“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers,” said L.M. Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables. I couldn’t agree more. I love autumn–the change in the air, the slant of the sun, the musty smell of leaves that takes me back to childhood. Henry David Thoreau said, “I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” Of course that’s what he would prefer.
I’d like to share two recent excursions with you. The first was to Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, thirty minute from where I live. The DAR chapters across Kansas support the students with school supplies and personal care items.
Our first stop was at the auditorium pictured above where three students shared their personal stories.
We toured the Cultural Center which has a detailed display of the school’s history and a truly amazing collection of Native American photographs by Omaha photographer Frank Rinehart taken at the 1898 Trans Mississippi Exposition in Omaha. The Center owns 796 glass plate negatives from the Rinehart collection.
Above left is a beautiful sculpture that stands in the center of the campus. Bottom right is one of the roomful of breath-taking photos at the Cultural Center from the Rinehart collection. You might recognize Jim Thorpe in the top right picture who attended Haskell but was not a graduate. He was a member of the Sac and Fox Nation and won Olympic gold in 1912 for the United States in the decathlon and classic pentathlon.
Outing number two was last week at the Women Writing the West Conference in Denver. What a super-charged group of authors! I hope you don’t mind a little “shop talk.”
Pictured with me is my talented friend Manuela Schneider, author, screen writer, director, actor–good gracious, she’s amazing, and English is not her first language! We viewed her short film, Memoirs of Madame Mustache, which she wrote, directed and starred in. It won an award at the Cannes Film Festival.
The Denver Woman’s Press Club was founded in 1898 and resides in a charming clubhouse near downtown Denver. We ate lunch here our first day while learning its history. The club has provided a gathering place for professional women, newspaper journalists, and published authors to organize, socialize, and earn a living through writing.
The three days were filled with workshops, panels, and informal time with authors. One of my favorite sessions was “Arrows, Bullets, Stampedes . . . and Skirts; A woman’s vision for keeping the West alive.” When a character gets shot or kicked by a horse, you need some knowledge of frontier medicine. Fortunately, our daughter is a nurse, and I often go to her for medical advice. This workshop was presented by author Deb Swenson, retired nurse, who by the way proofread Lila’s Journey for me. Oh, and the beautiful sunset? I had “a room with a view” facing at the Rockies.
What’s up next? I look forward to meeting new friends at Flint Hills Books in Council Grove, KS, the setting of Lila’s Journey for a book signing November 2nd. In the mean time, enjoy this glorious time of year; inhale the scent of autumn, catch the harvest moon, carve a pumpkin, and as I write in the books I sign, “Enjoy your journey!”
Until next time . . .
I always get excited when your name pops up in my email. Makes me smile, which I may be repeating myself, but I do smile.
Always enjoy hearing about your visits to places of historical interest. And the writers’ conference in Denver must have been so fun as well as informative. What a wonderful group of writers you can be a part of. Looking forward to your next novel. Any ideas you can share with us your readers?
Wow, what a fun time you’ve had this year. I sure miss going on our little excursions around the area! If you get to Iowa, maybe we can go on another one or plan another in Kansas next year.
Glad you had a great time! Take care and talk to you soon! Vicki