#ThursdayDoors for a Hot August Night

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Wednesday, August 13, 2026

Dannys Grocery_Dan Antion 2019
Fictional Dannys Grocery photo Dan Antion, 2019

Hello, everyone.  Last week, I mentioned that throughout August I’ll be sharing about book Brother Love: A Crossroad.  (Click here for that post because it will tell you more.) I also said that Dan Antion made a lot of great photos to illustrate the blog version of this story.  Those photographs included some doors.  So today I’m taking you on a tour of my fictional 1950s town, Parliament, Mississippi via Dan’s photos.

Birdie Devovo's house as imagined by Dan Antion
Birdie Devovo’s house as imagined by Dan Antion

Here’s a bit about that house in the words of Birdie Devovo, the heroine:

My house sat in a triangle between ways at a crossroads.  There was a street in front and another road in back.  There were also any number of old trails that intersected there.  Old superstitions about the crossroads abounded.  My mother had been able to get the house because no one else would have it.  I kept it because I had nowhere else would have it.

Flimsy screen door on a shabby red wall
Photo by Dan Antion 2019

Oh, that screen door is part of a suspenseful scene…

Doug Armstrong’s voice sounded as spooked as I felt.  The big man’s voice had the slightest quiver.  His fist banged on the screen doorframe again. I extricated myself from my hiding spot under the kitchen table before Armstrong broke the poor excuse for door.

AME Church, Dan Antion 2019
AME Church, Dan Antion 2019

Like most small southern towns, there were churches.  They’re mentioned in the story, but the one that comes into the plot is the traveling tent revival:

Earlier that day, sitting in my little house at the crossroads, I listened to the sharp crack of a bat hitting a baseball from the ballgame that had started up in the field next to the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  People cheered their teams and made happy sounds. From the other side of the tracks, I heard the bell of the First Methodist Church up in the town.  When the breeze was right, I could hear the Wurlitzer organ as the choir practiced. Folks were excited about that organ.  I preferred the sound of their old piano.

The two churches were on either side of the town.  The crossroads lay between the two.  Nobody from either of them ever came to the house at the crossroads.  Neither group wanted anything to do with Birdie Devovo.

Old Steak n Shake diner by Dan Antion 2019
Old Steak n Shake diner by Dan Antion 2019

This abandoned diner didn’t make it into the story, but there would have been a diner somewhere in Parliament.  Anyway, it’s a cool photo, so it gets a moment of fame today.

1952 Nash Rambler Wagon, Wikipedia
1952 Nash Rambler Wagon, Wikipedia

Women in big cities might have started wearing slim cigarette or capri pants out in public, but that hadn’t become acceptable in Parliament, Mississippi.  I already attracted enough frowns and gossip, just from my mother’s reputation, so I didn’t wear those out in public.  I tried to banish the thoughts as I put on a yellow gingham, shirt-dress.  It had a little bow at the neck from the same check fabric.  Then I tied on my blue denim Keds.  New white laces kept the wear and tear from being as noticeable.  Nobody would know the soles were worn slick.  When I drove my old Nash Rambler wagon into Parliament, I turned onto Fourth Street where the Post Office was.

"The Hub" at Iowa State University was a post office until 1963. Dan Antion
“The Hub” at Iowa State University was a post office until 1963. Dan Antion 2019

In rural towns of that era, the local Post Office could be a hub of information.  Birdie came across something quite puzzling there. 

Laundry, by Dan Antion
Laundry, by Dan Antion 2019

Birdie is a nickname for the heroine, but there actually is a bird, and he’s one of the most important characters.  His name is Jinx.  He’s a talking magpie.  Some parts of the story are told from his point of view.

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 impression.

Jinx models a bow tie while perched on Dan's birdcage
My composite of Jinx wearing a bow tie while perched on Dan’s birdcage, 2019

There’s a door on that birdcage somewhere… Birdie Devovo usually leaves it open — Jinx comes and goes as he pleases.  That’s how he finds so much trouble in a sleepy little town like Parliament.

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Hello, Jinx, but this post is finished now.  That’s it for this tour of Birdie Devovo’s world in fictional town of Parliament.  Thanks for coming along.  Friendly comments are welcome. (By the way… “friendly” doesn’t include criticisms.)  However, a note to newcomers — just remember that this is a sanctuary, so we don’t discuss religion, politics, or things that are polarizing.  Everyone needs to feel welcome.  Hugs on the wing!

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Naturally, the obligatory shameless self-promotion must be included.  Brother Love: A Crossroad continues to be at a special sale price throughout the month of August.  

Brother Love – a Crossroad

Strange things abound in 1950s Parliament, Mississippi.  Jinx the magpie can fill you in on the details.

Brother Love updated cover 2026
New, updated book cover

Universal Purchase Links

E-Book:  relinks.me/B07V25SXFR

Paperback:  relinks.me/107952309X

Audiobook:  Click here.

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This blog is entirely human-written.  Furthermore, the author expressly prohibits any entity from using this publication for purposes of training AI technologies to generate text.  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.

All images are either the property of the author, or used with permission, or from free sources.

Copyright © 2026 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved.

40 thoughts on “#ThursdayDoors for a Hot August Night”

  2. I’m always surprised when things haven’t changed. Owen, a high school student from Alabama, said to me, “People don’t mix. They stay with their own group. Everybody mixes up here, but not back home.” Wow! Just like in your book, yet happening today.

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  5. Teagan, I loved wandering through Parliament with you and Dan. There is something wonderful about seeing the real photographs that helped give shape to an imagined world. The doors, houses, churches, diner and even the washing on the line make the setting feel like another character in the story. And, of course, Jinx seems quite capable of stealing the scene! What a fabulous way to invite us through the door and into Brother Love. Sending many hugs on speedy wings to you and the Scoobies!

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  6. Really great small town pics, Teagan, thank you! (& Dan for his contributions)

    Small towns intrigue me, but living in one would be challenging, moving from a big city.

    The story sounds piquing and I’ve always adored Jinx … that he is free to wander and narrates.

    You have a very creative mind.

    Hot HUGS on a hot day!

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    1. That’s definitely a bug change in environment, Resa. Having lived many years in both I *would* prefer the small town, if there had been enough of the necessary “service people,” like veterinarians, eye doctors, repair people, and landscapers. During the past five years they’ve all left this town in droves.

      Thanks for your kind words. Hugs back. 🤗

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      1. Oh wow! Why do they leave small towns?

        I love living in Toronto, but a LOT of that has to do with all the art here. I seem to need art in my life to be happy.
        And not just all the art I can see on line. There’s something about seeing it in real life.

        Thank you for your kind words too!
        Big, big hugs to you! ❦

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  7. I love this post, Teagan. I had so much fun gathering pictures for that story, and my brother joined in the fun, which is how you got doors from Iowa State University. I love the book, the characters and everything about it.

    I hope you have a great day!

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    1. I’m so glad, Dan. And when the project grew to include Bruce it was even more fun. I still remember asking you two to help with a movie star from the era that one of the Ruth character could resemble. Now, get some rest — all things considered, you’ve had a big day. Hugs on magpie wings . 🤗.

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    1. Hi, Robbie. Thanks very much. I’m happy you enjoyed this visit. Well, it’s still awfully hot, with high temps hanging around near or on the 100F (37.7C) degree mark — but that’s a little cooler than it’s been for the past couple of months. I’m glad for any improvement. Wishing you a splendid weekend. Big hugs back to you.

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  9. Dan’s photos compliment the story very nicely, Teagan. We are lucky to have local access to a few diners, and fortunately all of them are open and look a bit more jazzy than the abandoned one shown here. I liked the imagery of a breeze being relevant to being able to here the church organ playing. We have a local marching band who practices at night…sometimes you can hear them in the distance…sometimes not-so-much. The Nash Rambler is a special ride – love that color. Hugs to you and the Scoobies.

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    1. Hi, Bruce. Dan really did great work with the photos. It was a fun collaboration back during the serial version. I’m glad you enjoyed this post. Haha — similar here re the marching band, except I sometimes hear them down at the high school early in the mornings. The first couple of times, I thought there was an unbalanced load in the washing machine. The third time, I wasn’t doing any laundry. LOL a brief slip into the Twilight Zone. Thanks for commenting. Hugs back to you and yours.

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  16. I remember the story, Teagan, and Dan’s pictures bring the place to life. Jinx is quite a character, for sure. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post and for reminding us of the story, Teagan. Big hugs and love to the Scoobies.

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  18. Quite the story Teagan. I was hoping the screen door would have a hinge squeak just like mine does. I like the names you have chosen.
    Did spellcheck get at you with the towns name?
    ” When I drove my old Nash Rambler wagon into Parliament”

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