I live very much in 'the country' nowadays. In exploring our community the past few years we have connected with many wonderful folks. Among other things, we have learned how to access local food providers (really healthy stuff). And we have also become steady and returning visitors of many county events and festivals.
This year I have been discovering the local arts community. I had no idea! There are only 13,000 people in my whole county. But the artists congregate regularly from surrounding areas to showcase their talents. And in some cases have been so nice as to allow me to do a few readings from Land Run.
I have met musicians, writers, and artists who have spent their whole lives entertaining others in our community. The other night I watched an elderly man, with a belt full of harmonicas, play songs you know and some he made up himself. In between sets he told some stories and poems that had me laughing SO hard. The jokes were probably older than him but so fresh in the telling.
Anyhow, I just want to send out an encouragement to you to check these things out in your own communities. They are surely out there and you will be so glad you did!
- Sometimes your local arts council is a great place to start.
"The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me." - Lev. 25:23
Monday, June 27, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
GREAT BRITAIN: Across the Pond! And Something About a Patriot
I ran into some great folks in England that have been so kind as to include my short story, The Patriot, in their collection of fiction. There is also a short review of the writing (very thankful for that as well). There is a lot of great information on current books, reviews, and other writings I am having fun reading on the Lost in Fiction website. Please click below and check them out as soon as you can - you will be glad you did. :-)
LOST IN FICTION
FYI - This short story is a piece of character development for the current novel I am working on... ;-)
LOST IN FICTION
FYI - This short story is a piece of character development for the current novel I am working on... ;-)
Sunday, June 19, 2011
HAPPY FATHERS DAY!
I got a pre-fathers day...day. The kids took me to the state history museum and then to the pool. I'm not certain that the second place was for me really. ;-) My 8 year old son asked me later what I liked best at the museum. There was so much there that I had to think about it. I found that I really did have a favorite. They had two actual pirate swords on display from ships sunk off the coast in the late 1600's. It was just...cool.
I am thinking that 8 years is a nice age to be. So much, I guess, we carry that year with us well into adulthood. Maybe so that we don't miss the experience of anything.
Happy Fathers Day!
I am thinking that 8 years is a nice age to be. So much, I guess, we carry that year with us well into adulthood. Maybe so that we don't miss the experience of anything.
Happy Fathers Day!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
One of Those Days...
Ever have one of those really good days? I had one of those today. Not the kind where everything went right and topped off by some quiet, space to read, and watching a great film with your loved one. Not the kind where you are watching your child blow the candles out and then playing with her friends in the yard on a warm sunny day.
Instead - the kind that come in retrospection and introspection. I once had a job where for 2 solid years I held a 70 hour work week - for 80 cents and hour. They told me when/where to sleep, what to eat, what to wear. Where I complained almost every day. And they woke me up at weird hours to do some pretty crazy stuff. Oh, and with instructions that if I ever left the job, I would go to jail. Today, I keep a large photo of that Coast Guard patrol boat in my cubical at work. To remind me of the best job I ever had.
Like that - today was the normal grind. But somehow I was able to see what I had at the same time I had it. You know what I mean? Not the stuff...we know its just stuff, that will cost again to fix or replace. Not the leisure...I had none of that. But an awareness came to me anew of the intangible but certain eternal prize that is mine, faith and its rewards. Being the owner of that...well, I could look to the obstructions, troubling factors and people with confidence. What could someone that lucky do except to sincerely wish the same great wealth upon them? So I asked my benefactor to hook them up. You know, because the pressure is off. I can more than afford to do it.
Have a great day! :-)
Note: Land Run is on backorder just about everywhere - but distribution will be to the rescue very soon. So please don't let that stop you - go on and reserve your copy. :-)
Instead - the kind that come in retrospection and introspection. I once had a job where for 2 solid years I held a 70 hour work week - for 80 cents and hour. They told me when/where to sleep, what to eat, what to wear. Where I complained almost every day. And they woke me up at weird hours to do some pretty crazy stuff. Oh, and with instructions that if I ever left the job, I would go to jail. Today, I keep a large photo of that Coast Guard patrol boat in my cubical at work. To remind me of the best job I ever had.
Like that - today was the normal grind. But somehow I was able to see what I had at the same time I had it. You know what I mean? Not the stuff...we know its just stuff, that will cost again to fix or replace. Not the leisure...I had none of that. But an awareness came to me anew of the intangible but certain eternal prize that is mine, faith and its rewards. Being the owner of that...well, I could look to the obstructions, troubling factors and people with confidence. What could someone that lucky do except to sincerely wish the same great wealth upon them? So I asked my benefactor to hook them up. You know, because the pressure is off. I can more than afford to do it.
Have a great day! :-)
Note: Land Run is on backorder just about everywhere - but distribution will be to the rescue very soon. So please don't let that stop you - go on and reserve your copy. :-)
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Freedom and GoodReads
I have been involved in some discussions lately on Goodreads. A very fun place on the Internet for book-lovers - I highly recommend it! I was participating in a review of a and older Russian novel written during the early Soviet years. The author, Bulgakov, was sometimes subtle, other times not so subtle in his...well...rebellion. I found that Stalin liked his plays so never killed him (as he did so many others).
So this writer, like so many, was always chasing truth as an individual. The thought of writing to conform is distasteful to writers. If they are not repulsed by this idea - they would at least see it as a pointless venture. Like a macro-economics student being asked to draw 100 graphs...based on the premise of 'all things being equal". (okay, still a little bitter about that ;-)
Anyhow, I am thinking a lot of writers through history...you know, just guys and gals seeking truth in story. They wrote in their times, be it the French or American revolution. The Soviet or Post-Soviet period. Pre-Mao, Post-Mao. Every little or large country, any time and place. Any cultural or market pressures demanding conformity. Any government.
They wrote in freedom. If they had to veil truth or not...it was always there. If it wasn't there would be no reason to write. They would simply have set their pens down. Writers....are free. Maybe that's why so many do such good work in prison. Freedom plus freedom from distraction. ;-) Picture Bunyan in his damp little stone cell for years...blissfully completing his allegorical masterpiece.
So this writer, like so many, was always chasing truth as an individual. The thought of writing to conform is distasteful to writers. If they are not repulsed by this idea - they would at least see it as a pointless venture. Like a macro-economics student being asked to draw 100 graphs...based on the premise of 'all things being equal". (okay, still a little bitter about that ;-)
Anyhow, I am thinking a lot of writers through history...you know, just guys and gals seeking truth in story. They wrote in their times, be it the French or American revolution. The Soviet or Post-Soviet period. Pre-Mao, Post-Mao. Every little or large country, any time and place. Any cultural or market pressures demanding conformity. Any government.
They wrote in freedom. If they had to veil truth or not...it was always there. If it wasn't there would be no reason to write. They would simply have set their pens down. Writers....are free. Maybe that's why so many do such good work in prison. Freedom plus freedom from distraction. ;-) Picture Bunyan in his damp little stone cell for years...blissfully completing his allegorical masterpiece.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Book Signing Event!
Hey folks! Have the first scheduled Book Event! There may be some events coming in after this that are scheduled sooner - but I will update everyone as they come in.
If you are available - please pencil this in and swing by! And by all means - tell your friends. :-)
It's a great bookstore and hang-out - only wish I lived closer.
JULY 8 - 6:00-8:00 P.M.
Click on link below for bookstore information. Also, check back as there will be more promotional information available in the comingt weeks.
STORYTELLER BOOKSTORE
If you are available - please pencil this in and swing by! And by all means - tell your friends. :-)
It's a great bookstore and hang-out - only wish I lived closer.
JULY 8 - 6:00-8:00 P.M.
Click on link below for bookstore information. Also, check back as there will be more promotional information available in the comingt weeks.
STORYTELLER BOOKSTORE
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)