Houston Artist David McClain at Friendswood Public Library

The City of Friendswood teamed up with the Portable on Demand Art project (P.O.D.A.), sponsored by Houston Arts Alliance, by displaying four pieces of artwork at the grassy area adjacent to the Friendswood Public Library’s parking lot. The four pieces chosen for display in Friendswood are entitled Aerosol Warfare, Box 13 Art Space Box of Curiosities, The Joanna and Metalab the Play. These art pods will be on display through Wednesday, October 5^th.

Houston artist David McClain, representing Box 13 Art Space, was at the Friendswood Public Library to talk about their art pod entitled Box of Curiosities. David McClain has earned his MFA in Studio Photography from School of Art Institute of Chicago. He has taught photography at Rice University, has appeared in numerous solo and group shows, and has published four art books including Oleo, Hotel Chelsea, Lawyers, and New Paintings. David also has a permanent installation in collaboration with Kristy Peet entitled After Smithson (Limestone Jetty) at Lone Star College-Montgomery in Conroe, Texas.

(left to right) Artist David McClain; library staff members Christina Hicks, Keith Rogers, Karen Hart, and Mary Perroni

 

Library Lines Redux "The Witching Hour" October 2004

The Witching Hour by M. Riley

Children love a good scare! I remember spending nights with my friend Lee, barricaded behind beanbags and pillows awaiting whatever ghoul might wander through the bedroom door. As our imagination took over, the likelihood that such a ghoul would appear began to increase tenfold with each passing minute.

Crouched behind our makeshift fort and stocked with every projectile one could find in a nine-year-old's room, we would concoct elaborate attack and escape schemes well into the morning hours. Only sleep would save us from our moment of dread, but in the witching hour sleep was certainly our worst enemy. Sleep would mean horrible things even beyond our wildest imaginings. Our nine-year-old minds did the best they could to imagine the worst. The more outlandish the creature breaking through the bedroom window, the more heroic our deeds would seem after we slew this beast and saved the neighborhood from annihilation.

We would spend hours rigging the room to our ghostbuster satisfaction. When Ghoul A opens the front door, this string tied from knob to knob will pull open the top drawer of this dresser knocking over Lee's soccer trophy, which will then fall onto this skateboard causing it to roll under the ghouls foot thus tripping it to the floor, allowing time for the heroes to begin attack and escape mode. Ghoul B, coming through the window, had a similar fate involving hairspray and various kitchen chemicals.

I still swear that on at least two occasions, I saw this horrible beast peering in between the curtains of Lee's bedroom window. It was scaled and slimy green, with yellow fangs all crooked and long. It had reptilian eyes just like Lee's favorite pet gecko, only one hundred times as large. I'm sure Lee saw it as well, but by the time we could get his mom into the room the creature had already moved into the garage or on top of the roof. Soon the adults would be back in bed and we would be left alone to follow the noise of its tail scraping along the walls of this curst danger zone.

In the morning, Lee's mom would make her way under the booby traps and over the baseball bats and cans of hairspray. She would begin to wake up the two groggy-headed heroes with bribes of breakfast and a trip to the park. As the sun rose higher in the afternoon sky, the night of battling monsters would begin to fade as if all a bad, but exciting, dream. Yet even still, I remember those midnight hours as being as real as most everything I have encountered in all the days since. Maybe Lee and I were just plain lucky. Or maybe our hours of diligent planning impressed upon this fiend the need to spook elsewhere. Maybe it is still out there slithering to a bedroom window near you!

The Friendswood Public Library has a slew of haunted books and movies to keep the hairs raised and the heart pounding during this Halloween season. For the children, we have the ever-popular Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series by Alvin Schwartz or the Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine, amongst dozens more Halloween books. For the grown-ups, try Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker, or Neil Gaiman, or choose from nearly 200 horror dvds. 

Q & A with Texas Poet Laureate Nominee Sybil Estess

The Friendswood Public Library was honored to host a poetry reading with 2009 Texas Poet Laureate nominee Sybil P. Estess and other Laura's Poetry Group poets including Sally Ridgway, Vivian Macias, and Kelly Patton.  These excellent poets are not to be missed if you get a chance to hear them read. Sybil also graciously accepted my invitation to contribute to From the Reference Desk in the below brief Q & A session:

1. What is the title of your new book?   My book title is "Maneuvers".

2. How would you describe your book?  It is a small book which includes all but one of my published poems, that have not been in my other three poetry books.  There are several poems included which concern my early childhood in Mississippi in the 1940s and 1950s.

3. Who are your favorite poets and why?  Favorite poets: Elizabeth Bishop (I did my dissertation on--for her descriptive powers and subtle epiphanies); Greg Kuzma (for his plain language); Mary Oliver (for her metaphors from nature).

4. What is your favorite film?  "Il-Postino"--because it deals with poetry and is set in beautiful country by a seaside.

5. Finish these statements:

The first time..."ever I saw your face." --(Song sung by Roberta Flack)--my favorite love song

 

Theres no good way..."to be drunk."

 

Those who say..."they have the Truth are dangerous."

 

My definition "of love is...that you never get bored with the person.  He/she is always interesting to you."

 

I'll always be...."naive."

 

One thing I found out lately..."is about addiction."

Sybil Estess--September 11, 2011

Some pictures from the Poetry Reading follow below:

left to right (Vivian Macias, Kelly Patton, Sybil Estess, Sally Ridgway)

Sybil P. Estess



History and Heritage in August

The Friendswood Public Library hosted two fantastic programs this month featuring two local residents.  It is a true honor to help bring these inspiring individuals to the Friendswood Public Library to share their knowledge and wisdom with the community. 

Local resident WN Crawford shared his immense knowledge of the Civil War through the voice of his great-grandfather Lt. David Lefevre Crawford of the 139th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment.  Utilizing a Powerpoint presentation with images, maps, and songs, Mr. Crawford was able to illuminate the life of this Civil War soldier and relay the events leading to and during the battles of Gettysburg and Cedar Creek.  Bill Crawford’s grandson, Daniel Crawford, added to the presentation by appearing midway in full Civil War uniform with sword drawn.  Mr. Crawford also brought numerous Civil War items (including the bible carried by David during the war) which were on display throughout the program.

Mayor of Pearland Tom Reid on left, Bill Crawford on right

Bill Crawford's grandson, Daniel Crawford

Mark, Daniel, and Bill Crawford; and me

Rebecca Hatcher Travis, member of the Chickasaw Nation, shared her knowledge and experience with Chickasaw history and culture.   Reading from her book of award-winning poetry, she was able to provide insight into the shared history and culture of the Chickasaw Nation.  Several attendees were Chickasaw or Cherokee members and a good time was had by all as people shared their knowledge and experience.  

Upcoming Friendswood Public Library programs include:

Wednesday, September 14th at 7pm Poetry Reading with featured poet Sybil Estess and Laura's Poetry Group. Sybil Pittman Estess, Ph.D., was one of eight finalists for Poet Laureate of the State of Texas in 2009.

Wednesday, September 21st at 7pm Inflammatory Breast Cancer- No Lump, Can Still Be Cancer: Come and hear the story of a Friendswood woman, Terry Arnold, as she will share her IBC story. Terry Arnold will also talk about her work that resulted in a Texas State Resolution read in the House and Senate declaring October 2011 IBC Awareness month.

Wednesday, October 5th at 7pm Legendary Norden Bombsight: The Norden bombsight was used by the United States Army Air Forces and the United States Navy during World War II to aid the crew of bomber aircraft in dropping bombs accurately. Its operation was a closely guarded secret of World War II. W N Crawford will present his training as a WW II Bombardier/Navigator with pictures detailing the operation of the bombsight.

Meet FPL Program Presenter W N Crawford

W N Crawford III was born in Pittsburgh, PA on October 7th, 1925. He is descended from 8 Revolutionary War Patriots as confirmed by the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR).

He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant (WW II) as a Bombardier/Navigator in the Army Air Corps and was trained on the A-26 attack bombers for night path-finder missions in the Pacific theater at the end of the war.

W N Crawford III graduated as a Petroleum Engineer from the University of Pittsburgh in 1948. He married Jeannette Satterfield (DAR) and they lived on 6 continents while working in the oil industry (mostly in drilling management operations) and raising 5 children. The last project was a 20,000' well in Israel at Sodom in the Dead Sea. 

He retired in 1996 and volunteered at the VA hospital in Asheville, NC. He has received awards from the state of North Carolina, several local organizations, and the SAR for volunteer efforts. He retired to Friendswood in 2003.

He is a member of the Color Guard of the Etowah Society of the Eastern Cherokees in Western North Carolina and has been accepted as a member of their Yellow Star Society for service. He was also a member of the Buncombe Co, NC Veterans Memorial Team and volunteered for other entities as a member of Bugles Across America. He has participated in over 500 veteran funerals.

Most recently W N Crawford has organized and or participated in 3 Memorial Day ceremonies and is currently organizing a patriotic program (July 4th) termed SUNDAY ON THE POST at the Friendswood Senior Center.

W N Crawford is presenting two separate programs at the Friendswood Public Library:

Wednesday, August 24^th at 7pm

 David LeFevre Crawford’s Civil War: Just after Ft Sumter fell, enlisted as Private in 13th Pennsylvania, wounded as Adjutant 139th Pennsylvania, 6th Corps just before Appomattox. W N Crawford will talk about the 6th Corps in two decisive battles, Gettysburg and Cedar Creek, and will recount the life and events of this Civil War soldier through story, images, and song.  

Wednesday, October 5th at 7pm

Legendary Norden Bombsight: The Norden bombsight was used by the United States Army Air Forces and the United States Navy during World War II to aid the crew of bomber aircraft in dropping bombs accurately. Its operation was a closely guarded secret of World War II. W N Crawford will present his training as a WW II Bombardier/Navigator with pictures detailing the operation of the bombsight.

Who Are the Chickasaw Indians? A program by Rebecca Hatcher Travis

Who Are the Chickasaw Indians? Come hear Chickasaw Nation citizen Rebecca Hatcher Travis tell stories about her American Indian heritage and read from her award winning book, Picked Apart the Bones on Wednesday, August 10^th at 7pm in the Friendswood Public Library Activity Room.  Rebecca Hatcher Travis’ book Picked Apart the Bones won the “First Book Award for Poetry” from the Native Writers’ Circle of the Americas.  

About her award winning book, Rebecca Hatcher Travis writes, I see many of the poems in the book Picked Apart the Bones in the color red, since they were written to remember – the stories, the struggles, the people of the past.  Other poems, bright yellow as the sun, rejoice in the continuation and determination of generations of Native Americans.  Still others, in shimmering green, celebrate the beauty of and our connection to the sacred natural world.     

Rebecca Hatcher Travis has graciously shared three of her poems for inclusion in From the Reference Desk. These poems include Blood Wise, Easy Clay, and Pieces of Place. These poems, with additional comments by Rebecca, follow immediately:

Blood Wise

green rolling hills with sacred mounds

ceremony and forbidden ways

the blood remembers

what memory does not

like the instinct to survive

intuition confirms

our deepest knowledge

we understand where we belong

The poem Blood Wise along with a copy of the book Picked Apart the Bones are included in a time capsule sealed in 2010 on the grounds of the newly opened Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, Oklahoma. 

Easy Clay

find the right trail

down the hill

to the old slow river

there along the bank underfoot

you will find its home

sister calls it easy clay

as she rolls it carefully

between her palms

stretches snake coils out one by one

to form her useful pots

still gathered by the riverside

this old earth almost falls into shape

it tries so hard to please

for easy clay remembers why

it lives there by the water

Easy Clay is a tribute to all potters for the art of creating handmade vessels.   

Pieces of Place

how this land clings beneath my fingernails

travels down my throat in small armies  

moves under my skin without a sound

year after year I hurry back

step into the cool of Travertine Creek

hear the roar of Turner Falls

sip their clear spring waters

until I am so full of this place

I could burst

Pieces of Place relates to the natural beauty of the crosstimbers found within the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma which includes some of the purest spring waters in the world. 

Come to the Friendswood Public Library on August 10^th at 7pm to hear Rebecca share stories about her American Indian heritage and read from her award winning book, Picked Apart the Bones.

 

More poems by Rebecca Hatcher Travis:

Singing Down the Sun

Urban Sprawl

 

 

 

Movie Night Friends Begin a New Chapter

Movie Night friends Newt and Melody are moving to be closer to their grandchildren. We will miss seeing and visiting with them on Thursday nights and wish them all the best in this new chapter of their lives!  Don’t forget to stop in and say hello if you are visiting our area!

Local Author Bill Crider Shares the Writing Life

The Friendswood Public Library was lucky to have local author Bill Crider come and provide insight into his work and give us a glimpse into the writing life. Bill Crider is the author of dozens of mysteries (including the Sheriff Dan Rhodes series), westerns, and horror novels; many published by St. Martin’s Press in New York.  The Friendswood Public Library carries many of Mr. Crider’s books.

Pearl Harbor Survivors Visit Friendswood Public Library

The Friendswood Public Library was honored this Flag Day with a visit from Pearl Harbor survivors George Hemingway and Mary Kerr (pictured directly below).  They shared their personal accounts and knowledge with over eighty members from the community and surrounding areas. George and Mary answered many insightful questions and all gained from their experience. The program concluded with the playing of Taps by World War II veteran Bill Crawford. Great thanks goes out to all who made this a special and memorable experience.

Widely circulated Pearl Harbor photo with George Hemingway standing in the foreground.

Read "The Big Easy"

I’ve just returned from New Orleans in celebration of my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. With all these amazing sights and sounds still fresh in my memory, I thought I’d share some pictures from my trip with some new and/or important books written about or taking place in and around the New Orleans area.  Click the title link to locate these titles in the Friendswood Public Library catalog.

Wicked River: The Mississippi When It Last Ran Wild by Lee Sandlin.

“A Fascinating book, rich in detail and lore. An entrance into a world so magical and unlikely that every page is a new episode full of real swashbuckling, nasty critters (human), and the roiling history of the big, bad river.”  ---Frederick Barthelme, Author of Waveland

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole.

A New Orleans misanthrope who constantly rebukes society, Ignatius Reilly, gets a job at his mother's urging but ends up leading a worker's revolt. Pulitzer prize for fiction , 1981.

The Moviegoer by Walker Percy.

A winner of the National Book Award, The Moviegoer established Walker Percy as an insightful and grimly humorous storyteller with a rare talent for making his people look and sound as though they were being seen and heard for the first time by anyone. The Moviegoer tells the story of Binx Bolling, a young stockbroker in post-war New Orleans. The decline of Southern traditions, the problems of his family and his traumatic experiences in the Korean War have left him alienated from his own life. He daydreams constantly, has trouble engaging in lasting relationships and finds more meaning and immediacy in movies and books than in his own routine life.

Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain.

Fashioned from the same experiences that would inspire the masterpiece Huckleberry Finn, Life on the Mississippi is Mark Twain' s most brilliant and most personal nonfiction work. It is at once an affectionate evocation of the vital river life in the steamboat era and a melancholy reminiscence of its passing after the Civil War, a priceless collection of humorous anecdotes and folktales, and a unique glimpse into Twain' s life before he began to write. Written in a prose style that has been hailed as among the greatest in English literature, Life on the Mississippi established Twain as not only the most popular humorist of his time but also America' s most profound chronicler of the human comedy.

 

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice.

In a remote room in a large city, a young reporter sits face-to-face with his most astonishing subject: a onetime New Orleans gentleman plantation owner who, in vividly terrifying and haunting detail, recalls his centuries of extraordinary life--beginning with his initiation into the ranks of the living dead at the hands of the sinister, sensual vampire Lestat.

 

American Uprising: The Untold Story of America’s Largest Slave Revolt by Daniel Rasmussen.

“New Orleans has been the scene of many dark adventures, but none so shocking as the slave rebellion of 1811. Dan Rasmussen has unearthed a stunning tale of freedom and repression, and told it in gripping fashion.”  ---Evan Thomas