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Living Out Loud

/ Janna Hill / 5 Comments

A bit about the East Texas Book Fest last weekend and then I must get back to writing.


The meet and greet at the Potpourri House Friday evening was entertaining to say the least. Kim and I, myself and Kim, Kim and me (all six of us) found ourselves seated with a journalist, a professor and an adorable retired engineer that had written his first book. The seating was not prearranged, that’s just how it happened. We didn’t mingle much past that due to being inebriated time constraints.

Take 2 cards and call me in the morning.

We barely made it to the book fest on time. Puffy eyed and sleep deprived but on time. We were so excited!
It took all of 30 seconds to arrange our tiny display, say hi to a few folks. ..

Then we were off to check out the festivities. There were authors out the wazoo, writers of everything imaginable, artists and a few esteemed educators but this really grabbed my attention.

Forensic sculptor Amanda Danning was so gracious. Despite our interrupting her lunch, she shared her talent and knowledge with such passion. Between bites of ham and cheese (or was it turkey?) she explained the process of facial reconstruction while her husband narrated the history behind each work of art. They are both amazing.

So all in all I would say the East Texas Book Fest was a success. Will it boost sales? I do not have a clue and you know what? I’m okay with that.  After all, I’m just living out loud and flinging cake against the wall.

A Little Visit to The Big Easy

/ Janna Hill / 12 Comments

Update on my hiatus.

It had been more than a few years since I visited the Big Easy so it was time to  see how she’d changed and stir up a bit of nostalgia and a ghost or two.

After a brief run through the French Quarter and down to Jackson Square [I was on a tight schedule] I must say from what I saw not much has changed. Unless you count the ramp up in police presence. I’ve never seen so many officers of the law in one place – it was kind of scary.

I didn’t have any warrants under my current name so I was like what the heck, let’s party. And we did.

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You just don’t know how close I was to taking a ride on this adorable  pony. I would have too if that nosy NOPD mounted officer hadn’t threatened to give me a ride to the jailhouse. I stepped up in the stirrup and said okay, lets ride.  He called a state trooper in an SUV. My loyal companions intervened and we ran.

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We laid down on the street, pretended to be passed out and they rode right past us. We’re so clever.

One Is Never Enough

/ Janna Hill / Leave a comment

I was recently introduced to this lovely poem written by “the people’s poet” with a question attached, “If you could ask Robert Service one question what would it be?”

Fisherfolk

By Robert William Service (January 16, 1874 – September 11, 1958)

 

I like to look at fishermen
And often times I wish
One would be lucky now and then
And catch a little fish.
I watch them statuesquely stand,
And at the water look;
But if they pull their float to land
It’s just to bait a hook.

I ponder the psychology
That roots them in their place;
And wonder at the calm I see
In ever angler’s face.
There is such patience in their eyes,
Beside the river’s brink;
And waiting for a bite or rise
I do not think they think.

Or else they are just gentle men,
Who love–they know not why,
Greeen grace of trees or water when
It wimples to the sky . . .
Sweet simple souls! As vain I watch
My heart to you is kind:
Most precious prize of all you catch,
–Just Peace of Mind.

 

 

My answer, “Is greeen really spelled with three e’s?”  (Apparently yes. You can see for yourself here, here and here.) And then I would insist he tell me about his most inspiring travels. One question is never enough.