Did you know that in 1906, Chipley, Florida (Emmett’s childhood home) had a telephone directory? Granted, it probably would not have been much larger than a 5 x 7 inch note card, but it existed. Emmett’s father, Dr. F.C. Wilson’s name isn’t listed, but as one of the town’s three […]
Friends: On Monday, I was informed that my dear friend, Nancy Rayburn (who was my research partner, dear friend, and sister-in-spirit), has died. I’ve mentioned Nancy in this blog several times. I guess you could say that Emmett introduced me to Nancy. In September, 2013, when I was only a […]
Although Congress had been back in session since December 4, 1916, Emmett was still in Pensacola, with no plans to return to D.C. Emmett still had four months remaining in his term as Congressman from the Third Congressional District, but it is damn near impossible to be present when one’s […]
Friends: Some of my neighbors recently received a document called the American Community Survey, and voiced concerns on our community listserv about it — primarily, the concern was that it was a hoax, or another attempt by the government to be intrusive in private citizen’s lives. It’s not a hoax. […]
I stumbled across this today! The National Museum of American History archive database. I have not found anything related to Emmett or my peripheral research in the NMAH archives yet — but I have only just begun to search! One of the best collections here is the Balm of America […]
I’ve always had a feeling new information might emerge just as I was putting the manuscript to bed, and sure enough, that’s what’s happened. I’m not upset or dismayed — quite the contrary. But it does make me anxious for the future as I get close to publication. I want […]
George Ade‘s Breaking into Society is a humorous look at the antics of everyman (and everywoman) wanting to better themselves by climbing the social ladder to success. Ade’s book was published originally in 1902; my copy is dated 1904. I found this book at a community book sale two years ago. […]
The new year is only two days old, but I’m back to work on Emmett’s book. As I prepare to do final edits on the first Emmett Wilson manuscript, a colleague shared the 42nd Annual List of Banished Words for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness. “Because words matter,” she said. […]
How was your New Year’s celebration? Ours was low-key — a family party with several friends who also have small children. Nothing outrageous, nothing fancy. Mostly, pot luck, with too many carbs, and a gathering around the large-screen television to alternately curse and bless the teams playing in the Fiesta […]
It is hard to believe I started Emmett’s project in May, 2013, with nothing more than curiosity about the handsome photo of some obscure guy whom I originally thought was an asshole standing in the way of my great-grandmother and her friends’ attempts to win suffrage. That first impression was […]
Tell my story. 