Writer on a Horse
And a Dog

The world looks better from the back of a horse and the roads of life are easier with a good dog beside you.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Graduation where do you keep the diploma chiseled in stone

Second graduation class at Bradshaw, 1969 Wow that was 45 years ago.... were did the time go.






'


June was a busy month for me back in 1969, graduate first week then get married last week of the month.



Life was at my feet on the day I graduated... I could almost hear it saying...take me, mold me, you can go anywhere.  Some people might think I didn't listen to life on that day, but I did.  I picked the life I wanted and never looked back.  Grouchy might be my outer demeanor but happy is my inner.  As my oldest granddaughter told a friend, Granny marches to her own beat.  Thank you Jase.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Maw Maw Norred... still miss you

My husband's sister, Lucy, asked me to write a short piece about Maw Maw's apron for her to read at a ladies meeting.  Here is what I came up with.  For those of you who didn't know, Maw Maw lived with Ronnie and me the last few years of her life.  How sad that you lose you husband, children, sisters.... that your closest kin is your grandchildren.  She was a character and my only regret is that I didn't record her stories while she was alive.... she could tell a good story.



Maw Maw’s Apron


Maw Maw wore sack dresses and aprons with pockets.  A sack dress was worn more than one day but each morning she put on a clean apron.  That apron was a tool used to get her work done just like Paw Paw’s carpenter tools helped him.  Made from scrape material, its purpose was more than just a cover to keep her dress clean.
When her marriage was young it held clothes pins for easy access, eggs from the hen house, tomatoes from the garden and blackberries.  Tucked in its pockets was a handkerchief to wipe noses, the house key when she walked to visit family or friends, her sweet gum toothbrush, a small tin of snuff, and the obituaries clipped from the newspaper to show Paw Paw when he got home from work.
When she was older her apron pockets held treats for the grandbabies, the pass Sunday church bulletin and a pencil so she could do her puzzle books. 
Her aprons played many roles.  They were a basket to carry things, a pot holder for hot pans, a mask to hide tears from children, and a monster to chickens in the garden. 

Most important they were a symbol of a hard working woman who loved her family. 





 

Friday, May 2, 2014

A Memoir... published in the Birmingham Arts Journal

I have a story in the newest issue of the Birmingham Arts Journal.  Last story, "Snow Fell on Alabama."  Check it out.   http://www.birminghamartsjournal.com/pdf/baj11-1.pdf

While you're at the website, look at the contest they're having. http://www.birminghamartsjournal.com/ElectraAward/index.html
The Electra Awards
Established by Birmingham Arts Journal in conjunction with Alabama Power Company
Celebrating the Power of Art to Ignite, Delight & Unite
First, second and third prizes will be awarded
in each of three categories: art, poetry and prose
1st Place $500
2nd Place $300
3rd Place $100

RULES
  • The competition does not require a theme for submitted works. 
  • All entries must be original. No previously published work or pieces awarded cash prizes in other contests.
  • Each online entry must be accompanied by a submission fee (U.S. Funds only). Please use our secure online checkout to submit entry fee with your uploaded entry. Unpaid submissions will not be considered. *If you are unable to enter or pay online, you may mail a printed copy or a disc containing your work accompanied by your submission fee. Make checks payable to Birmingham Arts Journal, Inc. Mail to 1410 17th Street South - Birmingham, AL 35205.
    A $30.00 processing fee will be charged for any returned check.
  • Multiple entries will be accepted, but only one prize per person awarded in each category.
  • All entries must include a cover sheet with title, author's name, address, telephone number, email address, and category entered. 
  • $14 per entry (receipt of entries will be acknowledged via email).
  • With poetry and prose submissions, number the pages in prose submissions.
  • For art submissions, send one photograph of each piece entered
  • Winners will be announced on Birmingham Arts Journal website and via email to all entrants.
  • ALL entries (not just winners) will be considered for future publication in Birmingham Arts Journal. If entries require editing/cropping prior to publication, artists and writers will be notified.
  • Two jurors will judge each category - their decisions will be final.
  • Fees may be paid via PayPal/credit card/debit card on the BAJ website www.birminghamartsjournal.com/ElectraAward. 
  • Manuscripts and photographs will not be returned.All submissions must be received or postmarked by July 1, 2014
    POETRY - Multiple entries must be submitted separately (and with a separate fee) by deadline date. Traditional forms and free verse - more than one poem may be submitted; all poems together must not exceed the 75-line limit per entry fee. Send one copy of each entry in standard manuscript format - double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12pt Courier or Times New Roman font, created in Word (PC or Mac - TXT, DOC, PDF or DOCX).
    PROSE- Fiction and non-fiction - more than one piece may be submitted, but all together must not exceed the 1500-word limit per entry fee. Prose entries must be typed double spaced. Please name your file with the title of the work, your name, or other unique file name. send one copy of each entry in standard manuscript format (double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12pt Courier or Times New Roman font, created in Word (PC or Mac - PDF, DOC, DOCX or TXT).
    ART - Painting/Drawing (oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, pencil, charcoal, etc.). Mixed Media, 3D/Ceramics & Sculpture, Photography (film and digital) - no size restriction. Submissions via .jpg or .tiff files only (300dpi or greater). Diptychs & triptychs accepted as single entry. Only photographic images of art will be accepted - please do not send original work.
  • Thursday, May 1, 2014

    Late but Happy Birthday Lakelynn

    This child came into the world smiling and still is ... love you to the moon and back ... Happy Birthday

    Our families favorite saying about Lake is that she really is a blonde ... we just left her out in the rain and she rusted... :)