The craft of storytelling is as old as mankind. Since the fall of 2007, I’ve been a storyteller. Since then, I’ve made over 600 presentations to schools, libraries, festivals, organizations, and churches–mostly through the South, but also on excursions . albion gold Now, I admit, my presentation is unique because I almost always combine storytelling and music, but it’s been a busy and productive schedule. NIKE Air VAPORMAX
My Facebook friends (you can see my fan page here) often express amazement at my busy schedule. Yeezy Boost 350 V2albion silver Last year, I made 143 presentations. cheap albion silver Though based in Monroe, Louisiana, it seems I’m only there a few days a month. My friends ask why and how do I travel about so much? Some of it is because of necessity, because I’m still at the economically struggling author/musician stage, and partly because I love to travel. Nike Air Max 2017 Goedkoop I am able to support myself in my travels by teaching online college courses, so in some ways I guess I could be called a “digital nomad.” The combination of my sources of income–CD & music sales and royalties, payment for music and storytelling presentations, and the college income–have enabled me to be self-employed and live the kind of free life few get to enjoy. I like it so much that I’ve probably ruined any chance of being able to work a 9-5 job. nike tn chaussure Back to the storytelling, the point of this post: I tell these kinds of stories–stories of the War Between the States (America’s Civil War), state history (mostly, Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana to this point) Scottish, Irish, and other Celtic stories, and stories of Scottish and Irish saints. They have been well-received and I’ve had the battle experience now to answer this question: WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO WANT TO DO STORYTELLING? 1. nike air max 1 essential uomo Read lots of stories. air max pas cher Attend Celtic festivals and other festivals and listen to those who are billed as storytellers. Buy their CDs if they have it. New Balance 1300 hombre Meet them and take them to dinner. Just learn by any means you can all the subtle intricacies of the craft of storytelling. adidas yeezy boost 350 v2 damskie 2.
Learn about how to market yourself. nike tn pas cher Read Guerrilla Marketing for Writers. Much of what the author advises authors is applicable to storytellers as well. 3. Develop unique stories. The story that got me on the map was the story of Jim Limber, Black Orphan in the Confederate White House. This story has been the central starting point of many of my presentations. nike air force 1 mid hombre I also wrote a poem called “Jim Limber’s Ghost” that I recite whenever I tell the story. asics mexico damskie You can hear the poem here, or you can see the words here. Geno Smith – West Virginia Mountaineers People are so surprised to learn that the Hollywood version of the war isn’t true and that the race issues were much more complex than they have made it. My book tells the story of how the President of the Confederacy rescued and adopted a free black orphan. My stories of the Scottish and Irish saints were also unique. buty damskie squash asicsbuy albion silver 4. buy albion gold If you start out doing free storytelling, have a product to sell–book, T-shirt, etc. I’m quite confident that will bring you in a few bucks. You may have to do your first presentation for a library for free the first time. If you do well, they will hire you to come back. asics gel lyte buty damskiecheap albion gold Most of the libraries I work for every year, I did the first presentation for free. Air Jordan 10
cheap albion gold 5. There’s some good books on storytelling. Do a Google search and you’ll find one that appeals to you. Air Max 2016 Homme
buy albion gold Decide on what type of stories you want to tell and what type you are good at. Though I admire and study standup comedians, I know I’m not suited for that style. 6. Email me after you’ve looked at my bio and website if you have any questions and I’ll give the most honest advice I can. I always answer an email.
At the 2013 Harlingen Book Festival, Saturday, May 11, the Rio Grande Valley is remembering and honoring its early Scottish and Irish settlers such as John Young and John McAllen by adding a legendary bagpiper to its program–Lary Fowler. nike air max goedkoopSac à Dos Fjallraven Kankencheap albion gold Lary has been performing full-time as a piper in the Soutwest for the past decade. Cheap Fjallraven Kanken Minialbion silver His various attires include anything from renaissance period clothing to full British military. Asics Mexico męskiecheap albion gold As recently as September of 2012 he has entered three competitions in Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma winning 9 medals.
A Southern Missive: Containing special news, interviews, reviews, and articles, written by Rickey E. Nike Air Pegasuscheap albion gold Pittman—award-winning author, storyteller, college writing instructor, folksinger, and songwriter. new balance coupon code 2015 ————————————————————- About the Bard of the South: Rickey E. cheap albion gold Pittman Read his complete bio here: IN THIS ISSUE: Civil War Fiction Books about the Civil War continue to be churned out. Maglia Tracy McGradybuy albion gold I think the War Between the States must be one of the most popular topics to write about. Through the years, I’ve managed to build up a respectable library on the War. albion silver I’m working on a book for one of my publishers, Booklocker, on how to write about the Civil War. Asics Gel lyte 5 Dames This book is on the list of my future projects, and as soon as I get a lot of rat killing done, I can see to it. Nike Air Max Dames As an English teacher for both the high school and college levels, I’ve read and taught many books about the Civil War that are in the genre of fiction. If you’re a teacher, or just one who is interested in reading good Civil War fiction, here’s a list of those books with a few comments. buy albion gold Read the whole story here: Previous columns are here: August 2013 http://www.bardofthesouth.com/?p=2121 ============================================================= ============================================================= Stories of the Confederate South: A Review by Cassie A Barrow. t is essential in today’s society to have books that tell the story of the Confederacy to a younger audience. Kansas State Wildcats To do so successfully, the writer must be witty, entertaining, yet relate the truth about the time period, even in fiction. Odell Beckham Jr Jersey Stories of the Confederate South is such a book that has a menagerie of different accounts pertaining to the War Between the States. This publication is perfect for middle school-aged children . Goedkoop Adidas Superstar . buy albion silver . Read the whole review here: You can order Stories of the Confederate Southhere: Email rickeyp@bayou.com and receive a free study guide for Stories of the Confederate South by Rickey E. nike air max 2017 heren groen Pittman! ————————————————————- Costumed Storytelling, Music, and Author Events ————————————————————- Book the Bard of the South for your school, library, organization, festival, church, banquet or other event. nike air force 1 high hombre His positive, energetic presentation of stories and songs are sure to delight and edify those in attendance. His rates are reasonable and he pays his own travel and lodging expenses. Donne Scarpe Air Jordan 11 Last year, he made 143 presentations, so book soon as his calendar is filling up quickly. Canotte Phoenix Sunscheap albion silver You can see a list of some of the venues he’s been a part of here: Contact information: Rickey E. Pittman Cell 318-547-2906 Email: mailto:rickeyp@bayou.com ============================================================= Send the Bard: Send the Bard of the South your emails with comments and questions and they will be posted here each issue with the proper response—answers to your questions or suggestions to help you with your research, storytelling, songwriting, or history. ============================================================= Like Bard of the South on Facebook! Rickey E. Pittman ============================================================= This Month’s Short Story:
The Heart Is Not Made of Bone—Krio Proverb
I was sent to Freetown, Sierra Leone by the Dallas Morning News to write a story on the nation’s recovery after its bloody civil war. One night I went to Paddy’s Bar and Chinese Restaurant. Paddy’s was a favorite haunt of Westerners and had a reputation for being a place where Africa met the world. Nike Air Max 2016 Dames grijs The food was good, the drinks affordable, and usually the bar was crowded to capacity. Andrelton Simmons Jersey I had made an appointment to meet with Father Ambrose, a priest whose mission and village in the northern district was overrun by RUF soldiers. I knew it would not be a pretty story—there were no pretty stories coming out of Sierra Leone—but I hoped it would give me insight into the soul and hearts of the nation’s people. My first question was: “What is the most important truth you’ve learned from your experience?” He sipped on his Scotch, then answered: “I learned that the heart is not made of bone.” Father Ambrose and I talked and drank long into the night.
His bandaged right hand rested on the bar, a reminder of a night he and many others would never forget. Here is the story he gave me that I submitted to my editor. store locator for new balance shoes It was never published . . . ============================================================= Read the whole story here: ============================================================= Whispers, Warnings, and Links I like ============================================================= Soon, I’ll have a whole newsletter devoted to the Rio Grande Valley, but if you’re interested in Border news, I’d suggest you check out Sylvia Longmire’s bloghere: ============================================================= Bard of the South News ============================================================= You can visit my calendar on my website to see my schedule. If in your area, I’ll be happy to meet you and help you in any way I can. Coming Soon: A children’s picture book: Ariel: Therapy Dog of the Rio Grande Valley (Sarah Pub.) by Rickey E. New Balance Pas Cher Pittman and Norlene Chamberlain. Pittman has written a song about this real-life standard French poodle. nike air max thea nero donna You can preview the song here: ————————————————————- Interesting Civil War Fact: Did you know that in the War Between the States, merchants who followed the troops as they marched and sold them goods they couldn’t obtain from the local quartermaster were called sutlers. albion gold At every Civil War reenactment today, you will still find merchants who call themselves sutlers. The National Civil War Association says this about them: During the Civil War, sutlers followed the armies, camping right up alongside them. They provided invaluable support to the soldiers by selling clothing, food and tinwear along with other dry goods. Nike Air Max Norge Nettbutikk Today sutlers are no less important as they were then, not only providing much of the supplies needed but by their presence creating the most realistic re-enactments possible for not only our enjoyment but the public as well. chaussures homme adidas adi racer ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Feel free to forward this Ezine to your friends.
A Southern Missive: Containing special news, interviews, reviews, and articles, written by Rickey E. Pittman—award-winning author, storyteller, college writing instructor, folksinger, and songwriter. Read his complete bio here: ============================================================= The Latest news from http://www.bardofthesouth.com/ ============================================================= *Award winning artist and illustrator Rod Espinosa is the illustrator chosen for Ariel: Therapy Dog of the Rio Grande Valley (Sarah Publishing 2014) a children’s picture written by Rickey E. Pittman and Norlene Chamberlain. This will be Pittman’s 6th children’s picture book and the first for Ms. Chamberlain. You can read more of Espinosa’s work, experience, and awards here: *Dec. albion silver 9-13 The Bard, Ariel, the Therapy Dog, and Norlene Chamberlain presented a Very Ariel Christmas with school visits to 17 elementary schools in the Harlingen Texas School District. You can hear the song I wrote about Ariel here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rickeypittmanbardoftheso2 The Bard of the South has been booked for the main stage at the 2014 World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Monday, March 17. Jim Belushi will be the celebrity Grand Marshal for this event. cheap albion silver Read more about the event here: You can listen to some of the Bard’s Scottish and Irish music samples here: New Original Songs by the Bard of the South“Miss Rio Grande Valley”- So many beauties have come from the Rio Grande Valley. Here’s a song about a man who falls for a beauty queen! (Model for single release cover is Tyler Zimmerman, Miss South Texas) Preview and order the song here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rickeypittmanbardoftheso3 “The 13th Floor” – If you’re superstitious or if you’ve heard about the wild nightlife of Dallas, you are sure to like this song! (Model for single release cover is Amanda Brady) Preview and order the song here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rickeypittmanbardoftheso4 These songs (along with other originals) will be on the Bard’s 4th CD, which should be available by Summer 2014. cheap albion gold The CD’s theme is songs of Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. ============================================================= The Bard’s calendar is filling up for the spring! Book the Bard of the South for your own school, library, organization, festival, church, banquet or other event. His positive, energetic presentation of stories and songs are sure to delight and edify those in attendance. His rates are reasonable and he pays his own travel and lodging expenses. Contact information: Rickey Pittman Cell 318-547-2906 Email: rickeyp@bayou.com ( 5.) This Week’s Article =============================================================
The Story of Auld Lang Syne
It seems the whole world know at least the first verse. Those in the Scottish societies often know all the verses. Maglie Los Angeles Lakers Few know the story of how the song came about or many details of its author, Robert Burns. As we slip into a New Year, I thought this article would be appropriate. Three simple words—meaning “old,” “long,” and “since”—combine to form a phrase that translates loosely as “time gone by,” “old time’s sake,” or, in some contexts, “once upon a time.” But the old Scots phrase so gracefully evokes a sense of nostalgia that it has been embraced throughout the English-speaking world. Jadeveon Clowney – South Carolina Gamecocks Every December 31, millions of us raise our voices in song to greet the new year, standing with friends and looking back on days past. buy albion gold The song we share has its roots in an old Scottish ballad about a disappointed lover and a popular dance tune that evoked a country wedding. (Read more here . . . ) http://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/online/AuldLangSyne/ ————————————————————- Like Bard of the South on Facebook! Click here: Rickey E. Pittman =============================================================
A special Holiday Short Story: “Santa’s Little Helpers” by Rickey E. Pittman
It was the hottest Christmas Eve in Dallas history. I was on LBJ Freeway in North Dallas, and as usual, I was inching along in the gridlock, cursing the traffic when I wasn’t singing Merle Haggard’s song, “If We Make It Through December. I remember that as a teenager in Farmer’s Branch, I had this huge highway almost to myself, racing on my Yamaha 250 Enduro from Webb Chapel to Garland in just a few minutes. Dallas was no longer anything like the city of my nativity. I was quite a sight back then in my Easy Rider fringed leather jacket and my Billy Jack hat slung on my back. I held that image in my head for com for just a minute until I glanced down at the red velvet Santa suit I wore today on my way to work at Neiman Marcus to relieve the dayshift Santa. I remembered the ghosts of those Christmas’s past—the happy faces of family and friends, that special gift from Diane—it seemed to relieve the loneliness and stress of Christmas present. I wouldn’t allow myself to be terrorized by thoughts of Christmas future. new balance 577 grey green orange The gridlock eased and I was able to increase speed. cheap albion gold Cars were honking at me as they passed my 1963 Dodge Dart. I looked down at the dash and realized I’d been driving in 2nd gear. I punched the button that slipped the transmission into 3rd and made better progress. I ignored the hoots and hollers of the adults in the cars passing and focused on the smiling faces of the children. Their smiling faces helped me through the holidays and was one of the things that made me take this stupid job at Neiman Marcus. The college had budget cuts, and as the fall semester ended, I was one of the fatalities. So, to get me through the holidays, I became a Santa. Nike Italia A radiator hose burst and the Dart’s engine started blowing smoke just as I pulled into the mall parking lot. “I guess I’ll have to take the sleigh home,” I said out loud. I put on the Santa beard, which I hated, because it was fake. Clayton Kershaw Jersey I had tried to grow a beard many times but never could get past the point of looking like a wino.
I was running late, I opened my bottle of Scotch and washed down a Vicodin, stuffed the bottles of whisky and pills into my Santa bag, and then hurried on inside. My manager ran over to me. “You are so late, Santa! The day Santa left 15 minutes ago. The children are restless and the mothers are complaining! Hop to it!” I noticed the Christmas music over the intercom seemed louder today. I punched in my time card and waddled past the Duck Dynasty Christmas display and over to the Santa throne. A line of kids and mothers extended nearly to the doors of the store. I had two assistants. There was an elf named Rudy—and yes, he had a very red nose. I think he was a bit too fond of the Christmas spirits. Then there was Mary, a beautiful young lady who took photos for the store. She wore a sexy red Christmas outfit you see on Playboy models in the December issue. She was cheerful and flirty, and seeing her was always a highlight of my Santa job here. After I sat down, Rudy hollered, “First one coming to you, Santa!” He threw the first boy into my lap. buy albion silver “And what would you like for Christmas, lad?” He handed me a list. I glanced at it and saw it was written in Spanish. “Feliz Navidad!” I said and set him on the floor. Rudy thrust a little girl in my lap. She was fine till I asked her what she wanted for Christmas. She took a look at my face and started screaming. “Rudy! We got a screamer here. Get her back to her mother!” Mary ran up. “I’ll take her, Santa. Rudy’s had a slight problem and won’t be with us the rest of the day.“ She pointed to my left and I saw Rudy face-down on the floor. Justin Tucker Ravens Jerseys Two store security men dragged him away. A mother led her little girl to us. I motioned for the girl to come to my throne. Mary helped her into my lap. “Have you been a good girl this year?” I asked. She nodded. “And what would you like for Christmas?” “I want my daddy to come back home to me and mommy. He went to Iraq and never came back.” I was without words and glanced at the girl’s mother. She had tears in her eyes. Zapatillas Adidas Baratas España Tienda She pointed up to heaven. “Santa will do his best, but he’ll make sure you get lots of special things this year.” My voice broke a bit. “Thank you, Santa.” She hugged me, slipped out of my lap and ran to her mother. The next boy that Mary led up to the Santa throne had a demented grin on his face. I motioned for him to come forward. “Come on, lad! Tell Santa what you’d like for Christmas!” He held his grin like he was some sort of demonic Mona Lisa, then ran up, pulled my beard down and popped it on my face, and then kicked me in the shin. I shouted, “Crap that hurt!” “You can’t kick Santa like that!” Mary said. “You bad little boy! Santa’s going to feed you to his reindeer!” She chased him but lost him in the crowd of shoppers.
When she returned, she next led two teenage girls to me. “We want our picture taken with Santa!” one said. Safely in my lap with the arms of these beauties around my neck, I realized how much I missed female company. Basically jobless, having to scrap for every dollar I made, and having come through a really messy divorce, I had no time for anything but survival. On and on it went. Child after child, every one of them unique, with stories and needs and wants. Being a Santa is exhausting. I shut down the Santa chair just before closing. I went to the staff room and changed out of my Santa clothes. As I was leaving the store, Mary, still in her sexy read outfit, walked along beside me. It was then I remembered my car had died in the parking lot. “Do you think you could give me a ride to my apartment, Mary? Then maybe come up for a Christmas Eve drink?” “Sure. buy albion gold How could a girl say no to Santa?” She slipped her arm into mine. air max chaussures “We’ll have a drink to Santas everywhere. albion gold Merry Christmas.” She kissed me on the cheek and suddenly, Christmas didn’t feel so bad . . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Feel free to recommend or forward this Ezine to your friends.
The more I study the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, a region where I’ve worked one-two weeks every month for the past year and a half, the more I see the connection of the region’s trade and politics to the history of New Orleans. buy albion gold Cotton especially poured into Mexico from this busy port and other goods were sent back to New Orleans. I edited the memoirs of W.C. Flanders, one of the early 19th century settlers in New Orleans, was a man who loved the sea. cheap albion gold At the age of fifteen, he ran away from home to follow his calling, which he never abandoned until into his old age. He experienced the sailor’s life, progressing from cabin boy to captain, working ships from sail to steam, running blockades, sailing in peace and war and through storm and calm. He embraced all these hazards as well as the joys of his vocation. The sea was his muse as well as his instructor and the details of his memoirs provide many valuable insights into a seaman’s life. cheap albion gold He was an eyewitness to an important period of American history, and his memoir will be of interest to anyone who has heard the siren call of the sea. buy albion gold
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After some trouble, I shipped as a cabin boy upon the brig Hampton, bound for New Orleans at a salary of five dollars per month. cheap albion silver This was about the year 1826, and I was then fifteen years old, with a limited education, yet determined to try my fortune entirely among strangers, many of them rough cast. albion silver We left Boston with a fair wind and proceeded down the bay, and to sea, having aboard a dozen passengers. Soon the long sea swell was experienced, and the usual effect produced upon the stomachs of our heretofore merry passengers. buy albion silver They were soon berthed and only groans of bitter distress heard, as they paid tribute to Neptune. albion gold The weather continued favorable and in a few days, the passengers growing accustomed to the motion of the vessel, began to occupy their seats at the table, and found themselves possessors of voracious appetites, as I found to my sorrow before many days. During the sad experience of the passengers, I was no better off, and like them would have succumbed, but upon the least hanging back the terrible voice of the Captain would bring me to my line of duty.
Once again, it’s time for one of my favorite events: The Patrick Cleburne Festival in Cleburne, Texas. Some had forced the festival to end due to Cleburne being a Confederate General. Ironically, he was one Confederate who early in the war advocated emancipation of all slaves in the South and stood opposed to it in principle. albion gold Here are my two favorite quotes of Patrick Cleburne:
I am with the South in life or in death, in victory or defeat. I never owned a negro and care nothing for [owning] them, but these people have been my friends and have stood up to me on all occasions. In addition to this, I believe the North is about to wage a brutal and unholy war on a people who have done them no wrong, in violation of the Constitution and the fundamental principles of the government…We propose no invasion of the North, no attack on them, and only ask to be let alone.
Surrender means that the history of this heroic struggle will be written by the enemy; that our youth will be trained by Northern school teachers; will learn from Northern school books their version of the War; will be impressed by all the influences of history and education to regard our gallant dead as traitors, and our maimed veterans as fit subjects for derision.
Here’s a good synopsis of the Festival and what you can expect to see this year as well. I found this in an article by the Cleburne Times Review in 2011 when the festival returned: After an 11-year hiatus, a birthday celebration for Gen. buy albion silver Patrick Cleburne returns to his namesake city on Saturday. The full day of events to honor the Irish-born Confederate general takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Buddy Stewart Park, on U.S. 67 South in Cleburne. buy albion gold “I don’t know how many times people stopped me at Walmart or the grocery store and said, ‘Hey, when are we going to do the Pat Cleburne celebration again?’” said retired train conductor Melvin Burt, who is helping organize the event along with the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce. The birthday commemoration activities include a Scottish Festival and Heritage celebration with living history camps, Civil War re-enactors, a chuck wagon cooking contest, Scottish and Irish vendors, a wild west show and Scottish games. Activities also include a tractor show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., courtesy of the Johnson County Tractor Club, a car show from 10 a.m. cheap albion silver to 2 p.m. and a period style fashion show at 2 p.m. The Sons of Confederate Veterans Terry’s Texas Rangers Camp 1937 will conduct re-enactments throughout the day and the Heritage Brass Band from Dallas, a volunteer re-enactment band performing on Civil War-period instruments, will perform a concert at noon. “[Terry’s Texas Rangers] has two cannons. cheap albion gold They will be demonstrating firing and loading of those cannons,” Burt said. “We’ll set up command tents just like a camp where soldiers would live.” Chamber President Cathy Marchel said that they have also received many requests from residents to bring back the birthday commemoration. “The board this last year wanted to bring back the event. We’re excited about the opportunity to start the birthday celebration again for Cleburne,” she said. “We’re really hoping the people will come out. It’s going to be a fantastic event. The committee is very embraced in it.” Historian Rick Pitman is also onboard to speak about Cleburne and the history surrounding him at two sessions at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Born in County Cork, Ireland, in March 1828, Cleburne immigrated to the United States in 1849 to escape the Great Famine. Nicknamed “Stonewall Jackson of the South” and beloved by the soldiers under his command, Cleburne was also known for a most controversial proposal in an effort to save the Confederacy, proposing to enlist slaves into military service in exchange for their freedom. cheap albion gold He even proposed extending that freedom to their families. He hoped emancipation would bring foreign support to the Confederacy and solve the manpower problem, and despite a similar proposal from Gen. albion silver Robert E. Lee, most Confederate leaders did not share the same opinion as Cleburne. Cleburne would not live to see the act passed by the Confederate Congress in 1865 allowing slaves to enlist, dying in November 1864, along with Gen. Hiram B. Granbury, in Franklin, Tenn., in an ill-fated battle under the command of Gen. John Bell Hood. Cleburne is buried at the Confederate Cemetery in Helena, Ark., where each year around his birthday, the Arkansas Division Sons of Confederate Veterans conducts a memorial service. buy albion gold “It’s going to be a family fun day. We would like everybody to come out and see what the Pat Cleburne Day is all about,” Marchel said. “We hope to grow this event every year. We just need to have a sunny chamber day.” Admission and parking is free and volunteers will be available to help visitors in and out of the park area.
I believe in serendipity, especially when it comes to the discovery of a good book. Air Jordan 7 Retro At a Friends of the Library sale, I came upon The Wilderness World of John Muir, Edited by Edwin Way Teale. polska biega asics Having ancestors who are Scots-Irish and knowing members of the Muir Clan, I was intrigued. cheap albion gold With this book, I encountered the real man, a real Scottish man who had changed the world by changing man’s view and estimation of his environment. Reading an overview of his on-foot journeys, reminded me of Guy Clarke’s song, “Walking Man.” The book is dedicated to The Sierra Club, The Wilderness Society, The National Parks Association, and all those who are fighting the good fight to preserve what John Muir sought to save. I had heard of Muir, but knew little about him. soldes nike 2017 From this book, I learned many surprising things about him–his Scottish outspokenness, his family, his journeys and journals, and most of all, I realized how ignorant much of America is about this Scotsman, who came to a land rich in beauty and wanted the world to know. buy albion silver Muir had a toughness that few even in those hard frontier days had. Bulldog Football Jerseysbuy albion gold According to the jacket of the book, from 1838-1914, he covered most of the American wilderness alone and on foot, without a gun or sleeping bag with only a sackful of provisions (prob. Portland Trail Blazerscheap albion silver hardtack and tea) that would have challenged the will of the most dedicated ascetic monk. Air Max 90 Yeezy The introduction ends with this very fitting quote: “His [Muir] finest monument is the wild beauty he called attention and helped preserve–beauty, however, that is never entirely safe, beauty that needs as vigilant protection and tomorrow as it needed yesterday (xx). albion silver Muir once said, “A man in his books,” he once wrote, “may be said to walk the earth long after he had gone.” Muir did make our world better. Canotte Los Angeles Clippersalbion gold He loved nature as much, if not more, than the Transcendentalists, and without a doubt, I think he knew nature better than they. Toronto Raptorscheap albion gold If I’ve tweaked your interest, find this book. new balance 1600 femmebuy albion gold Used copies can be had cheaply on Amazon.
Since it’s so close to Halloween, I decided to publish here a short story I wrote some time ago that is based on the legend of La Llarona. I’d like to know what you think of it, so leave a comment if you can.
BODIES IN THE TRINITY: by Rickey Pittman
A story of La LLorona
Evil is a true thing in Mexico. It goes about on its own legs. Maybe some day it will come to you. Maybe it already has—Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty HorsesI AM LA LLARONA, AND I WEEP FOR MY CHILDREN. cheap albion gold For centuries of nights I have wandered along the waters throughout Mexico. College Football Jerseys And yes, I walk along the banks of your Trinity River. albion gold I have strolled along your Turtle Creek, your Bachman Lake and the other waters. You are surprised to find me in your country? Do not be. No, in my lifetime, your land too was once a part of Mexico.
I am a Mexican ghost, born of a desert tragedy. On that dreadful night, when I realized my lover had abandoned us, I blew out the last candle I had lit for him and drowned my two little children, damning myself forever. But as I was a whore in the eyes of all, what else could I have done? I had given this man my virginity, my honor, my future. No one would help us—-not my parents, not the Holy Church, not the residents of our pueblo. adidas stan smith rose gold I am forever lost now—in the night, in the madness, pain, hopelessness, grief, and loneliness. Ay, mis hijos, ¿Donde Estan mis hijos? But I have found I am not so alone. cheap albion silver One night, I came upon a couple–shouting, fighting. asics gel lyte 5 donna Two young children clutched each other nearby, watching. A boy and a girl. They so reminded me of my own. “Jorge, please, take us home,” the woman said. “The children are frightened.” The man spat at her and threw her to the ground. “No.
I do not care where you go, but you will not return with me.” He cursed, then stormed out of sight. When I came to her, she was weeping. “Why do you weep, querida?” I asked. She shook her head and did not answer, wiping fiercely at the tears on her cheeks. I lifted her chin with my hand so she would look at me. Air Jordan 4 Retro “What is your name?” “Veronica.” “He was your man, was he not? And now he has left you? Answer me.” “Yes. But who are you? Are you an angel?” “Yes, querida. I am your angel tonight—your guide and guardian.” “Oh, thank you!” She clutched my legs and buried her tear-stained face in my dress. Her weeping tore my heart. “Jorge has abandoned me. And now who will take care of my children?” She clenched her fists and held them against her face. I sat next to her and wrapped my arms around her. “I will help you take care of them. I am your sister. Do you not see the resemblance?” I brushed my fingers through her long dark hair and looked deep into the black-pearl eyes. “I understand your pain. Look into the river. buy albion silver The river holds the secret. The river will tell you what to do.” Dipping my hand into the water, I held my arm up and watched the drops slip back into the river. As she sobbed and stared at the water, I held out my hands to the children. “Come, hijos.” I led them back to Veronica, and we sat together, staring at the river. In the distance I could see the Dallas skyline, and even in our remote location, the sirens, and sounds of the city roared in my head. I knew what the mother would soon do, and so I kissed each of them and left them there by the water, and followed Jorge. buy albion gold I found him leaning against a tree smoking. He smelled of tequila and beer. I stepped behind him and gently tapped him on the shoulder. Turning, he said, “Jesus, you scared me. buy albion goldBuenos noches.” He attempted to walk away, but I moved in front of him. “Ah, but you would not leave me so soon? And such a handsome man.” I stroked his cheek and placed my hand on his chest. “Such very fine clothes. Surely you are able to give a woman all the things she needs.” “So the lady wants something from me, tonight, eh?” I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek and put my arms around his neck. “I knew a man very much like you once. Why are you here, guapo, my handsome one? You are all alone and along sad waters.” “I’m looking for a beautiful woman like yourself.” I could see the lust in his eyes. “Why won’t you marry Veronica?” He pushed me away. albion silver “You know her, don’t you? She sent you? Does she think she can trick me into keeping her? Why should a successful man marry beneath himself? My family disproves of her. As they would of you.” The arrogance in his eyes enraged me. cheap albion gold “But she will have nothing without you.” “She is no longer my concern.” “I know you, Jorge, and many more like you.” I clutched him and kissed him hard, biting his lip. “So the lady wishes to play hard?” “You have no idea how hard I can play.” I took him by the hand toward the river. “Come, lie with me.” He grinned. “You will not forget this night.” “Nor you,” I said. He struggled to live, but it was in vain. nike requin tn pas cher In those last moments, when I held his head under the water, I knew his thoughts. How can a woman be so strong? Will my body be found tomorrow in the dirty water of the Trinity? You think I’m cruel. A murderer of my own children. A malevolent spirit. adidas original pas cher fille Perhaps. But I am no more cruel than your society, which drowns your little ones in violence, in drugs, in neglect. It is a terrible thing to lose a child. asics sneakers sklep If you listen in the quiet of the night, you will hear me weep for my children, and for yours. They are all my children now. I want to save them, but I don’t know how. Ay, mis hijos, mis hijos. ¿ Donde estan mis hijos? And Dallas has many drowning children for me to cry for.
Civil War Fiction Books about the Civil War continue to be churned out. I think the War Between the States must be one of the most popular topics to write about. Through the years, I’ve managed to build up a respectable library on the War. I’m working on a book for one of my publishers, Booklocker, on how to write about the Civil War. albion silver This book is on the list of my future projects, and as soon as I get a lot of rat killing done, I can see to it. cheap albion gold As an English teacher for both the high school and college levels, I’ve read and taught many books about the Civil War that are in the genre of fiction. If you’re a teacher, or just one who is interested in reading good Civil War fiction, here’s a list of those books with a few comments. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. An all time best seller and classic on the Civil War—and with good reason. buy albion gold I don’t think anyone has written anything comparable. cheap albion gold It is a masterpiece. Unfortunately, few in the modern generation have read it. Few have even seen the movie, one of the greatest movies of all time. buy albion goldCold Mountain by Charles Frazier The movie was good, the book is better, but as they say, “Never judge a book by its movie.” This novel is rich in detail, honest about the Confederates who fought in the war, and more or less written from a Confederate-friendly point of view. His second epic novel on the Civil War didn’t have as much success, in spite of the big bucks he received for it. Andersonville by McKinlay Kantor. When I first began reading this novel, I was expecting more of the usual Yankee-point-of-view misinformation and propaganda. I was delightfully surprised. albion gold An honest representation of both sides and an unsettling description of this Georgia prisoner of war camp. cheap albion silver In a future article, I’ll write about some other pieces of literature. buy albion silver These should get you started.
I believe in serendipity, especially when it comes to the discovery of a good book. 