128 servings of banana pudding, as my book tour continues

A couple of years ago, I wrote my first (and only) book.  Or more accurately, I put together a few hundred photos, then added some text and captions.   Having no experience in getting a book published, I thought that once it came out, I would sit back and watch it fly off the shelves.  With the help of a few book signings, it sold itself pretty well for a while.  That’s when my life took a most enjoyable, if unexpected turn.

Some friends from a local church asked me to speak at a luncheon.  I asked if I could talk about the local radio and TV broadcasters in the book.  They said yes, and by the way, bring a few copies in case anyone wants to buy it.  So I put together a few pictures,  some stories, and my usual warmed-over jokes.  I had fun, and the folks seemed to enjoy it.  Little did I know what would happen next.  One of the church members was in a local civic club, and they needed a program for their next meeting.  Then, someone in that club belonged to another church, and he thought they might enjoy my program.  128 “performances” later, I’m still on my accidental book tour.

As Johnny Cash sang, “I’ve been everywhere, man.”  From the Rotary Clubs, to the retirement homes, youth groups, Civitans, retirees, volunteer luncheons, awards banquets, Chambers of Commerce, Kiwanis, Lions, Ruritans, historical societies, Christmas banquets, Valentine parties, political groups, business clubs, public relations and media groups, who did I leave out?  I did a stage show (at the Tennessee Valley Theater in Spring City), a program for the Tri-State Rose Society (they didn’t want to hear about gardening, they talk about that all the time), various libraries, singles groups, and veterans organizations.

I’ve been to Summerville, Murphy, Higdon, Athens, Tunnel Hill, Boynton, Cleveland, Dayton, Dalton, Dunlap, Chickamauga, Rock Spring, Jasper, South Pittsburg, Cleveland, Flintstone, Etowah, Apison, and all over Chattanooga.

I’ve spoken in 38 Baptist churches, 14 Methodist, 4 Presbyterian, and 3 Episcopal churches.  (If your particular church affiliation isn’t represented, maybe it will be soon!)  While I love speaking to organized groups of all ages, I enjoy the church groups the most.  I know what you’re thinking: it’s because of the home-cooked pot-luck meals.  Well, they are quite good.

Honestly, I don’t know how I’ve avoided gaining fifty pounds. Talk about all you can eat!  Everything is made from scratch.  Everywhere I go, I’m told, “We have the best cooks in the world here.”  I can’t argue that.

But more than the food, I’ve enjoyed the friendships.  I’ve met the nicest people.  Each evening on the news, I read about people who get in trouble. So you can imagine how refreshing it is to visit with folks who allow me to have a few laughs.

At each of these events, they pray for their community, neighbors who are ailing or dealing with the loss of a family member, our nation and our world.  Even when you’re relaxing, you can’t escape the fact that we live in scary times.  Hearing their sincere prayers gives me a boost.  They don’t make a lot of noise, but in every neighborhood there are hard-working people (even in retirement) who make our world better.  Many of them don’t spend much time online.  They stay busy with their families, looking after their neighbors, visiting hospitals and nursing homes, and tending to their lawns and gardens.

After I tell my stories, comes the best part.  They tell me about their lives and memories, and I leave knowing much more than when I came.  They remember the first time they heard the radio, or the day their family got a TV.  They tell me what their neighborhoods were like before the big stores moved in, before the traffic lights and four-lane highways.  They tell me about the wars they fought, the children they raised, the grandchildren they adore.

I didn’t expect to be doing programs about my book in 2015, but I love every minute of it.  There have been many memorable moments and unforgettable people, but I do have one favorite.  A bright-eyed 90- year-old woman bounded up to me and said, “We’ve had a lot of speakers here, and you’re one of the best.”  I said, “Thank you!  Which part did you like?  The history?  The stories about radio and TV people?  My jokes?”  Without missing a beat she said, “You’re loud!  I could hear every word you said.  I’m hard of hearing, but I could hear you!  I really enjoyed this.”

Ah, the little things in life.  I put off writing that book for years, and it was far more work than I thought it would be.  But that one moment of joy made it all worthwhile.