I’m a former teacher, former librarian, former paralegal, and former pianist at various small churches desperate for someone who could find middle C.
I read and write. I am open to other pursuits, including part-time or temp work, but the reading and writing are compulsive in nature and can’t be stopped. I’ve done some painting in oils and acrylics. I also like to name things. I have two cats and one husband.
I grew up in a small town (population ~ 150 in 1960) on the San Marcos River in Central Texas, where pickups were for hauling hay and kids and horses, guns were for killing the occasional rattlesnake, Miss Pedula the milk cow grazed by the roadside, and a dear old gentleman sold double-dip ice cream cones for a nickel. Old ladies played dominoes on front porches in the afternoons, and old men gossiped on benches outside the post office. There were still horned toads and lightning bugs, and mosquitoes were about one-tenth the size they are now. In 1983, my parents finally installed working locks on the doors.
Life was good. I would like to have the mosquitoes and the nickel ice cream and the old people back. A few things, however, are best left behind.
All of it provides grist for my word mill.
*Here’s the rest of what Gertrude Stein wrote:
“One of the pleasant things those of us who write or paint do is to have the daily miracle. It does come.”
What a lovely picture you painted above! You’re right some of the good ole days weren’t so good ole, though. Nice web site!
It was a fun place to grow up–so many characters lived there. And now I get to rebuild it in words.
Thanks for dropping by.
Thank you for your comments on Writers Who KIll blogspot. Your quote was a perfect example of what Twain was writing about.
You’re welcome. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to comment. I’ve been righteously indignant since reading about the Huck Finn situation. Now that I’ve had my say, I might be able to stop grousing around the house. I never received any negative reactions when I was teaching Huck; if I’d taught in a different place, I might view the changes more positively.
I enjoy reading Writers Who Kill. I keep up with it through the Guppy list. I hope you’ll include more of your father’s memoir. My father fought in the Battle of the Bulge but didn’t speak about his experiences.
Surfing the waves of the web I am pleasantly stranded in this beautiful blog.
I write under the pseudonym of Josè Pascal (a descendant of the great Colonel Aureliano Buendía).
I invite you to visit my italian writing blog parolesemplici.wordpress.com. I define this blog “In parole Semplici” as a “virtuacultural tin” box where they are guarded thoughts, memories, images, sounds, and simple stories. ”
If you want to participate and to have more informations send me a letter to inparolesempli@gmail.com
Good life and I hope to soon
Josè
Jose,
Thank you for your comment. I like your blog. The idea of a “virtuacultural tin box” is intriguing. If I have anything suitable, I will let you know.
Thank you for your interest. I’ll wait impatiently for your contributions. Have a nice evening
Thank you.
What a wonderful little autobiography you’ve written! You have a wonderful voice — and an equally wonderful story.
Thank you so much. And thanks for visiting and commenting.
So enjoying reading your blog!
Thank you. I enjoy reading yours. And looking at it, too–it’s so attractive.
Hi Kathy,
I was awarded the Liebster Blog Award, and you were one of the five blogs I wished to pass the award along to! You can read more about it on my blog.
Many thanks,
A.A. Trivedi
just want to say hello.
Kathy, you are a true creative and it’s no surprise that you are a former librarian.
I enjoy your words (everywhere on this blog) and love seeing your cats! I’m presenting you with The Versatile Blogger award. Congratulations! http://wp.me/p1VCzf-6O
Thank you so much! I’m honored to receive the Versatile Blogger Award and will be passing it along asap. I believe we have much in common–except the sewing and cooking. I’m about to throw myself into another bout of physical activity but have to procrastinate some more first. I like to say blogging keeps me fluent with words, but, as you point out, it may be a way of procrastinating. At least we look busy.
Love your description of where you grew up. From age 14 to 21, I lived in a similar setting where the cows and chickens outnumbered the human residents. I’d add one obligatory resident – the World-Almanac-of-Misinformation, the town gossip. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Hi Kathy,
I noticed your blog when I was browsing another blog – you’d written a comment and I was interested to find out more about you.
Really enjoying the descriptions of your life and childhood in the Texas area. My friends are moving there from Wisconsin very soon, so that’s one reason it interests me. But, I’m also a writer and my second short book is set in Texas. It’s a thriller with a very dark storyline so it might not necessarily appeal to someone who grew up there! But, I just thought I would let you know that your blog is really fascinating to me for many reasons. Thanks!
Have a great festive holiday!
Kind wishes,
Amaya
Hi Kathy, love your “story” and the Stein quite, which reminds me of the title of Brenda Ueland’s great book, “If You Want to Write”! Thanks for “liking” my blog!
Hi, Sandra. I read Ueland’s book years ago and should probably read it again. It’s good therapy. Thanks for visiting and comment. I hope you’ll come back.
Well, I’m subscribed so can’t escape!!
Besides, looking for good inspiration and yours is a big help.
Kudos.
Hi Kathy,
I live in Athens- Greece now but I used to live in Houston- Texas in the seventies.
Your descriptions of your home town brought to me memories when I first moved to the house we bought in Houston and in the first week all neighbors came to welcome us ,bringing a little welcome present.
I was so happily surprised being from another country and not knowing many people.
Best Wishes
Georgia.
Hi, Kathy. I saw that you liked my blog, so I checked yours out. If you want to read a funny blog, google “Following Senseless Language Rules to Avoid Criticism.” If you can’t find it, google “MarilynHudsonTucker.com” and look at the list of articles. Also, where do you live now? We have several great writing groups in San Antonio. I would love to invite you to one.