the sun hides behind the sea.

Families pose, fish are caught, dreams are discussed

As we bring our souls to the table.

Pirates whisper under the sea

As we shout on the top of salt and waves.

The glasses are raised, the children sleep

And we lock elbows and hearts to the island’s swaying.

Ahhhh, our family vacation.

Arriving back at Ocracoke with family!

Summer at Sea with the Family!

This is my first column since I have returned to Ocracoke...yes, I know time has lapsed between the greatest party of the century and this family vacation...but time does get away. Let's move on, shall we???
Lou Ann

This is it....

This day is here, one of the happiest days of my life! I can't describe the emotions I have over all of the responses, cards, notes, calls and now the BIGGEST RETIREMENT PARTY EVER. I just came back from Elton and Carolyns' Frank Lloyd Wright house on the prairie. We scrubbed chairs and tables, drank coffee, told stories, set up the food room, the performing stage. All the people I love are coming except Abe and Kristin as they are moving to Arizona today.

This is my graduation, wedding, birthdays all rolled into this day. Thank you all for everything. Oh, how fun Carolyn got balloons from her friend in Australia, and a necklace handmade from her son's girlfriend from Bangladesh.

We are over the top with happiness and excitement. See you all there, thank you everyone for all you have done. (including all my musician friends who are spending the day with us!!) Pictures will follow as well as a film clip. Oh, and I am now on U-tube. Wow, what a day.

Alright, to the garden to pick peonies and then in my new sundress with bangles and beads and let the party begin!!

Delightful weekend...

My mom stayed with me all weekend which was so much fun. Mom lives in Texas and so our get togethers, or round abouts, are few and far between.

I loved letting her peak into my world here in Northern Indiana. We, of course, ate at all the local restaurants, The Deli, Coachlight, The Hatchery, Village Kitchen...had lunch with my editor, met the mayor among many other folks.

We had pot lucks and suppers with Karen and Aaron and the boys, Kathy, Lee, Elton, Carolyn.

We had quiet time too when we sat late into the night, listening to the rain on the rooftop, sipping wine telling stories....crying, laughing.

She has gone back to Fort Wayne for a bit until the big weekend...it is quiet in the old house!

Although Jim is back, and several of my 'single' girlfriends came over last night to drink beer under the stars. We sat out late contemplating life...really, it wasn't serious at all. Birds sang, dusk came and stories filled the night.

Here is this week's farewell column to Hamilton! Moving on!

Just click on the link at the bottom! Enjoy!

Farewell column!

Planning by the Hour

So, here we are in the deepest heart of spring and I cannot keep myself inside (except for work.) I almost have to tie myself to my library to write and then I keep going to the back porch to have a peek to see if anything new has grown within the last hour. With the spring rains this year, the gardens are lush. The herbs are striking with their colors and scents; the basils, feverfew, lavender, rosemary, cilantro, thyme, chives...and so many others

The ever-winding perennial beds are in color with Lady's Mantle, peonies, irises, and lilacs with a few left over snowdrops.

For the garden, I have painted an old table lavender and decorated the edges with poetry from great poets; Dickinson, Poe, Frost, Thoreau, Longfellow, Riley....It is almost ready to put into the garden with lime green chairs. The perfect place for early morning coffee and the paper, or a late night candlelight supper with friends and family.

So, I work a little, tend the garden a little, make tea for friends as they walk by and then do it again the next day! (OK, I am leaving out the part of finishing up school, paying bills, filling our forms, and gathering work for next year!)

As for now...the garden calls, the coffee brews and the day begins.

Cleaning out the bookshelves...

With the end of my teaching career (well, at least that of Hamilton Elementary School), my bookshelves are stacked with books of all sorts. Today the process of picking and choosing those books began; those that come home with me or go to the kids. The process is difficult. I love my books, all books.

The fifth grade class and I labeled boxes with teams working at each box station; Civil War, Revolutionary War, Science, Planets, Indiana History, Poetry, Children's books, novels...well you get my picture. I took book after book off the shelf, one at a time.

I know when and where I received each and every book. I know what town, state or even country where it was purchased or given as a gift. I have autographed books by Bill Martin, Jr., Steven Kellogg, Valiska Gregory, Robert Newton Peck, Syd Hoff...

I can smell each book and know how long I have had the book, when and where I read it last. I also began to panic thinking of all the books and stories and poems that I have not yet shared.

I used to think that as well as my kids were growing up. Where will I tell these stories, poems...who will be my audience? For years it has been my school kids, now it will become my traveling audience, college classrooms and even my blog site.

This I do know. Most of the books went into my storage boxes. I could not part with them. They are friends, old and new, and we go out together.