Behind the Veil


“Should I stay or should I go”? The answer is simple, as I’m sure you well know.
When things get boggy, whether in life, or be it blog…
Whether novel, song, or sonnet…
We just lean it on a wall for a week…
We don’t break it…heaven forbid, for then
upon our return …what instrument shall we play?

28 Comments

  5. Hey, brother Paul–I came over to thank you again for your previous help with badge/image widget questions. Tonight–wanting to add an image– I found that I’d saved your notes re the Jesus badge–and sent up a prayer of thanks to the Lord, and you. Sometimes I’m more organized than others…Anyway, you were very clear in your instructions, so, gracias! God bless you abundantly.

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  8. Point well made, Paul. But I have to say, I got a kick out of “dribblingpensioner’s” comment. I like the photo. Being part Cherokee myself, with a good Cherokee friend who travels the country coordinating inter-tribal pow-wows and teaching Native American history, I’ve had the opportunity to experience a good deal of the music and dancing. Just this past year, I covered a story on my friend and one of his school pals — also Cherokee — who makes flutes like the one the woman is holding in the picture. Then he offers programs in which he plays the songs that he feels moving through his spirit. Nothing’s written out. The songs are fresh and living each time as he stands in front of his audience. It was a very interesting program and extremely beautiful music. Are you part Native American too?

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    • Thanks…this was my answer to Harry, or, the dribblingpensioner over in Northern Ireland.

      “Actually, that was advise to another blogger friend as a comment…I guess I surprised myself with the answer enough to copy it and use it as a post…
      Thanks Harry”..

      Yes, my granny was half Hatteras. Here in the South East it wasn’t sociably acceptable in her time, and even later for that matter to openly admit you were of Indian descent, and there has always been the whole ‘ Tribal Name Game” to keep the Federal Government from having to pay you any money etc…Of course, as you probably well know, if you are 1/4, or 1/8 Cherokee, can’t remember exactly at the moment, and have proof, again, I can’t recall if your ancestors have to be listed on the rosters leaving the South East, or Arriving in Oklahoma ( Of the trail of tears) …if they made it alive…you can receive free land in Cherokee North Carolina. I have several friends who have received it. One rents out three rooms during tourist season, and lives there year round…the other, last I saw her had yet to move there. ( I take it from reading the first two chapters of one of your novels, you are familiar with the area…at least what is now called Tennessee).
      bless You
      paul

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      • Yes, that area is just about my favorite place in the whole world. I’ve traveled a good deal in the U. S., but there’s no place that I feel as much “at home” as I do in the Smoky Mountains — particularly the Bryson City, Cherokee, Gatlinburg area. The cover of the novel you’re reading — in fact the cover of every book in that series — has on the front a photo taken from the front porch of The Hemlock Inn up on a mountain in Bryson City, NC. My family has spent a lot of time there, and they were very gracious about the use of their photo. (Of course the actual PR company who took the photo charged for it, but even that was reasonable). Hemlock Inn also sells the books. I’m thinking about contacting Calhoun’s Restaurant there in Gatlinburg to see if I could arrange a book signing there when I get the fourth book out. I highlight that particular restaurant in the first two books, and I thought it might get a little extra attention for the books if i did a signing at the restaurant itself. Not sure if I can make it work.

        It’s interesting about that 1/8 thing. About a year ago, I took a six-week course in the Cherokee language, and the teacher told us that the Cherokee nation is now so concerned with re-establishing their status as a whole nation that they have changed the ruling to say that any person with any amount of Cherokee blood is now considered a legitimate member of the Cherokee nation. I have not double-checked that fact, but I should.. Although I doubt that the ruling goes so far as to allow for ownership of land for all of those people.

        Thanks for the added information. I’m just wondering if you think your friend might be willing to talk with me and answer some questions about her life on the reservation currently. The reason I’m asking is that although four of the books in the series are completely finished (three published and the fourth due out this summer), the fifth one deals with more Cherokee characters and I need to get some more first-hand material for that book. I’ve had to put it on hold until I can do that. I keep thinking I’ll make an extended trip down there again soon, but it just never seems to work out. Perhaps talking with someone who is there now would help almost as much.

        Just let me know if you think it’s worth asking her.

        Sorry — it seems every time I reply, I write volumes. Signing off now. Thanks.

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  9. When answers don’t come to us right away, letting it simmer for some time and coming back to it often makes it clearer. That’s what I tell my son when he’s frustrated with homework. Walk away, cool down and come back. It’s amazing how many times the answer is ‘right there.’

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