Storytelling Storytelling: Plants, Rain, Wales

Yesterday was a storied day, with tales ranging from the story of the violets and bloodroot, to rain weatherlore to a Wales exhibition and Appalachian stories.

Peter Stevenson of Wales, Mary Morgan Smith of Pittsburgh, Jo Ann Dadisman of Morgantown, Judi Taroesky of Weirton, and me at the Welsh art and storytelling exhibition at the Monongalia Arts Center in Morgantown.

We were up early to make the drive to Beech Fork Lake State Park in Cabell County, WV. The morning threatened rain but thankfully it held off. We arrived early enough to browse the vendors' wares and bought some lucscious tomatoes and strawberries. There were arts of all kinds too, but I restrained myself and just admired from a distance.

My storytelling session had a good attendance of people who were interested in the topc: nature folklore. We ranged from discussion of the sweet violet to my vowed enemy ground ivy to sassafras, trees associated with the Crucifixion to a long list of weatherlore about rain. I wove stories throughout the session, and we could easily have gone on for another hour or more. I am excited about this new addition to my repertoire and plan to continue growing this program.

One thing that happened is a good example of why it pays to over-prepare. The park had a sound system and so I didn't need to bring one--but I decided to bring along my little portable system just in case wires got crossed, as can easily happen when people are planning a new event. As it happened, they had a good system, but the microphone wouldn't work. They even tried a different amp with no luck. So my little system came in very handy.

We set out for Morgantown after this session, and I admit it was hard to leave. Such good people! But time was pressing and we had a 3 1/2 hour drive ahead of us. The rain continue to hold off, and we arrived in Morgantown with about 10 minutes to spare before showtime. I crowded a lot of visiting into that ten minutes!

The Morgantown event was a collaboration showcasing the bridge between Appalachian and Welsh cultures. It had been a full day event, with an evening storytelling and other things the evening before. How I wish I could have been there for the whole thing! Our storytelling guild's concert was the final event of the exhibit, with Appalachian stories as the theme. We heard old favorites like Old One-Eye, Lazy Jack and Sody Sallyratus from Mary Morgan Smith, and Ashpet, and a unique story of the Maiden of Monongahela told by Jo Ann.  Since Ashpet is the mountain version of Cinderella, I had to follow up with my cracked version, Rindercella. I sang a couple ballads and told my original story Gracie's Cabin. It was a good session with excellent examples of Appalachian stories and storytelling.

We were home late, tired and satisfied. Today we are both slugs. Larry is napping and I am messing about with glass, identifying antique pieces and listing a few things. Tonight will be dinner with my #3 son for a late celebration of his birthday.

All in all, a pretty perfect weekend.


Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.