Sunday, August 17, 2008

Author Charles F. Price

I’d read only about one quarter of “Nor to the Battle Strong” before author appearance of Charles F. Price at Quail Ridge Book Store so I can’t do a book review yet. But I can tell you about his book signing. He wore a 1780-period-dark-red-patterned shirt that looked like cotton. He carried his Stetson hat in one hand and a writer’s briefcase in the other. His cropped short hair in the front is pulled into a long ponytail in the back. Just as many men of that period would appear. He looked the part. I recognized him immediately from the dust jacket photo on the book.

He’s a good storyteller verbally, as well as written, unafraid of laughing at himself. Tonight’s opening story was of a former appearance where he dressed all in black as fitted the period of his then book on the Civil War. He was very into the period by wearing tall black boots, black pants, vest, jacket and Stetson. As he began to read from his book, Hiwassee he realized he’d left his reading glasses in the car! A gal offered hers; so he wound up dressed as Civil War period with fancy cat’s-eye framed glasses.

About forty people attended. All seemed to enjoy it as much as I did.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Quail Ridge Book Signing

One of the first things I noticed after settling into my new home were the notices in the N & O newspaper for the Quail Ridge Bookstore Guest Author appearances. It took awhile but I finally made it!

On Wednesday I drove an hour and a half to this last independent new book store in Raleigh to see Charles F. Price, author of “Nor the Battle to the Strong.” Stopping at Whole Foods located a couple doors up from the bookstore was a delightful idea for a bowl of great Beef Cabbage Soup coupled with Jalapeno Cornbread.

Allowing myself time to browse before the author arrived, I found lots of books stocked by North Carolina authors covering all sorts of subjects. The schedule of events shows author appearances and book signings several times a week, some nights have more than one writer featured. They do a fine job of promoting North Carolina writers!

“Nor the Battle to the Strong” brought me here because it’s about the Revolutionary War fought in the South. The points of view are from Rhode Island-born, Quaker-raised- General Nathaniel Greene and Scottish enlistee, run-a-way-indentured James Johnson. I’m just finishing up a manuscript that covers this same area but from the British point of view of Major Thomas Fraser of Bordentown fame. Naturally I just had-to-have this book and having it signed by the author is a bonus worth the trip to unfamiliar territory!
Check out their website at: www.quailridgebooks.com

Thursday, August 07, 2008

CAP in Macon, North Carolina

I joined Citizens for Animal Protection in North Carolina (CAP) nearly two years ago. I’m the new kid on the block learning my way around but becoming Recording Secretary for the last year has brought me into a closer working relationship in the group.

One of their important projects is the spaying and neutering of dogs and cats.

Susan Blaylock is the dynamo behind this program. The suffering of these animals shows on her face when she talks about abused and neglected dogs and cats. Reducing the number of unwanted, stray, abandoned and abused animals roaming the forests, back roads and streets of Warren County is her goal.

Her program pays approximately half the cost of the operation. Expense/Income records are kept showing the number of both cats and dogs and the money spent including vaccination costs. All monies come from fund raising and donations.

Here’s the challenge. An anonymous donor has pledged $10,000 to this program if we can raise that same amount by December 31, 2008. You can be part of this admirable project. For more info: email Susan Blaylock at: susanandbobby@embarqmail.com

CAP is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose members are all volunteers. CAP Spay/neuter, P O Box 334, Macon NC 27551 is their address.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Ridgeway Opry House

Last Saturday night I took New Jersey guests Peg and John to the Ridgeway Opry House for an evening of country folks having fun playing and singing their favorite music. It’s a contest on who enjoys it more, the folks playing or the folks listening. Local and guest groups, and individuals, just pop in on any Saturday night for a bit of getting together like the days of old.

In days past the building was a general store built by descendants of the Germans who were invited to settle here after ‘the War’ in the early 1880s. Eventually it came to Frieda Bender Egerton wanting to keep ‘back porch’ music alive. She’s an accomplished singer, founding member of the Germantown Strings and along with Billy Jarrell plays the dulcimer. He also makes dulcimers and teaches music. Billy keeps the complicated microphone systems and lights operating right, too.

It was a good evenin’ listening and sometimes joining in with the singing. Freshly brewed coffee, soda and water are offered at 50 cents each. Homemade cookies, cakes and on this night blackberry cobbler are complimentary. A simply delightful evening for a $5 entry fee.

Friday, August 01, 2008

Heritage

The New York City chef-turned-writer-turned-TV personality of “No Reservations” Anthony Bordain traveled to Uruguay taking his brother Chris along with him. Anthony was, typically, in search of his passion-local foods. His brother Chris enjoyed eating foods he never tasted before but was really in search of their ancestors. Not in body form but records of their life there back in the mid 1800s.

While Chris has a passion for genealogy, Anthony could care less. Is it always this way in families? Being a passionate genealogist myself makes me totally amazed that neither one of my brothers could care a hoot about who came before us. They harbor no thirst for who descended their traits or physical attributes to them.

It’s even more curious to me because I never knew any of my grandparents. I barely knew my aunts and uncles. A couple I’d only met once. My father died young. No family stories trickled down except one or two from my mother’s childhood.
All these un-answered questions, mysteries and secrets tickle my investigative gene. I gotta know!