A Southern Missive

Book Signing News: 

I spent Thursday with my parents in Kemp, Oklahoma, a small town in Indian Territory  with a rich history that I touched on in my novel, Red River Fever. I spent the day reading, writing an article a publisher requested, and editing a fascinating novel by Shane Lester. Then I began editing a wonderful book by Jeffrey Webber on the topic of how technology can enrich the lives of the retired. This book is needed and seems to be practical and an easy guide to follow.

This morning I set up a signing at the Hastings bookstore in Sherman, Texas for Saturday, Feb. 9.  I met with the manager of the Books-A-Million in Sherman also and made preparations for my signing at his store, tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 29). I’m also scheduled to play my guitar for the kids that come to the store on Saturday morning. It should be a blast. I do know that I’ve sold out of my books every time I’ve done a signing there; consequently, it’s a store that will be on my permanent cycle of stores.  Then I drove to Grapevine and met with the Books-A-Million manager in Grapevine. His store is in the Grapevine Mills Mall. My signing there will be Sat. Feb. 2. I also met with the public librarians in Grapevine, Texas and scheduled two children’s events and one adult reading/signing this next year.  They have a fantastic facility.  I can tell that Grapevine is a VERY prosperous area, at least compared to my part of Louisiana. (Why do I keep saying statements like that?) In short,  I’ve had a very busy, but very productive day.

Well, the pre-holiday frenzy of activity and preparation will now be replaced by the post-holiday frenzy of recovery from the holiday. My parents have enjoyed their trip with me, but are eager to return to their home in Kemp, Oklahoma. My 80-year-0ld father is coughing, and I hope he is not coming down with something. We will load up in just a few minutes and once again I’ll be traveling. I’ll spend a couple of days with them in Oklahoma, likely without Internet, so another blog post, though possible, is unlikely until Friday or Saturday.  That lock-down in the boonies could be a good thing, as I have MUCH writing-related work to do.

Book News:

Friday, I’ll be in the Grapevine, Texas area, making and meeting new contacts, and on Saturday I’ll have a book signing at the Sherman Texas Books-A-Million. There is a possibility I’ll be playing for some folks in Fort Worth on New Year’s Eve, but that’s not settled yet.

As I reflected on what I did with students in years past during the holidays, I came up with this. It’s a little sketchy, but it will give you an idea of what I do, and I hope it helps you with your own classes for next year. Be sure and email me (rickeyp@bayou.com) if you have any questions. I’ve enjoyed presenting my little Christmas programs to schools. It’s helped me personally to appreciate the holiday season better.

Holiday Lesson Plan for Gifted or Honors Students:

Lesson Objective: TLW experience the holiday season in a unique, thoughtful, and unforgettable way.

Texts and Topics:

“Gift of the Magi” by O’Henry.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
“Auld Lang Syne” by Robert Burns

Biblical References for Chanukah: II Maccabees (historical background), John 10 (Feast of Lights).

Winter Solstice (A survey of the Celtic holiday) Sources will vary.

Topics relating to Christmas: Chanukah, Santa Claus, mistletoe, gift-giving, Christmas and Church history, Christmas during the Civil War (includes discussion of the Christmas art of Thomas Nast) Christmas trees, Christmas in other countries, and other related topics. Sources will vary.

Christmas CD’s: There are SO many performers who have made CD’s to choose from. The music you use depends on your preferences and resources.

Christmas Movies: For a good list of Christmas movies, go to this site: http://www.auburn.edu/~vestmon/christmas_movie.html

Activities:

Students will create a quality holiday journal/portfolio. This portfolio will include photographs, (or drawings/paintings) and written materials of the following exercises.

1. TLW will decorate class Christmas tree with ornaments they make. Ornaments will be dated, have a quote relating to the holiday season, and a small photo of the student.
2. TLW will write and produce their own Christmas play or screenplay.
3. During class workdays, TLW will listen to Christmas carols from a variety of performers and in a variety of languages. TTW introduce the performer and student will record pertinent information in holiday journal.
4. TLW write his/her own Christmas or New Year’s poem or song.
5. TLW’s class will create an original “Night Before Christmas” poem.
6. TLW write a personal essay relating to the holiday season. Some possible topics:
“The Christmas I’ll Never Forget.”
“The Best/Worst Year of my Life.”
“Why We Need Christmas (or ___________).”
7. TLW view and write a movie review of a recent film relating to Christmas.