31 July, 2024
Dearest friends and readers,
August is upon us!
Growing up in Ohio, August was the time of the Greene County Fair, a herald of fall. It’s when we started gathering our things together for the coming school year which began right after Labor Day. In my neck of the woods, it was also the time we kids started watching for the farmers to roll out their old steam tractors and set up alongside their corn fields. We could walk into the field and pick fat ears right from the stalk, hand them to the farmer and he would steam them for us there on the spot, then he’d peel back the husks and dip the cob into a bucket of melted butter. Oh, my, such goodness! Of course we would let our moms know so they could come and pick a bushel or so for later. My mom often bought enough to freeze whole kernel. And we would soak unhusked ears in water, them steam them in the oven or on the grill.
I often joke with folks about how one of the tests we kids had to pass to get our driver’s license was knowing where we were by the type of corn in the fields because, just before harvest, it would grow tall enough to hide the street signs.
It’s fun to recall those days, and how, soon, there would be the smell of wood smoke and burning leaves, apple picking time, sunny days and nipped noses and cheeks, first day of school.
Where ever you live now, or lived then, I’d love to hear your memories of fall. When you reply to this email, your reply comes only to me, so, don’t be shy!
New addition to the August Calendar ! The Beaded Lizard Gathering
I will be performing at the Beaded Lizard Gathering on Wednesday, August 7th. There is an open jam starting at 6pm and I will play at 7:15 to 8 -ish. I will be performing my songs from both the Tall Tree and Bluebirds albums, especially the songs from the Autumn’s On Its Way book.
Songwriter Central at Monterey Court August 15, 6PM
National Writer's Union, Tucson Chapter August 19th, a private event
If you have your copy of Autumn’s On Its Way, the novel, and would like to have it signed, please bring it with you. If you don’t have a copy, I will have some on hand for you to purchase as well as CD’s. And, you can always purchase from the website, use the discount code
Event Pick Up to remove postage cost, and pick up at any event, just let me know in the notes which event that will be.
Do you know some one who would enjoy Desert Dispatches but is not handy with the internet? Let them know they can receive this newsletter directly in that good old mailbox at the end of the driveway. You can sign them up, or they can give me a call at 520-705-5901 and let me know.
In a day or two, I will begin posting a new topic in the blog titled “Coming Back.” Keep watch for it, it’s gonna be different.
I am very much looking forward to getting to see you all and sing my songs for you once again. It seems like such a very long time since we’ve been together.
Until then, may you and yours be deeply blessed.
Love,
Nancy