PORTRAIT OF A WOODCARVER BY BRONNER
SUMMARY:
This articles follows George, a German Catholic living in Huntingburg. The article starts out talking about his wood carving, moves on to several of his stories, details his past and current life and talk about possible explanations behind his carvings' designs.
REACTIONS:
Is every folklore article old and boring? Seriously? Wood carvings? 1980 publication? It was difficult to read this. I didn't care much for the subject, that location is unknown to me and the style of writing made it even more boring. I really hope for something more stimulating soon because the most interesting thing in this article was about the witchcraft.
Q&A:
It mentioned George was preparing for death at the end of the article, how did that go?
What is 'shooting the new year'?
-=-=-=-=-=--=
COVERED BRIDGES BY VLACH
SUMMARY:
This article covers *dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnnnn* Covered Bridges! I know, surprise surprise right?! The article goes into details about the construction (including hand drawn pictures), use and much more about the bridges. Mainly if focuses on Parke County, which is famous in Indiana for it's numerous bridges.
REACTIONS:
Since the article was so old, it didn't mention that many coverage bridges have been abandoned, damaged or torn down over the year. There was even talk of no longer having the annual Covered Bridge festivals there for a while, do to the popularity for such events falling out of favor.
Q&A:
1. Can you really distinguish which bridges are 'folk' and which aren't? They may not be traditionally made, but the community themselves may consider them 'folk', so should they be noted as such?
2. What is the difference in structure between a traditionally built bridge and a more modern one?
Friday, February 15, 2013
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Folklore Star Date 2.09
COMMUNITY AND BOUNDARY: PERSONAL EXPERIENCE STORIES OF MUSHROOM COLLECTORS BY G.A. FINE
SUMMARY:
First off, not the type of mushrooms I was expecting. The type of mushrooms I was hoping for, and this would of been a whooooooooooooole different story! Sad to say, this story was about regular mushroomers. My father taught me how to collect wild mushrooms, which we could eat, which we couldn't, how to prepare them and when and where to find them. Saying that, this was a pretty boring story. I mean, it's about those who look for mushrooms...for fun. And then they meet about these mushrooms and....I just like mushrooms on my steak, not to talk about on my date. Non the less, the stories described as 'mushroom' stories, are those where someone finds a treasure, in this case an actual mushroom.
RESPONSE:
As I stated in my summary, this was pretty boring. Some of the stories were funny but I'm not apart of this group so many of the jokes I didn't quite get or think were funny. For example, the story where the kid told one of the collectors his mom said the mushrooms were poisonous and they found that funny. I don't find that very funny as I see a concerned mother telling her son this to prevent him from eating whatever he found. I don't see this to be a joke.
Q&A:
1. Why are they called mushroom stories instead of treasure stories?
2. This a pretty old article (1987), how would this compare to current states of affairs in regards to the same community?
-=-=-=-=-=-
STORYTELLING STYLE IN THE PERSONAL NARRATIVES OF HOMER SPRIGGS BY J.E. ATTEBERY
SUMMARY:
This article explores the storytelling of a Homer Spriggs of Indiana. The paper details his style, rhythm, subjects, repeating characters, subjects, elements and so on. Several of his stories are included in the paper to illustrate these points.
RESPONSE:
I love how this guy speaks like a Hoosier. Example: instead of writing "seeing that it is full" it's "seed it full" which is how a country hoosier would speak. Mr. Spriggs is also very wordy, which is true of hoosiers. We like to repeat our words a few times over, just to get the point across. It was funny, that as I read this I could see my grandfather narrating in the same manner.
Q&A:
1. It just says he's from 'Rural Indiana', but where exactly? It says he was a blacksmith, so I imagine the southside...
2. Near the end, the author notes the ratio of verbs to adjectives. Is this characteristic of this story style?
SUMMARY:
First off, not the type of mushrooms I was expecting. The type of mushrooms I was hoping for, and this would of been a whooooooooooooole different story! Sad to say, this story was about regular mushroomers. My father taught me how to collect wild mushrooms, which we could eat, which we couldn't, how to prepare them and when and where to find them. Saying that, this was a pretty boring story. I mean, it's about those who look for mushrooms...for fun. And then they meet about these mushrooms and....I just like mushrooms on my steak, not to talk about on my date. Non the less, the stories described as 'mushroom' stories, are those where someone finds a treasure, in this case an actual mushroom.
RESPONSE:
As I stated in my summary, this was pretty boring. Some of the stories were funny but I'm not apart of this group so many of the jokes I didn't quite get or think were funny. For example, the story where the kid told one of the collectors his mom said the mushrooms were poisonous and they found that funny. I don't find that very funny as I see a concerned mother telling her son this to prevent him from eating whatever he found. I don't see this to be a joke.
Q&A:
1. Why are they called mushroom stories instead of treasure stories?
2. This a pretty old article (1987), how would this compare to current states of affairs in regards to the same community?
-=-=-=-=-=-
STORYTELLING STYLE IN THE PERSONAL NARRATIVES OF HOMER SPRIGGS BY J.E. ATTEBERY
SUMMARY:
This article explores the storytelling of a Homer Spriggs of Indiana. The paper details his style, rhythm, subjects, repeating characters, subjects, elements and so on. Several of his stories are included in the paper to illustrate these points.
RESPONSE:
I love how this guy speaks like a Hoosier. Example: instead of writing "seeing that it is full" it's "seed it full" which is how a country hoosier would speak. Mr. Spriggs is also very wordy, which is true of hoosiers. We like to repeat our words a few times over, just to get the point across. It was funny, that as I read this I could see my grandfather narrating in the same manner.
Q&A:
1. It just says he's from 'Rural Indiana', but where exactly? It says he was a blacksmith, so I imagine the southside...
2. Near the end, the author notes the ratio of verbs to adjectives. Is this characteristic of this story style?
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Folklore 4
Place Names in Brown County, FA Hoffmann:
Summary: A study of town names in mainly Brown County, their uniqueness and possible origins.
Reaction:
I tried. I really, really, reaaaaaaaaaaaaally tried to get into this one. I couldn't do it. I just couldn't. I ended up skimming it at best. It was boring, hard to read and just...no. It's an article...about naming places. I don't think you could of picked a more boring subject other then what types of grass or indigenous to the region and why.
Q&A:
1. Why god, why?
2. I got nothing, really I don't. Ummm, why did he ask people instead of ....I got nothing. Sorry. It was just too boring.
FUN FACTS: because hopefully that will make up for my utter lack of Q&A
1. Mann road is named after my family, it's also in a pretty bad part of town - go figure!
2. Indiana is one of the few states where the state capitol is in the center, it actually moved there!
3. The first dishwasher was invented in Indiana by William Blackstone
-=-=-=-=-=
Place Legends, R Baker
Summary: A collection of stories surrounding 'Blue Hole' a supposed bottomless lake. These stories include fish tales, disappearances, ghost tales and my personal favorite - a disappearing train. Yep, you heard it, a god-damn train.
Reaction:
I've never even heard of this place which is kind of disappointing. I'd want to swim in it, but apparently that's a bad idea - even if the stories aren't true. Chances are it is a rock quary, in which case it's not the safest place to take a dip.
Q&A:
1. With modern technology being available to the masses, has anyone explored it (cameras, sonar, cameras, ect)?
2. Why this lake? What originally happened there to spout so many stories?
Summary: A study of town names in mainly Brown County, their uniqueness and possible origins.
Reaction:
I tried. I really, really, reaaaaaaaaaaaaally tried to get into this one. I couldn't do it. I just couldn't. I ended up skimming it at best. It was boring, hard to read and just...no. It's an article...about naming places. I don't think you could of picked a more boring subject other then what types of grass or indigenous to the region and why.
Q&A:
1. Why god, why?
2. I got nothing, really I don't. Ummm, why did he ask people instead of ....I got nothing. Sorry. It was just too boring.
FUN FACTS: because hopefully that will make up for my utter lack of Q&A
1. Mann road is named after my family, it's also in a pretty bad part of town - go figure!
2. Indiana is one of the few states where the state capitol is in the center, it actually moved there!
3. The first dishwasher was invented in Indiana by William Blackstone
-=-=-=-=-=
Place Legends, R Baker
Summary: A collection of stories surrounding 'Blue Hole' a supposed bottomless lake. These stories include fish tales, disappearances, ghost tales and my personal favorite - a disappearing train. Yep, you heard it, a god-damn train.
Reaction:
I've never even heard of this place which is kind of disappointing. I'd want to swim in it, but apparently that's a bad idea - even if the stories aren't true. Chances are it is a rock quary, in which case it's not the safest place to take a dip.
Q&A:
1. With modern technology being available to the masses, has anyone explored it (cameras, sonar, cameras, ect)?
2. Why this lake? What originally happened there to spout so many stories?
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Folklore 3
Jokelore, RL Baker;
Summary;
A collection of jokes the almost exclusively pokes fun at 'Kentuckians'. When a Hoosier is mentioned in the joke, they are seen as being superior in some way.
Reactions;
I was surprised at the number of jokes that I had heard, but not dealing with Kentuckians. For example, I had heard almost the exact same joke about jumping out of a plane before, but instead of a Hoosier and a Kentuckian, it was an American and a German with a punchline about WWII.
Q&A;
How man of these are switched in Kentucky?
Most of the jokes were based on the idea of Kentuckians being 'stupid', why the common theme?
-=-=-=-=-=-==--=-=-
Indiana Storyteller, Various
Summary;
A large collections of stories about a wide variety of topics. It is speculated if the stories are that - just stories, or if they're some truth to them.
Reactions;
I had not heard a single story listed here or any variation of them. I did appreciate that an attempt to capture the accent was made - words were spelled as they sound, not as they're actually spelled.
Q&A;
I was once told that to be a good story teller, one must be a good lair. How true is that statement?
Is there a difference between telling a story, and telling a truth?
Summary;
A collection of jokes the almost exclusively pokes fun at 'Kentuckians'. When a Hoosier is mentioned in the joke, they are seen as being superior in some way.
Reactions;
I was surprised at the number of jokes that I had heard, but not dealing with Kentuckians. For example, I had heard almost the exact same joke about jumping out of a plane before, but instead of a Hoosier and a Kentuckian, it was an American and a German with a punchline about WWII.
Q&A;
How man of these are switched in Kentucky?
Most of the jokes were based on the idea of Kentuckians being 'stupid', why the common theme?
-=-=-=-=-=-==--=-=-
Indiana Storyteller, Various
Summary;
A large collections of stories about a wide variety of topics. It is speculated if the stories are that - just stories, or if they're some truth to them.
Reactions;
I had not heard a single story listed here or any variation of them. I did appreciate that an attempt to capture the accent was made - words were spelled as they sound, not as they're actually spelled.
Q&A;
I was once told that to be a good story teller, one must be a good lair. How true is that statement?
Is there a difference between telling a story, and telling a truth?
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Indy Folklore post 2
Place Legends, by Ronald L Baker
Summary:
This was a collection of short stories in regards to a place called Blue Hole in Praireton, IN; Halfmoon Springs (which may also be Blue Hole?) and speculations on where the state nickname, 'Hoosier', originated.
Response:
I've never even heard of Blue Hole, which is kind of disappointing as there seems to be about 6 stories or so about the place. Now the name 'hoosier' I've heard a few about. I've heard the 'who's your daddy' one and the 'who's there' one. I hadn't heard the ones that talked about different cultures naming us, which makes me wonder....
Questions:
1. Have I not heard of other cultures naming us because we'd prefer to think we "named ourselves?"
2. If the Blue Hole is so dangerous, why do we keep going there?
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Folk Sayings from Indiana by PG Brewster.
Summary:
A collection of sayings found in Indy's southside around 1938.
Response:
As I read through these, I'd tick them off in my head: heard that one, never heard that one, heard something similar and so on. It was kind of fun to see which ones had changed, fallen out of use or were exactly the same.
Questions:
1. How regional is this?
2. How much did the times (1930s-1940s) influence these sayings?
3. How common is modernization of traditional sayings?
-=-=-=-==-
More Indiana Sayings by PG Brewster.
Summary:
A collection of saying from Indiana, from the same time and setting as the previous article. In this article, similarities to other state's sayings were also noted and in the case of Missouri, marked.
Response:
Again, I did a lot of nodding and 'hum'ing and 'hah'ing over this. It was also fun to note which ones were also used in Missouri.
Questions:
1. Why does there seem to be 'universal' sayings? Such as 'raining cats and dogs'?
2. Most of these sayings make no sense in a practical setting, how did they come about?
-=-=-=-==-=-=-
Notes on Indiana Speech by VE Gibbens
Summary:
Gibbens talked about several 'normal' words and a few not so normal words, on how hoosiers use them in a completely different context. For example, the words 'any more' used as an affirmative word ("I'm done with this any more") in stead of "Do you have any more" or something similar.
Response:
Out of all these sayings, I only recognized maybe three. I did like how he talked about the possible origins or different versions of the sayings, but I was kind of disappointed that I didn't recognize most of them. There were several however, that were also noted in the other two articles.
Questions:
1. How can one speculate the origin of these sayings?
2. How can sayings/ways of speech seem to 'skip states'. That is, something similar is said in Nebraska and Indiana, but not between?
Summary:
This was a collection of short stories in regards to a place called Blue Hole in Praireton, IN; Halfmoon Springs (which may also be Blue Hole?) and speculations on where the state nickname, 'Hoosier', originated.
Response:
I've never even heard of Blue Hole, which is kind of disappointing as there seems to be about 6 stories or so about the place. Now the name 'hoosier' I've heard a few about. I've heard the 'who's your daddy' one and the 'who's there' one. I hadn't heard the ones that talked about different cultures naming us, which makes me wonder....
Questions:
1. Have I not heard of other cultures naming us because we'd prefer to think we "named ourselves?"
2. If the Blue Hole is so dangerous, why do we keep going there?
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Folk Sayings from Indiana by PG Brewster.
Summary:
A collection of sayings found in Indy's southside around 1938.
Response:
As I read through these, I'd tick them off in my head: heard that one, never heard that one, heard something similar and so on. It was kind of fun to see which ones had changed, fallen out of use or were exactly the same.
Questions:
1. How regional is this?
2. How much did the times (1930s-1940s) influence these sayings?
3. How common is modernization of traditional sayings?
-=-=-=-==-
More Indiana Sayings by PG Brewster.
Summary:
A collection of saying from Indiana, from the same time and setting as the previous article. In this article, similarities to other state's sayings were also noted and in the case of Missouri, marked.
Response:
Again, I did a lot of nodding and 'hum'ing and 'hah'ing over this. It was also fun to note which ones were also used in Missouri.
Questions:
1. Why does there seem to be 'universal' sayings? Such as 'raining cats and dogs'?
2. Most of these sayings make no sense in a practical setting, how did they come about?
-=-=-=-==-=-=-
Notes on Indiana Speech by VE Gibbens
Summary:
Gibbens talked about several 'normal' words and a few not so normal words, on how hoosiers use them in a completely different context. For example, the words 'any more' used as an affirmative word ("I'm done with this any more") in stead of "Do you have any more" or something similar.
Response:
Out of all these sayings, I only recognized maybe three. I did like how he talked about the possible origins or different versions of the sayings, but I was kind of disappointed that I didn't recognize most of them. There were several however, that were also noted in the other two articles.
Questions:
1. How can one speculate the origin of these sayings?
2. How can sayings/ways of speech seem to 'skip states'. That is, something similar is said in Nebraska and Indiana, but not between?
Odessey (Castleton) and New Orleans on the Avenue (Indianapolis)
It's been a while but recently I've come across a few photos of places I never posted about.
First, The Odyssey. It's located on 82nd street in Castleton, across from the mall's east side. It serves mainly Greek few, but has quite a few American dishes as well.
I love this place. I love Greek food and this place is no exception. I got my order to go, and here's my order:
Greek salad. The house dressing was wonderful, not too acidic but having a bite. If you dine in, it's unlimited along with their bread.
Their bread is also fresh, with a herb flavoring and a mild salt. It's served with their olive oil - the only thing I wasn't very found of. The oil is kind of bland, even with the seasonings they add too it.
My main dish was actually an appetizer: a sampler platter. I got feta cheese, some type of rice thing and olives. They were great! Filled my up completely!
The best part? The place is pretty cheap. I also got Mediterranean octopus (not shown) wish was wonderful. My total order came out to be around ~$20, which is just as much as Olive Garden. Definatly going back!
Their website: http://www.odysseygrillandbar.com/
_________________________________________________________________________
Next, New Orleans on the Avenue. Now I went to this during last year's Mardi Gras with a friend of mine. We were seated immediately even with the crowd. The place has a really 'fresh' layout but it's a little crowded (maybe because of holiday??)
Everyone is also very nice and polite!
They had a special menu for Mardi Gras, so I ordered the unlimited catfish.
As you can see from the large portion, I didn't get a second helping. I actually ended up taking most of it home. The breading was great- not greasy, not thick and just the right amount of crunchy! I also loved their fries! They're seasoned and again, not greasy or mushy just crunchy awesome!
I will be going back here too, when I have the time! Good ol'Cajun cookin'!!
Their website: http://www.neworleansontheavenue.com/
First, The Odyssey. It's located on 82nd street in Castleton, across from the mall's east side. It serves mainly Greek few, but has quite a few American dishes as well.
I love this place. I love Greek food and this place is no exception. I got my order to go, and here's my order:
The best part? The place is pretty cheap. I also got Mediterranean octopus (not shown) wish was wonderful. My total order came out to be around ~$20, which is just as much as Olive Garden. Definatly going back!
Their website: http://www.odysseygrillandbar.com/
_________________________________________________________________________
Next, New Orleans on the Avenue. Now I went to this during last year's Mardi Gras with a friend of mine. We were seated immediately even with the crowd. The place has a really 'fresh' layout but it's a little crowded (maybe because of holiday??)
Everyone is also very nice and polite!
They had a special menu for Mardi Gras, so I ordered the unlimited catfish.
I will be going back here too, when I have the time! Good ol'Cajun cookin'!!
Their website: http://www.neworleansontheavenue.com/
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Summary: Bill Ivey and R.M. Dorson
First, let us start on Bill Ivey's Folklore, Art and Indiana:
Summary:
First of all, this was a speech, not a article, which meant I read the whole thing in Morgan Freeman's voice. Don't ask. In his speech, he spoke mostly on the history of Folklore at IU and how the program became "one of the most influential folklore program in the world." He mentioned specific people and how they helped further or bring about the program, most notably Tom Benton who drew a mural depicting Indiana's history.
Response:
As a speech, I tried to imagine my reaction if it had been given in real life and I had been sitting in the seats. I most likely would of fallen asleep. It's not funny, dramatic or very entertaining. It very much follows the format of an acceptance speech and as such, is filled with personal plug-ins, naming of important people and historical data that only diehards are interested in. It would of been nice if he had talked about Indiana's actual folklore or history versus the program's, but that wasn't the case.
Questions to consider:
1. There were a lot of facts and encouragement to further research, but Ivey didn't really mention his own personal feelings a lot. What does he like about Indy? About Bloomington?
2. He stated IU's program was one of the most influential in the world. Why?
3. Tom Benton was talked about a lot, along with his painting. It's mentioned that he isn't a Indiana native and his work was attacked because of this. What would a native have drawn in comparison to his work?
Pictures of the mural: http://www.iub.edu/~iuam/online_modules/benton/teachlearn.html
--------
Richard M. Dorson's Doing Fieldwork in the City:
Summary:
Is this guy crazy? Gary?! He's lucky to be alive! I love how he talked about the different people and the attitudes they had, but he makes Gary seem friendly and anyone who lives in Indiana knows it's a pretty dangerous place. The steel mills alone are dangerous, not to mention the local tendency for murder. I may traverse up there at one point to eat at Jennie's, which sounds like an interesting eatery.
The essay mostly talked about the locals, and later on his methods of collecting information. The majority of the essay focused on the local's way of life, culture, ethnicity and economic situation.
Response:
This was much more interesting then the previous article, as it focused more on the locals the on the history of a school's program. It was also funny to read as many things he mentioned had me shaking my head in acknowledgement - yes, Gary is like that and yes Indiana is like this or that.
Questions:
1. Why this region? It mentioned he was interested in black steel workers, by why this area?
2. There was no mention of the darker side of Gary. Why?
3. He's very close to the coast of the Great Lakes, but there was no mention of it. Surely coastal folklore is different then mainland?
Summary:
First of all, this was a speech, not a article, which meant I read the whole thing in Morgan Freeman's voice. Don't ask. In his speech, he spoke mostly on the history of Folklore at IU and how the program became "one of the most influential folklore program in the world." He mentioned specific people and how they helped further or bring about the program, most notably Tom Benton who drew a mural depicting Indiana's history.
Response:
As a speech, I tried to imagine my reaction if it had been given in real life and I had been sitting in the seats. I most likely would of fallen asleep. It's not funny, dramatic or very entertaining. It very much follows the format of an acceptance speech and as such, is filled with personal plug-ins, naming of important people and historical data that only diehards are interested in. It would of been nice if he had talked about Indiana's actual folklore or history versus the program's, but that wasn't the case.
Questions to consider:
1. There were a lot of facts and encouragement to further research, but Ivey didn't really mention his own personal feelings a lot. What does he like about Indy? About Bloomington?
2. He stated IU's program was one of the most influential in the world. Why?
3. Tom Benton was talked about a lot, along with his painting. It's mentioned that he isn't a Indiana native and his work was attacked because of this. What would a native have drawn in comparison to his work?
Pictures of the mural: http://www.iub.edu/~iuam/online_modules/benton/teachlearn.html
--------
Richard M. Dorson's Doing Fieldwork in the City:
Summary:
Is this guy crazy? Gary?! He's lucky to be alive! I love how he talked about the different people and the attitudes they had, but he makes Gary seem friendly and anyone who lives in Indiana knows it's a pretty dangerous place. The steel mills alone are dangerous, not to mention the local tendency for murder. I may traverse up there at one point to eat at Jennie's, which sounds like an interesting eatery.
The essay mostly talked about the locals, and later on his methods of collecting information. The majority of the essay focused on the local's way of life, culture, ethnicity and economic situation.
Response:
This was much more interesting then the previous article, as it focused more on the locals the on the history of a school's program. It was also funny to read as many things he mentioned had me shaking my head in acknowledgement - yes, Gary is like that and yes Indiana is like this or that.
Questions:
1. Why this region? It mentioned he was interested in black steel workers, by why this area?
2. There was no mention of the darker side of Gary. Why?
3. He's very close to the coast of the Great Lakes, but there was no mention of it. Surely coastal folklore is different then mainland?
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