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 
Fantastic, Interview, Linda! I feel so honored that I met you and your lovely mom 💖 You are amazing people and some of the kind-hearted I ever met. Hugs 💖
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Reblogged this on Edwina's Episodes and commented:
I am thrilled to announce that my dear friend Linda Bethea has released her new book.
I have already ordered mine and have got stuck into it. I shall be writing my review.
Don’t forget to order your copy too. 🙂
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Many thanks for reblogging Judy 👍😃
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Thanks so much. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I laughed out loud lots of times.
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Yes, I have been laughing out loud too! 🙂
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Thanks, Judy.
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My pleasure Linda xx
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Congratulations! This is a must read!
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And what a beautiful gift to your mom…and to yourself, as well as to your readers! You’re so fortunate to come from a family of storytellers, Linda. Your family get-togethers with storytelling as the entertainment sound like so much fun!
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We do have wonderful get together soon. We all love stories.
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Reblogged this on Nutsrok and commented:
Reblog fed on Nutsrok
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Thanks so much.
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She has always captured the spirit of that storytelling tradition in her words, her blog. So looking forward to this one. Congrats to Linda and her delightful mother. ❤️ 💛 💙 💜 Much, much success to this publication !
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Hi, it’s nice to meet you. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Great news for all of us who are fans of Linda Bethea’s wonderful stories of her childhood and her incredible mother Kathleen.. Their collaborative book Everything Smells Just Like Poke Salad is now available.. read all about it over on The Story Reading Ape’s blog and please share from there.. thanks Sally
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Many Thanks for spreading the Salad – I mean POST – Sally 😀 Hugs XXX
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I just love you, Sally!
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♥♥
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Congratulations Linda!
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