STEPPING INTO THE PAST TO SEE MY FUTURE

Years ago my son and I used to watch the TV show DR WHO. Who doesn't know about the famous time-portal tardis? Well, this weekend I didn't use a tardis but I did go back in time when I ventured downtown to check out the activities.

 Even the buildings were celebrating the past as this one let the world know it's been around for more than 100 years!

 

 

 There were also many people celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and the contributions made by both Caucasian and African American soldiers in this time of civil unrest. Ben Vereen, known for his role as "Chicken George" in Alex Haley's ROOTS, was in town to talk about the struggle of slaves on the road to freedom as well as his role in the epic movie.  Locals chatted with Confederate soldiers while I tried to chase down a Union Captain but he got away from me.

 

 There were many musicians celebrated their own musical "roots" and I got the chance to listen to everything from Bluegrass on the left to old style Country on the right.

 In case you were wondering where he was, I even found Elvis! The guy on the right was a little Jewish fellow playing beautiful Hebrew music on his violin and singing in his native language.

 People's toes were tapping when the Ragtime band got started but it was the Scottish performer that had me glued to my seat. I had already circled downtown trying to find the way back to my car and was on my  second trip after getting directions from one of the street vendors when the sound of bagpipes literally stopped me in my tracks. I would have recognized that sound anywhere and made a beeline to Krutch Park where I listened to this lovely man with the Scottish accent play and chat with the crowd about the upcoming Scottish Games that will be happening in a couple of weeks in Maryville. I even have a recording of him playing the bagpipes but it wouldn't load properly so you will just have to imagine it.

There were street vendors everywhere selling everything from handmade pottery to veggies to beautiful jewelry. There was something for everyone and reminded me of a time long ago when there was no money and people bartered for the things they needed.

I even ran into this unique street vendor. There was a huge line waiting to belly up to the bar which surprised me. People in Knoxville really enjoy their liquor but it was nice to see there were still plenty of people, like myself, that enjoy a cold beverage of another type!



 













After getting yet another set of directions...this time from two police officers...I found myself heading in the right direction towards where my car was parked and stumbled into a lovely indie bookstore called Union Ave Books. Of course I just happened to have one of my cards on me and chatted with the lovely ladies behind the counter about my picture book, THE STORY CATCHER. They gave me information to follow up for an author visit and I got a chance to check out their inventory. Of course, I made a beeline to the children's section. Union Ave Books had part of the back of the store set up for picture books and another section set up for chapter books. I saw a lot of books from many of my author friends and even saw some that were calling my name to take them home!  I'm currently doing research on one  aspect of the Titanic that has never been covered and I was pleasantly surprised to actually find a Titanic book there I didn't have so I quickly grabbed the only copy to take with me.

Union Ave Bookstore even had a local author section that I will try in the near future to convince those lovely ladies to add my book to that shelf...;~)

 I had a wonderful "play" day Saturday but I realized by stepping into the past, hearing the sounds and seeing the sights of another time, I ended my day being more focused on where my future lay. I heard stories that I wanted to share with future generations. I saw memorials to the human spirit that made me proud to call myself a writer because I will be able to share those lives with others so that they may not be forgotten. And maybe, if I'm really lucky, I will have more stories to add to the shelves of bookstores like the one I found on Union Ave to be discovered by young readers some time in THEIR future...

Blurb:

Addie comes from a long line of readers or "story catchers" as her family likes to call themselves. Every time Addie tries to catch a story on her own the wiggly words play tricks on her. She tries different ways to make those words sit still but it will take a little faith for Addie to become the next STORY CATCHER.

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