The Crab Chronicles

Twenty Questions with Tori Whitaker

The newest novel by author Tori Whitaker is A Matter of Happiness and I am delighted to say I've gotten to know Tori a bit and she agreed to be interviewed. We have some things in common. Tori is close to my age, lives in the Atlanta metro area, and was formerly a marketer for a law firm. She writes vividly and meaningfully about the past, which particularly fascinates me.

A Matter of Happiness explores two timelines, a modern story of Melanie and another one of her great aunt Violet, a jazz age rebel. (I love the idea of an inheritance sparking interesting events. I realized only recently that inheritances play a big part in 3 of my 4 novels.) 

Toni's first book was Millicent Glenn's Last Wish, and it's one I want to read soon. Mother/daughter relationships are always fascinating.

BIO: Tori graduated from Indiana University, is an alum of the Yale Writers' Workshop, and is recently retired from a national law firm where she served as chief marketing officer. She spent a decade in Detroit because of her husband's career in the automotive industry. The two now reside near their children outside Atlanta and have been married for forty-five happy years. [from her website]

Tori has a lot going on, promoting her new book, but she graciously agreed to answer not only the standard Twenty Questions but a few more, too!

 

THE STANDARD TWENTY QUESTIONS

What is your full name?
Tori Whitaker [no need to use Victoria]

Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?
Near my grandchildren, which is where I am now.

What is your favorite movie and why?
Most recently, it’s Top Gun Maverick! It’s got wounds from the past, conflict between characters, high tension and action, redemption, character arcs, and love.

What was your least-favorite subject in school when you were a kid?
Science. I was always the one who loved history, social studies, and writing.

What was your nickname when you were a kid?
Tori

Do you believe in God?
Absolutely.

What sound or noise do you love?
Birds chirping outside on a summer morning. Geese flying into Georgia from the north in fall.

If you could do anything other than what you do, as a profession, what would it be?
Maybe be a history professor. But I don’t have a master’s or PhD.

If heaven exists, what do you think it is like? My parents there to greet me in a reunion.

Do you have siblings?
Yup, two younger brothers.

What is your favorite memory of childhood [something specific]?
When I was five, my grandparents took me to a museum, and I vividly recall standing before an old Ford Model T. I attribute that day to my first falling in
love with history.

If you had to choose between one week traveling around the USA by car, or one week traveling around Europe on a train, which would you choose and why?
I can travel by car in the US any time. I’d choose Europe! Because I love history, and it’s so old and rich there.

What inspires you?
I’m inspired by knowing that I once had very little self-confidence, but I stuck it out to achieve my dream of being published—even after two books
didn’t get bought. When I feel discouraged in anything, I try to think of the times I overcame challenges without giving up.

Which holiday do you prefer, Christmas or July 4th?
Christmas by far. As a grandmother, I relish all the traditions. We host our family and have a fire, holiday music, a candlelit dinner, and more. And
like my grandmother before me, I make a tree ornament for each grandchild as a gift. I still have the ones I received as a child, and it’s
special every single time I hang one.

What project or idea are you most passionate about, right now?
Besides finalizing what novel I’ll write next, I’d say the idea of downsizing. I recently retired from my corporate “day job” and my husband and I don’t
need this much space anymore.

Do you know how to cook?
Love to cook!

What is your favorite thing to cook/eat?
Gosh, so many things. But basically I crave anything with potatoes. Twice baked, mashed, oven roasted in olive oil and rosemary. I’m part Irish.

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, for 2-4 weeks, all expenses paid, where would you go and why?
Back to Europe to countries I haven’t visited … Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.

Who do you love the most in the world?
My family.

What question has nobody ever asked you, but you wanted to answer?
Sorry, now I’m stumped!

BONUS:

What sparked the idea for A Matter of Happiness? - The first tingle of inspiration came because my husband restores old classic cars and I wondered: what if someone found something in an old car that'd been stored for a 100 years

Did you have a person in your life like Aunt Violet? Not really, but I did have a great grandmother who I called Grape Grandma when I was young.

Did you go to Detroit to do your research? I researched and wrote during the height of COVID, so no. But I did live in MI and work in Detroit for 10 years in the '90s so I had some familiarity.

Were you already familiar with Kentucky bourbon distilleries before you wrote the book? Yes. We toured the Bourbon Trail 9 or 10 years ago (and again when everything opened back up after COVID, though the book was mostly done)

Why don't you drink coffee, tea or sodas? I just never started the habit.

Have you ever been to the Atlanta History Center? Absolutely!

How many grandchildren do you have and what do they call you? 2 and I'm proud to be called Grandma

What are your favorite things to do with the grandchildren? Among my faves is to take them to historical places.

Twenty Questions With Tim Baker

I belong to a book group on Facebook and we are always sharing book titles because if you’re a dedicated and voracious reader, such information is gold. Somebody posted they had read all the books by Tim Baker and I was immediately intrigued. After checking out his website, I interviewed him by phone a few days ago.

Tim lives in Florida and writes mysteries, but he didn’t start out as an English major [think Mickey Spillane, not Ernest Hemingway]. A former architect, Tim has had a number of jobs in different fields. Writing is his passion, though. He writes books basically for the same reason I do: “I write books that I would like to read,” Tim explains.

I asked Tim to describe his writing. “I’ve been compared to Carl Hiasen and Elmore Leonard.”

Tim published his first novel, Living the Dream, in 2007. He decided to forego the traditional publishing path, after learning how hard it is to get a literary agent – a lesson I’ve learned, too. (Getting hit by an asteroid is easier.) Although he uses a professional editor to help polish his stories, otherwise he’s a one man show. He has published more than 14 books since that first one. One of his books [Unfinished Business] is now being made into a television series, and Tim is learning how to write TV scripts.

No matter what the genre, as Tim notes, “A good story is always going to be a good story.”

Without further ado, here are Tim’s responses to some random questions.

Are you a full-time writer or is it more of a passionate hobby?

I guess, technically, it’s a passionate hobby since I do have a full-time day job. That doesn’t mean I don’t expect to one day write full time.

What got you interested in writing?

It began with a love of reading. From the time I was a child and read my mother’s copy of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer I couldn’t get enough of reading and the more I read the more I became enamored with storytelling. At some point in my late 20s I read a quote by a famous author (I believe it was Stephen King, but I’m not sure). To paraphrase - he said “One day you’ll read a book and when you’re finished you’ll think ‘I could do better than that’ and on that day, it’s time to start writing.”

Sure enough, I once read a book and had that exact thought. So I started writing.

Describe your writing process?

My books always start with a “what if” moment. For example, I once met a mortician. I was fascinated with her description of her job and at some point, I thought “What if every time she embalmed a body, she had to follow through on whatever that person was thinking about when they died.”

From there I come up with a crude “road map” for the story. I know the beginning, the end, and I have a rough idea of what will happen along the way.

Then I start writing - and although it probably violates all kinds of rules, I literally make up the story to fit my “road map”.

Once the first draft is finished, I send it to a team of beta readers and tell them to tear it apart. They aren’t looking at spelling or grammar, they are trying to blow holes in the story.

When I get their feedback, I go through it and decide how much, if any to take under advisement.

Then I edit the story from beginning to end, incorporating any of the beta comments I like and adding or subtracting things I think will improve the story.

At this point the manuscript is sent to the editor. Once I get my editor’s feedback, I go through the story again and give another polishing.

Then it’s back to the editor for the final go-through and another coat of polish when I get it back.

If all has gone well – the manuscript is now ready to be published.

What’s your favorite book ever, and why?

My favorite book ever is Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. It was the second book I ever read and although I’ve read many books since then that would qualify as “better” – I credit Treasure Island as the book that captured my imagination to the point where I couldn’t wait to read another book.

Was there a teacher who had a big influence on you?

As far as writing goes, there wasn’t a teacher who had much influence on me, but there was one teacher I had in high school who encouraged me, gave me confidence and always treated me as an equal, rather than a student. His name is Gerry Houle and even though I graduated high school over forty years ago, Gerry and I are still friends.

A lot of writers are inspired by their hometown. Is that true for you as well?

My original hometown, Warwick, RI, didn’t inspire me to write, but when I moved to Florida in 2006, I was almost immediately inspired by my “new” hometown, Flagler Beach, FL. It is the location for almost every one of my stories.

 

THE STANDARD TWENTY QUESTIONS

What is your full name?

Timothy J. Baker.

Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?

I’m quite happy where I am, but I guess the south of France wouldn’t be hard to take.

What is your favorite movie and why?

Jaws. In my opinion Jaws is a fantastic movie on every level. The writing is superb (talk about a fantastic “what if”!!) The acting, cinematography, music all combine to make it a technical masterpiece, but it’s also a great character study. If you can manage to look past the obvious tagline about a rogue shark, you can see it for what it is. A story where the 3 protagonists must put aside their differences and work together toward a common goal which is for the greater good.

DISCLAIMER: Despite the fact that Jaws is my favorite movie I do not subscribe to the belief that sharks are inherently evil. In fact, I love sharks. Jaws actually inspired me, at the age of 16, to want to become a SCUBA diver.

What was your least-favorite subject in school when you were a kid?

Believe it or not – grammar. I couldn’t stand learning all those rules. I believed that telling a story was not about being “correct” – it was about taking the reader on a trip.

Besides, that’s why I pay an editor!

What was your nickname when you were a kid?

Most of my friends called me Bake.

Do you believe in God?

I am an Agnostic – even though I spent my entire childhood attending church, Sunday school and bible school.

What sound or noise do you love?

The sound of rain is hands down my favorite sound.

If you could do anything other than what you do, as a profession, what would it be?  

I would write full time.

If heaven exists, what do you think it is like?

Heaven most certainly exists – but in my opinion it isn’t a magical kingdom in the clouds occupied by god. It is in our mind and it is whatever and wherever makes us happy.

Do you have siblings?

I have three brothers and two sisters. I had four brothers, but one passed away about six years ago.

What is your favorite memory of childhood [something specific]?

It’s hard to cite one specific memory because I had such a fantastic childhood. But my most fond memories are of spending summer vacations playing baseball, going to the beach (I grew up walking distance from a beach) and generally being with my friends.

If you had to choose between one week traveling around the USA by car, or one week traveling around Europe on a train, which would you choose and why?

I would go with the Europe trip because driving around America I can do any time, visiting Europe not so much.

Who or what inspires you?

This is a very tough question for which I can’t really think of an answer so I’m going to go with this: I am inspired by the thought that the only person I have to be better than – is the person I was yesterday.

Which holiday do you prefer, Christmas or July 4th?

Neither of them is especially high on my list of favorites so if I had to choose, I would go with Christmas. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I come from a big family and Thanksgiving always fills me with fond memories.

What project or idea are you most passionate about, right now?

Right now, I am in the process of overseeing one of my novels (Unfinished Business) become a television series. Like most, if not all writers, it is the brass ring and I have been fortunate enough to have it within my grasp.

For more information on the project please visit blindoggproductions.com

Do you know how to cook?

I think I am a better than average cook.

What is your favorite thing to cook/eat?

I would have to say my favorite thing to cook is seafood chowder, but my favorite thing to eat is lasagna.

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, for 2-4 weeks, all expenses paid, where would you go and why?

I would say Hawaii. I’ve always wanted to see it, but I’ve heard that it is quite expensive, so if all expenses are paid it’s an easy choice!

Who do you love the most in the world?

That’s a toss-up between my mother and my son. I credit my mother with teaching me that nothing was out of my reach if I was willing to work for it. And she somehow managed to raise seven children by herself and never let us know how hard it was. I credit my son for growing up to be one of the best people I have ever known, despite my lack of parenting skills!!

What question has nobody ever asked you, but you wanted to answer?

Nobody has ever asked me how I would like to be remembered – but you know something? It’s probably best because I think the only thing I could come up with is that every person I have ever met has influenced me somehow, so if you must remember me, remember me, not for what I was, remember me for what you made me.

Twenty Questions With Peter Stoddard

My father loved Lewis Grizzard. Mom and Dad always read his column in the paper, and I read it too, even though I was a bit too young to really appreciate the humor. In the 1980’s and early 90’s I would give Dad a book by Grizzard every Father’s Day and sometimes at Christmas or on his birthday. [the book titles were always fun: Elvis is Dead and I don’t Feel So Good Myself, Shoot Low Boys They’re Riding Shetland Ponies, It Wasn’t Always Easy but I Sure Had Fun, etc.]

I think we loved Lewis because his background was similar to Dad’s. Lewis Grizzard was a very Southern humorist, from Moreland Georgia. He grew up poor. He liked to drink and party. His personal life was kind of a hot mess because he was married 4 times and joked “Next time I meet a woman I’m just going to buy her a house and skip all the rest.” [or words to that effect] He was also a diehard fan of the University of Georgia bulldogs. 

Grizzard died in 1994. It seems like yesterday. 

I saw a Facebook ad the other day for a book about Lewis Grizzard, Lewis Grizzard: The Dawg That Did Not Hunt. I immediately shared it on my page because I know a lot of my Facebook friends remember Grizzard with great fondness.

I wanted to interview the author, Peter Stoddard. Pete has had a long career in marketing and sales and he is a delightful interview subject.

Pete was a UGA BBA Marketing graduate in 1979, President of the UGA Chapter of the American Marketing Association and VP of the Terry Business School Council. He jokes that he won narrow elections vs a park bench for each role and that today he can not even get a phone appointment with the people who now hold those roles.

Pete got interested in writing about Grizzard after he moved back here from Florida a few years ago. He visited an excellent museum in Grizzard’s hometown of Moreland and asked where Grizzard’s other personal possessions were. The Moreland volunteer understood a lot was at UGA but he did not know where. As luck would have it Pete was headed to Athens the following week.

Pete: “I went to Athens and spoke to a guy at UGA named Dink Nesmith. He owns 25  newspapers in Georgia and the Carolinas and is former President of the UGA Board of Regents. When I asked why Grizzard’s legacy seemed to be fading Dink thought for a minute and said, “I guess somebody just needs to champion the cause. Maybe that’s you.” I was floored but mightily flattered. Dink put me in touch with Jim Minter, the guy who hired Lewis right out of UGA and was with him the day he died.”

Pete finished Lewis Grizzard: The Dawg That Did Not Hunt in three months. That’s impressive. After typing and paginating his reams of notes he was astonished to discover he had over 400 pages. With that he decided to publish, knowing so many contacts and their stories would have to wait.

In addition to Minter, Pete interviewed a ton of other folks that knew Lewis and remembered him very well, like Frederick Allen, the business writer for the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Allen benefited because when Grizzard’s column didn’t appear Frederick’s column would be in Grizzard’s space. He didn’t know Grizzard very well until the Democratic convention at which Jimmy Carter was nominated for president in 1976 and then they went out drinking one night and became friends. 

Pete wanted to publish the book well in advance of the March 25th anniversary of Grizzard’s death. Strangely, the 25th anniversary came and went and, the Atlanta Journal Constitution did nothing until months later. [I was rather disgusted by that and so was Pete, just FYI.]

Like me, Pete is a self-published author but [unlike me] he has tremendous talent for marketing. He frequently speaks to Rotarians and Kiwanis Clubbers about his book. [My dad was in both Rotary and Kiwanis, for many years, just fyi.] If you are in the Atlanta area and hear he is going to speak to your group, I urge you to attend. If you are a member of a group that might enjoy having him speak, give him a holler.

 

What is your full name?

Peter Stoddard

Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?

Not sure. Maybe New Zealand. I love right where I am at. Cumming, Forsyth County GA.

What is your favorite movie and why?

Too many to name, but today I recommended a favorite, 1776. 

It combines my favorite topics. The founding of America, patriotism, humor and music. [Note from Dee: I love that movie too!]

What was your least-favorite subject in school when you were a kid?

Typing. But now as a writer I wish I had paid more attention. When I put my mind to it I dictate to text, but I don’t do that often enough.

What was your nickname when you were a kid? 

Several. Chuck, Landoi, Polecat, the Mailman. No one person called me any of those, but a lot of people called me each.

Do you believe in God? 

Profoundly.

What sound or noise do you love? 

Thunderstorms, leaves or snow falling, waterfalls, scuba bubbles, children laughing.  

If you could do anything other than what you do, as a profession, what would it be?  

Travel related to scuba diving with my sons working by my side. We would write about it together. If no one hired us to do it that would be their loss. My sons are far smarter and funnier than I am. Getting them to sit still and write is another thing. That’s where I need to get better at speech to text. I can handle the editing and publishing part. (By the way, if anyone needs Grammarly they need to go back to 6th grade English. https://www.powerthesaurus.org is my favorite tool.)

If heaven exists, what do you think it is like? 

When you arrive you learn absolutely everything at once forever. It will be wonderful. I like to think I do not fear death, but that does not mean I want it to come tomorrow. Life on earth is short, and I have work to do. I hope to help others find God in the remaining time I have.

Do you have siblings? 

Yes, two older brothers.

What is your favorite memory of childhood [something specific]?

Between age 6 & 8 we lived in suburban Boston. I was riveted by colonial history, field trips to Freedom Trail sites and more. Only after we moved to Atlanta did I discover that ancestors on my Mother’s and Father’s side arrived in Boston in the 1630s. They were important people who may have known each other, but few have heard of them. I look forward to meeting them in Heaven, but I want to revive their legacies first.

If you had to choose between one week traveling around the USA by car, or one week traveling around Europe on a train, which would you choose and why? 

Europe by train. I’ve only been to Paris, St Petersburg & Moscow. Those were joyous trips to adopt my youngest son, but they were fraught with tension. I’d want to take both sons with me and be able to relax.

What inspires you? 

God, my sons, intelligent and kind people.

Which holiday do you prefer, Christmas or July 4th? 

Both, but Christmas first. Both from the historic perspective, not the celebration. I dislike home fireworks with a passion. Increasingly Good Friday and Easter are more important than any. Those are the days that changed the world forever.

What project or idea are you most passionate about, right now? 

Lewis Grizzard, family history, saving America and Western civilization from lunacy.

Do you know how to cook? 

A few things very well. Omelets, and I can grill - but who can’t? Good thing I live near a Costco with organic cheap food that requires zero preparation. I love Trader Joe’s. Why Cumming does not have one I do not know.

What is your favorite thing to cook/eat? 

BBQ, filet of sole, oysters, sushi, ribeyes, sauteed spinach, apple pie or caramel cake like my mom used to make, Varsity no more than 4 times a year.

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, for 2-4 weeks, all expenses paid, where would you go and why? 

New Zealand. Beauty, people, no language barrier, scuba diving. But that’s only from 2nd source info.

Who do you love the most in the world?

Oh please! God, my sons, and hopefully a soulmate woman I have yet to meet.

What question has nobody ever asked you, but you wanted to answer? 

Why did it take me so long to find such joy in life by writing?

 

From A Little Red Barn: Twenty Questions With Stacy Williams Shuker Reece

Are you looking for a unique, whimsical, and yet very practical Christmas gift? I invite you to check out Down South House and Home, a wonderful venture run by my friend Stacy Williams Shuker Reece.

A few years ago I interviewed Chuck Reece, editor of The Bitter Southerner. Chuck told me he had just gotten married, to the lovely and talented Stacy Williams Shuker Reece. I have known Chuck since we were both in college at UGA. I have gotten to know Stacy through Chuck, and I am delighted to present an interview with her.

Stacy is an incredibly multi-talented lady. She has a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry, and she has been on staff at the Medical College of Georgia. For the past two years, she has run a great business called Down South House and Home, with all the products being made in a tiny red barn in her backyard. The Down South products are unique because they reflect the way we talk here in the South, and most of them are also whimsical and humorous.

Chuck and Stacy share a beautiful older home, about 15 minutes from me, in Clarkston Georgia. When I pulled up I didn’t see the red barn and at first I was fearful I might have the wrong address, but pretty soon Stacy came out and hollered. The products on Down South’s website are all made in the tiny red barn, by hand. Stacy screen prints the designs onto towels, tote bags, aprons, and tee shirts. [See photos below]

Originally from the Watkinsville, Georgia area, in her PC [pre-Chuck] life, Stacy was with the Georgia Department of Economic Development as the Director of the Center of Innovation for Life Sciences. She has long been a mentor for small businesses, recognizing early on that social media is a powerful tool for raising awareness and driving sales. She now volunteers with Emory University to help refugees start small businesses. (Clarkston is a fascinating Atlanta community and it has the largest refugee population in the US.)

I sat down with Stacy and she told me about starting her business. “We moved out to Clarkston and there was this red barn in the back yard. I wanted to start working on products we could make that were southern related.”

When her business was in its infancy, a couple of years ago, I had great fun coming up with phrases or “southernisms” that might look fun on the towels, [the Fixin’ to Eat towel was my suggestion].

She does all the screen printing. “It’s a little bit of art and a little bit of science.” Stacy isn’t a classic artist but she has an incredible eye for designs that are appealing.

Building her own business gives her a great appreciation for the challenges faced by all small business owners. “I’m still in the process of growing the business. When I started the social media thing, building awareness, that was a slog. Now things are picking up.”

Building an online business isn’t easy. There are lots of moving parts. Building customer goodwill is critical. “For people to order online, they need to be able to trust you,” Stacy explains. Presentation matters. Things like high-quality photographs are important. Stacy bought a new camera not long ago and she has been photographing her merchandise herself, which is a testament to ingenuity and creativity. “I’ve improved my photography since the beginning of the year, and hopefully will get better,” Stacy notes. “If you can take better photos, people feel like they can trust you more. It looks more professional. It looks like you know what you’re doing.”

Stacy feels her dishtowels are great gifts. “People get really attached to dishtowels. My mother used to have those calendars on dishtowels. Dishtowels are useful. I want to make good quality towels, with designs that stay on.”

“What I really hope happens with my towels is that people get them dirty making memories.”

There are two types of towels, the workhorse and fancy pants. The workhorse dries quickly when it gets wet. “It’s great to have in the kitchen. The more you wash it the better it gets.” The fancy pants is heavier, and is easier to iron.

Stacy has big plans for her business, but she’s taking things one step at a time. For 2019, she notes, “I’m going to be working on some botanicals and some stuff for spring.”

I can’t wait to see what comes next!

 

What is your full name?

My full name is Stacy Alayne Williams Shuker Reece. My first husband passed away, and I decided to keep his name (Shuker) because his daughters stayed in my life.

Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?

I would live in Athens. I love Athens. I’m from Watkinsville [which is near Athens]. Athens is so chill. There’s no place like it.

What is your favorite movie and why?

My favorite movie is Auntie Mame. [The version with Rosalind Russell]The reason I like it is she just lives life fully – “Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death” Auntie Mame says famously.

What was your least-favorite subject in school when you were a kid? Social Studies. I love math & science.

What was your nickname when you were a kid? Stacy Bug. I guess I was cute as a bug.

Do you believe in God? Yes.

What sound or noise do you love? My favorite noise is rain on a tin roof.

If you could do anything other than what you do, as a profession, what would it be?

I would either be an archaeologist, a historian, or a gardener. I love gardening. My mother is a master gardener. My grandmother was a big-time gardener and she had amazing ferns on her front porch. Our family has been in Heard County since the 1820’s. My family came to Georgia right before the revolution and fought in a Georgia regiment over near Augusta. Then they spent the next hundred years moving until they found the poorest patch in the state of Georgia and stayed there. My grandmother lived way out in the county but every year she would get ferns – she used Epsom salts and the fronds grew to 3 feet long. [Stacy pointed out a similarly impressive fern she grew on her sunporch.]

If heaven exists, what do you think it is like?

I think it would be a place of grace and forgiveness, with lots of flowers and birds, and hopefully something interesting to do – something more than just choir practice.

Do you have siblings? I have a younger brother.

What is your favorite memory of childhood [something specific]?

My favorite memory is going to my grandparents’ home. My grandfather was a pig and cattle farmer. He was one of the first people to have a concrete hog parlor. He put it on the side of a ravine. He would wash the hogs and the runoff created the richest dirt in Heard County.. He had this old World War II Willis Jeep, and he would put it in first gear and we would ride around in circles in the cow pasture, over and over again. I had cousins all the same age. It was great because we would stay out of everybody’s hair and we learned how to drive.

If you had to choose between one week traveling around the USA by car, or one week traveling around Europe on a train, which would you choose and why?

I think I’d like to travel around Europe and visit all of the major architectural sites and all of the scientific history sites. Twenty years ago I went to Florence and we saw all these religious paintings and that got old. I insisted that we go to the Museum of Science and they had some really wonderful ancient scientific equipment. They had Galileo’s finger there. Galileo was killed for his beliefs. Some of his followers hid his body and they cut off one of his fingers as a relic. That was my favorite part – seeing his finger.

What inspires you?

I love learning new things. With screen printing, there’s always something new to learn. My technique has gotten better. A year ago I could not have done the Brer Rabbit designs because they were just too fine.

Which holiday do you prefer, Christmas or July 4th?

I think I like Christmas more than 4^th of July. My grandmother used to have a big 4^th of July every year, though, a barbeque. I loved that.

What project or idea are you most passionate about, right now?

Clarkston has got lots of refugees. Emory is doing an entrepreneurship program [microbusinesses] helping families learn how to do business plans. So I’m going to be mentoring refugees.

Do you know how to cook?

Sort of. My mother got me this book – Julia Child’s book, The French Chef. If you look on YouTube you can see the episodes where she actually cooks these recipes. What’s great about this is that you don’t need a food processor. You need a knife, maybe a box grater – and you can cook French food. I learned how to make Coq Au Vin and French bread.

What is your favorite thing to cook/eat?

My favorite thing to cook is fried chicken, and I can do buttermilk biscuits. Chuck said those are the two things he never could do. When I made him fried chicken and biscuits I think it kind of sealed the deal.

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, for 2-4 weeks, all expenses paid, where would you go and why?

I would go to the Galapagos Islands, where Darwin started his Theory of Evolution.

Who do you love the most in the world?

My husband – Chuck is the love of my life -- with my mother as a very close second.

What question has nobody ever asked you, but you wanted to answer? [Stacy couldn’t think of one.]

Twenty Questions With Erika Fields

I am always delighted to learn more about my neighbors and the fascinating  creative things they do. Erika Fields is my neighbor down the street and until recently I knew primarily that she has two adorable little boys and a dog similar to my Lola, and was a baking hobbyist, producing amazing custom cakes and desserts. I didn’t realize it is a serious full-time job and she is an amazing artist.

In 2017, Erika started Confections of a Corporate Mom, and now she has retired from corporate life and bakes full time. Erika makes a lot of kids’ birthday cakes and cakes for events like wedding showers or small scale special occasions [unlike my friend Jenean who makes primarily high end wedding cakes over at Carlton’s Cakes]. 

I started following Erika on Facebook recently, marveling at the amazing cakes she produces.

RIGHT -- a vanilla funfetti cake with vanilla bean buttercream

BELOW -- This is a cake for a 9 year old's birthday. It's Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Bean Buttercream

 

Like Jenean, Erika takes pride in producing cakes from organic and premium ingredients. Many bakeries use mixes and their cakes simply don’t taste as good as those made with, for instance, premium butter and organic eggs.

Erika got started like many bakers, making a birthday cake for her oldest son’s first birthday, 8 ½ years ago.

Erika loves to branch out, and cakes aren’t her only specialty. She also makes cupcakes, pies and cookies for special occasions, like a friend’s recent book signing. “It wasn’t just thirty people around a cake, it was hundreds of people enjoying what I made,” she recalls.

Paint your own cookies are a big hit with kids. “My kids always loved the books that have the squares of color at the top, and you just take your paintbrush, dip it in water, and color the picture. I found a woman on Etsy who makes paint your own cookies stencils. They are huge hits. The cookies are vanilla bean sugar cookies. I’ve got dozens of designs. The cookies each come in a bag with a paintbrush and instructions.” She will do cookies or dessert tables for parties as well as cakes. 

“My favorite cake so far is the Ninjago cake I made for my son [see below]. It was my first gravity cake. That’s a cake that looks like it should not be standing. It spun around. It was Kai from Ninjago, the fire ninja. It spun like a tornado, had fire on the top. It was amazing.” She was so amused by the store clerks at the hardware store following her around, demanding to know what she was building – a cake, she replied, loving their reactions. There’s a short video of the cake on Erika’s Facebook page. [see photo below]

There’s a shop in Decatur that helps her build things. She loves cakes that spin, or have lights, or that move. She recently did a turtle cake that moves.

“Right now I have a mom that said ‘I have a two hundred dollar budget for a cake. Here’s the theme. Go nuts.’ I love that creative freedom,” Erika says.

Most people pick up their cakes, but she will deliver, especially the multi-tiered cakes.

One of her favorite cakes was made for a little girl who couldn’t decide on her party theme – it was between princess and black panther. The little girl loved it. [You can see the cake here.]”It was so much fun. The little girl saw it and she just squealed.”

She makes vegan cakes and cakes for any special dietary need except nut allergies, because she can’t guarantee her pans meet safety standards for nut allergies.

Although she loves making specialty cakes, Erika is also looking for restaurant clients who might want to outsource their desserts. She uses locally sourced organic ingredients and would welcome the opportunity to supply desserts to a restaurant with patrons that would appreciate the passion of a cake artist.

It was great fun talking to Erika and learning more about her business.

ABOVE -- Erika in her workshop

 

What is your full name?

Erika A. Fields

Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?

I’d like to say Cape Cod, where I grew up. It’s idyllic, my family is still there. But I’m really very happy in Atlanta, I’ve been here for 14 years – I love it. Where we live now reminds me a lot of home. Our house backs up to the woods and a creek, we have coyotes and hawks, falcons and rabbits, and not a sound at night. Not what you’d expect when you think of “Atlanta”.

What is your favorite movie and why?

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I loved it as a child, the over-the-top world Wonka created left my taste buds tingling and my imagination buzzing. To create something that brings so much joy to kids, is there anything better? That’s why I do what I do, when a child sees his garbage truck cake (that his mother couldn’t really understand but ran with it anyway, because that’s what moms do) with glowing headlights and chocolate banana peels, and he lets out that squeal! Oh man, Yes! Wonka was able to build a business, bring some joy and sweetness into the world, and embrace his creative nature? He had it made.

What was your least-favorite subject in school when you were a kid?

History. I cannot remember dates to save my life. Thank goodness for iCalendar and Facebook birthday reminders! Ironically my husband is a living historian, he can tell you anything you’d like to know about the Civil War. I’m so jealous.

What was your nickname when you were a kid?

Kiki. I’m not certain how that started, but that’s what everyone called me.

Do you believe in God?

With all my heart. I also believe in karma -- how we treat others is everything.

What sound or noise do you love?

The wind off the ocean. I grew up sailing, so the sound of the beach immediately calms my soul.

If you could do anything other than what you do, as a profession, what would it be?  

I’ve just started doing it J I worked in corporate finance for 14 years. I learned so much about running a small business, and all of the small details that go into long-term success. I learned the ins and outs of taxes, payroll, cost accounting, HR, compliance work. All of the “boring” foundation you need to make sure you start a business properly.

I’ve been so lucky to have the support of an amazing consortium of moms in our area to help get us started. Life is sweet!

If heaven exists, what do you think it is like?

I think it’s all of your family and friends. People come and go but no one is more than a thought away.

Do you have siblings?

I do, a younger brother. We were both adopted by the two best parents I could ask for. Mark is one of the most amazing people I’ve ever known, people are simply better people for having met him. I have so many awesome stories about him, he’s just one of those truly special people who makes the world nicer without even thinking about it.

What is your favorite memory of childhood [something specific]?

Growing up, we went to Disney every year. It was the highlight of our summer. As I aged, teenage moodiness started to take hold. At a particularly grumpy lunch, my father, at the end of his rope, told me to stop being a “B word”. I cried, hysterically. It was the first time my dad had really called me out (and I absolutely had it coming).

I sulked until we went to our next activity, a movie studio (reminiscent of Double Dare). Everyone sat down and the announcer asked if there were any kids in the audience who weren’t happy with their parent. My hand shot up before he finished his question!! He called me to the stage and asked which parent needed to come down, I said my dad. The announcer made my dad put on these hysterical clown pants, complete with a hoola hoop waistband. I took my place behind a giant slingshot with a bucket of rubber chickens and it was my job to make my dad run around and try to catch said chickens in his clown pants. It was the funniest experience ever, and so perfectly timed. J We all left with smiles on our faces, my dad and I had forgiven each other and the rest of the trip went off without a hitch.

If you had to choose between one week traveling around the USA by car, or one week traveling around Europe on a train, which would you choose and why?

Europe by train. I fall asleep too easily in cars, I’m a terrible car trip companion, unless you’re looking for peace and quiet. Plus there’s something so nostalgic about traveling by train. You feel more grounded, more connected to the countryside.

What inspires you?

My kids. They challenge me every day to look at things differently. With my cakes, they’re my biggest quality control critics J The majority of my cakes are for children, so they’ll let me know if they think Pikachu’s color needs to be adjusted, or if the Lego figures look good together.

Which holiday do you prefer, Christmas or July 4th?

Can I say Halloween? J j/k But to stick with these choices, I would say the 4^th of July. We always spend it on Cape Cod, it’s the best place in the world to watch fireworks. You can see dozens of simultaneous firework shows, from Harwich to Provincetown. Wondering which way to look may give you a crick in your neck, but it’s gorgeous to watch!

What project or idea are you most passionate about, right now?

Growing my bakery. I have been so fortunate to be able to dedicate my time to this new venture. I like to make my desserts as personal as possible. So yes, I’d love to make your balloon cake, but I’d love a picture of your family so I can make the silhouettes holding the balloons look like you!

I’m also trying to figure out some basic mechanical engineering, which has been a challenge. If you want a simple cake, I’m probably not your cake lady. Want a cake that spins? Lights up? Moves? Let’s talk! When clients embrace your creative freedom, it’s amazing what I can come up with!

Do you know how to cook?

I love to cook. Baking is my passion but I can definitely hold my own when it comes to preparing dinner.

What is your favorite thing to cook/eat?

My favorite thing to cook would be lasagna. I have food allergies, so I can never eat premade lasagna. I’ve come up with an awesome recipe, and when the whole family sits down to enjoy a one-pot (minimal mess) meal? Life is going to be ok!

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, for 2-4 weeks, all expenses paid, where would you go and why?

Seville, Spain. I went in high school and we traveled all around Spain, but we spent a few days in Seville and I fell in love. It was so gorgeous. The hills, courtyards, churches. I’d hop on a plane right now!

Who do you love the most in the world?

My husband and sons. Our kids just spent a week at Grandparents’ Camp. It was so much harder than I thought it would be. I already cry at “off-to-college” commercials, I have a handful of years before that starts but oh, the feelings...

What question has nobody ever asked you, but you wanted to answer?

How many teeth do mosquitoes have?

Twenty Questions With Teresa Smithmyer of Bulls Bay Saltworks

Teresa Smithmyer loves the deep South, and it’s not because she was born or raised here. Living in McClellanville, she is outside of but near Charleston, South Carolina. Teresa gets to experience the rural south, but she can head into Charleston for more urban/cultural activities. She often participates in food gatherings and festivals, promoting the line of smoked salts she makes at Bulls Bay Saltworks.

Teresa was born in Papua, New Guinea, to parents working with Catholic missionaries. Her dad is an electrical engineer and her mom is a nurse. Although her early years were spent in New Guinea, most of her childhood was spent in Maryland. 

Before harvesting salt from the sea, Teresa spent her professional life working in the tourism industry. She lived in between Florida and Alaska, seasonally for 8 years, and hiked and kayaked through the everglades. In southeast Alaska she worked as a river rafting guide for a company that took cruise ship passengers out for the day and lived in the small town of Haines.

When Teresa and her husband were searching for a place to move, years ago, they felt the southeast offered the best proximity to water and family, and they liked the climate.

“When we first moved here in 2011, I was growing vegetables and selling them to a small CSA and to a couple of restaurants around Charleston. We raised chickens, rabbits, and hogs, just for ourselves. Part of the impetus behind that was to grow as much of our own food as we could. I hadn’t been eating meat for many years because I don’t want to support factory farming. Part of that includes taking them to the slaughterhouse. We decided if we could raise a couple of our own hogs and process them ourselves we would feel good about that meat. Once we had the first hog butchered I wanted to have a gathering of people from the community that bought vegetables from me. In the spring of 2012, we invited everyone we knew and said bring a chair, friends and a dish. We collected some sea water from the bay to brine the hog with, for ten hours. We had some sea water left over. We thought well, why don’t we try to boil this water, and season the hog as it cooks. So we boiled about 5 gallons of water, and got salt. We smoked the hog for about 12 hours. The smoke made its way into the salt, so we took that smoked salt and put it on the table. People were taking spoonfuls of it and asking if they could take some home, and if we would make more and sell it. We thought, that was kind of easy. We should try it again.”

That was the beginning of Bulls Bay Saltworks. [To learn more, read here.]

Business at Bulls Bay is brisk. They sold out of their inventory over Christmas, so they are not encouraging sales right now. However, the business is expanding and very soon they will have plenty of product.

She is a friend of my buddy Jon Jackson at Comfort Farms. “Jon and I met at a boucherie in Wadmalaw last October.” [As you may know, I've written about Comfort Farms. Now I am making a documentary about Comfort Farms .]

Great food, grown and harvested responsibly, is important to Teresa.

It was delightful to talk to Teresa and learn more about her and about her unique business.

 

What is your full name? Teresa Smithmyer [she just got divorced but her ex is still a part owner of the business]

Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world? I’m pretty happy here. I love the southeastern United States. I’ve travelled to every state except Hawaii. The last time I was looking to move, I missed the culture and the heat from this region. Charleston really stuck out in my mind from travelling here years before. I was looking at places close to a city but not one in one, and also as close to the coast as possible. I actually live in McClellanville, which is about 36 miles from downtown. It’s perfect because I can pop into the city really easily any time, but retreat back into country life.

What is your favorite movie and why? I don’t have a TV. I don’t watch a ton of movies. My current favorite is a documentary called The Eagle Huntress. I thought it was wonderful.

What was your least-favorite subject in school when you were a kid? Math.

What was your nickname when you were a kid? My brothers and sisters call me Tee.

Do you believe in God? I don’t believe in a Christian God but I do believe in a higher power.

What sound or noise do you love? I love the sound of the ocean waves crashing. That’s kind of my favorite place, when you need to decompress. That’s where I go to reset. Although I live two miles from the water it is all barrier islands so the closest beach for me is Isle of Palms.

If you could do anything other than what you do, as a profession, what would it be?  I would probably be a travel writer.

If heaven exists, what do you think it is like? I don’t believe in heaven or hell, but I do believe that our energy goes somewhere collectively.

Do you have siblings? I have 5 sisters and 2 brothers. One of my sisters was adopted from South Korea.

What is your favorite memory of childhood [something specific]? Going to my uncle’s farm in Pennsylvania every summer and spending time with my cousins – taking care of the farm animals and milking the cows and exercising the pigs…for 4H shows

If you had to choose between one week traveling around the USA by car, or one week traveling around Europe on a train, which would you choose and why? I would travel around Europe on a train because that’s not something I’ve done before. I’ve traveled across country in a car more than eight times.

What inspires you? Other people’s passions inspire me, I think. At this age in my life (42) it’s fascinating to me to talk to other people who are really passionate about what they do and to be able to have deep connections around those conversations.

Which holiday do you prefer, Christmas or July 4th? I would say I don’t like the commercialization of Christmas but I would choose Christmas because it’s such a time of wonderful family gatherings.

What project or idea are you most passionate about, right now? I’m consumed with this expansion of the business right now and I wish I had time to pursue small pleasures. That sounds terrible but true. Sometimes you just have to double time it to get on to the next stage. This has been a project for 8 months. We just bought an acre next door and the business is expanding.

Do you know how to cook? I love to cook. I’m okay at it.

What is your favorite thing to cook/eat? I love to cook Asian dishes, particularly Thai or Vietnamese.

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, for 2-4 weeks, all expenses paid, where would you go and why? I would go to Papua New Guinea because I was born there, and I’ve never been there as an adult. If all expenses were paid I could have a really good travel guide which is kind of necessary in that region. My parents went as part of a Catholic mission. My Dad worked as a teacher and Mom was a nurse. They lived there a little over 5 years and one of my brothers was also born there. My parents moved there with a 4 and a 5 year old.

What question has nobody ever asked you, but you wanted to answer? Do you want to run away with me? I just think that that’s a dreamy romantic thing..

Twenty Questions With Art Black

A few years ago I was contacted by a writer in  Alabama who was interested in my grandfather Bob Hasty's experiences playing for the Birmingham Barons from about 1928-31. While he was there, the Barons went to what was basically the World Series of baseball in the south, at that time, the 1931 Dixie League championship. Papa pitched in that, against a young Dizzy Dean.

The writer, Art Black, and I corresponded a lot by email and eventually he let me know his book was published. It's a beautiful book, well researched, Showdown at Rickwood. Here's more about it: "The dramatic 1931 Dixie Series between the Birmingham Barons and the Houston Buffaloes serves as the backdrop of the newly published book Showdown at Rickwood. Written by local author Art Black, the book focuses not only baseball culture in the Magic City, but explores as well the social and economic climate of the Birmingham district as it was evolving into a major industrial center during the early decades of the 20th century. Through World War I, the Roaring Twenties, and the onset of the Great Depression, Birmingham and its citizens weathered the turbulence of national and international events. In the midst of this unrest, many found respite in the calming rhythms of the national pastime." [from the press release]

I wanted to interview Art Black about his book and his fascination with baseball history. He's a fascinating guy, and an excellent researcher and writer. Although now retired, he has been a technical writer and a sports information writer for Furman University and Wofford College in South Carolina. This is his first book, and it represents 6 1/2 years of meticulous (and sometimes tedious) research and writing. He looked through microfilm for many hours to learn the facts presented in the book.

However, I want to emphasize that Showdown at Rickwood is also about a period of time in American history and the history of Birmingham [Alabama]. Art explains, "My idea about the book was to make it more about the people, and not a year-by-year, game-by-game kind of thing. I think that's what people like, to feel invested in the characters."

Personal stories abound in the book, and they are fascinating.

 

What got you interested in The Birmingham Barons?

As a teen, in the late 1960s, early 70s, I loved going to games at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama.  It is now America’s oldest ball park.  Before I was old enough to drive, I had to beg someone to take me to games – a next-door neighbor, my father, or grandfather.  After I got my driver’s license, I usually went by myself. 

What got you interested in writing Showdown at Rickwood? [click on the link for purchase information]

They celebrated Rickwood Field’s 100^th birthday with an event in August 2010.  Allen Barra, a noted writer and author, had just published a book about Rickwood Field, and I wanted to meet him.  I told Allen I wanted to write a book about Rickwood.  He said, “There’s one book still out there – the industrial leagues.”  Back in the 1910s, 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s, baseball was THE sport in America and vital to the social and cultural life of every city.  Companies, large and small, had baseball teams for their employees to play on.  There were leagues of these teams, and the industrial league games were written up in the newspaper.  I think that’s fine, but it’s not what I wanted to write a book about.  Days after I met Allen Barra, I began looking at newspaper microfilm in the library, beginning with 1950 and going further back in time.  I said to myself: If I go back to the 1930s, the newspaper won’t have much coverage about baseball, but it did.  Then I said, If I go back to 1912, they won’t have much coverage.  But you know what?  They did.  It seemed the further back I went, the better the coverage.

Were you able to speak with anyone who attended any of those games?

I interviewed the Birmingham Barons batboy from 1950, but that story is on the cutting room floor.  A year after I interviewed him, I refined the time period of my book to cover the years 1910 to 1931.  I’ll include the batboy in the next book, as I move ahead in time.

What was the hardest part of writing the book?

The tedium.  I scrolled through newspaper microfilm, day by day, page by page, year by year, of two newspapers for my time period, 1910-1931, not just looking at sports but looking at national news, local news, editorials, letters to the editor.  I spent thousands of hours looking at microfilm.  Some days I didn’t take a single note.  On days that I found a gem of information – something I could use – it was all worthwhile.  The project - researching, writing, editing, and laying out the book - took six-and-a-half years.

Do you know anyone on the current Birmingham Barons roster?

No, I do not.  I don’t go to games much anymore.  I’m busy being productive in other ways.

Now that Showdown at Rickwood is finished, what’s your next project?

Over the past two years, as we edited and laid out the book, I never stopped researching.  Presently, I’m 15 years beyond my time period of 1910-1931, still looking at microfilm.  I intend to research through the 1950s and cover the 30 or 40 years after the time period of my present book.  Think about this: I have read in newspapers of the day about the sinking of the Titanic, World War I, the Roaring Twenties, Lindbergh flying across the Atlantic - a huge event, by the way, the stock market crash, the Great Depression, and World War II.  Unfortunately, one can’t read every story he comes across.  You’d get diverted from your main objective, which is searching for information to help you write the book.

The best way to buy the book?

Go to the website, [link]. You can email Art at [email protected] for an autographed copy.

 

THE STANDARD TWENTY QUESTIONS

What is your full name?

Arthur King Black, Jr.

Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?

I’m happy where I am. I’ve decided that writing my next book is how I will live out my life, and I can’t research the topic living in another city.  If you forced me to answer your question, I’d say New York.  I might get tired of the hustle and bustle, but I’d like to give it a try.

What is your favorite movie and why?

I would go back to around 1980 and the movie “10.”  Bo Derek was beautiful.  Also from the time period, the Peter Sellers’ movie, “Being There,” because of its subtle humor, and a few years later, “Hoosiers,” a truly inspirational movie.

What was your least-favorite subject in school when you were a kid?

Math.  Doesn’t everyone say that?  I chose the liberal arts college I attended partly because it didn’t have a math requirement, if you can believe a college didn’t require you to take math.

What was your nickname when you were a kid?  I didn’t have one.  My name is Art, short for Arthur. When I played little league baseball, people in the stands yelled: “Come on, Artie, get a hit!”  I hated that nickname.

Do you believe in God? 

Someone’s watching over us.

What sound or noise do you love?

The purring and the mewing of a cat.

If you could do anything other than what you do, as a profession, what would it be? 

I admire truly intelligent people – for instance, the great scientists or the mathematicians, the people who have changed the world.  I would love to have been an astronaut, the first person to go to the moon.

If heaven exists, what do you think it is like?

Here’s what I hope: that we’ll be with our family members once again - parents and grandparents - when we were all young and vibrant.

Do you have siblings?

My mother had six children in nine years, three boys and three girls.

What is your favorite memory of childhood?

Collecting baseball cards and opening the package to find my first Mickey Mantle while visiting my grandmother in South Carolina, the summer of 1961.

If you had to choose between one week traveling around the USA by car, or one week traveling around Europe on a train, which would you choose and why?

Traveling Europe by train – all the history you’d see while someone else does the driving.

What inspires you?

Getting up every day at 4 o’clock in the morning and going to the gym, before the rest of the world wakes up, knowing I’ve done something good for myself, and the good feeling I have when the workout is over.

What project or idea are you most passionate about, right now?

Writing my next book.  It’s my life at the moment.  There’s so much to do and so little time to do it.

Do you know how to cook?

I know enough to prepare vegetables and rice to go with my meal.  I usually fix baked chicken, fish, or a frozen entrée, along with the vegetables. 

What is your favorite thing to cook/eat?

Turkey or anything Italian.  As a dessert, anything chocolate.

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, for 2-4 weeks, all expenses paid, where would you go and why?

I don’t have a desire to go anywhere at this stage of my life.  I guess I’m becoming a homebody in my old age.  Sad, isn’t it?

What question has nobody ever asked you, but you wanted to answer?

If you want something related to the book, then “Why did you write the book?”  My answer is: Not to sell books and not to make money.  It was something more personal.  I wanted to preserve the neat old stories that are in the book before they are lost to the dustbin of history.  As a corollary, I wanted to leave something behind after I’m gone.

Twenty Questions With Robert Evans Wilson, Jr.

A few years ago I was looking for work and my cousin Bebe suggested I get in touch with an old friend of hers, Rob Wilson. He basically needed someone to help him book speaking engagements, and I gave it a try but I wasn’t very good at it. Rob is often asked to do motivational speaking – check out Jump Start Your Meeting. We stayed in touch, and I marveled at his postings on Facebook because Rob is not only a speaker but a busy writer. Check out his Amazon page and you will see listings for his many books. His newest book is …And Never Coming Back.

Rob is also very funny. Rarely have I ever laughed so much as I did when we chatted about this column. He missed his calling to be a comedian!

Writing and speaking are not his only talents. Rob has worked in advertising for many years, (check out his website) and he also teaches advertising. He’s also worked in Sales, waited tables, run a clothing business, and during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics he turned his home into a successful B&B.

I always enjoy reading Rob’s columns in Psychology Today. For example, Nobody Wants You to be Creative. Having worked in corporate America for 8 long years in a cubicle, I can promise you this is a very honest piece of writing.

If you want to see Rob in action, check out his YouTube Channel.

He was my most delightful Twenty Questions interview yet. Thanks, Rob!

THE STANDARD TWENTY QUESTIONS

What is your full name? Robert Evans Wilson Jr.

Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world? In the country somewhere.

What is your favorite movie and why? Dead Poets Society – I’m all about creativity and achievement and doing things differently. It resonated with me on a deep level.

What was your least-favorite subject in school when you were a kid? Math – I was good at it but it was so boring. I would create little games in my mind to make it interesting.

What was your nickname when you were a kid? Bobby

Do you believe in God? I was very religious growing up then my father died and I became an atheist until I had children. I am more spiritual than religious. I do believe in a higher power.

What sound or noise do you love? music

If you could do anything other than what you do, as a profession, what would it be?  I would do nothing but write fiction; that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. I never felt like I had the time for it.

If heaven exists, what do you think it is like? I don’t know

Do you have siblings? One sister. I am very close to her. She is an awesome person.

What is your favorite memory of childhood [something specific]? Playing tag with a bunch of kids. I loved to do that when I was little.

If you had to choose between one week traveling around the USA by car, or one week traveling around Europe on a train, which would you choose and why? I’d probably do the Europe one because I’ve never really been out of the country. I’ve been to Canada and Tijuana. I was invited to speak in London and I didn’t do it, which I regret. I did get to Honolulu for 4 days on a speaking gig.

What inspires you? injustice

Which holiday do you prefer, Christmas or July 4th? July 4^th, less stressful

What project or idea are you most passionate about, right now? I don’t have anything I’m really passionate about right now. I wish I had a novel I was working on, because that would be a passion.

Do you know how to cook? I’m pretty good cook.

What is your favorite thing to cook/eat? I like fish. I make a pecan encrusted blackened fish. I have a few recipes I’ve put together over the years.

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, for 2-4 weeks, all expenses paid, where would you go and why? Probably I would like to go to England. My ancestors came out of there.

Who do you love the most in the world? My children

What question has nobody ever asked you, but you wanted to answer?  Can't think of one.

Twenty Questions With Jane Riddick-Fries

A couple of months ago I saw a position advertised for a marketer for a company in Virginia, FERIDIES. I Googled their website and enjoyed reading their story, even though I decided not to apply for the position. I am always fascinated by family businesses – especially ones that thrive for decades.

The Riddick family started refinishing furniture in 1973 in the back of a turn of the century country store and opened a gift shop up front, and the business evolved into what it is today, a seller of all kinds of delicious goodies, from gourmet peanuts and trail mixes to specialty foods. I love peanuts. I actually crave them. I ordered some of the FERIDIES butter toffee peanuts and they were insanely good.

The business started in 1973. Jane’s father, mother and aunt were school teachers and along with Jane’s uncle, a twin to her dad…the four decided to refinish furniture to help supplement their income.  They decided to put a gift shop in the front of the building. They needed a person up front to accept furniture while they worked in the back. The gift shop only contained products on consignment.  Jane tells the story. “We’re in the heart of Southampton County which, at the time, in 1973 was the largest peanut producing county in the country. We were literally out in the country (We’re about 30 minutes from Suffolk, the nearest town of any size.) and there weren’t a lot of places to get peanuts. You would see a lot of peanut fields but you couldn’t find a place to purchase them. We actually ended up selling a competitor’s peanuts along with peanut butter fudge, peanut brittle, and some other things that local people made. You couldn’t do that today with all of the government regulations.”

They started in a building in downtown Courtland, Virginia, the county seat. Once they started roasting their own peanuts under the name The Peanut Patch, the business really grew.

Jane and her sister grew up and went to college, got married, and moved away. In 2000, their parents called and said they were going to sell the business if the girls didn’t want to come home and run it. The sisters and their husbands decided to quit their jobs and move home and work together. Jane and her husband owned a gift shop in Canaan Valley, West Virginia and Jane’s husband was a ski instructor.

Jane’s Dad passed away ten years ago, but her mother is still very active and still works at their gift shop, The Peanut Patch. The business has changed and evolved over the years. A few years ago they moved from downtown Courtland to Rt. 58 highway because the town was bypassed by a new road and the small town has almost become a ghost town. In 2005 they changed their name and packaging of their brand of peanuts from The Peanut Patch to FERIDIES and in 2007 they built a new manufacturing facility.

It was delightful talking to Jane and learning more about FERIDIES – the name is a combination of several different last names in Jane’s family.If you like not only peanuts but all kinds of gourmet goodies I urge you visit the FERIDIES  website. They have gourmet nuts, trail mixes, Virginia ham, cheese straws, sweet potato biscuits, and more. Excellent Christmas gifts and/or business gifts.

THE STANDARD TWENTY QUESTIONS

What is your full name? Jane Riddick-Fries [pronounced freeze]

Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world? Extremely tough question.. My husband loves the cold and I love the beach!  Neither of us likes to live in the city…although we enjoy visiting large cities and enjoying all they have to offer, we prefer living in the countryside. …less traffic and fresh air.  We love to travel and do that as much as possible, but right now,  I don’t’ have passion to be anywhere else.

What is your favorite movie and why?   I don’t necessarily have a favorite movie but I loved the Lion King…as a movie and on Broadway.  The music and story are inspiring.

What was your least-favorite subject in school when you were a kid? Math. I don’t do that part of our business. I do marketing and sales. [laughs]

What was your nickname when you were a kid? “Mouth” when I was in high school. I liked to talk.

Do you believe in God?  Yes

What sound or noise do you love? The ocean

If you could do anything other than what you do, as a profession, what would it be?  Teach yoga. I’m also a blackbelt in karate so I’d own my own yoga/karate studio. Yoga’s not about judgment. It’s about doing what’s best for your body.

If heaven exists, what do you think it is like? Light, funny, blue and I think it has all of those people that have been in our life, hopefully we all come back together again and enjoy the peace.

Do you have siblings? One sister, 3 years younger, Alice – she handles the catalog and website and retail aspect, direct to consumer side of our business.  We are very close. I am fortunate to watch her children grow up.

What is your favorite memory of childhood [something specific]? Going to cut down our own Christmas trees – my dad and a friend had a Christmas tree farm.

If you had to choose between one week traveling around the USA by car, or one week traveling around Europe on a train, which would you choose and why? USA by car. I was on the train this summer to New York, it takes forever – lots of stops.

What inspires you?  I teach yoga and for the past two weeks I’ve had a lady in her mid 70’s who’s had a hip replacement and has COPD. When she first came to my class she needed a chair. She came last night and went through the whole class doing what she could. Her courage inspired me. I hope at her age I will still be trying to get down on the floor and do yoga poses. Strong people inspire me. Positive people inspire me.

Which holiday do you prefer, Christmas or July 4th?  My business prefers Christmas. Most of our business happens during this time of year.  It’s challenging for my family because we work long hours – but I do love Christmas because it’s also family time. July 4th – personally, I get the day off and get to relax!

What project or idea are you most passionate about, right now? I just recently got my yoga certification [to teach] so right now I’m passionate about that.

Do you know how to cook? No – my mom was a home economics teacher and it just about kills her that my sister and I do not cook.  But my husband was a former chef so he does all the cooking. It’s something I have no passion and no patience.  I like to eat.

What is your favorite thing to cook/eat? My favorite food is crabmeat. I eat peanuts every day, though.

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, for 2-4 weeks, all expenses paid, where would you go and why? Italy -- because I’ve never been there. I love different cultures and talking to people with different points of view, and I like warmer weather. I would also visit all of our national parks.

Who do you love the most in the world? My husband – he’s my rock. My family is also my rock.

What question has nobody ever asked you, but you wanted to answer?   If you won the million dollar lottery today, what would you do?    I think it would be such an awesome feeling to have so much money to share.  I would continue to work but also open up my own yoga/karate studio…Yin Yang.  I would pay off all my families debt including the business debt and pay for my sisters children’s college.  I would donate to Hope For The Warriors, which is an organization that helps injured veterans and their families. (We actually donate a $1.00 from the sale of our 18oz can of Hope for the Warriors salted peanuts to this group who does awesome things and has a 4 star rating. We have family who have served or are still serving in all branches of the military). I would donate to our church as well.  My husband and I would travel around the country and the rest of the world. I would put some in savings for retirement and spoil our nieces and nephews.

Jane

 

Right - Jane's entire family

Twenty Questions With John Seay

I was working on an assignment recently and needed a source to talk about copyright law and I came across the law firm website of Atlanta entertainment law attorney John Seay. John represents a lot of musicians and artists. His practice is [from the website] “100% entertainment, intellectual property, and creative small business law.”

 I knew John was an interesting guy when I saw that his office is located at the Goat Farm Arts Center. The Goat Farm site has been used for an episode of The Walking Dead and was used in the film The Hunger Games Catching Fire. [John says,“The Hunger Games scenes were shot right outside my office –there’s an Atlanta Film tour bus that stops right outside my office window and I’m pretty sure I’ve heard the guides  say that those scenes were shot right there..”]

John became interested in the Goat Farm after visiting clients there, and notes “I’ve become friends with a lot of people here so this kind of feels like my home away from home..”

John was a musician and a music journalist for about ten years before going to law school. He didn’t go to law school until he was 27.  He graduated and spent some time at McKesson Corporation and Turner Broadcasting and 5 years ago before he started his own firm. John works with a lot of musicians but also works with television, film, and theater production companies and TV personalities. “I am essentially a small business lawyer but it just so happens a lot of the businesses are involved in the arts.”

GENERAL QUESTIONS

You were a litigation paralegal for about a year. Is that what made you want to become a lawyer?

Not really. It was more in spite of that. The reason why I wanted to be an attorney and to do entertainment law specifically is I have an arts background and that job I felt would give me some insight and verify the law would be something I wouldn’t hate doing. I learned a lot and I felt it would be a good thing to do before applying to law school. It was working for a big litigation firm, which is pretty different from what I do now.

I notice you also have done some writing for magazines. Is that something you’d like to do more, or is law practice too time-consuming?

It’s too time-consuming for me to do now, unless it’s a marketing tool for the firm, but I love writing and I will always be a writer. The way I’ve kind of found to scratch that itch to write is  by doing blog posts for my website and contributing to online publications, both as a marketing tool.

You’ve got a lot of upcoming speaking engagements. What do you like to talk about, or are you hired to speak on specific topics?

The topic on which I speak most regularly is careers in entertainment law. I had two speaking engagements yesterday on that topic. That’s something I could do in my sleep, by this point.

I’m going to be on a panel at SXSW this year talking about building your team as an artist. I’m excited about that.

I speak on a variety of music-related topics throughout the year in various places.

Are most of your clients musicians, or writer or artists?

It’s probably 70% music, and 25% Film and TV and other little odds and ends for the last 5%. On my website there’s a client page. Some of the bigger names that people may have heard of – Black Kids, the Wilson Pickett Estate, Lee Bains, Lazer/Wulf, Ralo, Mother’s Finest.

If you had a young musician here, someone with real talent, what would you caution them about in regard to the business side of the profession?

I find myself in that situation a lot. Education is a big part of what I do, in my law practice. I would point them to some of the articles I’ve written about collecting royalties for artists, so they feel they’re getting some compensation to encourage them to go forward. The most important things are be smart about your business, work with good people, don’t sign anything without consulting an attorney beforehand. Of course, all of that, even, is secondary to creating good and compelling art.

THE STANDARD TWENTY QUESTIONS

What is your full name?

John Eric Seay

Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?

I love Atlanta, but perhaps Vancouver or Toronto, somewhere up in Canada maybe. My wife and I are going to visit Vancouver next and perhaps go to Banf, which is a national park up there.

What is your favorite movie and why?

Hard to pick just one. I just watched Crimes and Misdemeanors recently and remembered how much I love that one. Blade Runner. Amadeus. I really like High Fidelity. It’s about music and relationships so it instantly appeals to me for those reasons. I like the typical guy movies like Goodfellas and all that stuff... PeeWee’s Big Adventure. I studied film in college so I have soft spot in my heart for Bergman,

Kieslowski, the French New Wave directors. I also like Italian horror films from the ‘70s and ‘80s.

What was your least-favorite subject in school when you were a kid?

Math.

What was your nickname when you were a kid?

I’ve had several throughout my life. I was Johnster and later on Dirty John…

Do you believe in God?

Probably not how most people conceive of it.

What sound or noise do you love?

The sound of a pedal steel guitar, a Hammond organ and as cliché as it may sound, my kids laughing.

If you could do anything other than what you do, as a profession, what would it be? 

I’ve got my dream job but, other than that I could run a record label, I’ve got pretty good ears and business sense, I think.

If heaven exists, what do you think it is like?

I would hope that it’s you reuniting with all the people you were close to and being able to achieve some higher knowledge and peace about your life and the conflicts you may have had… eternal peace and knowledge and comfort.

Do you have siblings?

I have one older brother named Jeff, a professor of Engineering at University of Kentucky.

What is your favorite memory of childhood [something specific]?

When I was a kid my parents would drop off me and some friends at the local swim and tennis club and we’d stay there all day, playing tennis and swimming and eating. It was really a good time. I also vividly remember the hearing of my favorite albums for the first time as a kid. Things like that hit you much harder when you’re younger, I think.

If you had to choose between one week traveling around the USA by car, or one week traveling around Europe on a train, which would you choose and why?

Europe by train, although I’ve done that already. I just love Europe and seeing the culture there. I generally prefer trains to driving. The idea of going to Europe is a little bit more exciting to me although I’ve had interesting experiences traveling around the US too.

What inspires you?

The satisfaction of doing a job well.

Which holiday do you prefer, Christmas or July 4th?

Christmas -- just because it’s time around family.

What project or idea are you most passionate about, right now?

I’m doing a series of articles on artist revenue streams on Immersive ATL – a local online news source for artists -- and I feel passionate about it because it’s a way to educate artists and help them to track down music payments.

Do you know how to cook?

Yes, I love to cook.

What is your favorite thing to cook/eat?

Probably tacos, something Mexican related anyway.

If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, for 2-4 weeks, all expenses paid, where would you go and why?

I would go to Scandinavia. I’ve always wanted to go. I’ve heard it’s beautiful and it’s expensive, so if someone else is footing the bill...

Who do you love the most in the world?

My wife and kids.

What question has nobody ever asked you, but you wanted to answer?

“How do you manage to stay so fit, juggling your family and work obligations?” Would be nice because that would mean I’m back in my pre-kids shape.