https://abackpackerat.blogspot.com/2024/04/the-white-shirt.html

The Charleston wind blew through my porch the day that Stan Foxworthy came to take a photograph of me for the book.  First and foremost, I do not like to sit still for a period of time, and for a photograph.  I would have loved to have had kids with me, or reading, or anything but sitting still and smiling.

The white shirt.  That morning Stan called and said “see you shortly”.  I had on a white shirt, and standing by, my black turtleneck and a bright pink jacket.  Stan a master of light took one look at my porch area, felt the wind blowing through and said – “perfect!”.  “Sit he said”.  And forgetting that I had on this white shirt, well, we started.

So let me explain further.  There is an old southern saying that often as we age,  begin to look like our mothers and take on their visual habits – ie what they would often wear! .

So there I am with a white shirt on, smiling, the wind blowing through -and then I realized that my mother would be amused at best.  She has long since passed away but when I think of her, which is often, I remember her with a white shirt on and her famous dark pants or skirt.  Now she ran a dress shop and could have had any dress or outfit she wanted in any color.  However, she loved the simplicity of a white shirt.

So here is to you, Mama.  Finally writing that book you asked me to do a long time ago.  It’s filled with celebratory stories about young people who attended the Backpack Journalist programming, what they thought about their experience  and where they are today.  To share a quote from a father of on the students:  “My daughter’s experience with the A Backpack Journalist program was impactful…look at where she is today!”

Book release date – August 14, 2024