Saturday, June 8, 2019
Welcome back to the crossroads.
This chapter turned out to be for the birds — or rather for the magpie. If Brother Love was a television series, then this would be the quirky musical episode.
I was already working with music because of the “thing,” Elvis Presley, from Mary J. McCoy-Dressel. That’s when Jinx, the magpie, got in on the act. Then John W. Howell commented about the Buddy Holly song, That’ll Be the Day. Of course that became another “thing.” At that point, I just went completely off the rails. Yes, there’s more punishment — I even narrated the ending with a new sound-bite… That’s supposed to be my scary voice, but whatever.
John specified the Buddy Holly version of That’ll Be the Day. Mr. Holly wrote the song during the general time-frame I’ve given this story. Although I confess that Linda Ronstadt‘s cover of this tune is my favorite. Which is yours?
As for the remaining thing, two readers left the same item — matryoshka. Like they say, great minds think alike. Olga Núñez Miret and Staci Troilo thought of the same thing!
As you know, Dan Antion shares his photographs to illustrate Brother Love. I make the serial “interactive” by letting things left by readers drive everything about the story.
If you’ve missed a chapter, I posted links to the first five installments in “Get to the Crossroads.”
Chapter 5 — A Face. Birdie Devovo saw a wanted poster. The person being sought for grand larceny looked like Ava Gardner, the movie star. However, Birdie had seen that face somewhere else — she just couldn’t place it.
Chapter 6 — A Ring. The mysterious stranger took Tammy’s hand so she could stand. Amazingly, Birdie found the skin wasn’t broken when the child fell onto the sidewalk. Also, Doug Armstrong reluctantly agreed to preach at Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show. He asked Birdie to attend as his moral support.
All the while, it seemed like a telephone gave a single ring, whenever anyone made a decision.
Jinx is waiting for us at the crossroads.
Brother Love
7 — A Lament
Elvis Presley, Matryoshka, and “That’ll Be the Day”
Jinx sat on the perch in his birdcage. The cage door was open as always. He shifted foot-to-foot as Birdie came into the kitchen carrying a laundry basket and a small container of blueberries.
“How-deee!” Jinx chirped his Minnie Pearl voice.
That usually made Birdie laugh, but she barely noticed. So, he flew to the top of his cage and made some sounds. She looked his way and tossed him a blueberry.
Jinx followed when Birdie went to the bedroom. She opened a dresser drawer and removed a pair of white mesh gloves. However, she shook her head and sighed. The worn metal bed squeaked as Birdie plopped down on the edge of the mattress.
“I never should have told him I’d go,” she muttered.
Her mouth was a tight line. Jinx liked it better when she smiled. So, he tried hard to imitate the words without too many whistles and clicks.
One for t’money
Two for t’show
Three t’get ready
Go, cat, go!
“Elvis Presley you are not,” she told him and finally chuckled. “And if you’re suggesting footwear, I don’t have any blue suede shoes.”
Birdie took a deep breath.
“I guess Doug would be in my corner. Nobody else probably would. If he feels like he needs somebody on his side, then surely, I can deal with one evening, one revival service. Especially since he offered to come and get me. The Rambler only has one headlight and these roads are dark enough even with two,” she said, going back to her closet.
Just then the telephone rang. Birdie had her hand on a circle-dress with a blue on white polka dot skirt. The bodice had the print reversed to white on blue.
She turned, looking toward the phone. It sat on a gossip bench between the kitchen and the living room. However, it didn’t ring again.
“Humph,” Birdie muttered. “Strange… the payphone was doing that earlier too.”
Jinx whistled. Birdie misunderstood the sound. She told him he’d have to leave the room while she changed if he was going to misbehave.
He fluttered to the chest of drawers. Jinx tried to perch on a big Russian nesting doll, but he turned it over. The doll hit the wooden floor and burst open. Another doll rolled out of the first, also open.
“Jinx, no! Nana’s matryoshka,” Birdie cried. “There were only two of the dolls left. If they’re broken…”
Birdie sat down on the floor looking at the doll parts. She inspected each piece. Jinx cautiously landed nearby. The thing wasn’t shiny. The magpie didn’t see its appeal.
She picked up the top and bottom of the bigger doll. Birdie fitted the two parts together and expelled a relieved sounding breath.
“Oh no,” she muttered the phrase again.
The magpie thought it was a good sign that she didn’t shout it that time. He waddled closer. Birdie’s forehead wrinkled as she looked at the halves of the smaller doll.
“This one was never open before. I didn’t know it could…”
Jinx pecked at a small folded paper that came out of the little doll. Birdie snatched it away from him.
“That was inside.”
Birdie unfolded the paper. It was still small. A lot of ink scratchings covered it. He watched Birdie as she turned it this way and that, tilting her head. Jinx tilted his own head every time the human tilted hers.
“It’s written over so many times, I can’t make out anything,” Birdie murmured. “Oh wait. There’s my name. Alberta Devovo. I can’t tell what the rest of it says.”
Then she made a human sound of recognition.
“Ah! Nana and her hoodoo… It’s a name paper. That explains why Nana always said to keep the doll near my bed. It must be a protection spell, hidden inside the smallest of the dolls all these years.”
Jinx tried to get another look at the paper. However, Birdie shooed him back. She folded the paper even smaller and put it inside a shiny box on a chain, which she hung around her neck.
The magpie whistled his encouragement.
“You’d better be glad nothing was broken,” Birdie admonished him with a shake of her finger. “Else you’d be chicken pot pie!”
The human wasn’t being any fun at all, so Jinx flew back to sit on top of his birdcage. A short time later he heard a car out on the gravel road.
Birdie must have heard it too, because she strode into the room, full skirt flouncing. She adjusted a pillbox hat her mother had left behind, securing it with a hatpin.
The magpie made a disgruntled noise when she moved toward the door. Birdie didn’t pay any attention. She blew Jinx a kiss and left.
After Birdie closed the door behind her, Jinx shifted foot-to-foot, shook his tail feathers, and started to sing.
Since my Birdie left me,
I sit here on my perch,
Down at the end of the crossroad,
At heartbreak birdcage,
I get so lonely,
I get so lonely,
I get so lonely I could cry.
Then he whistled a couple of times and changed songs.
Sinnerman where you gonna run to, all along dem days.
***
Doug came around to open the passenger door of his car. I politely took the hand he proffered to help me stand.
A woman called out in an exasperated voice as two teenaged girls hurried our way.
“Put those magazines back in the car right now, and get yourselves right back here!” she demanded.
The girls dropped the magazines, scattering them on the ground. A bright green “Screen Stars” cover with a beautiful blond woman caught my eye. The headline mentioned Ava Gardner. I had never seen the actress with blond hair before. I didn’t think it suited her.
The teens quickly gathered the movie magazines. One was hurriedly rolled and tucked inside a purse. Then they ran to a Chevrolet where they deposited the rest.
Doug and I walked into a large yellow and white stripped tent. I started to sit in the first row of folding chairs ― in other words, as far to the back of the meeting place as you could get. He asked if I’d mind sitting close to the front.
The truth was that I did mind. I minded a lot. However, I couldn’t refuse. I agreed to be there for moral support, and I realized my presence wouldn’t be worth anything if I sat all the way in the back.
My feet felt like lead as we stepped onto a carpet runner of faded red. Doug looked down at me curiously and I realized how slow I was walking. I made myself walk normally, despite the whispers that were easily audible.
“I’m surprised lightning didn’t strike when she came inside. It’s a tent, but it’s still God’s house.”
“Blood will tell. She’ll be no different than her mother. Takin’ up with all sorts.”
“I heard tell her daddy was―”
My steps became quicker.
“You know her moma was sweatin’ bullets, when she was born, waiting to see what would come out.”
My cheeks burned. I wanted to walk faster but I was already matching Doug’s long strides.
Then I tripped on a tear in the carpet. Doug caught my arm. I put out my other hand, grabbing the wooden back of a pew to steady myself.
That’s when I noticed they had brought in a dozen real church pews, placed on either side of the center-front aisle.
“I guess they’re expecting me to get wound up,” Doug said dryly.
I was too uncomfortable to wonder what his comment meant. It made sense later, after he began to preach.
Doug was such a dynamic speaker that I almost forgot how awkward I felt, sitting on the front row with a tent full of gossips behind me.
It was a hot August night and there wasn’t much ventilation in that ragged tent. I was thankful that it had several rips to let in a little more air.
Doug used his big white handkerchief to mop his face. Sweat poured off the man. It seemed like the more he perspired, the harder he preached.
There were so many shouts of Amen and Praise Jesus that I barely noticed when he motioned to the ushers. They quietly got everyone who sat near the end of the pews on the right-hand side of the tent to move over.
The congregation was so chaotic with people standing, waving heavenward and shouting praises, that I didn’t even see Doug move back, beyond the last row of pews. The next thing I knew, Doug was running across the backs of the pews!
Long strides carried him from one narrow balancing point to the next. As he jumped from the front pew to the ground, Doug made a jubilant exclamation.
The shouts from the audience were thunderous.
“Did he rally just run across the tops of the pews?” I heard someone ask.
“Praise God!” Doug exclaimed and mopped his face with the handkerchief again. “I think I might have skipped one or two,” he said in answer to the unknown questioner.
I sat in stunned silence.
Doug sat down, directly in front of me, on a pew with all the other preachers. He was still breathing hard.
He turned and said something to make sure I was okay. I tried to give him an encouraging smile, but I wasn’t sure I succeeded.
Soon the choir came back to the stage to sing. They sang a couple of upbeat gospel songs. I relaxed enough to tap my foot, but I didn’t sing along.
As the music continued, it occurred to me that no one had been introduced as Brother Love, whose “show” it was supposed to be.
One of the deacons approached the row of preachers. He whispered something that seemed to distress all the clergymen. They were all shaking their heads negatively. I leaned forward, curious to know the cause of their discomfort.
“Can you please do a laying on of hands, Brother Armstrong?” one of the preachers asked Doug.
“I don’t have the gift of healing!” Doug replied sounding shocked.
“Please, son. Brother Love must have been delayed. If you would just try. That’s all we ask. No one knows who the Lord might choose as his vessel to work a miracle. Don’t let the good Lord down tonight,” the man urged.
Something bright caught my eye near the front exit that the choir would use ― something shinning white. It was Tammy.
Then I saw the blond woman who was with her. Anyone would have assumed the woman was Tammy’s mother. Suddenly I knew that wasn’t the case.
I recognized the woman. She was the spitting image of the face on the magazine I saw the girls drop outside. She looked like Ava Gardner with blond hair.
***
The golden fingers of evening stroked the August sky. The heat had barely cooled any at all, even though the sun began its downward path on the horizon.
Jinx alighted on a tombstone and preened a feather, pretending to be at ease. The dark figure sitting on the stone opposite the magpie played gazed into the fog, rather than at the instrument he strummed. He played an unresolved tritone on the guitar, and then he abruptly stopped.
“Magpie, I heard you this afternoon. Just a singin’ to beat the band, when your ma’ma left you ― and she left with a man taboot,” he told Jinx with a chuckle.
The bird made clicking noises that sounded a lot like “Tsk tsk.” Then he flew to the branch of a magnolia and turned his back.
“Why, I do believe you’re jealous,” the musician replied. “What do you mean, that’ll be the day? All right now, magpie. Now you just fly back down here. We both know you ain’t goin’ nowhere. What’s that you say? Oh, do you mean the song? And here I thought you liked blues better than anything. That one?”
“Weeeeeell, that’ll be the day, when you say goodbye
Yes, that’ll be the day, when you make me cry
You say you’re gonna leave, you know it’s a lie
‘Cause that’ll be the day when I die.”
The end.
***
Real World Notes — Music
Minnie Pearl. I started this chapter with a reference to Minnie Pearl. I realize many of you haven’t heard of this comedienne, so here’s a sample.
“That’ll Be the Day” was a song written by Buddy Holly and Jerry Allison. It was first recorded I 1956 by Buddy Holly and the Three Tunes. The next year he recorded it with his band the Crickets. Linda Ronstadt also recorded the song for her 1976 Grammy Award–winning platinum album Hasten Down the Wind.
***
I’m glad you could make it to the crossroads for Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show! I love to hear from you, so comments are encouraged.
I’ll meet you at the crossroads again next Saturday! Hugs on the wing.
***
Universal link to my Amazon Author Page
USA: The Three Things Serial Story: A Little 1920s Story Kindle
USA: Murder at the Bijou — Three Ingredients I
USA: Atonement in Bloom
USA: The Glowing Pigs, Snort Stories of Atonement, Tennessee
USA: Atonement, Tennessee
(E-book still on sale at 99¢ )
This is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2019 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
Photos Copyright © 2019 by Dan Antion
All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.
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Teagan's Books 
Slowly catching up here, Teagan. Enjoying your writing!
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Thanks so very much, Lavinia! It’s all together different from Guitar Mancer, but I hope you enjoy the music. 😀 Hugs on magpie wings!
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A good installment, Teagan. I could see the preacher stepping on the pews. That would have been some service. Now I’m wondering where Brother Love is. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks so much, Suzanne. LOL, I know the real life version of that scene scared the dickens out of me as a kid! Heartfelt thanks for reading and commenting. Hugs on the wing!
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You’re more than welcome, Teagan. Any preacher doing that must be part preacher, part gymnast. Hugs to you also. 🙂 — Suzanne
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So many intriguing tidbits in this story make me feel like I’m fast dancing and liking it. The scratched over name paper is particularly curious. Interesting that Jinx helped to expose it. I think Jinx is someone reincarnated, though he could be just a very smart bird. I’ve missed a couple chapters, but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying this one at all. It does make me want to go back catch up. Another Rondstadt fan here. Blue Bayou is my favorite.
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JoAnna, you’ve made my day! It means so much to me to know someone puts that much thought into my stories. I know it’s hard to follow a serial — and even harder during the summertime.
So about Jinx…
When I write with reader “things,” I might have a couple of core ideas to which I stay true. However, for the most part, I don’t know where anything in the story is going, including what most of the characters are. That is true of Jinx.
The “things” haven’t showed me whether or not he is an ordinary bird.
Chapter 3 tells what we know about the magpie so far.
https://teagansbooks.com/2019/05/11/brother-love-3-a-hymn/
Thanks for visiting. Hugs on magpie wings!
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You know what’s really cool? Last night before I closed my computer, and before I saw your reply, I left the tab for Chapter 3 open to come back to that. Will read it later today. 🙂
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How funny! LOL, maybe Jinx really is more than just a magpie. 😉
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🙂
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Love that recording… You can’t beat a good southern accent, especially one that can hold a tune! 😉
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Oh, thank you Kev. You are so kind. I let the accent of my youth come out to play and admittedly laid it on thick for this story. Just having fun. Although one day I really do hope to narrate Atonement, Tennessee. Hugs on the wing.
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Let me know when you do. I could listen to that accent all day. 😀
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I blush.
In that case, I’m glad I let it come out to play. I might narrate another snippet in Chapter 9. Apparently I’m more comfortable narrating the “guitarist” although I’ve no idea why.
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I loved hearing your voice read the last bit of the chapter.
I adore Minne Pearl! I used to watch all those country variety shows when I was a girl and loved her bits. This was so fun. Wasn’t Doug McClure hunky!
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Oh, thank you, Deborah. You are so kind.
I hadn’t thought about Doug McClure in ages when I saw that video. I had a crush on him when I was little. I remember the TV was overwhelmed with westerns back then. My dad watched all of them too. I remember his “Trampus” character on the Virginian. It was the only thing that made yet another western bearable to kid-me.
Thanks for visiting. Hugs on the wing!
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Hugs back at ya! xx
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Very neat how you put that all together!
Chapeau!!
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Thanks so much, Resa! Hugs on the wing.
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It’s better Birdie went in the tent with those women than me!! Yikes.
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People can be darned mean, even in that kind of setting, GP. No wonder she didn’t really want to go. 🙂 Thanks for taking time to visit the crossroads. Hugs on the wing!
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Nothing like a revival with Elvis – since your Birdie left you. Indeed. Very clever….
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I’m happy you enjoyed it, Jan. Thanks for visiting the crossroads. Hugs!
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Reblogged this on No Facilities and commented:
I may have cut back on my writing this summer, but Teagan is going strong. Get down to the crossroads for chapter-7, read – and listen to – Teagan and let your imagination soar on magpie wings.
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Dan, I love your introduction for this reblog. Heartfelt thanks for sharing from No Facilities. Hugs on magpie wings!
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A lovely episode, Teagan. I like the protection spell hidden in the doll. Birdie did really well going into that tent with all those mean women.
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Thanks so much Robbie. The gris gris bag “thing” left by Adele actually took me to the name paper — even though I haven’t used the gris gris bag yet. 😀
Have a wonderful new week. Hugs!
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This episode was soooo good, Teagan. Can’t wait to see what happens at the revival. And the little girl… will Doug “save” her? Will Brother Love appear? Love the music!
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Jennie, your comment is music to my ears. I am so happy you could make it to the crossroads. Have a lovely summer vacation. Hugs on the wing.
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I absolutely love the crossroads! I’m glad this is music to your ears. Music is everything. Jinx knows that. Oh, this series is one of your best. Hugs to you, Teagan. 😍
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Heartfelt thanks, Jennie. That really is valuable feedback — to have a clearer idea of who likes what and why. ❤
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My pleasure, Teagan!
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You’ve got a fantastic voice, my friend! Loved hearing you narrate that last section. I remember my parents and grandparents watching Minnie Pearl.
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Welcome back, Teri. Oh, you are so kind. Thank you. I let the accent of my youth come out to play, and laid it on thick for this story. I’ve always wanted to narrate Atonement Tennessee. That would mostly be in my normal voice. Maybe one day…
Minnie Pearl was funny, but I loved that she was comfortable in herself. She didn’t seem to need to be like everyone else, especially in an era when women were expected to behave according to such strict, unimaginative, limited patterns.
Hugs on the wing.
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I do remember Minnie Pearl with the price tag dangling from her hat. That memory was one that hadn’t surfaced in years, so thank you, Teagan. Another excellent chapter. I can “feel” this story as much as I enjoy reading it!
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Thanks so much Mae — that’s marvelous feedback. Have a great new week. Hugs on the wing.
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What a great installment and Dan’s pictures are a perfect fit!! You captured the small town gossip chatter so well as she made her way down the aisle….love all of it!!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Kirt.
Real life experience, if long ago took a big hand in this episode — from Doug running the pews to gossip I was stunned to hear (even as a child).
I agree completely about Dan’s pictures. He did a fabulous photo shoot at an antique store, and I got to use several of those for this chapter. Hugs on the wing!
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I wondered about the background…again, very visual and with the gossip verbal also….I could just hear the chatter….
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Love, love this tale, Teagan, it better be your next book. Jinx is fantastic and the revival tent was exhilarating. I love Buddy Holly’s music, my older brother gave me an old lp when I was a kid and of course, The King. xxx
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Dear Adele, thank you for your encouragement.
I’ve had a climatic scene in mind, at the revival service. I’m uncertain about whether I should try to continue the story after that point. I have some (as yet) undeveloped mythology for the story, but no idea where it would go.
I’ve considered doing a poll for feedback about continuing it…
Huge thanks for reading and commenting. Hugs on the wing!
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So sorry just read this, but have voted in the poll. Huge hugs. xxx
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What a long episode, but packed full of storytelling. So now we know the woman is not Tammy’s mother. I’m guessing it was her face on the ‘wanted’ poster in the Post Office? Such a great read again this week, Teagan. I’m enjoying every single moment of this story.
Have a great week.
Hugs to you.
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Sorry about the length Hugh. It was 2,045 words — which is about average for my serials. Albeit I’ve been doing shorter chapters with this one. I probably shouldn’t have given Jinx a second part at the end.
Have a beautiful new week. Hugs back.
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Oh, no need to apologise, Teagan. I loved every single word. To be honest, I’d have been thrilled reading next week’s episode, and the week’s after that, and the week after that…
I’m loving it.
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You are so kind Hugh. Thank you for your encouragement. I’m coming to a writer’s crossroads in the storytelling, so I’m looking at it from different perspectives. Thanks for taking time to come back. Great big hug!
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I’m a Ronstadt fan so her version will always be my favourite, although this song isn’t one that I particularly like.
Running along the back of the church pews would certainly be a major feat of balance! This story is heating up in many ways.
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It freaked me out as a kid, Joanne. Then the real life preacher looked mortified when he learned he had frightened me. So he explained himself. LOL, I still wanted to be well out of the way.
Thanks for spending part of your weekend here. Hugs on the wing.
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Reblogged this on Today, You Will Write and commented:
What could be better than the latest episode of Brotherly Love. Check out Brother Love 7 — A Lament Elvis Presley, Matryoshka, and “That’ll Be the Day”. Thanks Teagan, for letting me reblog this!
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I’m so glad to see you at the crossroads again, Melissa. Thanks for sharing from your place. Great big hug!
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I always love the quirky musical episodes. I prefer the Buddy Holly version though Linda’s voice is beautiful. And Elvis … well Elvis was the King. Minnie Pearl and her price tag hat reminds me of watching HeeHaw with the family.
This story keeps getting better. The pictures wonderfully set the scenes. Your narration at the end was icing on the cake.
Yay for Birdie walking past the gossips. Eff em. Can’t wait to find out more about the blond Ava Gardner lookalike and Tammy. Of course I’m also curious about what’s up with Brother Love? Will he make a spectacular entrance next time? Or sneak up on us? Oh the possibilities.
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Hi Jill. Heartfelt thanks for this wonderful comment.
I always enjoyed Minnie Pearl when I was young. I often thought of her “store bought” hats when I lived surrounded by so much pretentiousness and thirst for status in DC. She was brilliant to mock that kind of thing with the price tag on her store bought hat. Sure she was funny, but I loved that she was comfortable in herself.
A spectacular entrance for Brother Love… hmmm… I have a feeling it will be a lot like the song. 😉
Thanks so much for visiting. Hugs on the wing!
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Yes, I remember Minnie Pearl and her unmistakable voice and act! And of course Buddy Holly…he was from our hometown here.
Funny, I just read this, and my post this morning was about magpies!
I’m really enjoying your story, Teagan! 🙂 xx
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How cool about the Buddy Holly connection Barbara.
Well — great minds think alike. 😀 I’ve off to check out your post.
Hugs on magpie wings!
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I loved the musical chapter! I know I will be singing these songs today:) I’m very curious about Jinx and the doll. I remember Minnie Pearl always made my grandma laugh. Have a fantastic weekend, Teagan!
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Hi Denise. It’s wonderful to see you. I always enjoyed Minnie Pearl when I was young. Sure she was funny, but I loved that she was comfortable in herself. She didn’t seem to need to be like everyone else, especially in an era when women were expected to behave according to such strict, unimaginative, limited patterns.
A happy weekend to you too. Hugs on the wing!
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It’s a creative touch when you can create three segments within a chapter, so that you don’t have to address the time in between. As much as I dislike the gossiping, judgmental people under the tent, I feel that Birdie’s attendance is going to somehow change future events or attitudes. Then again, it’s your story and I’ll keep reading to see where this leads. Another awesome Chapter, Teagan.
A couple of notes:
1) I love that you used Dan’s foggy cemetery photo. It added a special ambiance to the scene.
2) Linda Rondstadt is one of my favorite female singers, so I prefer her version of “That’ll be the Day.”
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Thanks so much, Mary J. I appreciate your feedback. That shows what an emotional sacrifice attending was for Birdie, huh? Maybe she’s getting in touch with her own sense of determination.
I loved that particular photo so much, I had to make a way to use it. 😃 In fact, the cut off shorts and the portable record player were the same way — I just had to use them.
Hugs on the wing;
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Thanks for the mention and for using my “word,” Teagan. Oh, and for posting Heartbreak Hotel. I do like that song. I enjoyed reading this episode. Fantastic job with the audio! ❤ Hope you're having a grand weekend.
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Mary, it’s my pleasure. And thank you so much — that means a lot to me.
Yes, it’s a good weekend. Although it’s about the time that Creepy Crying Guy shows up at the door. I hope he’s finally given up, but we’ll see.
Hugs on the wing!
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Okay, Dan’s foggy cemetery scene is just creepy scary. But it seems the perfect place for Jinx and the musician to have a conversation. And the perfect part of the story for you to record and then sing a few lines of That’ll Be The Day for us. Well done! Love Linda Ronstadt, but Buddy Holly is the man! Lol.
I see you’re still piling on more layers of mystery. LOVE it! The good reverend sure knows how to get the crowds attention! And where-O-where is Brother Love?
Don’t laugh…. I had cutoffs similar to Dan’s picture. And those crenolines we wore combined with the elastic cinch belts…..why we just created our own hourglass figures! But let me tell you something, when you took that belt off, the imprint of the buckle on your stomach might stay with you until the next morning! 😂😂
So glad I took Dan’s advice and came over to check you out. This was a great chapter, and like everyone else, I’m looking forward to #8,
Have a super weekend, free of any psycho neighbor who might be lurking about. Pepper spray my friend….it sends a very clear message! Well, maybe not so clear for him if you aim it right! 😳😂
🐾Ginger 🐾
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Ginger you are a delight. I’ve been trying all day to reply — I’m sorry it took that long.
Meeting people like you (whom I would not otherwise have met) is the best thing about collaborating. I’m so very pleased that you came here through Dan.
I hear you about the clothes! 😀 Cut off jeans were a wardrobe staple for me.
I think you’re going to like Chapter 8. I’ll be looking for you at the crossroads. Until then, hugs on magpie wings!
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Fantastic segment, Teagan! You transported me right inside that ragged tent along with Birdie. You see, I grew up in a holy-roller church where people really did leap over benches and speak in tongues. You described it all perfectly! And that Jinx. Well, he’s just the star of the show so far! I’m anxious to see what happens next with Doug and Birdie’s relationship. Wonderful!!!
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Hi Jan. It came from memories. Where I grew up, that church didn’t speak in tongues, but everything else you mentioned was the same. “Doug Armstrong” got his checkered past from Dan’s inspiring memory. The other half of Doug is modeled on an evangelist I remembered from childhood — complete with running across the tops of pews and face-mopping. LOL, I don’t think I could have thought that up without having witnessed it. 😀
I’m so happy Jinx has a friend in you. Many thanks for reading. Hugs on magpie wings.
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Thank you for using my “thing,” Teagan. This episode was packed full of terrific story. I enjoyed your narration as well.
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Why thank you so very much, John. It was my pleasure. The minute you mentioned that song I knew I had to use it. Thanks for playing along. Hugs on the wing.
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Hugs, Teagan.
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Thanks for the shout-out, Teagan. (Great minds, indeed, if Olga is involved!) I love what you did with the item and the name paper. I never heard of a name paper before. I feel like I always learn something when I read your stories.
I’d almost forgotten about Minnie Pearl. Thanks for the blast from the past. Brings back good memories.
And I really enjoy the scenes from Jinx’s POV. Great work! Hugs.
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Hi Staci. You are so very welcome! I’m pleased you liked the name paper. That was the benefit of a research tangent. Sometimes getting off track is a good thing. 😀
I have such fun writing Jinx, so I’m delighted you enjoy him. Hugs on magpie wings!
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Great episode. I’m curious as well about the voice in the final recording. I really like how she sang “That will be the when I die”. Dan comes up with some great images. The old phonograph reminded that my mom worked in a radio station in the 1940’s when she was in her early twenties. She would cut records of singers and groups that played for radio shows, as much radio was live back then. The music was mostly jazz and blues. Most of the records were cut on glass discs at 78 rpm.
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Tim, thanks for this fascinating comment. I didn’t know any records were made of glass. How cool that your mom worked in radio!
thank you kindly — that’s just me and my playful attempt at narrating. Getting back to the accent of my roots, and laying it on thick. I’ve always wanted to narrate Atonement, Tennessee. For that I’d use (mostly) a normal voice. And I wouldn’t sing! LOL.
Oh, now I blush.
Hugs on the wing.
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Your narrating voice with the accent is great. Your short version of “That’ll be the day…” was wonderful.
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Great story, and coupled with the songs, it’s magical. I love the photos as well! ♥
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It’s so nice to see you Gwen. I’m delighted you enjoyed this “TV musical” chapter. I appreciate you taking time to visit. Hugs on the wing.
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A wonderful episode, with great songs and – not to forget – wonderful attachments by Dan Antion. Thank you very much, Teagan! Have a beautiful weekend! Michael
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Hi Michael. I’m happy you enjoyed this “TV musical” chapter. Thanks very much for reading and commenting. A beautiful weekend to you and yours as well. Hugs!
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😀 Oh yes, love music chapters too. Very much. Very good entertainment – as always Teagan! Thank you, too! Michael
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I love this chapter, Teagan. You moved the story along nicely, but it’s filled with bits of magic (your writing) that always make your stories seem so real to me. I was so angry with those women as Birdie walked in.
I love the interplay with Jinx. I feel like I’m in the room with them. He’s a great character, and I love the interaction between him and the guitar man.
Your voice is in fine form. That was a delightful way to end this episode. I’m looking forward to the next chapter. You’ve introduced a few things and left us hanging at the edge.
I hope you have a great weekend.
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Thanks so very much Dan. Your photos really made the atmosphere of this episode for me — the laundry on the line, the cut-off jeans, the portable record player particularly.
A touch of personal experience and knowledge is at the core of making stories seem real.
I appreciate your feedback about Jinx. That means a lot to me. As for the narration, you are too kind. Heartfelt thanks.
Happy weekend hugs, my friend.
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I am so happy to be part of this. It’s been so much fun to see how you get from A to B (with an occasional stop at X). I’m glad you’ve been able to work the pictures.
Jinx is the best 🙂
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The story is great, but trying to beat that song is going to be difficult! It’s terrific!
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It’s great to see you GP. I’m delighted you enjoyed this “TV musical” chapter. 🙂
Hugs on the wing!
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When you’re talking oldies – you came to right blogger lol
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Wait a minute… If you meant me, you are far too kind. More hugs.
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This was the best installment yet, fun read! What’s going to happen when Doug lays hands on on Tammy? And will the town folk be more accepting of Birdie now?
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I’m delighted you think so, Priscilla. I certainly had fun writing it. Huge thanks for visiting. Hugs on the wing.
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Thanks for the mention, Teagan. Fabulous episode. Love your reading the last bit (I still think you’d be a great narrator of audiobooks). I am a Buddy Holly’s fan, but I can see why you enjoy Linda’s version as well. I’d never seen a picture of Ava blonde… There is a mystery, or more than one, here… Looking forward to the next episode!
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It’s lovely to see you, Olga. I wasn’t sure a blond Ava Gardner existed, and I looked long and hard to find it. LOL. You know I’m tenacious.
Thanks so very much about the narration! I do hope to narrate Atonement, Tennessee. Hugs on the wing!
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Loved the songs and Jinx is a great character, looking forward to the next episode
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I’m happy to hear that, Fraggle. I have a lot of fun writing Jinx. Hugs on magpie wings!
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Was it your voice Teagan? wonderful going on 😉 love it; all the story, music and the pics ❤ 😍😘
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Wow my lovely goodness! I love you… Your voice is wonderful my dearest ❤ ❤
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Now I blush even more. Happy weekend, my friend.
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I wish to be able to see your blush beautiful face lovely friend.. happy weekend to you too 💖🙏🙏😘
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Reblogged this on lampmagician and commented:
Go, Cat, Go! Great read. Just keep reading ❤
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And you, my friend, are the cat’s pajamas for reblogging! Hugs.
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Yes sure 😉 ❤
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Adored Ape, thank you for sharing this musical chapter from your tree-house. I hope you and all your nephews are having a fun weekend. Hugs on the wing!
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❤️❤️❤️
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Wow, the music and images made my morning even before I read the story.
I’m in the Linda camp and I love those cut offs and Birdie’s dotted outfit.
What a start to the weekend. Have a fantastic one and mega hugs ❤
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It’s great to see you, Christoph. LOL, we’ll have to have a Linda Ronstadt sing-a-long. 😀
Dan and I both work hard on the illustrations — his terrific job with photos, and then I put a lot of thought into which ones to use and where. I wore cut-offs more often than not when I was young. Dan made such a beautiful image with those that I had to find a way to use it. Thanks for visiting. Hugs on magpie wings!
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Reblogged this on ravenhawks' magazine and commented:
Okay, that was great! Loved the ending today you should do that more often! Oh, haven’t heard Minnie Pearl in years!
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Hi Dyanna. Thanks so much! I always enjoyed Minnie Pearl when I was young. Sure she was funny, but I loved that she was comfortable in herself. She didn’t seem to need to be like everyone else, especially in an era when women were expected to behave according to such strict, unimaginative, limited patterns.
I really appreciate your encouragement about my narration too. Hugs on magpie wings!
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Loved her and the hat was always awesome!
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