I arose tired from my weekend of signing and selling books. This morning, I must prepare for my university classes, make sure I get books for my program Thursday night  in Greenville, Texas, and call some managers about signings and a score of other tasks. I thought the best entry this morning would be the article I wrote for the Celtic Festival booklet. Here it is:

Celtic Louisiana

Celtic émigrés came to America for many reasons. Many were transported from Scotland to America after the Cromwellian Civil War, the Jacobite Rebellion, and the Highland Clearances.  One noted exodus occurred in 1732 when Scots, mostly from Argyll, came to Cape Fear, North Carolina, on the Thistle, a ship now known as the “Scottish Mayflower.”

From Northern Ireland came the Scots-Irish, who had themselves been transported earlier from Scotland to Ireland by the English. Between 1715 and 1726 some 250,000 Scots-Irish, weary of being England’s pawns, left Ulster to come to America.  And in the south of Ireland, huge numbers joined the exodus. Huge numbers of the Irish fled or were displaced from the Emerald Isle by both famine and the tyranny of the English.  They were forced to face the difficult journey across the sea to the New World on the infamous crowded and disease-ridden “coffin ships,” such as the Agnes, Virginius, and the Naomi. Nearly two million Irish came to America between 1830-1840. More than 2.6 million Irish came to America after 1860.  Now, over 12% of Americans claim to be of Irish descent, and an equally large percentage, Scots-Irish.

The story of the Celtic Diaspora is in a significant way, the story of America.

After the Louisiana Purchase, Celtic people migrated to Northeast Louisiana like swarms of roving bees.  They came here—the Irish, the Scottish, the Scots-Irish, the Welsh, and the other Celtic Nations—so many that it’s been said that early maps marked the region as Celtic Louisiana.

The impact of the Irish and Scottish newcomers was felt immediately in Louisiana.  New Orleans celebrated its first St. Patrick’s Day in 1809.  Andrew Jackson, one of Ulster’s sons, led his army to victory against the British here in Louisiana in one of history’s most famous battles during the War of 1812. By 1860, there were over 24,000 Irish in New Orleans.  When the War Between the States began in 1861, the famous 6th Louisiana was formed, led by Irish-born leaders such as Billy Monaghan.  These fierce Irish boys were known as the “Fighting Tigers.”

Families drifted into Northeast Louisiana from the east, and boatloads entered the Southern ports of New Orleans and Mobile and made their way north. Finally, a great number of them came here, pinning themselves to the earth, declaring the farmlands, the piney woods, and the cities of Northeast Louisiana to be their home. Regional phonebooks reveal the extent of their immigration.  Search those listings and you will see page after page of Celtic surnames such as you might find in a Dublin or Edinburgh phonebook. Northeast Louisiana is truly a new Celtic Nation.

People of the Celtic nations settled Northeast Louisiana, and with them came their heritage. Wherever Celtic people go, they bring a sense of history and community.  The blood of their ancestors stirs their own veins.  They came with a strong work ethic, a love for family and for the land, a rich inner spirituality, and a fierce fighting spirit.  These are the personal qualities that have always made the Celtic people unique—qualities that have always been a source of their strength. Perhaps even more significant in relation to this festival, the Celtic people have always possessed a strong devotion to aesthetics, to the arts. Loving music, art, dance, and story telling, they gathered to celebrate on every possible occasion.

At the Festival, you will once again experience and reconnect to your own Celtic Heritage. Our nation is experiencing a Celtic Renaissance.  Declare yourself to be a part of that Renaissance. Use your time here to teach your children about their ancestors and their homeland. May the music you hear stir your blood like it once did your ancestors. Learn their forgotten crafts. Open your eyes to the beauty of Celtic art and costumes.

Yes, the Celts came to Northeast Louisiana.  And once again in 2007, Celtic families and clans have congregated to celebrate and honor their heritage.  We’re glad you’ve attended our festival.

Today, I arrived at the Celtic Festival about 11:00 a.m. I took thirty books and signed and sold 28 of them. As is typical of signings, I met so many really cool people. Thanks to my friend Stuart, I also have some peat I can show kids when I do my Scots-Irish programs. He has to be one of the strongest (and generous) men I’ve ever met. He’s huge in size, and capable of throwing cabers (weighing 125 pounds or more), stones (twenty pound plus for men), hammers (16-22 pounds for men), or trees even, for great distances. Go to this site if you want to know about the Scottish games: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_games

In all, it was a great day. I’ve got a small problem though: I’ve sold all my books I had in stock and so if Pelican can’t get them to me quick enough, I’ll have to drive to New Orleans and pick some more up Tuesday. I guess that’s a good problem to have. More later.

Yesterday, I was so busy I didn’t have time to make a post.  I did two presentations at a Northeast Louisiana district meeting of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a professional honor society for women educators. There were about 50 present at the Learning Tech facility in Monroe, all high-powered, influential, and really cool ladies. I presented the Jim Limber story and performed some songs with my guitar. It was a great morning and interest in my program for schools and in my children’s book was high. During their lunch, I also played backup guitar for a young, self-taught banjo player, Luke Powell. You can learn more about this impressive Louisiana state branch of this society here: http://www.sabine.k12.la.us/dkgla/

From DKG, I went to the Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival and set up a table to sign and sell some books there. Again, I found great interest in my book, and I sold all I had brought with me. I’m going back for another round this afternoon. Attendance was high. I also was able to visit with several nationally prominent musician friends of mine including Jed Marum, Michael Harrison, Jeffrey Phillips, and members of Smithfield Fair.  As traffic at my table was good, I was unable to stroll around much, but after my books were gone I did manage to hear Need Fire perform. From the festival, we did our usual ritual and went to Enoch’s for the post-festival party.  I’ll post some photos of the festival soon, as well as the article I wrote for the festival that was featured in the festival brochure.

I have a meeting with the Arts Council in Webster Parish this morning at 11:00 a.m., so I’ll be driving to Minden shortly. We are finalizing our work plans for the Minden area schools.  Yesterday, I finished the revision of my Scottish children’s book and worked on promoting my upcoming Mobile book tour. Marketing yourself takes so much time, thought, and energy. I’m making Mobile a study and model on how to take a city by storm. There are many Southern cities I want to attack with the same thoroughness. If successful, maybe I’ll write a book later on my secret strategies.

This weekend, I’ve got a teacher’s organization to perform for and present my book to, and then the Celtic Fest here in Monroe, where I’m going to try to sell some books. There is also a Civil War show I may attend in Vicksburg. I had thought I might set up a table there, but I’m having second thoughts. I might do just as good to just go and hand out some materials on my books and program. I didn’t get to go to a single beach this summer (other than Mobile, where I only saw the Gulf). Not one. I must remedy that and make sure I have some coastal cities this next summer. Last night, I learned a new song for my children’s book presentation: “A Place in the Choir.” I think students will love it. Simple three-chord song. I do it in the key of F. Here are the words:

A Place in the Choir

All god’s creatures got a place in the choir
Some sing low and some sing higher
Some sing out loud on the telephone wire
Some just clap their hands or paws or anything they’ve got now

Listen to the bass it’s the one at the bottom
Where the bullfrog croaks and the hippopotamus
Moans and groans in the big tattoo
And the old cow just goes “moo”
The dogs and the cats they take up the middle
Where the honey bee hums and the cricket fiddles
The donkey brays and the pony neighs
And the old grey badger sighs oh

All god’s creatures got a place in the choir
Some sing low and some sing higher
Some sing out loud on the telephone wire
Some just clap their hands or paws or anything they’ve got now

Listen to the top with the little birds singing
And the melodies and the high notes ringing
And the hoot-owls cries over everything
And the blackbird disagrees
Singing in the night-time, singing in the day
And the little duck quacks and he’s on his way
And the otter hasn’t got much to say
And the porcupine talks to himself

All god’s creatures got a place in the choir
Some sing low and some sing higher
Some sing out loud on the telephone wire
Some just clap their hands or paws or anything they’ve got now

It’s a simple song, a little one sung everywhere
By the ox and the fox and the grizzly bear
The dopey alligator and the hawk above
The sly old weasel and the turtle-dove

All god’s creatures got a place in the choir
Some sing low and some sing higher
Some sing out loud on the telephone wire
Some just clap their hands or paws or anything they’ve got now

Tomorrow, I begin working with the schools in Webster Parish. I’ll be teaching a unit there on creative writing and the literature of China. Should be quite fun. However, the pressure and the logistics I’ve got to sort out today caused me to wake early (It’s what you call insomnia, I guess). I’ll likely take my guitar also. I own two guitars–one an old American-made Guild, and the other a Takamine. Below is a picture of a performance of mine at Enoch’s, the only Irish pub in Monroe.

Today is another day spent at the university. I must also begin contacting folks I know and media in Mobile, Alabama.  This is a photo I use for most press releases.

Last Thursday, I presented my Jim Limber program at the elementary and middle schools of Honey Grove, Texas. Below is a nice review and endorsement of my program.

Subject: [tlc] Great Author Visit
From:    “Beverly Herriage” <baherriage@honeygroveisd.net>
Date:    Mon, October 1, 2007 2:48 pm
To:      “Texas Library Connection” <tlc@txla.org>
————————————————————————–

We had  an excellent author visit last Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007 at our
elementary and middle school campuses.  Mr. Rickey Pittman gave a
wonderful presentation for students in grades 3-8.  He shared his
knowledge and love of the history of the Civil War time period with the
children.  He gave a booktalk about  his recently published children’s
book JIM LIMBER DAVIS:  A BLACK ORPHAN IN THE CONFEDERATE WHITE HOUSE, played his guitar and sang songs of the Civil War time period, told of his
involvement in reenactments of Civil War Battles, and let the children
view his Civil War artifacts. He encouraged the students to read, write
and do research.
Students and faculty are asking for another visit from Mr. Pittman, so you
know his performance was extra special.  IT WAS THAT SPECIAL PROGRAM EACH
LIBRARIAN WANTS THEIR STUDENTS TO EXPERIENCE!!

Mr. Pittman’s awards :
*Jefferson Davis Historical Gold Medal, May 13, 2005.  (Presented by the
United
Daughters of the Confederacy  in recognition of excellence in research and
writing in published writing.)
*Bonnie Blue Society, May 26, 2006.  (Presented by the Sons of Confederate
Veterans in
recognition of scholarly research and published literature.)
*Meritorious service Medal, in recognition of exceptionally meritorious
service to the sons of Confederate Veterans, July 26, 2007.

Contact Information:
rickeyp@bayou.com

This review was printed in ForeWord Magazine:  Reviews of Good Books. It’s a magazine that goes to many, many librarians. You can see the article online here:

http://www.forewordmagazine.com/reviews/viewreviews.aspx?reviewID=3988 

Jim Limber Davis: A Black Orphan in the Confederate White House
by: Rickey Pittman, author; Judith Hierstein, illustrator

Issue Month: September/October 2007
Category: Children’s Picture Book
Publisher: Pelican Publishing Company
Color illustrations, 32 pages, Hardcover $15.95
ISBN: 9781589804357

It’s easy to dismiss Jefferson Davis as simply the President of the Confederacy, which fought to uphold slavery. Children and adults alike may be surprised, therefore, to learn that Jefferson Davis and his compassionate family adopted a young African American orphan, Jim Limber Davis. Based on actual events, this picture book portrays how the First Lady of the Confederacy, Varina Davis, rescued the boy after witnessing a brutal beating by his owner. Jim quickly became an endearing and legitimate member of the Confederate White House when the Davises registered him as a free black child and became his guardians. With Davis’s eventual capture, however, came house arrest for the rest of the family and the kidnapping of Jim by Yankee soldiers.

An active member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and Civil War reenactor, the author is well-suited for this subject. Pittman has written plays, nonfiction, poetry, and short stories, and was a grand prize winner of the Ernest Hemingway Short Story Competition. Illustrator Hierstein teaches digital and video arts and has illustrated the Toby Belfer Series and The Pilgrims’ Thanksgiving from A to Z. Her muted watercolors, some based on existing photographs, convey the range of emotions throughout the narration. They also depict many contrasts, from the grand interior and exterior of the Confederate White House, to a forced life in a Confederate camp when the Yankees seized Richmond; from a very young, simply clothed Jim and his parents on the title page, to the Davis’s fine fashion featured in the rest of the book.

An epilogue for adults explains that Jim’s disappearance remains one of the great remaining unsolved mysteries of the Civil War. The author’s engaging story format never deviates from historical facts, yet handles the issue of slavery in a manner that is appropriate for upper elementary-aged children. This little-known, eye-opening account of Jim Limber Davis raises many intriguing questions. Pittman knows how to keep history alive.

Review by: Angela Leeper

I thought I had better post something this morning as I have three university classes to teach this afternoon and tonight (I’m so not ready for them) and gadzillions of chores to do. Tomorrow, I’ll get to seriously work on more promotions for my books.  I watched Shakespeare in Love (a fine movie) again, thought about how writers need muses and thought I’d post this poem.

Kissed by My Muse

In New Orleans, nine streets are named for the Muses,
I’ll know their names now, since I met you.
I’ve searched for you, Muse,
So many years, in so many ways,
I’d almost forsaken my quest to find you,
Thinking you imaginary, not of this earth,
And then there you were,
In the flesh, and that one
Meeting changed everything for me.
You took a Muse’s role seriously,
And you set me to work, and now
I cannot write enough.

I know now where the power of a Muse lies,
It’s in her kiss . . .
And with the first one,
I lost myself completely.
Your kiss is unlike any other,
And you tease and test me,
Knowing this divine spark
Is insatiable and has no limits,
I will never love you enough,
I could never kiss you enough.

Do not injure my heart by
Comparing me to other men, Muse,
Please, do not abandon me,
For you are my last chance,
And to keep you with me forever,
You know I would prostrate myself
And kiss your feet.
You know, how lost I am in your lips,
How my heart aches without you near me.
Yes, I am kissed by a Muse, and I
Feel now like a man.
I so worship you.
Let this verse be my prayer,
And my heart the sacrifice.