Market Weekend: Part Two

Throngs of shoppers flood Canton

Over a Million visitors flooded the town below us, but only a few thousand ventured up this hill.  That's in part due to the fact that most of what happens up here, happens at night.  However, low crowds during the day are also due to the fact that the word about the place is not getting out, any more. That's part of the role we've assigned ourselves... 


You've all witnessed how we have fallen in love with this sandy bump in East Texas.  We can't let it lose its identity as "The Best kept Secret in Texas".  No, sir, and we ask not for one dime, we just want the word to get out; we want stale and out-of-date websites that still draw hits at the top of search engines, to be replaced by hits that filter through this blog, by you, our faithful followers.  After all, this is about getting your attention, and trusting that if it moves you to do so, you'll not hesitate to pass it along to your own networks.  Hey, that's what a blog can do...


But for all of the ones that found their way up here...

LZ putting the final touches on her evolving dream

TWIRL! a Photography Boutique premiered this weekend and I watched, grinned and even twirled my-own-self as the vision that was only last Market Days referred to by its central story line: "Miss Lilly's Closet", metamorph'd, in serendipitous fashion, to become 'Twirl'.  Feathermaye Multi-Media even zipped together a really cool sign with Laurie's script design in lights that made the joint pop even more.  


Like a magnet people were drawn to the elaborate Zebra Tree set, wondering what, oh what, could this be... Then, about sundown on Friday, it took off as the first set of girls flooded in, chose outfits and got to twirling while The Divine Mz. Z, feathermaye, and even a reserve photographer (Becky Mottolese) put their creative eyes behind Mz. Z's designs and directions, and as spectators stood agape in the street watching, the dance that is 'Twirl!' flowed, organically, magically.  By 9:00pm Saturday, the artists were spent, dragging...


Be sure to check out Part Three in the next issue!


As always, we would love it if you follow this blog,and you can always find us on facebook. Often, you'll stumbleupon us, but if you'd be so sweet, please give this one a Tweet!  Digg it!

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Market Weekend: Part One

That's right, we rented this little Red School House, right
here on The Mountain: Current HQ for
feathermaye multimedia

IF you're just joining us, I'll begin by telling you that we are hiding out on The Mountain, here in Canton, Texas.


You'll also find several additional blogs here on the site about The Mountain, Canton, and what, exactly, The Herndons are doing on this hill.

The Texicans were in full swing:
led flying, pistols popping
every hour!

Now, for everyone else in the Posse...

Lecia's Designs were a natural crowd stopper...

We had us a root'n toot'n, shoot'em up weekend here on The Mountain.  Our guest Artist Lecia Zinna set up a small exhibit of her work and met many fellow artisans that love coming here, not only for the exposure to thousands of eyes during Market Days, but also for the camaraderie shared by an artist's contemporaries, regardless of their art, we all starve, we all crave the company of others with similar aspirations, however lofty, or simple they may be...


More about this weekend coming in the next issue!


As always, we would love it if you follow this blog, and you can always find us on facebook. You can also find us as we Stumbleupon and if you'd be so sweet, please give this one a tweet!  Digg it!  

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Off to Look for America: ways and means to pay for your adventure...

No one is standing there ready to hand out advice when you set out to see if you can find America. You accumulate it as you go; sometimes folks you encounter along the way will offer up some useful tidbits, time or money savers that help--but most of the time, it's trial and error.  And, we've got a lot of ideas.  But, that's how it goes...

The Fabulous Feathermaye and I have finally concluded that WE are going to have to jot down the notes that others can follow.  Some of it is silly, sure, some of it can really make a difference.  As I've said in earlier blogs: We are operating from a very thin precipice... avoiding mistakes can be the difference in staying in your budget, or going hungry.

Of course,   the best way for a Blogger/Novelist/Humorist/Satirist to pay for his or her room and board, is by Advertising!  

I don't want to make too much of this; after all, the last thing I want to do is alienate my readers, just to make a buck.  Besides, no readers=no blog=no advertising bucks to keep going with.  

Does ANY insect repellent actually work?

My Fabulously Brilliant wife has taken great pains to shop for the right sort of advertising clients, not based upon how much we can make; but rather upon the sort of products or services that I'm already talking about in the blog.  

Beyond that, we had to decide if the product or service is something that we can actually get behind, actually promote, in other words: Would we use this ourselves?

A very wise man named Judge Ziglar (yes, that one, the brother of Zig) told me once that it's always important to remember the last four letters in the word "enthusiasm". The Judge told Yours Truly that those four letters actually mean: I Am Sold Myself. Ergo, we now have some new affiliate advertisers that we not only care about, but feel their product lines are unique and fit well with our over-all theme.  And, just so you know... Judge Ziglar once sold TV sets in rural Mississippi, before there were any TV Stations!
He also holds the world's record in sales of Pots and Pans, Insurance, you name it.  The man knew what he was talking about.  That's the sort of advice you tend to keep...

We will diligently report any and all new products that we come across as helpful or useful.  And, we hope to develop long term relationships with our affiliates, as we open up the rest of our web pages in the near future.  


Allow me to introduce our new affiliate sponsors!


The Fan Zoo is, simply stated, a Sports Memorabilia distributor, based out of Vancouver, Canada. Their overall mission, however, is so much more. From their website:


The Fan Zoo is committed to "Connecting Athletes with their Communities of fans" through:

•   Sports Memorabilia signings
•    Hockey player events with local children and youth
•    Hockey schools
•    Outfitting local sports teams

All our sports initiatives have a societal impact on local organizations or individuals.


The next company we're now working with, and equally excited about, is SpiceBox Ltd. As promised on their website:

SpiceBox creates high quality books and activity kits, designed to foster learning, friendship, fun and laughter.

This mission is very special to Feathermaye and me.  Also, knowing that many of you have artistic interests and hobbies, and a few of you are STARVING ARTISTS like us, we really couldn't turn away from the chance to do business with such fine folks.  These cool art kits are a fantastic way to expose your talent to different media, without investing a fortune!  We love to go look at their product line...










**I also want to mention that both The Fan Zoo and SpiceBoxBooks.com reached out to us personally in response to our application for affiliate advertising. Both companies took the time to visit this website and ask questions to determine how well we fit together. These are exactly the sorts of relationships we hope to foster over the coming years.


Stay tuned for the next edition of "...ways and means..." to hear about some of our other sponsors, like Minimus.biz (which you absolutely NEED when living life in survival-mode), and FiveFingerTees.com, your ultimate resource when you need some ridiculously awesome t-shirts. 




Be sure to look for us on facebook. And, it would really help OUR cause if you click to follow this blog. Please be sweet and give this one a Tweet! as you Stumbleupon to your next brilliant find...Digg it!

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Off to Look for America: Remember to thank those that help...

One of the most unexpected benefits of setting off to look for things that make you want to just BE FREE UPON THE FACE of The EARTH, are the people that come out of no where to help.  As near as I've ever been able to tell, it's a very organic thing...

Post Katrina found us, and a lot of
other Houston area folks digging
deep of their time and anything
we could spare.

With supposition, I can clearly see how others want to reach out.  We certainly have given whenever we had it. Usually anything above our basic needs, we've given, in one form or another.  Especially in a time of great need.



Some might even ask: "How can you ever expect help when you won't give it yourself?"  I know most of YOU give whenever you can.  It's not a solitary notion--THANK GOD. 



As The Fabulous Feathermaye is always quick to remind me: It's never easy accepting HELP from others... After all: we're supposed to be self-sufficient...Right?  But, that's the sort of thinking that leads to disaster!  




Survival Rule #1-- never turn down help!

Rule #217 in effect

Feathermaye is assembling all the new rules we've come up with or against, as the case may be.  Such as Tip #217 for living in survival-mode: When you wake to a sudden downward shift in the temperature, be prepared to add layers and carry on.


There are lots of things like that which we'll be passing along.


So we say thank you, to the wonderful people who have helped us along the way, and have welcomed us into the bosom of THE MOUNTAIN. I promised not to call them all out by name since they would only be embarrassed by the recognition...they give without thinking twice.  


Meanwhile...Work is piling up, and I've we've got to get back to it!  

Remember: Come see us on THE MOUNTAIN as soon as you can.  If you're an artist who has been following, send us an email if you would like to plan a trip down to attend, and participate in a Trade Day Weekend.


Artists who wish to know more about, or just ask questions about THE MOUNTAIN please feel free to contact either Heather@feathermayemultimedia.com or sbond@feathermayemultimedia.com

We are always happy to talk about THE MOUNTAIN...


Remember you can always find us on facebook, (THANKS ZUCK!).  We welcome you to follow this blog.  Please be sweet and give this one a Tweet! as you stumble through your day...can you digg it?

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Off to Look for America: Catching everybody up...

If you have read the "Off to Look for America" blog, you already know what we're doing.  The Fabulous Feathermaye and yours truly have launched ourselves off into the unknown... our eyes are on the horizon and we are taking opportunity as it comes.

Thanks to the Divine Mz. Z, we have a roof over our pod, and have kept busy working on both staying alive while on unemployment, and working toward some pretty worthy goals...  


The Hot weather that so pervaded TEXAS and turned it into a summer-long tinderbox, has finally been soaked down by a few good storms as we work from the back porch of the "Mardi Gras" (Mz. Z's B&B) with mobile internet connection and laptops a-buzzing!

Feathermaye with another unique capture
She is greatly influenced by 'Escher'

Of course, on a more personal level, since that is what blogging is really all about (right?), we've also been research machines, burning up every search engine, downloading, as fast as our mobile 3.5G phone will allow, which can take some patience--truth be told.  But, when the night around you is full of rustling trees, and you're parked at a cool, Parisian-style table in a festive, yet rustic, damn near camping, setting, you tend to loose a little of the normal aggravation that technology presents to many of us... 

Calling all Sponsors!  We test lots of products!

East Texas has gone from hot and sticky to cool and crisp, almost cold.  We have started product testing, from Insect repellents to how well Mucinex can really stave off the congested cough of two old smokers.  


Of course, this is East Texas, so there are some differences that seasonal change offers: like going from ninety-nine degrees to thirty seven, overnight.  Yikes, honey, where did we put our jackets? We...DID bring jackets, right? 


Gotta remember, folks, Feathermaye and the ole kid here have been warm-weather travelers, for the most part.  But, since life is presenting opportunity around every corner, we are happy to chase down a few sponsors (Dear Bass Pro Shops..., or Dear People who make Gore-tex...) OUTFIT US!  We are your willing subjects, and if it can be broken, or proven worthy, you need only ask feathermaye


My poor wife, has had just about every mosquito in East Texas feed on her beautiful calves.  Now, just so you know, Feathermaye can rock some Capri britches, and she tends to wear them, like...all the time, all weathers.  She's my little Yankee, after all, Michigan gal.  I digress...


But, you just gotta know, folks, that for a girl who knows she is going to be eaten alive, and be PERFECTLY WILLING to test bug products in some hard-for-most-brave-souls buggy territory, Feathermaye has undergone quite a change.  


Bless her heart, she's had bites on bites, her blood is just too sweet.  She has a lot of strange allergies and has dealt with those conditions all her life.  It had been easy enough to hide out in AC, but when the work you love calls you outside... Well, she went right out there with it!

Her focus is everywhere as she hunts for the next frame...
"Moth Capture" by feathermaye.com 2011

I'm living witness to Feathermaye now crawling around under buildings and trees and bushes, even in the middle of the night!  Uncanny!  She has me giggling like a kid again as we traipse about THE MOUNTAIN taking pictures, or rather, looking for the right picture, the right frame.  Most nights, we are in a scurry to download and edit what we've captured, while new story ideas, promo ideas, ways to help THE MOUNTAIN ideas keep coming and are carefully taken down.  It's all material now, it's all part of the story. 


We may be eating Ramen Noodles and a new supplement that we will mention later; we may have lost weight like you wouldn't believe, having forsaken fast food--except for evenings when Mz. Z hangs out with us and forces us to eat pizza!  


Please understand, we're having a lot of fun, but we're also learning how to work for ourselves from a very thin precipice.  At such altitude, and with so much hanging, it pays to be positive, as well as realistic.
  
We have found that it also pays to live Spartan, keeping only what is important for everyday function, slowly shucking away what is really not necessary.  It's amazing to see how full of Shit-we-seem-to-need-to-carry-around-with-us we are. 


Living up here in a sort of fake Western Town, it gives us the singular opportunity to work in the GREEN if you know what I mean.  As I write this, Feathermaye sits across from me and plans a new green project for the approaching Market Days.  That will be another blog.

Rainy lit Bougainvillea under Mardi Gras' Porch

I know, everyone is asking about the Book Controversy. We've been dodging reporters and picture-takers, for the most part.  I will say that the new book, A Week in Agony...Texas has sort of taken on a life of its own.  I've just completed a series of interviews with press from that part of the state.  Sometimes, big things start small, don't they?

The new book is causing a fuss

However... There is the problem of the lawsuits, the ones that I've still not gotten from anybody.  This lawyer guy down in Agony has it in for me.  He's gotten into the heads of some of the families down there, people Feathermaye and I have come to call friends, and turned them against us, evidently.  They hope to somehow forestall, or stop the book from being published.


My stalwart publisher is unabashed by such scandal and name-calling, he is going ahead with the book and will be announcing a release date soon.  Did I already mention that this is just book one?  You can still catch a glimpse or two of Generations in Agony...Texas, right here on the blog!

Signing books here!

Feathermaye is busy getting in touch with her artisan friends, telling them about THE MOUNTAIN as we both keep working to get the word out. It's really happening.  The folks who've been here for years still have that gleam in their eyes.  We want every artist we can find to know that there is a place like this.


We also want to continue to tell you fine folks about it.  Without your following us, we'd be talking to the sky, I suppose.  Thank you for following and remember you can always find us on facebook (thanks Zuck),  Please be sweet and give this one a Tweet! as you Stumble along.  Can you digg it?  





   

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More Ideas

I had a few more new ideas to keep last night…

The first is about a main character(m or f) who witnesses the improbable, the inexplicable and the one-of-a-kind on a regular basis.  The police all know this individual fairly well, because in practically every weird circumstance, whenever something particularly strange takes place, our protagonist is somehow there, witnessing, and later reporting it to the police, who, frankly, are getting a little tired of it all. 

*THINK ‘The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf’* > this will be the opposite, as far as the plot line goes. 

            >Events that are witnessed are baffling to Police

            >Piques the interest of the local Paranormal Specialists

            >Ultimately, once the witness has proven, time and again, their reliability, the witness comes forward, having witnessed the impossible: A doorway to another dimension, and the…things coming through…

Great Quote from the Horton Foote play ‘1918’: “…climbing fool’s hill.”  

Crazy radical: A Small Southern town in which SPORT-SCOUTING is the primary industry.   And by carrying that thread over to Agony…

>We know that Milo Tuck and Kick Onyx, in all likelihood, would jump at the chance to start selling off the worthless plots and houses in their failed Planned Community, just outside of town: Agony Acres.  It had been Milo’s idea first off: he knew some boys he went to college with down in Houston.  Those guys were building big, planned communities all over the state and raking in a fortune!  But no one except Milo thinks a fool would buy a quarter-million dollar home situated more than a hundred miles from anywhere…

>Unless he was a scout, and there was an unusually good pool of talent streaming out of some remote little town…Like Agony, Texas. 

>No sooner does the state of Texas end school segregation, when the Agony baseball team emerges as a dominant powerhouse, full of prospective talent, and college and pro scouts pour in to seek and sign a phenom.   

What if society forced a new law into being: The Bully Law is enacted to put a stop to either cyber, or school-type bullying.  When big bad Bobby tries to take little Timmy’s lunch money, he is snatched up by a teacher and hauled down to the school offices, arrested, charged and held while charges are applied to his parents as well.  Finally, big bad Bobby has to start taking an experimental drug, designed to chemically alter his brain-wave function.  The drug is called, ‘Happy Time Pills’, and they even had a little smiley face on the front side of the tablet.   After the use of said drug, school violence drops to virtually nothing.  But, there is always something else that will take the place of the bully.  And, this something else makes a bully seem like no big deal…This one is most likely a dark short story.

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