Every once in a while life gives you some wonderful hints that you are doing something right. Though, I'll admit, the start of one program made me wonder how things were going to go.
Friday saw me at the site for one of Compass's after-school programs (http://www.service2families.com/after-school-program). Compass is a great program that Springfield District 186 has for children in challenging situations, and I've been delighted to be able to work with them. On Friday I was doing a program for 2nd graders, and it had been set up for there to be eight children attending; plus volunteers. Slightly warmer weather and it being Friday had combined to get the youngsters pretty charged up, and so the idea of sitting for stories just didn't sound fun. Matter-of-fact, one little girl expressed it quite clearly, "STORY TIME! That's for babies - she's going to read to us!!!!!" I smiled and asked if she saw any books around, and was informed that I was hiding it in my coat. It was obvious that I wasn't going to win this group over with stories like, "The King's Rice Pudding," or any of my other tales for 2nd graders. So I plunged into "Tam Lin." Afterwards the young doubter looked at her classmates, and informed them, "Quiet! I want to hear more stories!!!!" Once it was obvious I wasn't going to sneak out any books we were good. Yesterday I was at the Springfield Art Association's Family Day (http://www.springfieldart.org/). This is a fun day of art projects for the family. So I had worked on such stories as "The Man Who Loved Dragons," "The Magic Brocade," and "Anait." I was set up in the main room/library, with chairs circled around, and a nice large sign. About every half hour they would announce storytelling, and those who'd finished projects would take a break and come hear some stories. One family who had brought their two little girls was a family from China; a group that included not only parents and children, but grandparents. The family split up so that some adults could help each child, and the father, plus grandmother remained in the library. After a few sets of stories the father explained that while he is still struggling with English, and that they had only come to Illinois in July of last year, that by watching my hands, and by listening carefully, he was really getting the idea of the stories. And was really enjoying them. Compliments are always nice, but to know that you are able to cross a language barrier, even marginally, is a wonderful feeling. Later the whole family came into hear some of the stories. And then there were two youngsters, about 4 years of age each, and from different families that kept coming back and asking for stories. Didn't matter what I was telling they sat and eagerly listened. The only disappointment for the little boy was that I didn't know, "Jack and the Snow Man." I guess that is a popular story as someone else piped up, "I know that book!" Definitely a grand three hours!
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There are a lot of themes wandering through this Story Musing. Over the last couple of weeks I have walked through historical exhibits, and have spoken with individuals about slavery in the 21st century. And across it all runs the theme of stories.
A few weeks back I attended, with some friends, the opening of At Home In the Heartland exhibit (http://www.museum.state.il.us/exhibitions/) at the Illinois State Museum. It is a beautiful exhibit of quilts and clothing, artifacts, and letters from the Civil War era. The note cards for each item tell snippets about the women who sought to support their loved ones, and a greater war effort. Taken all together they form a tapestry, or a quilt, in their own right. This was followed by a tour of the Illinois Military Museum (http://www.il.ngb.army.mil/museum/)by the Sangamon Historical Society (http://sangamonhistory.org/). We were privileged to have a private, evening, tour. The Military Museum is one of Springfield's rare gems of a museum, which not only recognizes the sacrifices of past warriors, but of those who have given their lives in current conflicts. On the first floor is a tribute to Illinois soldiers, and a very personal one for local Guards men and women. The director asked us to remember that, "Everything in the museum once belonged to a living soldier." This week offered the Illinois Historical Society's (http://www.historyillinois.org/) symposium on the Emancipation Proclamation out at the University of Illinois - Springfield. Many of the panels were interesting, but the most powerful was the one entitled, "Historians Against Slavery." I was able to attend the first part of this, and was able to learn of a student organization, named, "Western Against Slavery." (http://www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php?release_id=10060). This is a multi-disciplinary group that is endeavoring to educate the public about the very real issue of human trafficking, which is a global problem. I ended the week with a meeting with the director of Unity 4 Christ, which is a organization focused on helping unwed mothers. The stories I heard that afternoon were both sad and hopeful. Both the director, and her young charges, are all working toward shaping something better. And while the director was happy to have me offer storytelling there was the unspoken question, "Why do you want to? What is your reason for volunteering this?" She had offered me honesty, and honesty is something I returned. Storytelling is a talent that was gifted to me; along with a secure and loving childhood. I had parents that not only gave me that safe life, but also helped mentor others. And who listened to those who came with troubles. If I can return a little of those blessings to others than it is definitely a life worth lived. Storytelling may be a business that I want to be in, but that doesn't mean that if I can't offer it as a gift when needed. I just had to throw in a nod to my first ever marketing effort at a bridal expo. My "launch" was at the July 13th Elegant Bridal Expo (http://elegantbridalstudio.com/), which was held at the Springfield Hilton.
It was a lovely venue, and pretty much non-stop from 12:00 to 3, and I was pleased that all of my brochures were handed out, and at least a 4th of the Pease's mints. This time I did manage to take a picture of my table. There is nothing quite like being down with a cold over the holidays - not something I would really recommend. Though I am thankful that I came down with after all my shows were done.
In spite of this I was happy to have gotten fresh Scottish Heather for a year of prosperity, and to have acquired true Bayberry candles to burn between Christmas and New Year's. I still had to burn the candle in the bathtub, since the hounds still haven't learned not to try to eat anything on the counter. But the tradition was observed. However, my grand plan of creating a Christmas Bibliography for the site was put on hold till tonight. I had acquired some interesting new books (though their publishing dates are, in some cases, not all that new), and wanted to share them. Ah well, they are now ready for next year! A Bright and Healthy 2013 to Everyone!!!!! The last few weeks have been one of launching new projects, with the main one being my new site - Tales of Sangamon (http://www.talesofsangamon).
I am hoping that with the site I can gather some of the stray stories and legends that exist in Sangamon County, and in the surrounding area. Over the years I have been given enough hints, via fragments of stories, to bolster my belief that others might be out there. The more I read the more I believe that the stories traveled through Illinois at some point. Just recently I have been reading Leonard Roberts' books, South from Hell-fer-Sartin and Old Greasybeard: Tales From the Cumberland Gap. One of the tales in the later book is, "The Man and the Devil's Daughter" is very similar to a story I found in one of Vance Randolph's books on Missouri Folklore. In both cases the story is a wonder tale about a traveler (of farmboy in the case of the Missouri folktale) who goes to work for a rich man, who turns out to be the Devil. The daughter takes a shine to the worker, and by magical means helps him complete 3 impossible tasks. She then flees with her boyfriend, and once safely away from her Pa she renounces her magical heritage to live a normal life. As always there are hints. Other projects that I have on the list include voice lessons, teaching myself Excell, and the rather bemusing occupation of rebuilding a lamp. (Its my favorite reading lamp, which is attached to a table, so I hate to get a new one.) As to the voice lessons I am hoping my instructor survives with some patience intact. She has some hope of disproving the belief that I am tone deaf, and so we are struggling to get me on the proper key. Granted, I have no belief that I will become a singer, but it is something new and interesting to learn, and hopefully will add to my vocal strength. I knew it had been a long time since I wrote, but I hadn't realized how long; nor can I blame it all on the scorching summer (though it does explain the last few weeks).
Nor has it been due to a lack of things to do - there have been many an interesting activity. So interesting that I still want to do an overview: April offered two fascinating events. The Sangamon County Historical Society (http://sangamonhistory.org/) offered a bus trip to the C. H. Moore Homestead (http://www.chmoorehomestead.org/) in Clinton, Illinois. The C. H. Moore house is a beautifully restored Victorian home, with exquisite furnishings, and material examples of the life of the time. The curator, Larry Buss, has a wealth of knowledge on the house and grounds, and along with the house's collection there is also the DeWitt County History Society's museum in the basement, three farm museums, a blacksmith shop, and a telephone exhibit. This fine outing was followed by the Springfield Art Association's "Titantic Tea." (http://www.springfieldart.org/) They had the Tea Ladies (http://www.thetealadiesinc.com/)back to host a tea party, which offered foods that would have been on the Titanic. The Tea Ladies then offered a brief history of the people on board, and asked that all those attendees of the tea party to read a card (or more) regarding some of the survivors. With the coming of May came both the Central Illinois Highland Games (http://www.central-illinois-standrewsociety.com/)and the precursor to the heat), and Clayville's Spring Festival (http://www.clayville.org/). Both were as fun to perform at as always. The increase in the heat did cut into the performing schedule, with Clayville not having their usual July activities, and the Elijah Iles House (http://www.ileshouse.org/)cancelling their Strawberry Festival, but I have not been idle. During this time I have decided to launch Tales of Sangamon (http://www.talesofsangamon.com/), which is a website devoted to collecting stories of Sangamon County, and the surrounding area. I am truly excited about the site, and hope that some will use it so that stories of the area can be documented, since there is so little Illinois lore in print. I'm not sure much more could have been packed into one weekend, but Springfield and the surrounding area tried. And though there were many other things going on the ones I was involved in were the Springfield Area Highland Games (http://www.central-illinois-celts.org/), and the Clayville Spring Festival (http://clayville.org/home).
With the Games I balance being chair of the Heritage Area and storytelling, but once set up was completed, and Iain Thompson completed his "Introduction to Gaelic," I settled in for some tales. I put up the "Storyteller is In" sign, and gratefully moved my chair into the tent's shade - for the day (despite ominous weather warnings) was sunny, hot, and windy. The ebb and flow of visitors offered a fascinating array of individuals. One couple stayed after a "Introduction to Gaelic" class, and to them I told an Orkney tale about "The Storm Witch." This is a tale of a young woman, named Janet, who was caught in the 17th century witch craze, and was rescued rather dramatically by her lover. It was my first time telling it in public, and I was satisfied it flowed well. Though I had a moment or two wondering how my audience received it as the lady sat silent. Finally she said, "My name is Janet." Then she smiled a little, and said, "I wonder where that took place - I got to visit the Orkney Islands once." After that she told us about what all one should see if visiting. Along the way I told the Irish tales, "The King Who Was a Gentleman" and "The Wolf's Story." Of course "Tamlin" was a favorite. The audience ranged from young to elders, and all in between, and at the end of one tale a gentleman said, "You are the first storyteller I have ever heard, though I have been interested in it for a long time." So he and his wife told me a little of his days as a pastor, and how they were researching which storytelling festivals to go to. I was able to recommend the going to the Illinois Storytelling website (http://www.storytelling.org/) for their calendar. It's an interesting feeling to learn that you are the first of your art that an individual has heard, and you hope you represented the art form well. And when 4 came around my friend, Amanda, and I packed up and headed wearily, though pleased, to our respective homes. ________ For we both knew we needed rest for Clayville the next day, since we're both involved in both festivals. The weather was still holding, though the reports remained ominous, and with less to haul we headed out. I was offered a place in the Broadwell Tavern, which was very pleasant with both doors open to provide a breeze. A fact that was very welcome as I was in my full civil war era gown. My first audience was a lad about 4 years old, named Otto, and his parents; they stopped to listen to "The Two Foxes." As folks came to see the Inn they stopped to listen. As one lady approached she exclaimed, "I knew it was you! I recognized your voice!" It turns out that she had retired several years ago from Horace Mann, and remembered me from when I performed at the Horace Mann's United Way Talent Show. She remained for a story. Others stopped for "Jack and the Gower." (Including another lady from Horace Mann who remembered me from the Talent Show). And to keep us from being bored the members of the 10th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry (http://www.10thillinoisvolcavalry.com/) changed to cowboy garb, and offered many an entertaining shoot-out. Oft using the Inn as a staging point. But the thunder rumbling overhead put lie to the sound of their blanks, and soon everyone was squeezing into all available buildings. If buildings have memories I am sure the Broadwell Inn had a sense of deja vu - for once again the Inn sheltered mothers comforting babes, bored children seeking entertainment or comfort, and equally bored men standing at the doors watching the deluge. How many times did the Inn have such crowd during its stagecoach days? And from the crowd came little Otto, and who found me watching the rain too. Who looked up at me and said, "Could you please come and tell us all a story?" So while the thunder broke overhead and told him, "Michael and Friendly Leprechaun." Though a touch warm today I doubt that any could complain of such a lovely day, and the retirement village I was telling at today is a well-planned, attractive, locale.
The residents were gathering in the dining room, which is a spacious community room, with good acoustics. And I actually had a decent turn out - considering there was a Cardinal game. Once everyone was settled in I began my half hour program; telling such tales as: "The King's Rice Pudding," "The Twelve Months," "Tamlin," "The Stolen Bairn," "The Pedlar of Swaffham," and "Jack and the Friendly Animals." At the end of the program many of the residents asked if would come back, and one said that while I was telling my stories you could hear a pin drop. All in all it made for a very pleasant day. This Story Musing offers a bit of a challenge as I am mostly trying to type one handed, and am counting myself lucky, since for the most of the month I have been dealing with a strained shoulder.
It has also been a busy couple of months, starting with the Root of Nature conference in March. This was a wonderful launch of a new nature education conference for early education teachers, which was hosted by the Springfield Audubon Society. Brian "Fox" Ellis offered a fine keynote address, and equally fine workshop. I'm still amazed the conference is now over, since it has been in the planning for so long. The following week I had the pleasure of performing at the Illinois State Museum as they opened their Play Museum. I was actually settled on the first floor, under their very realistic looking tree. It was great fun as I worked with my Folkmanis Gray Fox puppet, which got hugged by many children and petted by a few adults. It never ceases to amaze and delight me how people, young and old, react to the life-like animal puppets; the movement catches their attention, and even when they realize it is a puppet, they still pet it. And in the middle of this I was able to offer such stories as, "The Two Foxes," and "The Fox Wife." And when I had my squirrel puppet out I added in the French story, "The Fox and the Squirrel." Now I am trying to play "catch up" on both storytelling material, and more mundane activities; plus gear up for the St Andrews' Highland Games on May 21st, and Clayville's Spring Festival, which is May 20th, 21st, and 22nd. A strange mix true, but I'll blame it on the weather. At least the weather of a month ago, when Springfield was handily buried beneath snow. The city was still digging out by the time the Chinese New Year's came about, and so the show I was doing for the Springfield Art Association was held over till last night - to join with Mardi Gras.
The Springfield Art Association was hosting a family night on both nights so they combined all of their hands on projects - masks, and paper lanterns, beads and other fun. And it was fun. While I was waiting for my scheduled time I was able to wander about and look at their exhibit, Pastiche: Art Made from Disparate Sources. This is well worth seeing, and pondering. I was grateful for the brief overview from the artists so that I could better appreciate the stories they were trying to impart in their mediums. I also had a few moments to appreciate the Edward Place's lower floor, which is filled with elegant Victorian furniture and portraits. The watchful gaze of many of the first residents look upon the visitors. Then back into the light and the life. Most of my audience were toddlers so we started off with the French tale of "The Squirrel and the Fox," and "The Yellow Thunder Dragon." As I was telling some older children came in, and I went ahead with the Chinese tale of "The Magic Brocade," which seemed appropriate to the Art Association. This is a wonderful tale of a older woman who falls in love with a painting, and sets out to weave the scene. It also shows how her sons deal with her passion; the elder two only wish her to focus her talents on profitable efforts, while her younger son will do whatever needs to be done for her to see the work of art to completion. He is also the only one who will seek the brocade when the spirits "borrow" it." What was very rewarding was the little ones thanking me, and when one of their fathers came over and thanked me. His 3 year old son and 7 year old daughter were enthralled. It as a lovely evening. |
Cathy Mosley
I am a Springfield, IL based storyteller with a fascination for how folklore travels, and for history. Archives
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