During the month of April, I participate in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. That is 26 posts in one month, for each letter of the alphabet, time off for good behavior on Sundays. Over 1000 bloggers are participating this year. Last I checked, I was #954. This year, Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, my sock puppet creations, are here to tell you their story and share reviews, ideas, and inspiration with you. They’re also helping to teach theatre classes for kids in the Brainerd area, and continue to view and review theatre productions and some books. This retired couple doesn’t just sit around watching reruns on MeTv. (Although, Willie does like to put up his feet whenever Petticoat Junction comes on. It’s that sound of the train whistle. Millie makes no apologies for watching the Lassie marathon while holding her dog Tillie on her lap.)
Millie and Willie Cottonpoly and their friend Mr. Happy go to a poetry reading by K.C. Hanson to promote his book The Lazarus Project. K.C.’s curiosity and creative energy sparked whenever he came across old photos at auctions, antique stores, and internet sites.
Willie: Do you know all these people in the photos?
K.C: No, most of them are nameless. They are photos of lost generations, perhaps they are the final people in a family, the end of a bloodline.
Millie: Some of the poses reveal something about their personality. The setting gives you an idea of what they were doing.
Willie: Read us that one, K.C., of the young couple on the train.
Mr. Happy: Oh, this makes me so happy.
Willie: I feel a song coming on.
Millie: Not now, Willie. We’re here to hear K.C. read.
K.C. reading from The Lazarus Project (click to see how the puppets hang on his every word)
Willie: That’s just how it is, K.C. That sense of adventure. What will happen at the other end of the line? I’ve seen it so many times with travelers.
Mr. Happy: My favorite thing is to travel, especially on motorcycle.
Millie: Considering the times, I wonder if they made it. And, if they did, were they happy? Was it what they expected, or were they disappointed?
Thank you, K.C. To find out more about this project, or to buy a book, go to K.C. Hanson’s website.
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: Do you have old photos? What story would you create for this one, or one that you have in a shoebox? Who is this young man? What is his personality like? Where did he go after this photo was taken?
The name on the photo says Buddy Griswold.
Ah, hanging on to his every word indeed .. they clearly love the idea of travelling!
Yes I have old photos, lovely idea to use them to create a story. This man in your photo : Ah, I see afar, yonder lands …
Do your old photos need a story?
I’ve been uncovering family history and found a few people I didn’t know existed. My great-great grandmother was lost to history for about 140 years! I love the idea of bringing life to the forgotten. And, at the end of my bloodline, I think a lot about leaving something behind so as not to be forgotten.
Yes, Nadine, I believe you are doing just that! And, how fun to find the story of your great-great grandmother!
*snicker* I’ll never look at “L” the same way again. 🙂
Anna from Elements of Writing
My daughter actually buys old photos from the 50’s and displays them in her house. hahaha
That is funny. Does she pretend they’re her relatives?
Glad to give you new imagery.
That photo with KC is hysterical!
Thanks! It gives us a chuckle, too!