A Southern Missive

Once again I find myself at Panera’s drinking their fine coffee and doing some online work. For once, there’s no shortage of university work. In fact, there’s an overabundance! Maybe the reeling economy is driving folks back to school. My father was supposed to have his pacemaker battery replaced this week, but his white cell count was up due to a respiratory infection and the physician thought it needful to postpone it because the risk of infection from surgery had doubled. So after two days of dealing with the logistics of getting him to the VA in Dallas, I must plan on doing it again soon.
After our baptism in fire in dealing with the big government hospital system–worse than regular hospitals, but not as bad as one might think–I’ve got the process streamlined and figured out. I think too that my mother—a nervous wreck over it all—will do better next time as well. I spent yesterday by working two hours on college classes (again at Paneras) and then helping my mother with chores. One chore was planting two rows of 3 kinds of onions in her garden. I think she’s already planted potatoes. (Valentine’s day is potato planting day here). I think the garden is good for her. It’s exercise, and it gets her outside and close to nature. Plus, what one grows in a garden is just better for you than store-bought food.

After I do a little online work with my classes, I’m on the road to Houston. I’ll spend the night with friends and tomorrow present my programs at Lake Jackson, then back to Monroe by Sunday.  If you check my online calendar, you’ll see I’ve got a very busy spring ahead of me. I need to start booking events in June-July-August. The fall of 09 is already looking pretty busy. Peace, and to you authors, good writing.

News

Today has been busy, as tomorrow will be. I rose at 4:00 a.m., worked my online classes till 6:15 and was on the way to Oklahoma by 7. I picked up my mom and dad and brought them to my Aunt Winnie’s house in Garland. After my aunt treated us to a supper at Cheddars, I left them in her care and headed for the nearest Starbucks so I could make a post and check on my classes. Tomorrow I take my dad in for his surgery, and hopefully (if his pacemaker doesn’t need to be replaced) be on the way back to Oklahoma by tomorrow night. Thursday I’ll spend with them and help with chores, then drive to Houston on Friday. I’ll spend the night with friends there, and on Saturday I’ll make my presentations at the Lake Jackson Historical Museum. Their motto is “Dedicated to the Preservation of Our Heritage.” Here is the article the local paper is running about the event:

Rickey E. Pittman is a 1998 grand prizewinner of the prestigious Ernest Hemingway Short Story Competition. Originally from Dallas, Texas, he earned a bachelor’s degree in New Testament Greek and a master’s degree in English from Abilene Christian University. Pittman has produced numerous plays, works of nonfiction, collections of poetry, and short stories. A certified Gifted & Talented secondary English teacher, he currently teaches freshman English at Delta Community College and the University of Louisiana in Monroe, Louisiana.

The Lake Jackson Historical Museum is proud to host Mr. Pittman as he presents two Civil War programs on Saturday, February 28th at the Lake Jackson Historical Museum located at 249 Circle Way in Lake Jackson.

At 10 am, Mr. Pittman will conduct a children’s program, followed by a book-signing, based on his children’s book, Jim Limber Davis: A Black Orphan in the Confederate White House. This accelerated reader selection tells the true story of how Jim Limber, a free black orphan, was adopted by the Jefferson Davis family during the Civil War. The story offers an example of compassion during this complex time in our nation’s history. Mr. Pittman will recount the Jim Limber Story through period dress, a Civil War ‘show and tell’ table, and period music.

At 2pm, Mr. Pittman will conduct a second program, also followed by a book-signing, based on his third book, Stories of the Confederate South, an anthology of short fiction presenting a variety of Southern characters, events, and issues that capture the spirit and passion of the South. Through careful research of diaries, biographies, historical events, and social trends Mr. Pittman will summarize Texas’ role in the Civil War, discuss the techniques and difficulties of writing about the Civil War, and present a reading from his book.

The Texas 15th Infantry, a Civil War reenactors group, will also be camped outside the Museum to demonstrate life in a civil war camp.

You won’t want to miss these exciting programs! Rickey Pittman promises to captivate, educate and entertain audiences of all ages with his programs.
All books are available for purchase in the Museum gift shop or bring your own copy to have signed by the author.  For more information please call 979-297-1570 or visit www.lakejacksonmuseum.org.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Caulkins
Museum Director
Lake Jackson Historical Museum

Author Event: I’ve always loved the big sky of West Texas, as well as the people, climate, and terrain. Last year, Linda Bagwell interviewed me on her radio program that is devoted to authors and artists of all sorts. She also heads up this:

Books ‘n Authors ‘n All That Jazz VII
Weatherford College Alkek Fine Arts Center
April 25, 2009

I’ve been asked to be a part of this event this year. Here are the descriptions of my workshops, and I may be performing with my guitar as well.

Rickey Pittman: Writing About the Civil War
It’s not Gone with the Wind — there’s still much that needs to be written about the war that forever changed America’s government, culture, and people. Attend this workshop with award winning Civil War author, musician, and storyteller Rickey Pittman and learn how you can write children’s books, magazine articles, stories, family or military histories, and novels about the war America will never forget.  The author will also help you find out how to research your Civil War ancestor, show and tell various Civil War relics, and introduce some period music.

Rickey E. Pittman: How to Write Children’s Books

Children’s books are not just for kids any more. Libraries, schools, teachers, and adults are collecting and creating them. In this workshop, award winning children’s author and learn how to write a children’s book, how to write your query letter to send to a publisher, and how to best market and promote your book.  The author will discuss various types of children’s books and why, if you want to influence your world, you should be a children’s author.

If you’re near Weatherford on April 25, please drop in and see me.