Angel’s Rest Mountain, Pearisburg, Virginia I grew up in the shadow of this mountain never understanding how blessed I was. My fathers now rest in the shadow of this mountain. This is home.
“It’s a human need to be told stories. The more we’re governed by idiots and have no control over our destinies, the more we need to tell stories to each other about who we are, why we are, where we come from, and what might be possible.”
English actor and director, Alan Rickman, was born on this day in 1946 (died 2016).
Monday. President’s Day.
I could tell you that I’m writing this from an undisclosed location, but reality is I’m in my small hometown in Southwest Virginia taking care of family business.
I mentioned that my Mother fell just before New Years. She’s been in a rehab facility since the surgery to repair her broken leg.
My brother, cousins, and I are tag teaming the care, the plans, the future.
Since, thanks to George and Abe, I have a three-day weekend, this is my turn. I’ll be heading back to
Available from The Write Side Shop (click the pic)
Richmond later today to take care of the livestock…and also the family.
Truth is, I’m really writing this on Saturday morning before I prepare to leave. I’ll probably make edits before this actually posts.
Truth also is that I have a whole backpack full of projects that I intend to work on when I’m not otherwise visiting or occupied. I mean, that worked out so well for the five days I was there in January.
But, I’m serious this time.
Truth is, that while I had the best of intentions when the year began, I came to the New Year having worked seven days a week for the months of November and December. After Last Summer’s Great Unpleasantness (TM), that was, to say the least, challenging. Then just after Christmas my show was closed due to cast members contracting COVID, half of my household got COVID (I did not), my Mother fell, I messed up my shoulder again, and, well, it was winter.
So yeah, neighbors, there are still leaves in my yard. And no, I have finished neither the first full draft of the novel, or the short story project.
I’m not whining. Well, maybe a little because I’m tired.
But I’m still going.
And I’m going to get those things taken care of.
So, as I write this, I am telling myself that I need to take this weekend to be observant. Bask in the memories.
Those are, by the way, the subject of the short story project.
There are stories I need to tell.
The Rickman quote above is perfect for today.
We’re coming up on two years of fifteen days to slow the spread. In fact, a work email this past week indicated that yes, we’ll hit a full two years before I have to return to the office.
Not to go off on a tangent, but so much of our last two years has been governance by idiots, or by those who seek to gain and retain their power over us. That’s a whole ‘nother post and one I don’t think I’m going to write.
So, what I am writing is stories. That’s my job, well one of them.
In the meantime, I’m tending to things that need tending.
I’m taking care of family. I’m attempting to regain control of my health. I’m doing the day job.
And, I’m writing for you lovely people.
Thanks for reading.
Story time is coming.
Of course, there’s also the greatest story ever told.
BORN ON THIS DAY
1907 – W. H. Auden, English-American poet, playwright, and composer (d. 1973)
1927 – Erma Bombeck, American journalist and author (d. 1996)
1934 – Rue McClanahan, American actress (d. 2010)
1936 – Barbara Jordan, American lawyer and politician (d. 1996)
1940 – John Lewis, American activist and politician (d. 2020)
1946 – Tyne Daly, American actress and singer
1946 – Alan Rickman, English actor and director (d. 2016)
1953 – Christine Ebersole, American actress and singer
1955 – Kelsey Grammer, American actor, singer, and producer
WHAT I’M READING
BENEDICTION
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20–21
Ronald Wilson Reagan February 2, 1911 – June 5, 2004
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Monday. President’s Day.
