Veteran's Day

I am on campus early this morning when a young man in uniform walks towards me. We are about to pass when I stop him. He is in the Air Force. He is young. He is proud. He is strong. I can barely speak, "Thank you," I say, and then I repeat it. He nods and we both move on.

For my grandfather, uncles, brother...those who came before and those who will come after, I speak the same words, "Thank you."

"Hunting with my Dad"

This was photo was taken in 1945 of my Dad and his brothers.
From left to right: Richard (my Dad), Keith, Jim and Jerry.

Today is my dad's birthday. He would have been 84. This is a photo, as you can see, from 1945.

My dad left behind stories and books and poems that I now treasure in my studio. The other day one of his poems slipped out of a folder, "Hunting with my Dad." 

This past week Jonah brought home his first deer to the family table. I wove the hunting poem with stories of family traditions of hunting. I hope you enjoy the column. It was a labor of love.

Please click here for the story. 

http://www.kpcnews.com/columnists/lou_ann_homan-saylor/kpcnews/article_d7e1b218-dc41-55b5-99c0-0c0b3699c460.html

Autumn's Light Through My Window...

With most of the leaves gone from the bushes and trees around my house, there is now space for the light of the sun to shine through. These prisms decorate all my downstairs windows and when the light is perfect, I take a wooden spoon and give a little tap on each prism. The walls of my house begin to dance as rainbows beams of life cast of the colors.

Sometimes I wonder if this could be true of writers. Are you not trapped among bushes and trees which causes delay in writing? Could these bushes or trees be physical or emotional? Could they be a part in modern living with cell phones and Facebook calling us? 

Just some thoughts for a cold, but sunny Saturday.

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.