Ellouisestory

Paperwork

2012-01-29T12:57:00.002-05:00

Meditation
collage
e. schoettler

Trying to catch up with paperwork.
I have come to the place where its so overdue - I can throw some away.
Now that's not all bad.
Would be better if I saw that in the first place and did not hang on to it.
To Clutter up the desk, the dining room table and my mind.

I need to remind myself who's boss here

I make these to-do lists myself.

Well, lady, its time to ease up a bit.

Do you cut yourself some slack?

Red Socks

2012-01-27T23:00:00.000-05:00

You have to love red socks!

Feeling very with-it tonight. I ordered my groceries from www.Safeway.com today. Did not to leave the house to finish my shopping. Tomorrow the truck will come and the driver will carry the bags into tthe house. Wow. $9.95 fee for that strikes me as reasonable. I saved more than that in the impulse spending I could not do. A new era dawns.

And - - it saves on gas and reduces our carbon foot print.

That sounds like four birds with one stone to me!

Keeping it Cool

2012-01-26T11:09:00.001-05:00

The latest slogan around is Old is the New Cool. At 75 I agree - but there is also a hitch. Old also has powerful surprises in store and getting old is not for the faint hearted.

For the time being Jim and I are some what home bound as he recovers from what turned out to be a small stroke.

We are so fortunate - it was an infarct - a small clot - - which is now dissolving. At first he could not say clearly what he was thinking and his balance was off -- he became a fall risk. Anyone who has experienced this knows how frustrating it is for the patient and everyone else - and how scary the question "will it get better" is.

In Jim's case - with the assistance of a physical therapist and a speech therapist who come to our house, a nurse who checks in and good doctors things are turning out well. God Bless Medicare and our health insurance.

Oh, did I mention me - as the full time Nurse Ratchett. I come free.

We have learned a few things:

Keep everything simple from cooking to household chores.

Keep laughing and stay engaged with the outside world through TV, computer and telephone - avoid the
    feeling of isolation as much as you can.

Keeping up with the treatment schedule is a challenge. 3 therapists (who come to the home), a nurse,   and an aide - plus visits outside to doctors. We can't move without consulting our calendar. Fortunately my career includes several jobs where I organized and coordinated challenging projects - - all that experience is coming in handy these days. Everyone does their calendars differently - just be sure you have one ---and oh, yes, keep the phone numbers. My brain these days is a hot pink composition book. I write everything in it.

Order groceries - Turn back the clock to your grandmother's day and sign up for Safeway and/or Giant delivery. Fortunately we have it in our area as well as pharmacies that bring medications to the door.

Make every trip to a doctor a stop and shop trip as well. I have started to plan my routes in order to
   pick up other stuff we need. Jim has become a patient car-sitter while I dash in and out of pharmacies, cleaners, and grocery stores.

Work with the therapist - our grand-daughter helps Jim with the speech-therapy homework, our son
   added newspapers and games to the iPad for Jim, Scrabble is a great game for word recognition and
   problem solving, also cross word puzzles. Physical therapy exercises are good time fillers.

The computer is a blessing for keeping up with work and staying in-touch.

You need help. Don't be afraid to ask for it. Our family has been wonderful. Bringing in groceries, doing dishes, carrying in wood, etc. etc. One night our son proved himself a good plumber so that I could keep washing. Our daughters scan the scene and just do what needs doing. And all of them visit frequently - laughter and conversation and hugs are great medicine.

Friends too. Prayers, wonderful cards and messages, and phone calls - because I can tell you from first   hand - - the home-bound feel isolated - not just the patient but the spouse too. Something I never fully understood before. The old saying, "not until you walk in my shoes" is very real and true.
From the care-giver's side - there is not enough time in the day to get it all done.

However - its all worth it if you keep your eye on the prize.

Maybe that's the cool in old.

A Texas Welcome

2012-01-24T22:52:00.000-05:00

Now, that's a real Texas long horn!

Better and Better

2012-01-23T22:03:00.000-05:00

Hard to believe that Jim was released from the hospital two weeks ago today. We have been so busy settling into a new routine that the days have telescoped into each other.

For years we have said that this was a good house because it had a potential apartment on the ground floor - but you know I never really thought we would use these rooms as an apartment. Never say Never. Its working quite well and living in this smaller space has convinced Jim and me that we really do not need the whole house - and maybe we will move - once we fill several dumpsters.

But first we are learning some valuable lessons. An unexpected upset in your life gives you some some new perspectives on what is really important.

I find that I get along just fine with fewer clothes - alternating several outfits and washing every night. Sure the rest of my wardrobe is upstairs and I could easily retrieve it - but why? That's just the tip of the iceberg. There is so much stuff - our treasures - filling our house and these days we get along perfectly well without any of it.

The real benefit is that Jim and I are together being there for each other as he gets better.
Its a beautiful time. People ask us how does it feel to be married to the same person for more than fifty years..... its richer than we ever imagined it would be. We are grateful.

Aesop and EEOV

2012-01-22T20:13:00.001-05:00

Tonight I am selecting and practicing stories to tape tomorrow for Stories in Time
on Channel 16 and have decided to tell a few Aesop Fables. Re-reading and finding myself noticing and attracted to new fables.

How about Belling the Cat - for a relevant moral. The mice need a way to be warned when the cat is creeping up on them. Several smart one say, "lets put a bell around her neck."

"Good idea," they all agree until a wise elder asks the question -
"Who will put the bell around the cat's neck?"

Aesop's moral: "It's easy to come up with ideas but harder to put them into action."

Makes sense to me.

Manoli Canoli

Manoli Canoli is a former Connecticut Avenue Deli that's been redone into a charming Mediterrean-like retreat.

One night this week I had a nice dinner at
Manoli Canoli which is our favorite Chevy Chase restaurant. It reminds us of a neighborhood ristorante you would find in Italy. Over five years it has become a familiar destination for locals and we often see people we know. This gives Manoli Canoli a small town feeling in a large metropolitan area.

Recently Laura Thornton wrote this article for the Chevy Chase Patch and told the story of this place.

Jim and I always order the Caprese for a starter - you know slices of homemade mozzarella cheese and tomatoes, drizzled with the house EVOO made in Greece - topped with fresh basil leaves. YUMMMM!

What's your favorite spot in your neighborhood?

Urban Deer at Lunch

2012-01-21T22:26:00.000-05:00

Urban deer enjoying a mid-afternoon snack of the lawn at the Audubon Naturalist Society, Chevy Chase, MD.

Urban growth, the felling of trees on an acreage to make way for new elegant houses to be exact, displaced their ancestors a dozen years ago and they fled to a near-by refuge of the wooded grounds of the Audubon.

They love to snack on grasses and anything remotely lovely that grows in your yard cutting the leaves precisely with their sharp little teeth.

However, I still love seeing them on our neighborhood street because it makes me feel a bit closer to Nature.

Adjusting

2012-01-18T09:48:00.001-05:00

Life is just full of surprises.

Jim was released from the hospital last Monday.

We expected to step slowly back into our old normal. Well no. Tuesday morning Jim collapsed in the shower and someday it will be a funny story to tell ... it was a Laurel and Hardy routine getting him back on his feet. Clearly something was amiss and they had missed it in the hospital.

This was an MS attack ...we recognize them. more than that we needed help...and he was discharged without orders for in-home assistance. Fortunately Jim's Primary Care doctor intervened and now we do have PT and an OT coming to our home, an occasional nurse, and an aide three times a week to help Jim in the shower.

And Me.

Let me tell you ... The first few days were a nightmare as I worked to get some kind of routine that included all the medical stuff Jim did for himself, taking care of him and all the other stuff that goes along with eating three meals a day and having clean clothes. You know multi-tasking on the grand scale.
Our kids have been wonderful
and we could not have managed without them.

I have learned a few things to share:

Write everything down. Not just the calendar but the daily list of medications you give, medical instructions, grocery lists - the works. Don't rely just on memory. My old itty bitty bit of incompleted nurses training at Johns Hopkins is coming back - so far as charting is concerned. As well as the experience learned from being a professional "coordinator". So ---- this is why I had those jobs.

Think ahead. Allow extra time to get to outside doctor appointments and don't leave things to the last minute because someone who has balance issues cannot move as fast on you do.

Cancel as many things as you can that you had planned to do before all this happened. You cannot leave someone who is a "fall risk" on their own.

Be prepared to do everything in the house yourself while your partner recovers. For instance I am pretty proud that now I can make a decent fire in the wood stove in the den - makes me feel like a pioneer woman.

Simplify! Simplify! Simplify!

Look around for options to make the home situation more recovery friendly. We are fortunate we have a ground level back entrance and rooms Jim used as his office reception area and consultation room with a full bath and the utility room on the same floor. Using a blow-up bed on legs, which is quite comfortable, the consultation room quickly transformed into a bedroom and the reception room is a pleasant living room with a wood stove.

Be realistic. I keep thinking I will get some writing done or practice storytelling or other things. Doesn't happen. The days are filled with routine tasks that are the nuts and bolts of medical recovery.

Be patient. Somedays that is really hard for me. I keep telling myself I am not the first and won't be the last person to face these challenges.

Try to keep laughing! Yesterday I called my bestest friend in PA. She and I have known each other since we were Girl Scouts together in Charlotte, NC. She knows me like few do.

When I was telling her how sweet our neighbor has been - pushing the trash cans up the drive and other things - I said "I feel like I should make a cake to thank."

"oh, Lord Ellouise, how Southern of you. You sound like my mother. Well-- all I can say is - if you do make that cake - - don't forget to crack the coconut yourself and don't scrape your knuckles on the grater and spill blood on the cake as you sprinkle the coconut on the top of the white icing."

We burst out laughing - and laughed and laughed. And I felt better.

Friends are the balm that heals.

NEW Video: Conversation with Storyteller Arianna Ross

2012-01-15T22:16:00.000-05:00

Brenda Starr of the Chevy Chase Patch

2012-01-11T10:19:00.001-05:00

Remember reading comic books? I loved them. Brenda Starr: Reporter was one of my favorites.

I read her adventures and fantasized that I too would write for a newspaper.

The Christmas I was 14 Santa Claus brought me a Kodak brownie camera and I carried it to Piedmont Junior High School and everywhere else so that I could snap pictures of people and places. I never saw the pictures though because I did not have the money to have them developed - remember black and white film. Oh, well!

I still carry a camera in my purse - and fill it with digital images that I post here on this blog. To my way of thinking digital filmless photography is one of the greatest advances of the 20th century. At least in my world.

In 1985 I carried that vivid memory of Brenda Starr as I proudly wore a PRESS PASS for Women Artists News at the UN Conference on Women in Nairobi, Kenya and carried pen and paper everywhere. We did not call in any stories actually but we did have ACCESS to all the events

That's part of why I started my blog six years ago and love this place to write and publish. And, its free.

With that backstory you will understand how delighted I was recently when Laura Thornton, editor of the CHEVY CHASE PATCH invited me to be a blogger on her paper.
CHEVY CHASE PATCH is one of the on line local newspapers that are part of the nationwide PATCH system. Here is my first post.

I will be posting once a week and my head is swirling with ideas for covering many local people and places.

Taking pictures, yes, but I am not wearing my camera around my neck - just carrying my iPhone with the camera at the ready.

Be Prepared

2012-01-07T01:58:00.000-05:00

Woman
collage
e. schoettler

This poor woman looks about like I feel right now.
Frazzled.

We are starting out 2012 with some memorable experiences:

A few evenings ago we took a wild ride in a Volunteer Rescue truck-ambulance. Jim was strapped to a stretcher and the stretcher was locked onto the floor of the truck. Me - I was strapped into an upright seat riding backwards as the ambulance bumped and lurched up and down metro Washington streets toward Sibley Hospital making me slightly nauseous. It felt like riding a worn out carnival attraction. Except - - there were four really capable folks in charge taking care of the situation. And, I was glad to be with them.

Why did I call an ambulance instead of driving him myself? Well, not because I wanted this excitement or a scene outside our front door when the ambulance - with red lights flashing - drove up and spilled out the stretcher and the four EMT folks. I called them because Jim was in pain - severe pain - that was new - in his abdomen - we had no idea what it was - and I was afraid to take him in case something untoward would happen that I could not handle while I was driving. All the medical folks I have talked to have assured me I made the right decision. SO - - I am passing this along. Maybe our experience will serve you well some day.

Here are other bits of advice.

Take food when you go to an Emergency Room - because you are going to be there for a L O N G time - and by the time you think about your being hungry - all cafeterias will be closed and your only choices will be stale in a tall class snack machine. Oh, yes, hopefully you have change or you will be locked out of that food. I wish I had packed some sandwiches while we were waiting for the Rescue truck to arrive.

Take your toothbrush - you'll feel better eventually because you have it with you.

Take a computer - or iPad or anything else that will connect to the internet - so you can do work, read your email and Facebook or, hey, watch movies streaming on Netflix. Most hospitals have Wi Fi.

Take any medicines you take regularly in the evening if you are not the patient.

If you can, take a notebook and pen or pencil so you can catch the stories all around you.

In other words, remember the Scout Motto - BE PREPARED.

Changes

2012-01-03T10:05:00.000-05:00

Our life has changed.

It seemed to happen slowly - but I think what really happened is that I refused to acknowledge the changes as they occurred and built up.

Jim and I live with Cancer
- and many times it distorts your view of your world.
Jim's cancer came back November two years ago. The new tumors were situated in such a way that more surgery to remove them was not an option. For those two years a program of chemo maintenance kept the tumors at bay. Then last summer for good reason the doctor thought a vacation from Chemo was in order to give Jim's body a rest. Within two months the tumors became active again. The old drug was not effective and they have been trying a new chemo drug. We can't tell about its effect on the tumors yet - but we can see the toll it is taking on Jim. Recovering while battling cancer is tough. You need support and more physical help than you like.

The first new trouble began in Texas. This past November we went to Texas so that I could tell stories at the George West Storytelling Festival. And, so that Jim and I could re-visit San Antonio where we lived with our young children in the late 1950s. Our son Jimmy and his wife Monica came with us for the first several days in San Antonio and it was a delicious time - remembering and telling family stories and touching base with old memories in a new way - showing Jimmy where we lived and where his Daddy worked.

The storytelling festival was Fun. People were lovely. Stories were great. But--- behind the scenes Jim began having more discomfort than before and it was difficult to paste on a smile and hide our situation - especially far from home and the doctors we trust - even though Jim often doubles as his own doctor - and does a real fine job at it.

That ramped up the stress. It was like living two realities.

That was early November.

Since then things have continued to change and I can't pretend any longer that they haven't.

You see - I am a spoiled woman. A feminist yes, but a spoiled woman all the same - because Jim was always standing tall beside me and I leaned on him.

Now we are swapping roles a bit - and this is one spoiled woman who is having to stand tall - it is my turn to BE THERE and let Jim lean my way while he gathers his strength to work with the drugs.

Priorities are shifting.

My lists are changing.

I am changing.

For a start - I am taking off my phoney smile - - - smiling honestly and grateful for the real blessings in my life - and I am telling the truth - -

Second, I am rethinking my choices - about the two things I am most truly passionate about -Jim and storytelling.

For the time being - its Jim first, storytelling second -
Cutting back on a few things -
focusing on the ones I really want to do.
i.e.
The New Front Porch radio show, my TV shows, some performances,

Last year I celebrated my Diamond Jubilee
to walk in my own footsteps, tell the old stories and gather new ones.

This year, like many an Academic - - I am taking a sabbatical -
a breather -
to re-examine my BRAND -
answer questions like
HOW do I want to be a storyteller
and
WHAT STORIES do I want to tell.

maybe I will tell a few stories about that.

More will be revealed
but I can promise one thing
Jim will be at the CENTER of it all.

Thinning Out

2012-01-02T23:59:00.001-05:00

Pages from an old 1950s Charlotte Observer that I had saved in a box in my studio finally see the light of day again in this collage. I clung to those pages for years as if by keeping them I would never lose those past days.

Funny - once I used some of the stack I had been preserving in a series of small collages it felt all right to toss the rest away.

Holding on is one of my problems. Perhaps its a hang-over from my mother's "depression - era" thinking about things. She used to say that we could not understand because we had not lived through those times.
I am sure that's true.

However I lived through some tough times with Mama and Daddy which left me clutching useless things for protection even though I did not need to. Then on top of that I embraced collage making - which requires collecting and storing the world's discards - ditritus to be transformed into art.

For some time - holding on - is something I have wanted to face and work on - - to turn that holding on into letting go - and see what happens. People say you open doors for new work and new ideas when you stop holding on to old ideas and old materials. We shall see.

Recently I accepted help with thinning the accumulated "stuff" that has been overwhelming us in the house we have lived in for more than 40 years. My studio was a particularly tough job. At first it was extremely difficult to toss useless possibilities into the trash bags - until I began to see space opening up on shelves that had been stacked and packed with bits and pieces.

We found forgotten things - bringing back memories - resurrecting stories. All that had been buried - out of sight - hidden - robbing me of parts of myself.

I am still sorting and sifting and tossing - - feeling lighter.

Its a feeling I want to continue.

Happy New Year - Looking for Blue Skies.

2012-01-01T11:17:00.001-05:00

starting 2012
looking for blue skies
smooth sailing
and
happy times.

Wishing the same for you!

the sun is shining
skies are blue
taking stock
and feeling grateful for the blessings in our life.

Jim and the family first

then looking ahead to several projects
which will keep me hopping
and learning new tricks

stories to tell
at Friendship in February
Stone Soup Storytelling Festival
in April
Pushing Boundaries - my ERA memoir -
here in DC
in March.

dusting off my textiles
to be part of a show
at the Ratner Museum in February

plus the TV shows
and talking to folks on the
New Front Porch
on World of Storytelling Radio
the technical issues for the radio
show have had such
a steep learning curve that
people probably think I have dropped
that ball.
No way.

would you say - that even as I
cut out a few things
my dance card is full.

no New Years Resolutions this year
just telling myself to
keep "balancing"
so that what's most important
Jim and family
are always at the top of the list.

where they belong.

56 Years and a Video Story: The Wedding Dress

2011-12-30T19:17:00.001-05:00

Ellouise and Jim Schoettler

56 Years ago today

December 30, 1955
Assumption Catholic Church
Charlotte, NC

I tell a story - The Wedding Dress - about the dress in the picture.
To celebrate our Anniversary I am posting a video version of the story - it took almost 40 years for the story to jell.

This is a true story that was talked about in our family from the day I purchased my dream wedding dress in a thrift shop in Fresno, CA. The story blossomed with each new life-change - my daughter's wedding to the births of her children. That's one of the joys of family stories - they grow and change with life.

This telling was recorded in 2009 for the Stories in Time TV program. I often tell it because I love it.
My daughter Robin Schoettler Fox is a writer. She published her version of this story.

NEW VIDEO: Conversation with storyteller Elizabeth Ellis

2011-12-28T23:33:00.000-05:00

Texas storyteller Elizabeth Ellis came to town and we had a chance to chat on camera at Channel 16 for Stories in Focus. Not surprising that this conversation is loaded with just what you expect from Elizabeth, wisdom and good conversation. Enjoy.

NEW VIDEO: Conversation with storyteller Adam Booth

2011-12-22T09:10:00.000-05:00

Recently my friend Adam Booth came to town and we had fun with a conversation about storytelling on camera at Channel 16 for Stories in Focus - - with the plus of one of Adam's stories. Hope you enjoy it.

Video: Christmas Traditions

2011-12-20T14:16:00.001-05:00

5 days until Christmas

Do you remember how slowly
time moved when you were a kid?
Now it flies by - - -

In this video I have tied an old English poem, a sweet personal memory and a bit of history together for a story.

Traditions are passed down from generation to generation in our families. Sometimes we are lucky enough to know where they come from.

Re-Gifting - 2

2011-12-18T10:01:00.000-05:00

Jim and I are not
shopping in the Malls this year
and
to tell you the truth
it is a relief

Sticking to
shopping at home
has taken us quite a while
to select the gifts

The first rule for Re-gifting
is that
the gifts have to be carefully chosen
otherwise
its just clearing out

so we have taken a lot of time
to think
about the people we are giving to
and
to choose gifts that speak of them

Believe it or not - this is harder
it takes more effort
to re-gift
than to pick up the new and shiny
in a store

Second rule:
you have to be
willing
to part with one of the treasures.

Thinking it would simplify things
I suggested we decide on a theme
- - books - -

Strangely that did not make the chosing
easier
it made it more difficult.

its taken quite a bit of sifting and rummaging
to find just the one
a book -
that connects with each person
from the ones that Jim and I have loved
and kept

But voila

last night we finished the list
today
we wrap!

After Christmas
I will
post the titles along with the who and why of our choices.

Hope you have
also completed your shopping
and moved on
to wrapping.

Happy Holidays.

Nanny's Christmas Ditty

2011-12-16T17:31:00.001-05:00

Nanny's Old English Christmas Ditty

Playing with another way to tell as story or a bit of a story. Lots to learn - that's for sure - but it really is fun.

If my friends, Bernadette Nason and Geraldine Buckley had recorded Nanny's little bit they would be charming you with their wonderful, authentic British accents. However, when Nanny taught it to me she spoke with a very fine North Carolina soft drawl - even though Elizabeth Grose, her London-born grandmother must have been speaking the "King's English" when she taught it to Nanny.

First, I recorded the "ditty" into Garage Band - then selected the picture, a photo I took outside Gettysburg and later digitally altered - used IMovieHD to create the "movie".

What's not to love about technology!

A Different Prayer

2011-12-15T22:27:00.001-05:00

Collaged Book
collage
e.schoetttler

I made this book
from magazine scraps
the night before Jim
had serious surgery
20 years ago.

Worried and afraid
I worked all night
at the kitchen table
snipping colored scraps
from a magazine
hardly knowing what I was doing
just following an instinct
to make a pattern of images.

These days I am once again
worried and afraid
for Jim
cancer a mean and silent menace
after two years of quiet
has re-emerged
and is threatening.

These nights I use technology
for diversion
learning new skills
editing audio files for
The New Front Porch radio program
or watching streaming Net Flix
movies into the wee hours.

Whatever I am doing
is a prayer for healing.

Story too is prayer
gathering
bits of love
precious moments
memories
to
stitch a healing shawl.

Collage and noodling

2011-12-14T22:44:00.000-05:00

Altered Card Series
collage
e. schoettler

Whenever
I don't have anything
to write about
I pull up a picture.

Don't they say
a picture is worth
1000 words?

Guess what they are - - -
wish I knew.

Pride and Prejudice at Round House Theater

2011-12-13T21:40:00.001-05:00

Round House Theater production of Pride and Prejudice.

Sometimes an impulse really turns out well.The reviews have been so outstanding that Jim and I decided to give an afternoon with Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy to our local family for a holiday treat. It did not disappoint - the reviews led us well - a delightful afternoon.

First: the set was marvelous - a large rotating box - a doll's house - that opened to the different rooms. Action took place in and around it. The movement created a very enjoyable and dynamic environment.

Second: an excellent cast who were obviously enjoying the play and playing it. I doubt anyone would disagree when I say that the A&E version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice sets a gold standard for presenting the story and characters - for me no one can top Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy. That said - I want to credit this cast with a very fine job.

Third: For this production the interpretation was totally true to the book and Jane Austen's words however it chose to draw the focus to the humor in the story. To do that Mrs. Bennet was a larger focus of the action and the actor playing her was perfect in drawing her larger than life. The audience loved her.

Makes me want to re-read the book to follow their train of thought in working out this delicious adaptation.

Another plus was the "talk back" with the cast after the show - good questions from the audience brought forth some interesting answers from the cast. I was particularly interested to learn that the principals, who have done the play together before, often change some of their scenes - i. e. the proposal-
as a way to keep their performances fresh and spontaneous.

An afternoon at the theater - so satisfying and invigorating to be drawn into another world. I walked out of the theater wanting to come back to see it again. Hmmmm, who knows.....

Sisters

2011-12-12T23:53:00.002-05:00

1. A sweet memory to add to my collection as I review 2011.

Ellouise and Lynda in Granny's front yard at 2308 E. 7th Street.
circa 1942

During WWII Daddy joined the US Army Air Force. We were so proud to wear these "over-seas" hats he gave us. And, we worked hard to learn a proper salute.

When I was in Charlotte this past February I told the story of the day I started the first grade at Elizabeth School for an assembly of first and second grade students. Elizabeth is the school where Daddy took me the on the first day of school and then left for the "war." Being back at Elizabeth School is one of the sweet memories from this past year.

My sister Lynda lives in North Carolina and I talk to her often. Sometimes we talk about the "old-days" and share memories of people who are gone -- but mostly we share the "dailies" of our lives so that we know each other well today. We laugh, exchange recipes and talk about our grandchildren. I am grateful for her friendship and appreciate and admire this loving, compassionate woman - - - who is my sister.

Three Beautiful Things

2011-12-11T23:21:00.003-05:00

1. Grandson Dan's high school football team won the North Coast Championship game last night in an exciting cliff hanger game. Today they were selected to compete in the CA High School Bowl Game next week-end in Southern CA against a team from Fresno. Ahhhhh the excitement continues.

2. A Christmas treat for our family group here in MD was an afternoon at Round House Theater for the well-reviewed Pride and Prejudice. Its a favorite for all of us and this production did not disappoint. Supper afterwards at a local La Madeliene so we could review the play - - 4 thumbs up.

3. Grateful Jim is feeling better after a really rough ten days. Thanks be to God.

Re-gifting

2011-12-09T11:21:00.002-05:00

A Williamsburg Wreath to keep the spirit of Christmas in mind.

16 days until Christmas.

Will I shop?
I don't think so - unless it is at home.

I am not a Mall person.
Actually dislike the jostling crowds
and the over-whelming temptations
that have me bending and breaking my plastic cards.

I think I will carefully select
and re-gift
items I already have.

Nothing wrong with that - -

Give items I once loved
that have been gathering dust
A second chance.

It will be a kind of
Occupy ---
a sharing
if you will.

I can tell you one thing

Jim will approve.

This will be a Christmas
for appreciating
the richness
of the blessings we already have.

Jim is my greatest gift.

What's your's.

Video, Quilting, and Reviewing the Year.

2011-12-07T10:24:00.001-05:00

"Air Vigilante", one of my favorite stories, told here at a House Concert with Bernadette Nason. Such a lovely day!

As this year winds down
its nice to remember
the sweet moments
of the months just past.

Do you do that?

Its like picking out the happiest
and prettiest
scraps
when piecing a quilt.

I tell a story, "The Cussing Cover"
where when a woman made a quilt
she sewed in all the heat
of a bitter quarrel with her husband.

Seems to me
its makes more sense
to sew in all the love you can gather
and sleep
wrapped in that comforting warmth.

Grateful for:

2011-12-04T18:37:00.001-05:00

Here's looking at you, kid.

Grateful for:
Delicious homemade chocolates from MyLinda. Yummmmmm.
Not something one receives every day.

But mostly for:
Thoughtful compassionate children.
and
Dearest Jim.

Master Class, Storytelling Concert & 7

2011-12-03T23:08:00.001-05:00

Seven
collage
e. schoettler

Tired tonight. Its been a very satisfying day - story wise true - - but I produced it and that is tiring.

Started the day early with completing the tasks for producing Plot to Narrative - Elizabeth Ellis' new workshop. Great project, loaded with information that can help storytellers jump their stories up several notches. Its great - and I recommend you find one of these days with Elizabeth and sign up. She leaves you empowered to develop stories to be proud of.

Her storytelling concert tonight was excellent. The group gathered in the intimate Kensington Row Bookstore - a space that complements the storytelling art form.
Any time with Elizabeth Ellis telling stories is FINE!

Shower of Gold

2011-11-30T18:15:00.000-05:00

Sometimes its hard to recognize blessings when they fall on you.

Story is the Family Connector

2011-11-28T08:31:00.001-05:00

Gus Keasler:
Clemson College Football Team - 1904

This year I discovered my grand-father, Gus Keasler. I tell his story in
Finding Gus . He was a missing link in our family. Finding him answered questions and it opened doors.

But perhaps most important knowing Gus provides a wonderful hook to connect his time and our family today.

Clemson College Football Team - 1904
20 year old Gus Keasler is sitting in the center of the front row.

This year for the first time I am following the Clemson Football team and rooting for them. Proud and happy for them over their strong season - because I feel connected to them. I know that Gus is there with them when they play their home games - he is remembered on a brick on the terrace where the players enter the field.
Gus Keasler, 1904, 1905 - - -

Have you ever noticed that at half-time on TV Clemson shows pictures of their historic teams? I can't help but feel it as a "southern" thing. And, I am grateful for it. Its that same impulse that brought me to storytelling and holds me there - the need to tell the stories of my family and to connect the threads of the past to today.

For instance: our grandson is a Senior in a California High School. He plays on a football team that
everyone thought would place last in their city. But never under-estimate the under-dogs, right?
These guys have proved themselves to be the "little team that could." They finished first in their city league - undefeated - and have won two of the bigger State play-off games against much stronger teams. Next week they tackle an even tougher challenge. Its like a chapter from the popular TV show, Friday Night Lights.

I look at our Dan wearing his sleek blue and white well-padded uniform - and I think of Gus. It makes me happy to tell Dan about his great, great grandfather - a South Carolina farm boy who was recruited to Clemson by the fabled John Heisman 107 years ago when football was in its infancy. Just as Gus lives in his story - - - I believe he lives in Dan.

You see - - I believe that if you know the stories and connect them - they will both live on and on and on - adding new pieces as time goes on.

A Tradition and more

2011-11-27T09:51:00.000-05:00

Willliamsburg Wreath re-dux

To celebrate Advent I am going to post a series photos of Williamsburg Christmas Wreaths until Christmas.
I took these photos in 2005 - the year our family gathered in Williamsburg to celebrate Jim's and my 50th wedding anniversary.

Williamsburg Wreath - 2005
Photo: e.schoettler

Today the annual Christmas Tree sale opened outside our church. The pungent perfume of the piles of fresh cut spruce and fir triggered many memories.

Here is a story about the Christmas of 1949 -

Thinking of Charles Kuralt, storyteller with a Video

2011-11-25T17:55:00.002-05:00

The Night the Stars Fell, e. schoettler, collage

My friend Jennie called to share her delight at listening to an old audio tape of Charles Kuralt reading from his book, On the Road.

Born and bred in North Carolina Charles Kuralt was the kind of consummate storyteller I grew up around. After he graduated from the University of North Carolina - ( Chapel Hill, will do for those who know and love it ) Kuralt returned to Charlotte to begin his career as a journalist. He found stories at every turn and he carried his ability to capture ordinary people into his career in NYC - - - it resulted in his famous and well-loved "On the Road" television program.

Hearing his voice brings me back to earlier days in Charlotte and reminds me of my debt to and appreciation for Kuralt's ability to translate the ordinary into "story".

Life - Mixed Blessings

2011-11-24T12:42:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving

A time for gathering a few memories.

Going with my grandmother to Morrisson Farms to pick out the turkey from those clucking in the

farm yard. Once it was tagged she would return in several days to pick it up - plucked and ready

for her roasting pan.

Favorite dishes: sweet potato casserole, dressing - hot on Thanksgiving and cold next day,

jellied cranberry - for years I thought you could only eat that at Thanksgiving, now I serve it

year round and ambrosia - with coconut.

Jim and I will celebrate our 56th wedding anniversary December 30 - so this is our 58th Thanksgiving together. We often talk about the first - when a Hopkins Nursing School classmate and I cooked a dinner for Jim and his room-mate. He married me later dispite the biscuits that day which could have doubled as hockey pucks. Since then I serve delicious biscuits --- from a tube.

Another turkey memory. A few years ago I invited a gaggle of folks got Thanksgiving Dinner.

Bought the Turkey - frozen - the day before - - -a twenty four pound turkey does not thaw in a

minute. My daughter Karen and I sat up all night running warm water over the "bird" - inside and

out - so that I could cook it Thanksgiving morning. It worked but I don't recommend it.

This year I will not be cooking the Turkey. My cousins are bringing the dinner - ready for the table - and it is a wonderful blessing.

We have many blessings to celebrate today - but Jim's health is not one of them.

His cancer has returned. Back on Chemo which we hope will soon take hold and suppress things. At the moment he feels lousy. Please remember him in your prayers.

Tweet Tweet

2011-11-23T22:35:00.000-05:00

When I am just out of words

I call up a bit of this and a bit of that

to tweet for me.

Touching Base with History

2011-11-22T22:59:00.000-05:00

Stepping into today's history:

We flew to San Antonio with a group of service men and women returning from duty in Iraq.

At the airport we watched as two young children holding balloons ran into their mother's arms to welcome her home.

So we stumbled upon one aspect of the history of today -

We also revisited our own history.

Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX was Jim's first assignment when he was drafted into the Air Force in 1958. Maybe some will recall there was a "doctor draft" in those days so Jim knew that as soon as he completed his internship he would be called up - commissioned a Captain. He was assigned to this very building which was the School of Medicine for his training as a Flight Surgeon.

Bringing our history up-to-date:

Our son was 2 and half when we moved to Texas.

Because Jim was an Officer we had a blue decal on the front and rear bumpers of our green Ford Station Wagon. When we drove through the front gates the guard spotted that decal, staightened to attention and snapped a salute. Jimmy loved that. Standing on the front seat of the car next to me he would stand straighter and snap a salute back to the guard. Then he'd laugh!

This afternoon Jimmy was driving. When we entered the gate the guard came forward , " ID please." When Jimmy handed his ID to the guard he eyed it, then straightened to attention and snapped a salute.

"Have a nice afternoon, Colonel."

We all laughed.

After our visit to Randolph AFB we drove around to the other side of town to visit Brooks Air Force Base - now decomissioned and called Brooks City-Base

In 1959 the School of Medicine moved from Randolph AFB to Brooks AFB into these new buildings. Once he had completed his training as a Flight Surgeon Jim as assigned to the faculty at the new School of Aerospace Medicine. This was the early days of the new space effort and they were conducting research and experiments to determine how the human

body would acclimate to space, pressures, isolation and many other aspects of space flight. Jim was assigned to teach a course in Aerospace Medicine and he tells us today that he essentially made it up as he went along.

Space talk was in the air. And a friend and I got caught up in it. We had been in a writers group in Baltimore and we decided to interview the wives of the astronaut candidates to find out how they were coping - especially with their husbands being sequestered in the isolation chambers for long periods of time. My friend's mother was a novelist and her NY agent agreed to handle our manuscript. We had just submitted it to him when Commander Alan Shepard was lobbed into space and the whole scene changed - - - making our women's story yesterday's news. But it was a great experience and we agreed we learned a lot from the doing.

A history surprise:
Jim was transferred to his Psychiatry Residency at UNC in Chapel Hill, NC in July1961...and we lost track of the fine points of what happened at the School of Aerospace Medicine.
So we were surprised when one of the current staff mentioned the connection with President John F Kennedy.
We walked around the Bedwell Building, (named for General Bedwell, the Commander when Jim was there) to see this plague.

President Kennedy came to Brooks on November 21, 1963 to dedicate the Bedwell Building and then flew to Dallas. It was his last public speech before he was killed in Dallas.

A note on the phrase: " We threw our cap over the wall":
From Wikipedia:
Frank O'Connor's early years are recounted in An Only Child, a memoir published in 1961 which has the immediacy of a precocious diary. U.S. President John F. Kennedy remarked anecdotally from An Only Child at the conclusion of his speech at the dedication of the Aerospace Medical Health Center in San Antonio on November 21, 1963: "Frank O'Connor, the Irish writer, tells in one of his books how, as a boy, he and his friends would make their way across the countryside, and when they came to an orchard wall that seemed too high and too doubtful to try and too difficult to permit their voyage to continue, they took off their hats and tossed them over the wall--and then they had no choice but to follow them. This nation has tossed its cap over the wall of space and we have no choice but to follow it."[7]

So many threads weave our stories connecting us to history.

Ode to Balancing

2011-11-21T12:09:00.001-05:00

Balance is everything, isn't it
Whether in a piece of art work
or in life
I am trying to remember that
My days would run much smoother if I could.

Somehow I can achieve balance much better in a collage than I can in my life
In the collage I can manage and control even the smallest bits
In life ---
Everything is beyond my control.

It is about how well I can "go with the flow"
or play the hand I am dealt.

It's About Time

2011-11-20T10:00:00.001-05:00

It's About Time
collage
e. schoettler

Life Never Stops - A Collage

2011-11-19T10:48:00.000-05:00

Life never stops

That's how it is around our house -

some days are wonderful, others not so.

We live with Jim's cancer around here - which keeps us on our toes.

You never know when the silent beast will raise its ugly head and stir things up.

Turn on CNN and wallow in stories of other kinds of beasts -

war, rape, murder - election debates that leave me uneasy

actually nervous and scared by threatened cuts to medicare and social security.

On that I know I know I am not alone.

Sunny days and storytelling help me keep the "dementors" away.

Right now our grandson is playing on an undefeated high school football team

that won their first play-off game last night

This team originally expected to rank LAST - keeps charging ahead -
like the little engine that COULD.

The coach said, "I don't know how they are doing it. Maybe we should just leave them alone."

Go Cougars

Keep making your own story.

Lets keep cheering.

Life never stops

Playing two sides of the coin at one time.

NEW Video: Adventure in Kenya

2011-11-17T18:40:00.000-05:00

Storytelling is so great - gives you an opportunity to relive an adventure and even if it was harrowing -
you can see your self in it with better perspective.
Recently when I was one of the storytellers for an event with Better Said Than Done, I told An Adventure in Kenya. It is still so vivid in my memory that it does not see 26 years since the 1985 United Nations in Nairobi - it could have been yesterday.
Really appreciate BSTD Director Jessica Piscitelli - for inviting me as one of the tellers and for this video to share.

New Video: A Conversation with Storyteller Linda Goodman

2011-11-14T08:11:00.000-05:00

Stories in Focus: an interview with storyteller Linda Goodman - plus she tells a wonderful personal story of her childhood.

United4Equality - The 2015 Campaign

2011-11-13T18:02:00.000-05:00

Very happy to tell Pushing Boundaries last night in support of United4Equality and their efforts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.

So comfortable to be back in a group of feminists, male and female who care about this issue. I felt very at home and realized how much I had missed these groups.

My time on the staff of the League of Women Voters was tiring, challenging, exciting and very satisfying. Working on the Equal Rights Amendment made me feel so connected to history - to the connection with the Suffragists.

Carolyn Cook, the Founder of United4Equality, is a woman of passion and determination, on the issue of ERA and reminds me of so many women I knew during the 70s and 80s - who worked for ERA across the country. She is like those women who put their hearts into the Campaign.

I never thought I would have a chance to tell my ERA story to a group of activists continuing the effort to pass the ERA - - - what a wonderful opportunity for my Diamond Jubilee.

Back on the Campaign Trail

2011-11-12T10:57:00.001-05:00

Tonight in Rockville, MD I will be telling Pushing Boundaries, my story of morphing from a 1950s housewife into an ERA activist at a Fundraiser for United 4 Equality.

Carolyn Cook, the founder of United 4 Equality will talk about the campaign to ratify the Amendment by 2015. Carolyn is a woman who is determined and passionate in her efforts to bring equal rights for women into the US Constitution.

Being able to work in support of ERA is another touchstone
for my Diamond Jubilee Year.
I am very happy to share my story in support of a new ERA Campaign because I believe it is a way to gather stories from other Second Wave veterans as well as a way to ignite young women to want to see them selves protected in the US Constitution.

Veterans Day 2011

2011-11-11T10:17:00.001-05:00

Veterans Day - 2011

The Missing Man Memorial
Randolph Air Force Base
San Antonio, Texas

Grateful thanks to all those who serve and who have served in the Military.

Gretchen Marie Schoettler: 1961-1964

2011-11-10T18:57:00.000-05:00

To gather our whole family we have to visit Arlington National Cemetary where our daughter Gretchen is buried.

Today would be Gretchen's 50th birthday.

Seems a long time ago and at the same time yesterday.

Ghost Stories in George West -

2011-11-09T08:01:00.002-05:00

The George West Storytelling Festival in G.W., Texas was mighty fun! Just being in Texas was wonderful and I have a lot to say about it - but thought I would start my series of blog posts with a story.

The Ghost Story concert on Saturday night was the last event of the Festival. It was held in the Performing Arts Center which is a classic movie house that has been lovingly restored.

Ghost stories are a popular event at any festival and this was no exception. With lights down the Dobie Theater was a great place for the scary stories and the full-house audience loved them. Megan Hicks led off with an original and v e r y scary story followed by Mark Babino who told a chilling version of the "white dress" story. Consuelo Samarippa told a wonderful darker version of the witch of Cordoba than I have ever heard. Jay Stailey lightened the mood with Boo Baby and you could feel the audience appreciate it. I followed with one of my favorite ghost stories, The Cussing Cover, an Appalachian story and DeCee Cornish brought down the house as he closed the show with his telling of a scary story that turned into a joke.

San Antonio storyteller Larry Thompson set this line-up and his choice to move from scary stories to laughing worked really well.
Here is a recent version of The Cussing Cover which was recorded at Channel 16 and aired on Stories in Time.

New Video: A Conversation with Storyteller-Poet, Anne Sheldon

2011-10-31T18:56:00.000-04:00

Totally enjoyed this interview with Maryland storyteller-poet Anne Sheldon. Hope you will too. As, well as loved her telling of an old tale.

Halloween

2011-10-31T06:39:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween.

Where has the week gone?

Setting the story

2011-10-23T22:31:00.000-04:00

Had a fun time telling stories with the group,
Better Said Than Done. Jessica Piscitelli, storyteller and CEO, does a great job of organizing these events. And the line up was marvelous - terrific stories from Geraldine Buckley, Vijai Nathan, Meredith Maslich, Derek Hills, Adam Ruben, Jessica, Jennifer Liu and David Hallissey -and me - - all veterans of Speakeasydc.speakeasydc.org

I told a story from my adventure at the UN Conference on Women, Nairobi, Kenya in 1985.

Loved working with the memories -

Forcing a longer story into 12 minutes -
its gets leaner and crisper.
Have to use gestures and expression
as well as words and voice to send the action home.

Work at seeing the pictures

and giving them in

shorthand.

Jim took these pictures -
so that I can see myself
telling the story.

That sets the story!

Disquise

2011-10-22T21:34:00.000-04:00

Disquised
collage
e. schoettler

who stands behind
the harleqin?

Something to think about.

2011-10-21T22:17:00.000-04:00

Makes sense doesn't it?

From either perspective -

sometimes my story goes on without someone -

other times I recognize that I am no longer part of someone else's story.

The irony is

I hardly notice when someone drops out of my life - -

But I feel hurt when I am the dropee....

Why is it so hard to get the lesson -

This is bound to happen

Especially with work or project related relationships

When the work or project ends

people drift away.

Its just the way it is.

Don't take it personally

Its life.

Gus was back last night.

2011-10-20T20:53:00.002-04:00

Telling Finding Gus last evening at Tales in the Village in Chevy Chase, MD. Bringing my grandfather Gus back through his story makes me happy. I only wish my mother could have heard it. I like to think she would have liked hearing the story and knowing he was no longer "forgotten".

To me this is the real gift from genealogy and family storytelling.

A nice article in PATCH.

Tick Tick Tick

2011-10-19T16:43:00.000-04:00

Trying to stay on a schedule this morning to make it on time to an appointment.
Decided to turn to my smart phone to keep me on track.

Set the TIMER on my iPhone for 15 minutes and then
Hopped into a nice warm bath with a good book.

Read a few pages
Then realized it felt longer than 15 minutes

Listened- all was quiet

No - - tick tick ticking from my phone

You guessed it.

I set the Timer but
did not turn it on.

Just saying - - -yes, the iPhone is a smart phone...
however it does not work alone.

Made it to my appointment - on time - by the skin of my teeth.

My Ring is Back - where it belongs

2011-10-18T21:31:00.000-04:00

Purple Circle
collage
e. schoettler

In my collages I often work to balance disperate elements: just as in life.

My day began with a blessing.

Two weeks ago I lost my wedding band.
We have looked everywhere in this house - through clothing and pockets, purses, briefcases, as well as under rugs and furniture in every room. We vacuumed and sifted through the debris in the bag. Thought we were leaving no stone unturned.

I called on St. Anthony and St. Jude to lend a hand with the search; to help me find my ring. I tried to remain calm while I came to accepting that, after 55 years, I had lost it.

Jim said, "we'll get you another one." "No. I don't want a replacement." Meaning - I want that one.

This morning when I sat down to neaten up my purse I reached into the zipper change section of my purse for coins to count. When I opened my hand - my gold wedding ring gleamed in my palm along with the dimes and nickels.

Jim came running when he heard me scream. "Its my ring!" The tears I had been holding back for two weeks poured down my cheeks.

Yes, I had looked in the purse. Emptied it and checked it. Consider this - I never put my rings into that section of the purse if I am not wearing them.

Now its back on my finger. I feel whole again.

Its About Time

2011-10-17T20:25:00.000-04:00

Its About Time
collage
e. schoettler

If we were sitting together over a cup of coffee this is what I would be thinking and talking about.
My apologies. I just don't have any room in my wee brain for anything else than the following.

1. Enjoyed interviewing Maryland storyteller-poet Anne Sheldon today for Stories in Focus. Wide ranging conversation took off on its own. Now that's when its really fun. Her interview will air tomorrow evening at 10PM and Wednesday at 7PM - Channel 16, Montgomery County. I will post it here in a few weeks.

2. Working on Finding Gus for a performance this Wednesday evening. Tinkering with it a bit - and loving remembering my visit to Clemson U. last Spring - where he is remembered on a brick in the terrace in the Clemson Stadium. Still brings tears to my eyes.

3. Making progress on producing The New Front Porch internet radio program. Slowed by a steep learning curve! But enjoying the process of cutting and snipping audio tapes ---- into a new conversation! Collaging words.

4. Writing a new story for the "Better Said Than Done" program in Virginia next Sunday. Tweak! Tweak! Tweak!
Remembering Nairobi, a step back in time, and an adventure. All into 12 minutes! Now that is the trick.

&
tomorrow Jim and I are going to Baltimore - to Johns Hopkins Hospital for some deep conversations with folks who have big brains.
That's enough for one wee brain to hold.

Acorn Rat a tat tat

2011-10-16T23:25:00.001-04:00

Dot Dot Dot
collage
e.schoettler

We parked under a huge oak tree
Acorns rained down
Sounded like a thunderstorm.

Listing

2011-10-15T11:49:00.000-04:00

Leonardo's bones and a parrot. It's in process. Don't know where that's going.

Anymore than we usually know where a day is going, right?

Every day I start out with a list - some items so priority one that they actually get done - - others are bounced around and even bumped by things that come up.

Its not a great system - but its the one I worked out years ago and I am used to it.

The best thing about it is - once something is on the list - - it will be done.

The first "organizer" book I ever noticed was a blue fabric covered, smallish 3 ring binder that a student in one of my 1970s art history classes at American University had devised. She was also pursuing her Masters in Fine Art and was preparing for her Comprehensive exams. She explained how she had sectioned it for topics she thought would be covered on the exams - and added new information as she studied. Low cost. Easy to use. I still have the faded blue fabric covered note books I bought at the American University Bookstore 37 years ago - to make a system like hers for myself.

Later in the 70s I discovered "Day Timers". That's a more expensive system which sends you a set of 12 smallish calender- books, one for each month. I chose two pages for each day style. It arrived in a black or brown plastic box - a house to keep the books in. Your life for the year. I used those until 2000. Convenient record books - when you are really using them. "Day Timers" saw me through the ERA Campaign, and several other heavy-duty administrative jobs.

Once I started full time storytelling - I switched to a cheaper system. Now I use quad-ruled composition books from Staples - as a brain - along with a cheap, small monthly calendar that fits in my purse.

I write everything in my brain- appointments, telephone numbers, conversations, ideas, plans, LISTS. I use one brain a month. Not a very organized system I admit - and its cumbersome - because I store them in large cardboard file boxes.

Lately I am keeping calendars on my iPod and iPad too. And, I use an Apple app, Notes, to keep my lists.

But you know someting? Organization is hard. Try as I do, something always slips through. Often leaving me with egg on my face.

Video: Halloween Memories and a story

2011-10-14T18:09:00.000-04:00

Nice Fall day here.
Blue sky, breeze rattling the colorful leaves on the trees
and sending them raining down on the ground.
Sets me to thinking about Halloween
How about you?

A Bit of Gold

2011-10-12T22:53:00.000-04:00

    A Bit of Gold
     collage
     e. schoettler

   Every day has a bit of gold.
   Good conversations and ideas.
   Possibilities
   Things to look forward to - -
   Even while I am missing
      a bit of gold
   My gold wedding band
   Lost
   Not Found.

   I want that not to be true.

New Video - A Conversation with Suzi Whaples

2011-10-12T10:27:00.000-04:00

Recently storyteller Suzi Whaples came to town and we had a chance for a lovely conversation on Stories in Focus.

This week Suzi is in Joneborough TN as Storyteller in Residence at the International Storytelling Center. Can't you imagine how folks are loving a matinee show every day with her stories? HERE for more information about Suzi.

VIDEO - Conversation with Megan Hicks

2011-10-10T09:43:00.001-04:00

Hello, darlings.
Have I got a treat for you this morning.

Many people already know that this past Thursday Megan arrived at the National Storytelling Festival as a "New Voice", did herself proud on those stages for two days, and drove back to Virginia last night - a Star in the storytelling "fer ma ment". In February I invited storyteller Megan Hicks as a featured teller for Tales in the Village and as a guest on my TV show, Stories in Focus.

So - as a "Brava" to Megan here's a re-play of our conversation and she tells you a story.

For those who know her and have followed her career Megan's success in Jonesborough was no surprise. She is a seasoned professional - as those who have listened to her know. She has performed at festivals, in schools, and libraries across the country - and outside the borders for that matter. In the storytelling business however appearing on the Jonesborough stage sprinkles "fairy dust" and opens new doors for tellers who are so annointed. So, watch out world here she comes.

For those who don't know her - watch for her at a Festival near you - - and don't miss hearing her stories. Megan Hicks is a real storyteller. Her stories have humor, heart and meaning. For instance if you are in Texas -- Megan is a featured teller at the George West Storytelling Festival - where else - in George West, TX - the first week-end in November.

Ah, the joys of Radio!

2011-10-09T17:05:00.002-04:00

Remember the joys of radio?

My grandmother had a radio very much like this one in her living room. When I was a child we gathered around for the evening news and then for the magic of laughter and stories that followed.

With THE NEW FRONT PORCH radio show on my horizon I am thinking a lot about things I liked to listen to on the radio before television came on the scene and captured the family audiences. Programs like Arthur Godfrey and his easy down home patter, Lux Radio Theater, Let's Pretend stories, Burns and Allen, and Fibber McGee and Molly. All those people I could listen to and imagine.

I still listen to the Big Broadcast Show of old-time radio programs whenever I have a chance - in fact I am listening to it from their internet website as I write this.

On a more modern note: Yesterday I drove to the country listening to the Splendid Table. Lynne Kasper is a warm and vivacious host who talks about a wide world of food. In particular I was entralled by her interview with the author of Salted, a Manifesto on the World's Most Essential Mineral - - as he extolled the importance of salt I was thinking of the old story "Like Meat Loves Salt." The program I listened to in the car is on the website along with a recording of Terry Thiese author of "Reading Between the Wines" who rhapsodizing about the mystical possibilities of having the right wine for the right moment.

We all carry many references to old Folktales in our heads without really knowing how they got there. Shakespeare may have been inspired by Like Meat Loves Salt when he wrote King Lear. And this tale is well known in Appalachian culture. HERE Dave Tabler writes about those connections. Surprised? Or did you already know?

Wondering - wondering - - about The New Front Porch.

Frisky

2011-10-08T21:34:00.029-04:00

Frisky
Dancing
Homage to Henri Matisse
e.schoettler

You know something darlings - I have decided that now that I have celebrated my Diamond Jubilee - I can say more of what I think - as long as its real, true and doesn't hurt anybody. Just the ramblings of an aging Southern woman sitting on her Front Porch, right?

Reading a new book about "branding" and honestly, it just confuses me. Seven syllable corporate words that disguise meaning - and leave me "in the dark."

The author did bring in the revered Joseph Campbell and his well known advice - "follow your bliss." I get that. I got it the first time I read it in the 1970s. Follow you bliss = follow your heart, do what you love - - even when its not THE thing of the moment.

Now that's hard - nobody ever said it wasn't - because somewhere there is a pay-off, whether its money or just approval, for being the flavor of the month. It takes true grit to stay on your own path.

In today's world - with the mega highway of information - how can an artist keep up with the shiftings and maintain a true "voice" or vision --- even more than that - how do they continue to make new work - to keep their work fresh?

It is a problem - not something we talk about - but all of us who love stories and go to listen often know that twinge of disappointment when we hear the same stories as "last time." Sometimes its a good feeling. Comforting. Like when we were kids and Mom or Dad read us the same story every night - - - but other times its a bit of a stinging let down.

Hey, I do it myself - tell the same story again and again - if it fits - because its easier, because I know it will do the job and that I can do a good job with it. Because I have not had time to write something new or to preview it, or to practice it. My bad.

Why am I thinking about this? Because I heard an excellent interview with Jeanne Robertson, the North Carolina Humorist and Speaker who has become a Phenom - through You Tube. And now is covering the country - leaving them laughing and happy and often times touched. Listen to what she has to say here - about her business - but more than that --- treat yourself to watching her videos on You Tube - good, clean fun from a very funny lady who leaves you wanting more.

New Video - Grandmother Memories

2011-10-07T11:16:00.000-04:00

Recently aired on Stories in Time, Channel 16, Kensington MD. Today home-made cakes often start with a box. In my grandmother's day making a cake was a kitchen pageant.

National Storytelling Festival

2011-10-06T23:01:00.000-04:00

Storytellers and story lovers are gathering in Jonesorough TN today
to ccelebrate storytelling for this week-end of the National Storytelling Festival.
This is the first time in eight years that Jim and I are not among the happy throngs - and its kind of like missing a family reunion. I am missing being there - but it just could not work for us this year, drat!
I can imagine that excitement is building. The hulking big tents are empty tonight - but they are ready for tomorrow morning when the crowds drift in to fill the seats and the magic starts!

Love the iPhone

2011-10-04T22:38:00.000-04:00

Rough and smooth
just like sailing on the seas of life.

1. Gus is back. Telling "Finding Gus" today was very satisfying - especially to a warm and welcoming audience who embraced Gus.
2. Appreciated the sunny blue skies today - gives me a jolt of positive energy.
3. Having a really good time working on The New Front Porch radio show - toying with possibilities.
A new creative and challenging project is SWEET .....

Can't help myself. I love my iPhone. Keep it near-by or in my pocket. Like being wired. Not surprising. The telephone has always been irresistible to me.

Mama gave me a dime as a safety measure so I could always call home. Long distance kept me in touch with my far away family. We even ran up a bill keeping in touch with our son when he was living in Europe. The miracle of communication. God Bless Alexander Graham Bell for his invention. Its a great connector.

But I have to admit the iPhone has limitations.

When I was reading through my contact list on my iPhone the other day - I realized - that half a dozen, maybe more - of numbers on the phone can't be dialed on any phone. They require a celestial connection....

yet I cannot bring myself to erase them.

September Review

2011-10-03T10:26:00.000-04:00

NINE ELEVEN

We will never forget the day the world changed.

NEW FRONT PORCH RADIO

2011-10-02T12:19:00.001-04:00

I am really excited about this new project. Working out plans. Setting up the information-highway to get the word out. Hope you will "like" my new FaceBook Page, The New Front Porch - that is where I will post info about scheduling and what's happening on the radio show.

Guess what. All this takes takes time so - -one of the reasons you have not heard anything from me for a while.

The New Front Porch will be on A World of Storytelling - an internet radio station - started by Don 'Buck P' Creacy, a Kentucky storyteller and now radio "wizard". You can listen to it on the computer, on your car radio (with a connector you can buy at Walmart and other places), on your iPhone and iPad if you down load the APP. Anybody that has read this blog knows how fascinated I am by technology so they will not be surprised that I wanted to do something with this.

No denying I have a learning curve - so far as some of the technical issues are concerned - but, you know something - those challenges just make this project more attractive to me.

My plan is to have programs on the air in November - - you will be the first to know.

National Storytelling Festival - next week-end.

For the past eight years Jim and I have started the month of October with a wonderful story-filled week-end in Jonesborough, TN for the National Storytelling Festival. It just won't work for us this year - and its hard to give up the storytelling pilgrimmage. I will be thinking about all the happy storytellers and story-listeners crowding the tents to listen - - particularly a few friends who will be telling at the Festival for the first time - Geraldine Buckley and Adam Booth on the Exchange Place Stage - and wonderful Megan Hicks who is a featured NEW VOICE. If you are there - take my advice - don't miss them.

And More Thinking

2011-09-18T21:49:00.000-04:00

All in a row - waiting to go.

Still Thinking.....

2011-09-17T23:17:00.000-04:00

On the Wall
Berkeley, CA
e. schoettler

Thinking -

2011-09-09T18:43:00.000-04:00

Thinking
Sketch book page
e. schoettler

Exploring collaging with video and audio files

2011-09-06T18:57:00.002-04:00

"My SELF is often a collage". Movie with audio story and textile illustration.

This is a simple movie, true. Its a beginner's effort. But its something I have wanted to play with for longer than I care to tell you. Made up my mind several months ago that I would start using some of my audio files combined with my art work to put small clips together. And - - I would begin NOW.

When my daughter Robin was here recently I asked her to "show" me how to get started. Because I learn faster when I see it - I figured having Robin show me would really jump stat this process. It has.

Several years ago I realized that all the video and audio files I have are an amazing stash of materials to work with - - very much like collaging with textiles and papers. I am surprised that this is not "rocket" science - its mostly cutting and pasting and knowing which are the right buttons to push. Listen, I can do that!

Do love this MacBook which opens doors to so many new technologies.

Camera Notes

2011-09-02T21:12:00.000-04:00

We are enjoying the quiet of the country.
We drove up this afternoon in frustrating stop and go heavy traffic
Feeling tight and rattled
So once settled in and fed the quiet is welcome
Calming.

These Iris bloomed in our yard here last Spring.
Remembering their beauty and grace
Thanks to the camera
I can enjoy them again.

Grateful for my camera - for helping me hold the moments.
Like grace notes.

A Bit of Collage

2011-09-01T05:22:00.001-04:00

Three by "me" - a small virtual show.

Cleaning my studio.
Weeding and culling.
Actually taking stuff to the trash and the dump.

Unearthing memories and treasures

Personal archeology.

They came by ship

2011-08-30T22:38:00.000-04:00

Thinking about Catherine Lonergan Cobb - my two great grand-mother.
When Jim and I were in Ireland we saw this replica of the type of boat our immigrant ancestors would have sailed on to America. It's not an ocean liner - and would have been dark and dank below decks.
All sail power-so that would have been quite a long voyage. Wow!

I think of the leaving - where they would have had an "American wake" - a good-bye party for those leaving - because they did not expect to come back. It was expected to be a "forever" leaving. Catherine was fortunate - the Lonergans came as an extended family. So many came alone.

More to know, that's for sure.

Homage to Kurt Schwitters

2011-08-29T22:29:00.001-04:00

Free Torn
collage - circa 1980
e. schoettler

At the Phillips Gallery last week I was once again entranced by small collage gems by DADA artist and collage master, Kurt Schwitters. We are so accustomed to seeing the collage art form that we forget that when Schwitters began composing with found objects and bits of detritus - he was inventing the new form. Bravo!

Hurricane Irene and a short video - Irish Roots

2011-08-28T21:30:00.002-04:00

Hurricane Irene came and went. We were lucky in the MD, VA, and DC area - not too much devastation although many folks are still without power. We lost power last night for about four hours - very grateful they got it fixed so quickly.

We did the usual preparations - getting the batteries and lanterns checked out, checking the battery operated radio and making sure we had plenty of food and water. And then we waited. There is always a sense of apprehension when you know Mother Nature is headed in your direction. CNN keeps cautioning and predicting and that keeps a level of unease going.

So this morning we woke to rain and lessening winds and then gradually basked in the sunshine. By midafternoon it was humid and hot outside. Back to normal - sort of.

There is always cleaning up to do - how much depends on how the storm came through your area. Our cleaning up will be relatively easy - putting patio furniture back, moving the planters back in place etc. etc. Re-storing the lanterns and other survival supplies.

While we were waiting I focused on video editing - making snippets from longer videos.

This is a bit of a longer piece -- Irish Gold in which I combine genealogy, memories and some traditional stories and explore my Irish Roots.

Catherine Cobb nee Lonergan, born in Tipperaray, gave me my Catholic faith, the gift of gab and the urge to learn and tell more traditional stories from Ireland.

A Stormy Memory -

2011-08-25T13:41:00.002-04:00

Is IRENE really coming - - - or not?

All this talk about Hurricane IRENE reminds me of a childhood memory - - the time I was "in" a hurricane at Wrightsville Beach, NC.
In those days I don't think the storms were "named" and certainly no CNN with wide-media forecasting to warn folks what was coming.

First Steps for Making a Video Clip.

2011-08-24T07:36:00.002-04:00

Gus Clip 2 from Ellouise Schoettler on Vimeo.

Have you noticed - these days many folks are using a "trailer" or some other kind of video to show a pre-view or tease viewers with a "taste" of their story?

Well I want to have that capability too. So I have rolled up my sleeves and gone to work on learning how to "clip" a bit from a video. It is not "rocket science" but it does take patience and persistence - if, like me, you start from scratch.

This video is a clip - on the way to being a full-fledged trailer - I have made as a pre-view for FINDING GUS, my new one woman show - a story of how I found Gus Keasler's story. Gus, my mother's father, died young when Mama was a toddler and his descendants lost his story. He was known t us as "your Mama's father - so ironically HE was known of - without a story.

First - you have to have the original video to work with. That was not a problem for me because I have a pile of story videos to draw on thanks to my television program, Stories in Time.

I use the simplest tools - IMOVIE on my MacBook.
It may not be the best way but its working for me.
I still have to work out - how to add an entry picture - one where my mouth is closed would be nice - - and a text introduction.

If you start with a video on a DVD then you have to "rip" it to move the video into IMOVIE.
I use Handbrake which is a free application you can download.
Create a new EVENT in IMOVIE and move the "ripped" file into it. Handbrake sends the ripped file to my desktop as an mv4 file.

Select the portion of the video you want to use as the clip, highlight it and then COPY.
Create a PROJECT.
Name it.
PASTE the "copied' section to the new Project.

Once you have created the new Project and added the selected file you can tweak your project for the final project. (i.e. delete single slides)
If at first you have problems - - start over - from the original Event.

When you are satisfied with the Project - share it - Then "share" - - export as a movie.
This file will also appear on your Desktop - with the NAME you gave it and as an mv4 file.

I store my files on Vimeo.

I imagine you could also choose to store them on your YouTube chnnel.

A Genealogy Connection

2011-08-23T23:30:00.000-04:00

Gus Clip 2 from Ellouise Schoettler on Vimeo.

Genealogy research is crowded with serendipity, surprises and just plain luck.

In Finding Gus the key connection was my finding Gus's last living sibling, Annie Laura Keasler Moore. In her response I saw my relationship with Gus change.

Looking for perspective

2011-08-21T11:18:00.001-04:00

Today a Facebook Friend posted this quote and its so "on point" for me that I am sharing it here - because I don't want to lose it.

"yesterday is a thing of the past. Do not be hard on yourself about things you cannot change. The past is past and it's time to move on."

Since the Fringe closed I have been "off duty" from storytelling and enjoying it. Back to some normal living - - thinking and sorting things out. Every so often I have to step back - many paces - to get a perspective on things.
Anyone else do that?

Some things I have thought about:
1. Samie - our lost kitten taught us that its important to include joy and diversion in your life - even if it adds to the confusion and is a responsibility. Although I am sure nothing can replace the quick and special attachment we felt with her - we will be getting another kitten - for ourselves and for our dog Leia. Leia is so sad that Samie has disappeared. She keeps on looking for her little friend in every room in the house.
Chasing and playing with the energetic Samie shook Leia up - brought some new life into her . I guess you could say she "got her groove back." Jim and me too.
When you live with chronic illness - as cancer is - its important to add some spice to life - and the antics of a kitten certainly fit that bill.
Yes, we will be rescuing another kitten - - or - - is it that the kitten will be rescuing us?

2. Looking at the wood of the cleaned desk top in my office makes me feel good - like there is order in my life. Hmm. Don't mention the drawers yet.

3. The possibility of order has pushed me downstairs - really to begin the work of cleaning out my studio - instead of just chattering about it.
Big questions:
WHY have I kept all this stuff?
WHO wants it besides me?
WHAT am I going to do with it?
I think of the hilarious story storyteller Michael Reno Harrell tells about cleaning out his mother's house - and the ridiculous stuff they found - that she had saved.
I have the same - and its embarrassing.

I hardly believe myself what I am finding - stacks of empty boxes - of all sizes - so that I could put stuff away.
WHAT was I thinking?

SAMIE - A Good-bye

2011-08-19T21:52:00.001-04:00

Samie
R.I.P

In only 10 days we have become very attached to this funny, curious and lovable little kitten. This afternoon in a tragic accident she left us as quickly as she came. Jim, Karen and I are teary-eyed and sad.

We will miss her and the joy she brought to us.

But we are grateful for Samie - even for such a brief time - she was a reminder that your life is richer when you take a chance - -
and let yourself quickly become attached to a soft, furry, loving, little bit of love.

Three Beautiful Things

2011-08-18T23:38:00.001-04:00

1. Two show cards designed and ordered. Finally they are off the list.

2. Funny kitten - likes to be close to her humans.

3. Finally see wood on my office desk. Good feeling.

Ah, little kitten

2011-08-17T22:45:00.000-04:00

Samie leaps and runs around the house. As of today she has a new trick. She gets a running start and leaps onto my leg and then climbs up me as if she were scaling a mountain. It would be infinitely more fun on my side if her claws were not so sharp they feel like a dozen needles.

Hmmmm.

samie - the new kitten

2011-08-16T22:44:00.000-04:00

Samie

She has been here eight days now.
The honeymoon is about to end. She and our dog Leia had a real set-to today when Samie kept Leia's tennis ball a little too long. Their first skirmish. Samie is quick and small so she dashes under a low chair and leaves poor Leia frustrated.
Just like the cartoons. They seem to forgive and make-up pretty quickly and begin the game again.
Like life.

Venezia Collage

2011-08-15T13:59:00.000-04:00

Venezia
collage
hand printed papers and newspapers
e. schoettler

This collage, made in Venice, Italy, brings back memories of a wonderful four days working in an old-time atelier with my friend, artist Pat Segnan. The place smelled of inks and glues as artists ran their plates through the heavy metal hand-cranked presses. The work-room over-looked a canal. On a summer days the windows were eide open and we heard the songs of a gondoliers belong who were singing to their passengers as they poled them along the canals on a tour of the city.

Power of Five

2011-08-14T02:00:00.003-04:00

The Power of Five
Acrylic on canvas
e. schoettler

Happy Birthday to my father.

2011-08-13T10:35:00.061-04:00

We all have dates that we learned early in our lives because they have special significance. July 14 - my birthday. December 25th - Christmas and my mama's birthday. August 13 - Daddy's birthday.

Robert Bernard Diggle - born August 13, 1914 - died August 29, 1993.
Memorial history

This week when I was cleaning my office I found an old letter tucked in among some other papers. I recognized the distinctive handwriting immediately. A letter from Daddy to his father in 1943. He wrote it to his father, S.L. Diggle from Biloxi, MS where he was training to be an airplane mechanic on big US Air Force bomber planes. He was 29 years old. After the training he was shipped out to a base in India (now Pakistan) where he served until the war ended.

Most of the letter was catch-up stuff. How are you - this is how I am. But one sentence spoke for so many of our serice men - then and now. "I wonder if there will be a job for me when I get home?"

His question hovered in the back of my mind leading me to think about how he did find a job when he got home. About how your career makes a turn you never expected.

He was a solo-preneur before anyone thought up that word. He was a traveling salesman - who worked on commission. He was not trained as a salesman - its a job he fell into after he came home from WWII. He was born from Irish roots and he had "the gift of gab". People liked him. He was a natural.

At first he traveled North and South Carolina by car carrying catalogs of a variety of the new machines to make housework easier. He drove through the small towns making stops at their general stores. Later, when he sold for a single company not for a variety of products, he moved up to flying to cover larger territories across the US where he marketed to the new larger stores specializing in "home appliances." He planned his trips on Monday and traveled three or four days a week. He was paid by the amount he sold and whether he met his sales goals for the week, month or quarter.

His desk in the bedroom was his office. He kept his files in perfect order - with a well-thumbed Rolodek on the top of his desk near the telephone. I never really saw how well-organized he was until I cleaned his desk drawers after he died.

Whenever he changed companies or products - he changed his sales pitch. His years in the business trained him to see what the customer needed and to describe his product in those terms. He prided himself on his ability to "make a sale."

Now as I think about him I see his business model as something I should think about.

I too am a solo-preneur. My business problems are similar to those Daddy faced. His was how to make the next sale. Mine is where to schedule the next gig. Who will want to know about my programs? How can I create interest in their having me present the programs for their audiences?

Like Daddy, my desk is my office and I sit near the telephone or the cell phone.

How did he do it?

I wish I had understood more about his skills. How I would like to call him for advice.

Daily Report

2011-08-11T22:38:00.000-04:00

1. Funny little kitten learning to chase and play with our dog, Leia.

2. Beginning to make calls to schedule Gus.

3. Entertaining interview on WAMU radio with Diane Rhemm and Jane Fonda talking about Fonda's
book, Prime Time. They were delightfully informal - sounded like two old friends chatting
over a cup of coffee.

Three Beautiful Things - Gratitude

2011-08-10T23:29:00.001-04:00

1. Enjoying the day with Jim.

2. Watching our new young and curious kitten explore our house - her new world.

3. Supper with the family to celebrate our grand-daughter's 25th birthday.
Startling how quickly those years have flown by.

About Cats

2011-08-09T23:05:00.003-04:00

Jim and I have taken in a new kitten.
Introducing: Samie.

Her story:

The other day our daughter Karen sent a text message to my phone. No words - - - just a snapshot of an adorable kitten. I sent back a text. "Yours? Is this an announcement?"

A few minutes after she got my message Karen called. She admitted. No it wasn't an announcement - - - just a picture of a stray kitten she found the night before under the back steps of our house in a PA farm area. "What am I going to do with her - I have to come home. I called the local SPCA. They don't even keep them for two days, Mom. I just can't leave her there. She really is a sweet little thing - about 4 weeks old."

"Yes, I have asked the neighbors. No one is claiming her. I still can't figure out how she got here across two fields. She was hiding to protect herself. It looks like someone must have abandoned her or - how could she have gotten here - she's just a baby. When I drove into the driveway she started crying. Calling out. She must have heard me and she made quite a racket. So I brought her in - - she was scared at first - but then it was obvious she was a sweet cat."

I showed Jim the picture. "Do you want a kitten?" He eyes softened even as he mouthed "no."

Why did we cave in? Well, we didn't like the idea of abandoning the kitten either and we knew it would be really awful on Karen - who loves cats - to be the one to leave the cat-baby outside on her own at the mercy of weather and other animals.

Ordinarily Karen would have taken the kitten home with her -- but she has an older female cat - who is really territorial - - and not ready for an interloper. Ah, me.

Anyway. Now Samie is here. She is adorable - and we are enjoying having her.

More will be revealed - probably.

This is not the first time we have lived with cats. I tell that story on this video.

Mama's Cats from Ellouise Schoettler on Vimeo.

Eerie Present

2011-08-08T17:56:00.000-04:00

Recently I was reading Sean Buvala's new ebook, Measures of Story: How to Create a Story from Floats and Anecdotes, about turning anecedotes and snippets into fully realized stories. It has prompted me to think about all the memories I have posted on this blog since I began writing it in 2005. So I am going to begin mining my treasures so to speak - to remind me of stories I want to tell.

This is a nugget from July 2005.

Jim and I met at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was in his second year in medical school and I was a new nursing student.

Jim was very intense about his studies. Often our dates became "study" sessions. We spent hours in a hospital library. Jim had his nose in his books and often I dozed off over my textbooks.

Jim often helped me tackle difficult assignments. Learning all the bones of the skull offered quite a challenge.

One night when Jim came to pick me up at Hampton House (the nurses residence) he was carrying a round package wrapped in newspaper. He offered it to me. "I think this will help you learn those bones." I took it.

I felt round hardness in my hands. I lifted back on edge of the newspaper wrapping. I stifled a gasp - it was a skull. " I borrowed it for you." Jim explained. He was waiting for my reaction. I swallowed hard. "Thank you."

I took it to my room and left it on my desk while we went to a movie.

When I returned later I unwrapped the skull and stared at it. The sightless eye cavities above the gaping toothy mouth stared back. I set it on my desk and got into the bed with a book. Shortly, I turned out the light. I could still see the skull on the desk because of light from a streetlight outside. I turned away but I could not relax. I knew that skull was looking at me.

Finally I got up, picked up the skull and moved it to the closet. I set it on the floor and closed the door. I turned back toward my bed. Then hesitated, and - all right, all right - I did feel kind of stupid as I turned the key and locked the closet door.

That's where the skull stayed until I returned it to Jim.

Found Art

2011-08-07T00:37:00.006-04:00

Purple Orchids

When I was clearing some old files I found a folder of poems -

1. On Connecticutt Avenue

A woman wearing burgundy hose
laughs with two men on the corner of R

I am stopped at a red light
a siren behind me ----where is it?
    I CANNOT MOVE

It passes on the right -
             the tension in my chest eases

Two blocks down - a fuschia cab is parked

A succession of green lights, red lights,
             stops and goes

Snow flurries and COLD   the first day of SPRING
   YELLOW jonquils stiffen

What will happen to the vulnerable blossoms that
     trusted the premature warmth
     and opened themselve up to

   F R E E Z E
                                 March 20, 1990

I remember writing a series of poems like this
catching colors around me.

Not a terrific poem but, like a photograph, it brings back a moment in time.
Reminds me of a ride down Connecticutt Avenue going home from work with Jim
on a snowy afternoon -

1990 - That's 21 years ago
and, its a window into a long view
of our history.

Here - I will show you what I mean - -

I remember I was
Working on a 'found art" idea -
like the Surrealists
or the DADAists who tossed pieces of paper into the air and where they fell was the composition -

I scribbled the lines in my journal as I saw them -hoping those bits of accident would build up into
    a poem.

Then I typed my hand-written notes into the clunky Compaq desktop computer
and printed them out on our dot matrix printer
on scrolling paper.

I can see the edges on the page where I pulled off the holes along the sides which held the paper in place.

Remember those - the noisy, grinding dot matrix printers -
our first one was a narrow nine-pin - later we moved up to a wide-body machine.

Writing machines are part of our history
From the upright Royal typewriter - we bought at a GoodWill store in Baltimore when we were first married
to non-electric and electric portable typewriters
I still have the blue Olympic portable Jim gave me for Christmas in 1968
along with Jim's Dad's hard case portable from the 40's.
to the IBM selectric with the built in eraser - Jim bought when he opened his medical practice.
Yep we still have that too - its great for envelopes.

to our first computer - a luggable
It was advertised as a portable but weighed in like an old sewing machine
The casing box was huge, used large floppy disks, and the green computer screen was teeny-tiny but -- it worked.

To desktops

to laptops

to using a PDA with a folding keyboard attachment - did not have an internet connection - true - but was a great traveling typewriter - great on the train or plane and ---it fit into my purse.

and lately the iPad with the attachable keyboard - that also connects to the internet - if you can pick up a connection.

Can you tell - I love machines that write.

Catching up

2011-08-06T11:04:00.000-04:00

I just stopped by for a minute
so I can cross "write on blog" off my list for today.

Things are "behind" around here - - -

I am hoping that while I am sweeping, cleaning and all that stuff I will think of something worth writing about when I come back.

Roots

2011-08-05T22:50:00.003-04:00

Stumbled upon this quote while I was surfing yesterday. Fits me.

" Today people are so disconnected that they feel they are blades of grass, but when they know who their grandparents and great-grandparents were,
they become trees, they have roots, they can no longer be mowed down"
Maya Angelou - on the Oprah Show
January 2003

I have admired Maya Angelou for years. It did not surprise me she could say this truth so beautifully. I can hear her unmistakeable voice saying those words. Actually I met her once - at a White House Reception - I knew who she was before I saw her face because I heard her speaking to someone.

In this quote she captures and exactly describes the feeling that working with family history and genealogy has given me for years. The feeling that comes from knowing the long line of people I am connected to. It plants my feet. Makes me stronger.

One of the main impulses for me as a storyteller is to tell family history stories that encourage others to find and water their roots.

Summer memories

2011-08-04T09:10:00.002-04:00

Its been so hot this summer - humid, heavy air. People talk about the heat. Endlessly.
Its hot all
across the nation. Look at Texas. Yesterday it was 113 degrees in Texas - and thay have had these same high temperatures for a month. Its summertime.

My grandmother called these the dog days of August - hot and stll and dry- -when the sun scorches the earth and anything else. In this kind of weather dogs lay down, pant and keep still.

Do they call them the dog days because of those lazy dogs. I looked it up. The name came about a long time ago - - - from ancient times when people first noticed that the stars formed shapes in the sky. Canis Major - the big dog - also called sirius - is the brightest star. From July to September it rises and sets with the sun - because of this the Romans believed it added extra heat to the sun - hence--dog days. We know today that Sirius does not give extra heat --that comes from the tilt of the earth - but we still call these hot days - the "dog days". Lately there have been times when I wanted to stretch out on the floor with my wise dog.

Today we can stay inside - in the air-conditioning - and when we go out we run to our air-conditioned cars. We lock our selves in to lock out the heat. We keep cool.

Maybe - like me - some of you remember the days when we did not have air-conditioning. You kept the windows open in the summer to let in any breezes that might cool things off. When those soft winds came they lifted the curtains at the windows so that they billowed into the room. Even the look of those quivering curtains cooled things down.

Or there was the purring sound of oscillating fans as they stirred their machine made breeze across the rooms---

Or the window fan blew strong gusts of air straight across the room when it was really stifling - - you set yourself directly in front of it and the mechanical wind blew your hair.

My daddy's mother lived in a large two story house in Charlotte, NC where there was a large fan in the attic. In the summer they removed a large square of the ceiling and replaced it with a grid of wood lattice strips so the air could swoosh down into the house. The fan roared as it pushed cool air through the upstairs bedrooms and down over the stairs to the first floor. That's how I learned that "cold air falls - - hot air rises." On a steamy dog day - my grandmother would tell us grandchildren to lie down on the floor under the fan and let the cool air wash over us from head to toe. When I slept over I pulled a summer blanket over me as the fan cooled the bedrooms and the roar of the fan lulled me to sleep. When they turned it off the house suddenly sounded so QUIET. Just talking about that fan cools me off.

Many things changed in the summer-

Take clothes for instance - kids wore shorts, light shirts, and sandals or most delicious of all we went barefoot - where it was decent. You had to be careful here you walked because of briars and stickers and so you didn't step in anything nasty. The the sidewalks felt firm and sometimes cool at home and when we were at the beach I loved to walk in the sand.

The women wore shorts - but only at home or at the beach - not to the store or to church. When they went out they put on light weight dresses with full skirts that swung gracefully around their legs as they walked. They put away the nylon stockings for the summer - painted their toenails bright red and wore strappy sandals.

We ate different foods in summer. Cold foods were favorites - things that could be cooked early in the day so that the heat from the stove and the oven would not heat up the house in the late afternoons.
You could often smell the tastes of supper just after you are your breakfast - frying chicken, boiling potatoes for potato salad or a ham baking. Remember jello molded with fruits trapped inside it. The real summer eating treat - watermelon.

For those people who had porches or shaady yards - the family moved outside after supper.

My mother's mother had a screened porch across the entire front of her house. It was a wonderful place to place anytime but in the summer it was even more wonderful. Granny turned it into an outdoor living room. In late May or early June - well before it really got hot John came and put down the woven straw rugs and they moved some comfortable furniture outside. Put several table lamps near the chairs and couch slong with a table radio.

There was a coffee table so that Dad Jack had a place to play the Solitarie games he liked to play before supper. You could hear him slap the cards on the table top across the room -

After supper Granny brought out a large pitcher of iced tea. We played rummy and listened to the radio. Dad Jack always had some magazines near-by to read and when people walked by they might call out hello or come up the walk and sit a spell.

It was different where I lived. During and after WWII we lived in a 12 family apartment house. After supper we might sit in the back yard with any of the other folks who lived in our building or sit on the wide steps of the front porch. I liked to skate on the driveway beside the apartment house - it was wide, white, and smooth. Kids played out-side as the light of day slipped away maybe catching lightning bugs, or playing hop scotch on the driveway. Once the women took in the laundry from the clothes lines in the back yard someone would set up several sprinklers and we would run through the cooling water - a quick outside shower before going into bed.

We lived in a corner apartment at the back of the apartments house on the second floor. I slept in a top bunk bed. With the window open I could hear the singing and the voices from the revival tent on the corner two houses away. Later I listened to and watched the men loading the trucks with trays of pies from the Queen City Pie Company preparing for early morning deliveries.

A few years ago Jim and I spent the month of July in Venice. It was the hottest July in Europe in a 100 years.
Our rented apartment was not air conditioned We kept the windows open. The hum of an oscillating fan lulled us to sleep. We woke to the cooler early morning breezes tossing the curtains out into the room,
We sat outside when we ate supper at local restaurants. When we prepared our meals in the apartment we did not cook so we would not heat the apartment. We feasted on local cheese and large loaves of crusty bread, salads, cold meats and ices.

With the windows open we heard all the passers-by below our second floor window. Bells from a nest-by church which we noticed the first week gradually became just part of the background.

We often retreated into large dark churches to escape the intense heat and sat on the marble steps near the altar so that the cold stones helped to cool us down
or we took long rides on a vaporetto on the canals to feel a cool breeze from the water or catch some spray while sitting in the back of the boat

We ate delicious flavored ices.
I wore loose fitting dresses that swirled around my legs as I walked
and large straw hats like my grandmother had done.

We drank iced tea
and we listened to the radio for music because we could not understand the language
on television so we read and talked in he evenings.

We look back on it as our perfect summer

Was it because it was Venice - that incredibly captivating place
or because we were reliving so many sweet childhood memories
or - because the heat slowed us down to enjoy the time

Tonight, feeling hot, even in our air-conditioned house - we ate a frozen Eskimono Pie for dessert - the "original" still wrapped in silvered foil.
Jim bought them. Maybe he heat brought up some memories.

Ruminating

2011-08-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

Today I overheard this bit of converation between two workmen in a coffee shop in an office building in Bethesda.
The burly man spoke definitely in a deep voice, "There is no difference between the two sides. All those people downtown have turned their backs on the People." I didn't have to guess what they were talking about. Do you?

Now, the day after, TV news reporters have moved from speculating what Congress will do to talking about the real human cost of the recent budget vote. They are spelling out losses in jobs and government services. And as for medical care -- the . bottom line on the health care front pretty much boils down to this: if you are healthy - don't get sick: if you are sick - get well..quick.

This is just the beginning. Listen as the explanations of what can happen come out. Now all the programs go on the table - and Congress will name the cuts. Nothing is safe.

The other day my sister said, "If Mama were still alive she would be scared to death with all this talk about cutting Medicaid and Social Security."
Millions of seniors must feel like we imagined our mother feeling.

I will tell you the truth- - I am afraid.

Are you worried?

Connections

2011-08-02T09:48:00.002-04:00

Have you noticed how stepping into memory brings up stories?

Noting connections - past to present - sets me in place and makes me feel connected across the years of my life. Its comforting - like wearing your years as a warm blanket.

Yesterday riding down Connecticutt Ave toward downtown Washington, DC, I noticed that the new Harry Potter film, The Deathly Hallows, 2, is the current feature at the venerable Uptown Theater. Jim and I agreed it would be fun to see it at the Uptown, a large deco theater with atmosphere and history. We nodded to each other as we passed it.

As we approached the Uptown Theater again on the return trip I remembered the first time I saw a movie there. "Do you remember - - -?" After 56 years of marriage Jim and I have shared most of our life-time firsts. My memory catalog on trivia has always been sharper so testing him is often part of the game. He blanked -

"It was on our honeymoon - when everything else was closed New Years Day we took a taxi out here."
He nodded. "It was a murder. right?"
"That's it. The Trouble with Harry - Shirley McClaine - a very young Shirley McClaine - was in it."

Ah, yes, An Alfred Hitchcock film.

We will be going back to the Uptown... to see another film about a guy named "Harry".
I will eat raisinets. Jim will munch on popcorn. We will hold hands.
It will cost a lot more than in 1955
but it will be much more than a movie - its an investment in connections... and worth
every cent.

Dusty Roses : Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit

2011-08-01T08:02:00.026-04:00

dusty roses
shred apart
like
memories
that are not watered.

I spend time
keeping my connections to the past
alive
to
understand
to
enrich

today.

Diamond Jubilee - a continuing pilgrimmage

2011-07-31T21:56:00.003-04:00

With all my focus on the Fringe I want to wrap up the month with a few other highlights in I do not want to over-look. They are also part of my Diamond Jubilee.

I have been talking about my Diamond Jubilee - otherwise known as my 75th birthday, since January - celebrating it at every turn by telling stories or going somewhere that has been important during those years. So when July 14 finally arrived it almost slid by without notice.

Since Jim and I were flying to Charlotte on an early flight next morning for the Toe River Storytelling Festival - there was only time for a small cake with our local family. Daughter Karen explained that they put on only five candles to save me from starting a fire with the whole 75. The cake was delicious and they

included my all-time favorite ice cream - butter pecan.

Next morning Jim and I flew to Charlotte - my home town which felt appropriate - picked up a car and drove to the mountains for the Storytelling Festival.

Ellouise, Donna Washignton, Sherry Lovett

Told stories with wonderful storytellers.
Right: me with Donna Washington and Sherry Lovett.

Below - me with Mitch Capel.

I hadn't worked with them before so it was a joy to hear their wonderful stories.

Even though is was a drizzling day the audience was steady all day and very appreciative of all our stories. Their kind of listening brought the best from the storytellers.
When the invitation came to tell at Toe River I was excited by the timing - 2 days after my birthday - as it put me on hoe ground telling my stories. Sherry Lovett introduced me as"southern, seventy-five and sassy" and folks welcomed me with open arms. I told stories connected to my childhood and the audience loved them.

Spruce Pine isa charming small town in the mountains. People are warm and friendly. Toe River Storytelling Festival is a lovely festival which does not seem as well-known as it should be.

The tent was close to a train track so we had the music of the passing trains often all day. How can you beat that for storytelling atmosphere?

Pat and Jerry drove up from Charlotte "to hear you." What a sweet surprise. Jerry and I have history. He and I met at Piedmont Jr. High School. And graduated from Central High School in the same class. Delightful to share stories and visit.

Jim - my favorite listener.

We had a delightful week-end break from the Fringe - lunch with a medical school classmate of Jim's on the way to Spruce Pine. A stay at The Richmond Inn - the Spruce Pine B and B - a place with personality, delightful people, excellent breakfasts, and a wonderfully warm and welcoming owner.
I recommend it if you are in the area.
Jim and I would be happy to go back.

My Diamond Jubilee has been partly pilgrimmage, partly sentimental journey. It is like gathering scraps for a feeply personal quilt. So I could not come through Charlotte without touching base with a few important places and special memories:

Holy Angels Nursery - founded by the Sisters of Mercy at Sacred Heart in Belmont, NC, a home for "special" babies and children where our daughter Gretchen lived for several years before her death.
Its an important place and another story.

This building was formerly Sacred Heart Academy, Belmont, NC. - a boarding school under the rule of the The Sisters of Mercy - which my grandmother and a few aunts attended - and where my sister Lynda and I boarded during WWII. A number of my childhood stories take place here.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church was on the road to Hickory. We stopped here so that I could water my Irish Catholic roots. Many of my Lonergans are buried in the church yard - among them James Lonergan, my 3-great grandfather - and his father, John, my 4 great grandfather. They came together from Tipperary with all the family in 1837.

These Lonergans are on my list for stories. I have told about them before but not in a very long time and I have some new ideas, learned from Finding Gus about how to put it together differently.

On our way back we had enough time in Charlotte to stop at Elmwood Cemetary to thank my grandfather Gus Keasler for his story.

The week-end was important - a wrapping up and a new beginning - isn't that how it is with pilgrimmages - you start the journey as one person and return as another. So, more will be revealed.