u/General_Andrews_bio1

My physical therapist, a total stranger, had to stop and catch her breath a couple of weeks ago after "American Girl" turned up on the office muzak. I mentioned JI's encore performance of it at the Ryman days after we lost Petty. "Two greats, right there," she said after a gasp.

I imagine there are entire (doomed) literature Ph.D.s in the works on Jason's lyrics.

"Ybor City on a Friday night
Couldn't even stand upright.
So high the streetgirls wouldn't take my pay,
Said come to see me a. better day,
She just danced away."

He's seeing double, of course.

Here's where I may be reading too much into a line, opinions welcome. From "King of Oklahoma."

"I'd hear her homemade houseshoes slide across he floor."

I gather Jason wrote this song in part to reflect on his time in OK for the Osage movie. It's striking to see the "Cherokee Nation" on the roads in OK. I'm thinking the houseshoes reference hearkens back to indigenous culture.

The wife is threatening to take the kids back to Bigsbee unless the addict can get himself cleaned up. Sorry to say I know too many loved ones who have suffered.

ETW

Hi. I have written several nonfiction books, though none oriented to children or YA readers.

My wife and I have recently learned of genealogical connections through her family line that involve:

1. a key figure in the struggle for U.S. independence from Britain,

2. a participant in Alexander Hamilton's famous duel against Aaron Burr,

3. and a wartime political opponent of President Lincoln.

All share my wife's maiden name.

We hope to have grandchildren of our own in the fullness of time. For the moment, we delight in several great-nieces and great-nephews, most born within the past few years.

I have considered a number of ways to share these stories--for fam members and perhaps for others who might take an interest. One opportunity may be a children's book of some kind. A few issues I'm pondering:

1. Because influential people in this narrative were among the landed gentry of colonial Virginia, it's all but certain that slavery is part of the story.

2. More generally, these ancestors sometimes held beliefs and opinions many of us today would find unfortunate.

3. I'm unsure what student age and reading level may be appropriate.

4. I would welcome suggestions of any kind.

Regards,
Tom