Looking East as Evening Creeps across the land

 

Josie Says Let's Get Cooking!

Yesterday was very beautiful outside but Meema and I had a lot of work to do inside, fixing lunch for the boys working on the shop and getting ready for Grumpy's birthday dinner.

First we made the birthday cake. I buttered the cake pans very carefully.

Meema made the cake batter. The mixer makes a loud noise and I had to cover my ears. But after the batter was all poured, I got to lick out the bowl. It was chocolate, my favorite.

After the cake was done, we made quesadillas for the boys to have with their chili. I put the cheese on and added the top tortillas. I had one for lunch too and so did Meema.

When we weren't working, I practiced standing on my head.  

Later we made the icing and I got to taste that too. Then I had to change my clothes because there was chocolate EVERYWHERE.

There was fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans and salad for supper. I invented dipping my green beans in gravy. It was very good--you should try it!

But the best part was the birthday cake. Grumpy is 78 but we didn't have that many candles so we put seven and eight plus one to grow on. Because of germs, Grumpy didn't blow out the candles all at once, but he picked up one and blew it out very gently.

Then he put out some more by pinching them with his fingers. I did not try that because it is dangerous, but Mama held up some for me to blow out.

It was a long busy day for everyone but it was a good one too.

 

And There Was Siding!

 

More On CROWS

For those of you reading or about to read And the Crows Took Their Eyes, I came across this picture on a genealogy page-- that's Judy Shelton in the spotted skirt and her son Sol Shelton and his family--just another reminder that these folks were real and have living kin. 

The picture below is Lawrence and Polly Allen. The strange discrepancy between their face and bodies (plus Lawrence's very weird hands) suggests that the bodies may have been a stock image and the photographer just stuck their heads on.

And a reminder that there's more about the history of the massacre and the folks involved on my new website. Here's a LINK

 

Fall Beauties

 

Me, Josie, Again!

My babies were running wild yesterday. This one wanted to stand on his head and I said No! It's dangerous!

I got him settled down and then Dolly started acting up. 

So I put her to bed in my fort. She was a little cranky.

But I read to her and soon she was fast asleep

After lunch I was NOT ready for a nap so Meema and I took a little walk down to the garden.

It is like a big jungle and there are no more tomatoes or beans or corn or anything but WEEDS! I told Meema she must clean up her big MESS! Just like she tells me all the time.

Meema said we could pull up some weeds and start tidying up but I said No thanks, it is time for our nap.

 

Going to Water

Going to water, for the Cherokee, was a ritual to cleanse themselves of past troubles. For me, it's a calming device.

I need it right now because my laptop is acting up--not charging and now and then seemingly afflicted with molasses in its innards.

All of which is to say, if I don't post here or show up on FB--that's why. 

Seeking a solution . . .

 

A Plenitude of Turkeys

 

Virtual Vicki and Her Virtual Launch

Well, that went better than I'd expected. Once we got past the technical difficulties (lack of bandwidth that forced me to use my only semi-smart phone for audio,) I was able to talk about and read from the book at length.  

It was so heartwarming to see faces and names of friends who'd joined in to listen. (Thanks to my dear sister-in-law Fay for the above screen shot.) Some were names I know only from my blog or Facebook or from long ago and each lifted my spirits immeasurably.

Malaprop's tells me that the session was recorded and will be available for viewing on YouTube--eventually. I'll let you know.

I try not to be stressed about stuff-- in person events have never bothered me. But the fact that I've had trouble with Zoom connections recently has kept me in a state of worry--I dreamed the other night that it was time for the event and I' d lost my book and the printout of what I planned to say.

As soon as the hour was up, John opened a bottle of bubbly and we lifted a glass--to Malaprop's, to the book, to Regal House Publishing, and to all of you who've been supportive.

Cheers! And heartfelt thanks!

 

At Last . . .

This novel has been such a long time coming. Elephants give birth sooner. I began researching back in 2012; the writing came later once I felt I had a competent grasp of the subject matter. And the writing took its time, as one by one the characters loosened up and began to speak to me. 

It was finished in the fall of 2016 and then wandered in the wilderness in search of a publisher for quite a while. But now this baby is out in the world-- in a country almost as divided as it was during the Civil War when the book takes place, making it sadly relevant.

My thanks especially to all of you who've followed along on this winding journey. Your encouragement has kept me going.

Tonight at 6, the Fates and the Internet allowing, I'll be doing a virtual launch under the auspices of Malaprop's Bookstore. HERE's a link to sign up.  I'd love to see you there!