Being born with a love for stories and storytelling is both a gift and a curse. I talked early, hanging on every word, especially if the subject seemed intense, secretive, or perplexing.
I stayed in trouble through my childhood for repeating word for word a story I wasn’t necessarily supposed to have been privy to.
My superior language skills, and commanding demeanor ensured that the tales went to the worst possible person, like my first-grade teacher, Miss Davis, “My mama said she wouldn’t take her sick dog to Dr. Davis.”
My little speech didn’t endear either me or my mother to Miss Davis. I felt she was quite rude at her retort. “Well! You can just tell your mama my daddy is a fine doctor!”
Returning home with the whole story, I was surprised to find my report to Miss Davis hadn’t won me any points with Mother, either.
My family competes with storytelling at every holiday and family gathering, urging each other own, not too much bothered by total truth or logic. Why let the total truth get in the way of entertainment. Just a little nugget is a start.
In my book, Everything Smells Just Like Poke Salad, I concentrated on collecting the stories passed on to me by my family.
It is the mostly true tale of life as experienced by my mother, including the tales passed on by her family.
I was fortunate enough to have heard many of these from my grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
They are made more precious by the illustrations my mother, Kathleen Holdaway Swain crafted for this work.
It is such a joy for me to see these stories and lovely art come to life.
She is now eighty-eight years old, in the prime of her life.
It is my gift to her.
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Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog 
People kept telling me to write down my stories, so I started. I see yours and enjoy reading things you write. Thank you. Check me out at janesstoriestotell orforget
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Wonderful post and congratulations on your new book!!
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Thanks so much.
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Linda, you’re a woman after my own heart! My mother always said she couldn’t take me anywhere, because she never knew what was going to come out of my mouth. I never met a thought I didn’t share 🙂 Really enjoyed this post. Shared (in the adult fashion) 🙂
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It’s a curse. Thank you.
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Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog.
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Many Thanks Don 👍😃
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You’re welcome
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You go, girl! I can hardly wait to read and review it – but knowing you and having read the stories on your blog, I just know the book is awesome!
PS: Great photo, too, Linda!
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I look forward to your reaction!
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I’m so grateful to be sister to you–such an amazing, amusing, gutsy, loyal friend and confidante. (It did take a lot of early years of ‘temper and tattle’ 😉 Did I mention talented and verbose? I’m so happy for you and Mother and your wonderful new book!!!! Phyllis
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Thanks so many ch.
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It’s good to be your sister.
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