I had a good night at the Meet Your Local Author Night at Marshall High School. (Their mascot is the Marshall Mavericks). I met some new authors, parents, and teachers, I saw some new books, and as usual, learned more than I intended. The ride was spent listening to some music but mostly to James Lee Burke’s book on CD, The Tin Roof Blowdown. I was so into the book that time flew by.  I’ll keep you posted on the rest of my busy week as I can.

On This Day in the Civil War: According to my Civl War Calendar, in 1864 the Red River Campaign began and General Ulysses S. Grant became commander of the Federal forces  (I do try to spell and pronounce Grant’s first name correctly, though sometimes I fail and it comes out  as “Useless.”)

Church History: The first saint to be canonized by a pope (John XV in A.D. 993) was Ulrich, usually portrayed holding a fish, and in legend he is connected to the former Catholic abstinence from meat on Friday. I remember lunch in my early school days and how every Friday at David G. Burnett Elementary School we would always have fish on Fridays. We all knew it was because of the Catholics, but I don’t remember it bothering us. I guess the schools were more accommodating to religious beliefs in those days. Even now I can close my eyes and see that little square of breaded fish on the plate.