A Southern Missive

Tonight, I went to Auburn Presbyterian Church here in Monroe, Louisiana, for their annual Shakespeare production. The selected play was Shakespeare’s As You Like It and was directed by Amy Medlin. After watching the play and talking to her, I’d have to say that this sharp girl has immense talent and certainly great things await her. She set the play in the 1960’s and made music a major part of her interpretation and presentation.
The song selections worked well, as did the costumes. A true dramatic spectacle. The young actors really got into the mindset, actions, dances, and speech of hippies in the 60’s. The set was minimalistic, but the church’s stage provided ample room for movement and the actors used the space well. I’m anxious to see the play again next weekend if possible when it’s performed outside at the Kiroli Park amphitheater in West Monroe. This was an enjoyable and energetic presentation of a play that’s easy for a troupe to flounder in. As I watched and listened, I was reminded again of the fact that Shakespeare truly is our greatest writer. So many of the lines were powerful and spoke to the heart. For some reason, these lines from V.ii stuck in my mind tonight:

“for your brother and my sister no sooner
met but they looked, no sooner looked but they
loved, no sooner loved but they sighed, no sooner
sighed but they asked one another the reason, no
sooner knew the reason but they sought the remedy;
and in these degrees have they made a pair of stairs
to marriage which they will climb incontinent, or
else be incontinent before marriage: they are in
the very wrath of love and they will together; clubs
cannot part them.”
I highly recommend this play and this church as well. You can learn more about Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church here at their Website: http://www.auburnavenue.org/

The past two days I’ve been at work editing and researching, helping my friend, Teresa Gordon, and the owner of Daily Harvest Bakery and Deli with her cookbook. I’ve also made good progress on my next children’s book about the mill workers of Roswell and New Manchester, Georgia. Such a sad story, another of those forgotten tales that gives one a true perspective as to what the War Between the States was about.

Here is my tentative calendar for the promotion of Jim Limber Davis: A Black Orphan in the Confederate White House.

July 12-15, New Orleans signings.

July 21, Signing at the Books A Million in Sherman, Texas

July 24-28, I’ll be in Mobile, Alabama for the National Convention of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. That town is filling up fast and finding a hotel was a problem. I’ll be in the Radisson Semmes Hotel, only four blocks away from where my vendor’s booth and the convention will be. I’ll have more to say of this event in future posts.

August 2, a signing at One Penny Time, a children’s bookstore in Monroe, Louisiana.

August 4, a signing at the Books A Million in Monroe

August 6, a signing at the West Monroe Public Library.

There are other events, conferences and signings beyond these, but this will give you an idea as to where I’ll be the next few weeks.

Pelican Publishing has asked me to write a children’s book about the mill workers of Roswell, GA. I don’t have a working title yet, but I’m nearly finished with the story. I’m also working hard on two other children’s books as well: Malcolm McCandlish, the Boy Who Brought the Thistle to America, and a Scottish ABC book.  Considering the Celtic Renaissance that’s taking place in America, those books should do very well.
Today was spent working with Teresa Gordon of Daily Harvest, a deli and bakery here in Monroe. I’m editing and formatting a cookbook for her. I’ve learned so much from her about healthy eating.  Her methods reminded me of how the ancient Egyptians made their bread. You can find more information about her and her bakery here: http://dailyharvestbakery.com/home.html.  I’m getting more editing and writing work every week. Looks like it will be a good year for me. God knows I need it.

I also decided to post a song, “The Waltz of St. Cecelia” by a Cajun band I like.  Their Website is here: http://www.angelusband.com/ As usual when I post a song’s lyrics, there are some memories attached.
The Waltz of St. Cecilia

by Katie, Paige, and Stephen Rees

He said, “I don’t know how,
Annie, I don’t know when,
God willing, my love,
I will hold you again.”

He sang as they danced
“Annie, I may be long.
Will you be waiting for me?”

“Then the children will sing,
The white dove will bring
A sweet olive flower
For your hair,

And your name on my lips
Will be my morning prayer,
Until again we dance the Waltz of St. Cecilia.”

Je connais pas comment
Et je connais pas equand
Mais s’il Bon Diue veut
Je vat te tien collais encore

Espérez sur moi: Et moi je te promis
Qu’on va danzer ensemble
Pour la balance de notre vie

Les enfants vont chanter
Une tourte blanche va t’amener
O’lvier de chine pour tes cheveux

Ton nom sur mes l’evres
Va d’étre ma priere du matin
Jusqu’a on danse, la valse de Ste. Cecilia.