Storytell - Do Tell!
Picture compliments of Jackie Baldwin's Story-Lovers Site
We are lonesome animals. We spend all our life trying to be less lonesome. One of our ancient methods is to tell a story begging the listener to say -- and to feel -- Yes, that's the way it is, or at least that's the way I feel it. You're not as alone as you thought. — John Steinbeck
Sometime ago, perhaps, around 2001, I became a member of the Storytell Listserve. There are so many good things that have blossomed in that time. One thing is that it became fertile ground for some creative, whimsical, off-the-cuff, inspirational musings. Often these little missives had a short shelf life and died on the vine; others became pressed between the pages of the good Word. In re-reading some of these, they once again unfold many memories that I'd like to share. I've tried to put them in some sort of chronological order.
Listen for the Bells - inspired after 2001 tragedy
Kinsella Rite of Spring - cranking up the tractor 2002
National Storytelling Festival - in 2002
A Round Way to Get To It - inspired in 2002
The Kinsella Trek to the Great Southwest - in 2003
Where Stories Hold Magic - in 2003
Justin Time for a Story - in 2003
Happy Birthday to Me - my 50th birthday party (1997) - in 2003
Ticondaroga Pencil letter to Greg L - in 2004
The Celtic Festival Memories - 2004
Mining for Gold: Folktales vs. Personal Stories - in 2004
A Generous Piece of the King's Cake - a memory of New Orleans - 2004
Blue Skies a Fox Valley Memoir - in 2004
Makin' Music with the King - in 2003
My Great Aunt Annie - in 2006
Black Bubblegum...I Wish! - after a miserable storytelling performance, 2005
No Seriously - a challenge by Greg Leifel in 2008, to write a short, short story about "no seriously"...and I won! So short, here it is:
“No, seriously,” he murmured into her ear. “Was it, you know…”
“No…seriously,” she said.
Lady Marilyn and Mr. Fox - a challenge by Greg Leifel to write a folk tale bio, 2008
I jumped in the saddle and rode away to tell you the stories you've heard
today. I jumped on a spoon and away I flew and you've heard all my
stories, so God bless you. I jumped on a spindle and away I spun. And God
bless me, my stories are done. (Romanian)
Marilyn