Writing

Several of you have either commented on here, or emailed me directly to let me know your appreciation of my blog. Thank you. I don't see my writing as all that impressive; your kind words are appreciated.

I've never been one to write in a "journalistic" style like this, but I'm finding it cathartic. I also like the interaction this medium gives - regardless of whether you reply back to any of my posts, I'm aware that there are readers. My first real foray into this style of writing was after Hurricane Katrina, when I started an ongoing email diary for a limited set of friends and family members. Of course the times then were very difficult and trying; the emails provided me an outlet and an opportunity to reflect on the many, many stimuli we were exposed to in those months. I kept those emails, and from time to time will go back to them, just to remind me of where I've been.

Knowing where one has been also allows one to see where they're going. You're aware I'm going through a profound change in the course of my life, and being able to look back gives me a new perspective on what I want to see in my future. While I can't necessarily make a formal list of those things, you may be able to pick up on some in these writings.

So to you who read this on any regular basis - my thanks, again. As I've said before, I enjoy your interaction, so feel free to provide comments.

Now on to more important things......

Jay and I made a quick run to Jackson to he could pick up some things from BassPro. He's been terrorizing the pets with his new game camera. He tested it on the house cat last night, and I think he's planning to spy on the dog overnight. Deer are probably soon to make his list. I've asked for copies of his pictures when he sees something interesting, and I'm sure I'll post them on here.

Along the way we logged a few geocaches, but rain kept us from getting all we had on our list. One place we found quite interesting was Glenwood Cemetery in Yazoo City. If you've never been there, stop by sometime. The cemetery is very large, with distinct sections. The legendary Yazoo Witch's grave is there, as is writer Willie Morris. And although we weren't aware of it, there is a mass Confederate grave site somewhere on the property, and descendants of Declaration of Independence signer John Hancock are buried there. The witch story has gone around the Delta for a long time, and Morris even included her as a character in his book Good Ole Boy: A Delta Boyhood. The legend says in 1884 a young boy, Joe Bob Duggett, was passing the witch's house when he heard an unholy groaning coming from the house. He peeked in the window to see the bodies of two men, and the witch dancing over them. Upon telling the sheriff what he'd seen, they broke into the house finding the bodies but not the witch. They heard her outside and chased her into nearby swamps. They found her trapped in quicksand, sinking. As she sunk into the quicksand, she exclaimed to the sheriff and the boy that she would break from her grave on May 25, 1904 and burn the city down. Authorities later retrieved her body. When she was buried the sheriff ordered chains be placed over and around her grave, stating that "If she can break through that and burn down Yazoo, she deserves to burn it down."

Guess what happened on May 25, 1904? Miss Pauline Wise discovered a small fire in her parlor. A sudden wind caused the fire to grow and spread to neighboring houses, and later businesses. Firefighters from Greenwood and Jackson were called to aid the city, but the conflagration destroyed many homes and businesses. The next day, elders of the town went to the cemetery to find the chains of the grave broken, just as the witch had promised.



Cool, huh?