Today, I attend the Northeast Louisiana Technology Fair at Franklin Parish High School, sponsored by Enhancing Education Through Technology, Region 8 LACUE. It made for a long day (starting at 8 a.m.) after a very busy week, but just hearing the keynote speakers made it worthwhile–even if it did eat up my Saturday. The event featured Elliot Soloway and Cathleen Norris as keynote speakers. Attendance was excellent–the place was packed actually.

I enjoyed the presentations, for I understand how important technology is as a tool of education, yet the day also slightly depressed me. Hearing all the benefits (many were common sense thoughts) of mobile computing for students was exciting, but it depressed me thinking of how I could even pitch such an idea to administrators in a parish that won’t even allow me to use a cell phone for gifted IEP business or any other school-related needs if students are present. All electronic items are verbotten at this time for students anyway. Perhaps our parish will someday rethink these issues and catch up with those schools in our nation who are making progress in such matters and study the ideas of educators like Soloway and Norris. These excellent speakers pointed out how technology can mobilize the curriculum and how with the emergence of low-cost, mobile technologies, it is not possible that each and every child will have his/her own personal computing device. Exciting! Overall, I thought today’s program very practical and thought provoking.

A tornado warning has been given for our area this afternoon. Evidently there is a very nasty storm headed our way. I wanted to get this post up before it reached us. At the first sound of thunder or sight of lightning, I’ll unplug my computers, as a lightning storm last year fried my iMac last year. I couldn’t bear for that to happen to my beloved iBook. My whole life and writing career’s in it. Okay, I know–it’s time for me to make sure I have sufficient backup.

Today, I was part of J.S. Clark’s (a magnet school in Monroe) African American Activity Day. The school had engaged a number of people to come in. I was a storyteller, sharing with third graders the story of Jim Limber Davis, the free black orphan that Jefferson Davis adopted during the Civil War. I wore my Confederate uniform and took on the persona and name of my Confederate ancestor, William Warren Keel. My ancestor actually worked with units assigned to the gunpowder industry in North Alabama, but today he was a guard at the Confederate White House in Richmond, Va. I made him an eye witness to the story of Jim Limber. The presentation worked and was received very well. I am always excited to share the story of this young orphan, especially since my book, Jim Limber Davis: A Black Orphan in the Confederate White House, will be in bookstores beginning in May. Pelican Publishers has it in their spring catalogue. You can find their catalogue on this page: http://www.pelicanpub.com/home.asp

After the story, I did little show and tell with flags, some Civil War relics, and some of my reenactor equipment. I did three, 30-minute presentations. The students were bright, interested, polite, and had tons of questions. The teachers were excited, well in control of their little charges, and grateful for my participation. I enjoyed the day very much. I received a little basket of goodies and a certificate of appreciation for my trouble. (Those certificates are always good for CLU’s). In addition to sharing the story of Jim Limber, I was able to teach a little geography and history generally.

I think it went well, as I’ve already been invited back for next year. I was delighted to be a part of their day, as it is so important to teach African American history, to honor the great black Americans, and perhaps to share with the kids (and teachers) something new. Oh. Funny for the day: A few of them thought I really was born in 1840 as I said I was. God, do I look that old?

Last night was the first night of the Battleground Louisiana: Civil War Events and Experiences program at the (Winnsboro) Franklin Parish Public Library sponsored by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. The librarian, Emily Arnold, told me it was a record crowd for the library with 41 in attendance. This is a pilot program, but dealt with a topic that had been requested by library patrons for years. We’re off to a good start.

I introduced the series and topic, went through the syllabus, and tested the waters of my audience. I found them receptive, polite, intelligent, and extremely interested in the topic. I knew a few people in the audience, and the discussion was lively and pro-South. My kind of people. Many of them had already read the five books for the series (these are mentioned in a previous post). I am learning so much as I read and work through the selected books, and though there is a good deal of work involved, I am so excited to be a part of this program. It’s hard to believe that it’s been ten years since the play I wrote for Franklin Parish, Just Scratchin’ the Surface, was performed at the Princess Theatre. I remember the many Saturdays I had spent in the library researching the play. The librarian said she certainly wanted to include me and my upcoming children’s book, Jim Limber Davis: A Black Orphan in the Confederate White House, in their summer reading program for children.

After nights like this, I am happy and proud to be thought of as a Southern writer.

Well, though we had President’s Day off, Bastrop High School teachers and students had to return today. I think everyone south of us had Mardi-Gras time off, but alas, we did not. I think that neither the students nor the teachers were ready to return today. However, I gave it my best effort, and once again tried to defeat the powers of ignorance and darkness, but my enemies are mighty. There were also many students out today.

First period, we worked on Melville’s Billy Bud; in 2nd and 3rd, we worked on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story, “Young Goodman Brown.” I really enjoy this story. Someday, I’m going to produce a movie of it. 4th period met with an Air Force recruiter, and in 5th and 7th periods we worked on preparing for the GEE, which is coming up in March.

I have a busy week ahead: Thursday, I begin the Civil War in Louisiana series at the Winnsboro Library, and Friday, I’m to make a Jim Limber Davis presenation at J.S. Clark Magnet school in Monroe. Saturday, I have a “technology” workshop to attend, and all kinds of editing and writing projects I need to get to. It’s enough to make a sane man lose his mind, not that I’m too sane. Yet, in spite of my busy schedule today, I was still able to write three poems. That made the whole day worthwhile.

Yesterday, the Scottish Society of Northeast Louisiana held our monthly meeting. We now meet in the Monroe Jaycees building. I think it will be a fine meeting place for our 2007 year. For the program, we invited members to participate in a Scottish “Show and Tell.” One member brought a tartan that had belonged to her Scottish ancestor who had come from Scotland to Ireland to Charleston, SC. Though it was over 200 years old, the wool was still in reasonably good shape.

I showed the group my Collins Pocket Scots Dictionary, using a few Gaelic words for examples. Some of my recent favorites are deil (devil), wabbit (yes, sounds just like Elmer Fudd’s word) which means “to be tired, run down, out of energy” and hooley, which is the word for a wild party. The book is pocket-sized, and useful for anyone interested in Scottish Gaelic.

I’ve long been a collector of language dictionaries, as I believe they are a valuable tool for my writing. In one of these posts, I’ll share a list of the dictionaries I own, including several Native American dictionaries. I particularly want to write a post on my Comanche dictionaries.

Today, we had our parent teacher day at Bastrop High School in Morehouse Parish in Northeast Louisiana. The hours were from 10:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. I enjoyed it actually, for the late start allowed me to accomplish some chores in the morning, and sitting in our school’s cafeteria allowed me to get some writing done. I read a good bit, then wrote a chapter for my western novel (about 1200 words worth). The day actually seemed to fly by. I did meet with several parents of my students, discussing grades, but as usual, there aren’t enough parents concerned about their children. A few of these meetings were really upbeat, as the grades were good, others were less upbeat and we talked of how the student might improve or turn around their grades. Nevertheless, coming home so late, I feel wiped out. I’ve written some poems tonight, but am fast wearing out. I’ve got books to read! My schedule is in high gear this next week, and I’m feeling that pressure too. But as usual, when I have time like this to just sit and think, I did have some great ideas for stories. Wish me luck.

Tonight, I played my guitar and sang from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Sterlington Elementary School. They had a rotational program, and every thirty minutes I was supposed to do another set. I was with the 2nd grade teachers, and though the emphasis was on Scotland, the title was Music of the Celts.

I did my usual favorites, and even a few songs I’d never done before, and it went well. It’s amazing what a good microphone will do to improve a mediocre voice. It was a night of experimentation, and I discovered that my favorite songs to sing, were also the ones I did best, and it seemed, the ones the crowd liked best. “The Water is Wide” was best received. (E.B. please note that), but my original song, “Cry, Little Artillery Man” was also well received, and I received several comments on that song as well. Other songs I performed that the crowds liked in the sets were, “Come out you Black and Tans”; a Burns poem I had put to music about the love of his life, Jeanne Amour; “Monaghan’s Lament”; and “Botany Bay,” a sad song about the ugly transportation practices of the British.

The second grade teachers at Sterlington Elementary who had sponsored me were gracious, complimentary, and I thought sharp women. I was impressed with both their abilities and their attitudes. I sold a few books (Stories of the Confederate South) and did some publicity talks on my soon to be published children’s book, Jim Limber Davis: A Black Orphan in the Confederate White House.

I taught school today, then had bus duty, then drove to Sterlington. I changed into my kilt and played the two hours without stopping, without even sitting down. I think that is a sign I was really into the evening. Many of the adults asked me questions about my Scottish attire, and as I had opportunity I talked to the crowd about the Celtic nations and Civil War history. I’m tired, but I must say it’s been a good day.

Here is a poem I wrote about the origin of Valentine’s Day. I did take some liberties in interpretation of the good saint’s life.

Valentine’s Day Poem

A day for exchanging messages,

Poems, gifts, wooden love-spoons,

A day of love lotteries,

A time when you could

Wear your heart on your sleeve.

A day of choices,

Selecting one’s patron saint,

Remembering one’s friends, or

Select a lover for cupid’s arrows.

On the Eve of Lupercalia,

Young men would

Draw the name of their

Future lover from a box,

Dating their choice through the festival,

Their version of spin-the-bottle,

Sometimes it worked out well . . .

There aren’t enough soldiers,” Claudius II said.

“Where have all the young men gone?”

“Gone to young girls every one,” his advisors replied.

So the emperor Claudius cancelled

All engagements and weddings.

The priest Valentine ignored his edict,

Meeting couples in homes and catacombs,

Marrying them secretly,

Tying his name forever to love.

Claudius was not pleased.

Valentine was arrested and sentenced to death.

That night, the jailer’s daughter

Visited him in his cell,

A sweetheart from his pre-priest days,

And they fell in love again.

After she left, he left her a simple note:

Always your Valentine.

The first Valentine note.

The next day, he was

Beaten to death with clubs,

Followed by a mandatory decapitation.

Yes, Valentine lost his head.

That often happens when you meddle

In things of the heart.

Today is Valentine’s Day, which in Morehouse Parish is spent in kids picking up delivered valentines–huge bears, balloons, flowers, baskets full of cokes and chocolates, and other items. Though some schools in Northeast Louisiana do not allow deliveries, Morehouse Parish does. I think it’s a good idea here. The custom is definitely a boost to our rural economy and an exciting day for the kids. Their faces beam as they carry about their gifts. True, not much will get done in academics, but aren’t we supposed to nurture the “whole” student? I do try to teach them the history of Valentine’s Day, and I try to ooh and aw over their gifts. It’s a day that makes them feel special.

Valentine’s Day: A day for romance, of gifts, kisses, and poems. A day that helps us think of “love.” It’s a shame it only happens once a year.

After finishing Anthem by Ayn Rand and discussing with my students the horrid world of the dystopian novels, one of my students made this observation: “It’s like the whole society is enslaved.” That led to a discussion about types of slavery. Then this morning I found a news article that pointed out there are three types: Political slavery (when one nation conquers another), civil slavery (when a government enslaves its own people by taking away rights, etc), and domestic slavery (when one man is subjected to another man, i.e., considered property, or used for work purposes, possibly even a bad marriage could be a type of slavery).

As it’s February, Black History Month, the slavery discussion is relevant. I’m using many articles from a great site called, Issues & Views–So You Still Think All Blacks Think Alike? This site is based in Washington D.C. and the articles are written by black conservatives. Excellent material! You can visit this site here:
http://www.issues-views.com/ Do your students a favor and tell them about it too.