A Southern Missive

I’ve decided to preach to my writing self a little bit. I realized that my strict religious upbringing gave me some good knowledge of life and people, as well as some nightmares. There’s even some Bible verses that are relevant to writers. This morning, I thought of a couple of verses thare are relevant to writers, both of them from Ecclesiastes. One is Ecclesiastes 10:18 that has the phrase, “through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.” A writer cannot afford to be lazy. Our chosen avocation (perhaps vocation if we’re lucky) is a brutal one. I read every biography I can find of writers I admire. They are generally men and women of discipline, who have worked hard for their success, much harder than their admiring readers realize.

Another verse writers can use is Ecclesiastes 11:6. “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold ot thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” This advice is practical for writers, not only in the writing itself, but also in the areas of marketing and promoting their books.

I’m on my way now to the coffee shop, my favorite writing place. I could and do write at home, but I am usually too distracted seeing all the things there is to do around my house, and as a consequence, I do not write diligently. I’ve got an important editing project I must finish soon. I want to get it behind me so I can return to my own work.

I’m tired though. I went to Enoch’s last night with my Scottish friends. Never trust a Scotsman when he says he wants to go get “one” beer. I don’t think they can count. Anyway, I lost count. The evening makes me think of Willie Nelson’s song that says something like, “I’ve got to get drunk tonight and I sure do regret it.” We heard Jeffrey Phillips, a fun and very competent Irish singer. I returned home after 11 p.m. and after the long day fell asleep quickly and slept late. I’ve had my coffee though, so I’m ready to get to work. I don’t want the rafters of my writing house to fall in.

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?