Monthly Archive for November, 2010

Dancing in the Wind

Published on November 25, 2010 in Clearstory Radio Blog. 2 Comments

Welcome to Clearstory Radio where we’re shining a light on the Written Word wherever we find it.

And find it we do – On the Streets, in Print, and on the net. Everyweek we search out a blog for our Walking the Blog Feature. This week – It’s Jolina Petersheim’s entry a few weeks ago about her dancing in a dirt devil. Call it what you will. That’s backwoods talk for a whirlwind that appears from nowhere and leave just as quick if you don’t catch it. But that’s exactly what the writer did – she took off running and caught that thing, jumped in the middle of it and lived to tell about it. We share those words over the air this week with great pleasure.

Spotlight event: A great little book happening down in the bayou country will take place soon for a special ode to the people and traditions of New Orleans.

Well worth Sharing: An excerpt from the new Oxford American Magazine - their FUTURE Issue and author Kevin Brockmier shares his top ten tales of the Apocolyptic novel.

From The Writer’s Corner - Flannery O’Conner’s words from her personal letters ripple across time and give us a chuckle. Love that spirit of a woman who will never die as long as people are gathering around a campfire sharing and remembering the truth as they see it.

Guests Waiting In the Wings: To watch for- Adventure Man Jon Turk and the wildly, wonderful best-selling author Catherine Coultier. Stay tuned as we fine tune our schedules for a visit.

And lost of great music this week including Susan Tedescki’s “Lord, Protect My Child, Monte Mongtomery’s, When Will I Look Back and Laugh? And Many more!

Thanks as always for staying tuned via 107.1fm Nashville area, streaming on the web, or at your leisure on demand through itunes.

HAPPY THANKSGIVIING

Published on November 25, 2010 in Life. 0 Comments

What am I doing up at 6am after dragging myself to bed past midnight? My plan was to pick u a non-traditional Thanksgiving cheesecake, and bug out for Florida but no I’m Becoming my mother, that’s what. I’m staggering around searching for that first cup of coffee in the dark with the kitchen already drowning in the scent of things chopped, diced, stirred and baked. Alone in the dark on half of cup of caffeine I’m wrestling with a bird the size of Montana. A fresh, not frozen bird and why I thought this was a good thing I don’t remember. I could swear the bird needs to be plucked a little more and has a bruise. A bruise? That’s not right is it? Well, I’m thinking it’s a fresh bird, I tossed it around a bit, maybe dropped it once – maybe I’m the culprit. But at six am there’s really no one to ask about this. Just me having too make too early of the morning command decisions. Salt cures everything, I’m thinking. And Kosher sea salt will certainly heal everything. We will not die today from bruised turkey legs. I search the turkey to make sure it’s not packing any surprises and butter that baby down on top of the hordes of sea salt crystals and shove it in the oven. In fifteen minutes it was already turning brown. Really??? You’re browning now while your insides are four hours from being done? Really??? I pull out the Aluminum Foil and cover the bird so much he looks radioactive. I make wild rise, confer with no one, peel potatoes. Check the weather forecast. Yes, it will be in the 70′s today, followed by a wintry mix of slow, sleet, and what not. Really? Ok, ok. Shorts to snow shoes, Check. Got it. Stack wood by fire to work off some of those calories from Mom’s million dollar dressing. And yes, I’ve somehow sat up chopping, stirring, testing, and starting into the pan of wet dressing because My mother’s cornbread dressing has been elevated over the years to an art-form. It isn’t stuffing and it’s not just dressing either. It’s THE dressing. It has to have exactly the right amount of green from the scallions the perfect crunch from the water chestnuts, the twinkle of brown from the sliced mushrooms, and I’m just getting started. The colors, like a magnificent painting must all be in the pan. I hold the pan of wet dressing before my youngest son last night nearing midnight and say, Well, what do you think? and we study the concoction to compare it with memory. Looks good, he declares. I breathe a tired sigh and shove it in the oven where now it must be nursed for hours with just the right amount of chicken stock for moistness and butter for browning.

But I digress. I’m still staggering. Haven’t even had my second cup of coffee and there’s that ever so special green bean thingy that must be done because it’s someones favorite. I have no idea in this world even at my age how to get all these dishes to the table at the same time and have them be relatively warm. I do not know how my mother, my mema, my aunt Kate, my grandmother did this. I do not. But In spite of, maybe because of, today we will gather around a bounty of food that is more bountiful than many have in months, and we will Give Thanks and eat first, second and third helpings, a little bit of this, and one more taste of pie. And we will get nappy in front of football games we don’t even follow, and snuggle by a fire as the temperature drops from the skies.

Now if only I could teleport everyone from all corners of the globe to the table. Skpe anyone?

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

When I Needed it Most

Published on November 25, 2010 in Praying for Strangers Blog. 0 Comments

My encounters with strangers have been pretty extraordinary in what has suddenly become almost two years. By now it would seem only normal, only human, to become jaded to even the interest or enthusiasm of a stranger’s response to my quick offering of, “blessings on you, prayers before I go to sleep.” But amazingly, time and time again, when they quietly say, “You have no idea how much I needed to hear that,” I’m beginning to think I do. I’ve heard it for years now and I’m and I’m no less moved when a woman at a fast-food restaurant drive thru says – “You don’t know how much you made my day! Oh, It’s going to be a happy day now! I just walked in telling folks I needed some extra prayer NOT FIVE MINUTES AGO and here you are already, pulling up to my window saying I’m your stranger to prayer for!” Her enthusiasm spilled right out over that window and into my jeep. I knew we were both going to have a better day.

Recently, a woman I passed in a grocery during my Thanksgiving rush to get that LIST said just about the same thing but she spoke with a much quieter voice and a heavy heart. Then she begin to tell me her story. The reason why she was depressed and the things going on in her life. I’d be heavy hearted too. She has an awesome burden to carry and it seems it just got a little heavier with the going. And as has become my habit, I paused that evening and looked into the fire for a long time and thought about her. I prayed for her Peace that a new joy would find it’s way into her life, and also that someone would show up at her door. Sometimes there really does need to be more than prayer. Maybe just a purposeful connection. Then it occurred to me that as much in a hurry as I had been, that woman had not be hurrying. Maybe for various reasons getting right back home was the last thing she wanted at the moment. maybe it was the last thing she needed. But I could have done what occurred to me later. I could have stood there and talked to her a little longer. No, that’s not quite right. I could have listened to her a little longer. Maybe offered to meet her some day at the local anywhere for a cup of coffee. Because sometimes telling your story to a stranger is a different medicine than to family and friends. I don’t know why this is truth but I know it is. I’m thinking as the year moves forward into a new one, as I meet these incredible people along the way, I have to embrace a way of taking it a little slower. Of making room in my life to listen longer if the person has begun to tell a story and what they really need most in that moment is just for someone to listen.

Long Hello’s and Sad Goodbye’s

Published on November 21, 2010 in Authors, Book Groups and Story. 0 Comments

It’s been a rush of a week up on the hill. We ventured forth to the great Dahlonega, Ga literary festival where we visited with old festival friends Sharon Barak, Director, Jackie C. Cooper, Laura Knorr, Mark Braught, and William Rawlings and met fast, new friends and talents Jon Turk, Patrick Michael Finn, Jeffery Stepekoff and more. God bless festival directors, their boards, supporters and volunteers for giving writers such a beautiful way to step out into the world to meet each other, new readers and a take a walk around a lovely square. We ate at our favorite places discovered on previous trips including the Creole Restaurant, the Oyster Bar, and Shenanigans Irish Pub. We had the pleasure of staying in the very, histocal bed and breakfast. Took in a very special late night with Jon Turk discussing his latest, THE RAVEN’S GIFT and other wild adventures at sea and wrapped things up Sunday morning with a brunch overlooking the river followed by special panels that day. As always, we never wanted to leave this picturesque city. (The national Christmas Tree will be making an appearence through the city in a few weeks on it’s way to the capitol as it was discovered in the beautiful mountains nearby.)

A wonderful odd note was when I took a break to find a coffee on the upstairs porch of the Crimson Moon, pulled out a book, read and occasionally glanced up at the town square and the people there. Once I thought I had glimpsed a writer/reviewer/and amazing photographer, Jennifer Carter from the Atlanta area. We had met months ago at my book signing at Foxtale books. But surely not, eh? Well, after I finished said coffee, and closed the last page of HOME, by Marilynne Robinson with a sigh, I wandered the square and discovered none other than Jennifer sitting with coffee, journal, and camera. We were able to visit for a few minutes and she later sent me this picture where she had captured me unknowingly as she was snapping photos. She has the great SouthernGirlSouthernWorld.com blog and the incredible photos at JWanderlust.com . Way to go Jennifer. Thanks for the surprise show of Author in repose.

After such a wonderful road trip it was difficult to come home and immediately attend the last author event at Davis Kidd booksellers in Nashville. Fannie Flagg was good medicine for the night though as she told stories Flagg style and signed her latest until the cows came home. In this photo – Author Susan Gregg Gilmore who drove over from Chattanooga for the event, DK manager Beverly Perry, Author and #1 Fannie Flagg fan in the world, Lisa Patton, and myself. We mugged for the camera with smiles but sad hearts. (Missing from the photo is author friend JT Ellison who had to leave to get back to deadlines and pack for a research to Scotland moment before.) But our hearts were there with the booksellers and in the aisles as times have shifted in our world here. Author friend PT Cruther did a great job summarizing the closing and you can read her article here.

In the meantime -thankfulness for readers everywhere, for the continuation of stories, for the magical moments we share in life I wish you a Peaceful, warm, and loving Thanksgiving. And please remember when sitting down to tables everywhere, invite a stranger, a friend, an odd man out, anyone who might otherwise be keeping sadly to their own. It’s a week for sharing in all our bountiful blessings.

Clyde Edgerton and One More Story for the Road

Published on November 20, 2010 in Clearstory Radio Blog. 0 Comments

“Quietly and wonderfully outlandish.”
Entertainment Weekly on Clyde Edgerton’s work

Clearstory Show November 19, 2010 – LIsten At Your Leisure Here Clearstory Radio – 11-20-2010

Sometimes someone comes along who not only loves to read a good story, or write a good story, BUT also to TELL a good story. Just tune in to the most recent Clearstory Radio program and you’ll know exactly why Mr. Clyde Edgerton is a triple joy to the form. When you are in the middle of interviewing someone and wrapping the interview up and they are saying, “Wait, wait, I’ve got one more . . . ” You know you are in for a good time.

My apologies in advance for all the giggling in the background. It just couldn’t be helped. Now, mind you this is one from the vaults, a timeless piece of funny talk about writing, publishing, flying, and the funny things that people say in real life. His latest novel, The Bible Salesman is now available in paperback and continues to receive all the rave.

It’s also a great inspiration for those who want to write or tell stories whether they be fiction or non-fiction – this is the way an engaging master storyteller rolls the carpet out and the ride is pure magic.

We also Walk a Blog about a Fox, Share a Book Review of recent releases, and say a solemn good-bye to our friends and local bookstore Davis Kidd. And as always there are great tunes in the mix of it all.

It’s just another Clearstory kind of day. Thanks for tuning in
Listen Live Friday Mornings on 107.1fm in pockets of Nashville, tune in live and streaming right here, subscribe through site link at itunes or listen to the show at your leisure on demand.

Timing is Everything

Published on November 17, 2010 in Praying for Strangers Blog. 2 Comments

A few weeks ago I was driving my regular route home during rush hour to the woods outside of Nashville. As I approached an overpass a young women was preparing to jump into the rush of traffic below. She had one leg dangling over the bridge ready to make the leap and a woman was standing behind her, clasping her tightly around the waist and whispering something into her ear. I could see the girl was crying, that behind them a car had been stopped in mid-traffic and the door thrown open, and that the girl was indeed prepared to jump quickly. Had she made it, the vehicle she may have landed directly in front of or onto could very well of been mine. I’m not certain even as I write these words how I possibly took in that complete scene driving on a major thoroughfare but I did. No doubt, I slowed the car, prepared to stop. Catching her, or breaking that tulmteous fall was not an option.

A Roadside Emergency Vehicle had stopped just beyond the overpass. I thought maybe they were in contact with 911. I continued driving for a few feet. Then I slowed, stopped, and pulled to the side of the road. Although the only thing I thought I could do for that woman was say a prayer for her, driving didn’t seem like the best option. Continuing on my happy, merry journey home to the safety of my house, a fire in the fireplace, dinner waiting seemed – well, like an overwhelming bounty. But it was no longer disenfranchised from that young woman’s life prepared to jump. In that split second, her pain impacted my journey. And I felt as if stopping to pray, hitting he pause button on my life, seemed much more viable. Necessary. In a little while the emergency vehicle pulled up behind me. The man got out and approached the window and I said,

“Really – I’m fine. But listen, Did you see that girl back there?”

“We did. That’s why we stopped. But then they were gone, the car, the woman, everything. We didn’t even get a tag number.”

I simply nodded, a lump in my throat. Sure, people jump everyday. Sure. Mental illness and problems everywhere. Millions of us roaming this big blue. But that day, that one person almost jumped on me. And as she did I connected. My stranger for the day? That was an easy one. We’ll never speak but I’ll remember her. And the face of the woman I assume to be her mother. And I’ll remember her and whisper a brief prayer once in awhile because life gives us many bridges to cross, many opportunities to leap, crash, burn.

Fortunately, it also offers kindness and caring. The Kind where people hold tight to us to keep us from falling.

City Mouse, Country Mouse

Published on November 8, 2010 in Books, Dogs, Life, The Adorables and The Miracle of Mercy Land. 0 Comments

One foot in the woods, surrounded by trees, living up on the hill and taking walks with the man and big dog- and one foot longing to be in Paris hanging out in streetside cafe.

Alright – so those walks are more like me constantly dawdling and needing to catch up to them as the photo illustrates. A little hammock time, tree time and then back to the screen where Moses, the steely-eyed furry editor watches me type every word.

Today I’ve left the woods to park myself in a popular little French Bakery. Maybe it’s not Paris but The jazz is lively and the smells are ohhh, so sweet . I’ve had to break down to grab that fresh baked Rustic Tuscan bread because husband made a pot of stew that should last us – oh, a life time. What’s hot stew without fresh baked bread? The Eagles (husbands hometown team) won, some of our old hero’s are still floating on top, tarnished though they may be, and our Tennessee Titans looking so good had a week to rest.

Tomorrow my mother celebrates her birthday and I’ve got her on my mind. She’s getting autographed Rick Bragg book – The Most They Ever Had – because she can relate so well to those stories, and perfume but that part’s a surprise. Wishing she was here but getting Mom on a plane takes a troop and an act of God. She’s just not much on flying. Which is why every time my plane lands when I travel and ring her from the ground she says, “Oh Thank God!” so powerfully I think there has been an international incident. Every. Single. Time.

We had trick or treat recently. Mr. Smarty and Miss Fancy invited me along for the fun. Fifty pounds of candy and four hours later we huffed and puffed our way up the hill toting sacks, SACKS, I tell you full of more candy than children in third world countries see in a lifetime. Crazy we are but the adults in costume passing out candy were the kickinest. And one tiny trick or treater cowboy who declared, ” I need me some candy!” With enough gusto he cracked up the whole neighborhood. The Adorables checked in via Skpe and pictures with their award winning make up jobs. (Go Mom!)

The Praying for Strangers book is going to bed for this round anyway. The Miracle of Mercy Land received a Starred Review in Publishers Weekly – and for a funny, personal take on those accolades you can read all about it on my recent post at A Good Blog is Hard To Find.

This weekend finds husband and I traveling to Dahlonega, GA for their great Literary Festival. What a great pictureque town and we are looking forward to loitering, sauntering, meandering along the sidewalks.

The clocks’ have turned back in our neck of the woods so the days are a little shorter, the light more precious, the fire in that old hearth lit a little earlier. I hope wherever you are this week love finds you, keeps you. And that your moments of your life are truly treasured.

Writer’s Block, Nashville Chrome, and Ray Charles

Published on November 5, 2010 in Clearstory Radio Blog. 0 Comments

Join Clearstory Radio every Friday morning at 9am where we illuminate the written word -where we find it, what inspires it, and why we love it so.

On the Streets – 107.1fm Nashville area, On the Web, through ITUNES or
At your Leisure – Clearstory Radio Show- November 5, 2011
The Writer’s Block - Yes, yes, a little one on one – personal advice about surviving the joys of the journey of authorship -

Featured review: Nashville Chrome - a new book from author, Rick Bass. Summary: Late in 1959, the Brown siblings–Maxine, Bonnie, and Jim Ed–were enjoying unprecedented international success, rivaled only by their longtime friend Elvis Presley. They had a bona fide megahit on their hands, which topped both the country and pop charts and gave rise to the polished sound of the multibillion dollar country music industry we know today. Mesmerized by the Browns’ haunting harmonies, the Beatles even tried to learn their secret. Their unique harmony, however, was only achievable through shared blood, and the trio’s perfect pitch was honed by a childhood spent listening for the elusive pulse and tone of an impeccably tempered blade at their parent’s Arkansas sawmill.
But the Browns’ celebrity couldn’t survive the world changing around them, and the bonds of family began to fray along with the fame. Heartbreakingly, the novel jumps between the Browns’ promising past and the present, which finds Maxine–once supremely confident and ravenous in her pursuit of applause–ailing and alone. As her world increasingly narrows, her hunger for just one more chance to secure her legacy only grows, as does her need for human connection.
Lyrical and nuanced, Nashville Chrome hits all the right grace notes with its vivid evocation of an era in American music, while at its heart it is a wrenching meditation on the complexities of fame and of one family–forgotten yet utterly unforgettable when reclaimed by Bass–who experienced them firsthand.

In The Spotlight:
Sunday event at Landmark Booksellers, Franklin Tn with Sonny Brewer and William Gay reading/discussing – Don’t Quit Your Day Job – Acclaimed Writer’s and the Day Job’s they Quit. (A great anthology by the way – fun and moody with some of the biggest names in the business contributing personal, true essays about their day jobs – the ones they might not miss!)

Walking the Blog - Searching for some great words? Something to make you laugh, inspire, stamp your foot in surprise? Check out these great blogs while surfing the wide, wide world on the net : Pen and Palette, Susan Cushman – Faster Than Kudzu, Joshilyn Jackson – A Good Blog is Hard to Find, A Collection of Southern Authors

Oh yes, and a few musical interludes with Ray Charles, Lyle Lovett, and more because it’s about mood, music, story.

Monthly Archive for November, 2010