The Lint In My Pocket

First Time I Saw Jesse James

S. Thomas Summers — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 22:33:29 +0000

According to the website True West, Phillip Steele, in his 1995 book Many Faces of Jesse James, reported that [James] family records tell of Jesse James’ strongest features being his soul-piercing crystal blue eyes.

I want my narrator, Silas Thatch (introduced a few posts before this one), to fixat on Jesse’s blue eyes throughout the book. The poem posted below describes Silas seeing Jesse for the first time and being captivate by those eyes.

So here it is , poem two. As always, edits and revisions will be made later.

We was Both 10, or So

I first seen Jesse back in Clay County.
It was a hot day, dry as bone. Dust drifted
all over, sheets of it, draping horse and man

like a powder. Made the world wanna cough
and I think it must’ve done just that a time or two.
But even through that dust I seen’em -

eyes as blue as heaven, Jesse’s eyes.
His ma was tuggin’ him across the steet,
yankin’ him by the hand and he just stumbled

along after her not wantin’ any part of where they
was goin’. Ma James, cause that’s what I learned
to call her, stopped to chaw with another lady.

Jesse, one hand locked in his ma’s hand,
stood there still as stone, his eyes burnin’
like blue fire. I almost ran and hid when them eyes

caught mine. They bore down on me, heavy as heat,
but I kept lookin’ back. Not cause I was a brave one,
but cause I couldn’t move until they let me go.

Once Ma James pulled on Jesse’s arm again,
those eyes turned away a let me free.
Funny thing, sure as a chirpy bird in a iron mine,

I felt like I was in a place I didn’t belong
and like some sissy, I started to cry.

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Meet Silas Thatch (thelintinmypocket.wordpress.com)

Two Minute Book Review: A Game of Thrones and The Clash of Kings

S. Thomas Summers — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 02:41:15 +0000

Two books into George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, I’m hooked. I’m hooked because, in part, Martin’s work reads like a fictional account of medieval history. I love history, even though this “history” is tripped with dragons, spells, and snow creatures. Kinda cool. I’ve also enjoyed getting to know Martin’s characters. A bit one-dimensional, each character met drills its way into your mind and, well, makes you smile or makes you wince. Either way, they are difficult to forget. Time to begin book three, A Storm of Swords.

Need to know more? Sorry, my two minutes are up.

And, no, I haven’t watched the television series based on Martin’s series. Maybe when I’ve finished reading.

Some ‘Missing’ Characters From Game Of Thrones Who Could Still Make A Difference In The Westeros Saga… (musingsofamildmanneredman.com)
George R. R. Martin on Game of Thrones Spoilers: “Hodor.” (tor.com)

Weekly Photo Challenge: Fleeting

S. Thomas Summers — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 21:42:01 +0000

This week’s WordPress Photo Challenge is to capture a “fleeting” moment. The photos presented here are of a young robin I saw in my backyard. Soon, as all young ones do, it will grow. Youth – it’s fleeting

photo by S. Thomas Summers

Weekly Photo Challenge: Fleeting (alapparikh.wordpress.com)
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An Outlaw’s Pa

S. Thomas Summers — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 03:58:31 +0000

Robert S. James

My book in progress is about the outlaw Jesse James.

James’ father, “Robert S. James, was a commercial hemp farmer and Baptist minister in Kentucky, who migrated to Bradford, Missouri, after marriage and helped found William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. He was prosperous, acquiring six slaves and more than 100 acres (0.40 km2) of farmland. Robert James traveled to California during the Gold Rush to minister to those searching for goldnand and died there when Jesse was three years old.”

I find it odd that Robert was both a minister and an advocate for slavery. I want to write a poem that reveals that “odd” juxtaposition and its influence within a young Jesse James, as young as ten-years-old.

Back from the 19th Century

S. Thomas Summers — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 01:31:58 +0000

Yup, I’m back. My day at the School of the Soldier Civil War Encampment was great. I made a few friends and was able to talk about my books. And, best of all, I spent the day with my son. Here are a few photos.

My book display

The troops drill

More drilling

Garrett, my son, sitting with President and Mrs. Lincoln

School of the Soldier Civil War Encampment – This Weekend!!

S. Thomas Summers — Wed, 29 May 2013 21:20:22 +0000

Posted below is all the information you will need if you’re thinking about attending 4th Annual School of the Soldier Civil War Encampment at Allaire State Park in Wall Township, NJ. I’ll be there on Saturday afternoon signing and selling copies of books, Private Hercules McGraw and The Journals of Lt. Kendall Everly.

What: 4th Annual School of the Soldier Civil War Encampment

Where: Allaire State Park in Wall Township, NJ

When: Saturday June 1st 10am – 4pm and Sunday June 2nd 10am – 3pm

The New Jersey Civil War Heritage Association will be hosting its 4th Annual School of the Soldier – Civil War living history encampment at Allaire State Park in Wall Township, New Jersey on June 1st and 2nd, 2013.

In continuing the 150th commemoration of the American Civil War, this year’s encampment will portray New Jersey soldiers, who served in nine month regiments, returning home at the expiration of their enlistments in June of 1863, on the eve of the Battle of Gettysburg. Although these soldiers are due to be discharged, the state’s longer service regiments will spare no effort to convince these men to re-enlist again in Mr. Lincoln’s Army for the upcoming invasion of General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia as it marches swiftly onto northern soil bringing war to the door steps of the Union. Visitors will be able to witness the recruiting tactics of the 1860′s up close and personal as well as see what camp life was like for a soldier and in some cases his family.

In addition to recruiting reenactments, there will be a full weekend of Civil War living history, including infantry drill and artillery demonstrations. Sunday will feature a rare cavalry drill exhibition along with two Civil War brass band concerts at the Pine Creek Railroad Station. In addition, eight published authors with a particular interest in New Jersey Civil War history will be present for sales and signings of their latest publications.

New features this year at Allaire include a Civil War Road Show of Collectibles on Saturday, with experts on hand to identify and appraise your Civil War era artifacts for a nominal donation, and a two day lecture series featuring Joseph Bilby on New Jersey’s African American Civil War Soldiers, Dr. David Martin on New Jersey at Gettysburg,Glenn LeBoeuf on the Mistakes at Gettysburg and finally Arthur Green on Civil War Small Arms.

This year’s event is named “Camp Stone” in honor of our friend, Arthur (Skip) Stone, a legendary figure in New Jersey’s living history community who passed away on December 9, 2012.

Event hours are Saturday June 1st from 10am – 4pm and Sunday June 2nd from 10am – 3pm. There is a nominal state park fee for parking.

Meet Silas Thatch

S. Thomas Summers — Wed, 29 May 2013 02:24:15 +0000

It’s begun – my next book, my third book. My first two books are stories of the American Civil War. They are featured on this blog and on Amazon. My third book, like my previous two, revolves around a piece of American history. This time, I’ll be exploring the life and times of the gunslinger Jesse James. The book is, or will be, narrated by Silas Thatch, a fictitious character who knew Jesse when they were both yet boys. Wanna meet Silas? Here he is.

Introductions

I’m guessin’ you’d like to know my name,
but, truth be told, I’m not much for truth,
so I reckon I’ll lock my name down deep

where it can sleep as sweet and sound as a babe
rockin’ in the love of its mama’s arms,
but you can call me Silas. That’s what I been callin’

myself for a time now – Silas Thatch.
It’s gotta sound to it I like. Besides, a thatch
covers my home from sun and stars

just like I’m coverin’ my name
from your mind and eyes. Aint that funny.
I’m old now. My beard is thicker than a bucket full

of sand and grayer than a corpse
so memories been squeekin’ away from me
like a herd or scared mice, but I ain’t forgot

nothing about Jesse James, best and worst man
I ever known. And like ya asked, if you keep
my throat full of whiskey, I’ll tell ya all about

that heathen, son-of-a-bitch, man killin’, ghost maker.
So, buy me a bottle. Better yet, buy me two, but remember,
truth and me aint always hitched to the same horse.

School of the Soldier: Civil War Encampment

S. Thomas Summers — Tue, 28 May 2013 14:31:16 +0000

Allaire State Park

In an email, my publisher informed me last night that my author’s copies of The Journals of Lt. Kendall Everly: a Story of the American Civil War have been shipped and will soon be in my hands. Hopefully, they’ll arrive before June 1. On June 1, I’ll be attending the School of the Soldier Civil War Encampment at Allaire State Park in Wall Township, NJ. It’s a fantastic event and I’m very proud to have been invited to be a small part of it. So, come on postal service, get my books to me!!

If my book fails to arrive in time, I’ll have copies of my first book, Private Hercules McGraw: Poems of the American Civil War, to sign and sell.

I’ll Be There: Civil War Encampment (thelintinmypocket.wordpress.com)
The American Civil War 150th Anniversary – May 20-26, 1863 (bjdeming.wordpress.com)
The American Civil War – A Literary and Historical Anthology, 2nd Edition (psypress.com)
Booms, brigades and bayonets: ‘Confederate soldiers’ occupy Dickinson College quad through Sunday (pennlive.com)

Memorial Day 2013: Thank You

S. Thomas Summers — Mon, 27 May 2013 03:22:50 +0000

photo by S. Thomas Summers

“Future years will never know the seething hell and the black infernal
background, the countless minor scenes and interiors of the secession war; and
it is best they should not. The real war will never get in the books.” – W.
Whitman.

Thanks to all the men and women who saw the “interior of war” and were
denied the opportunity to share their tales. You are all heroes. Although I
do not know your names nor do I know your faces, I shall never forget
you.

Lt. Kendall Everly is Here

S. Thomas Summers — Sun, 26 May 2013 03:01:58 +0000

The Journals of Lt. Kendall Everly: a Story of the American Civil War

My second book, The Journals of Lt. Kendall Everly: a Story of the American Civil War, is ready for sale. A school teacher and a pacifist, Kendall Everly pits himself against the war, saddened by the fleeting innocence of his students and the purity he feels that innocence personifies. ultimately, Everly embraces the Union effort and enlists, a noble effort to protect the youth he knows will soon understand the terrible realities of blood and steel. Yet, the war and its horrors envelop him, transform him into a man he no longer knows or recognizes. Below, I’ve included a selection from the book.

If you enjoy history and a good story, I’m sure you’ll enjoy my book. Private Hercules McGraw: Poems of the American Civil War is also available for purchase.

I hope to use this blog to share my adventures (speaking events and signings) with anyone who is interested. I also hope to document the development of my third book. More to follow soon.

Now, here’s a selction from my new book.

Beast

July 17, 1861

Everly, snapped the general,
find a soldier to slap, and slap him…
then slap the boys next to him.

Confederate trash is walking close.
I can smell’em and I want every
nose sniffing with me. I want

you sniffing with me. Understand?
The regiment twisted through green hills
rising and falling like swells

on a waking sea. Soldiers stepped
two by two, muskets propped
against their shoulders, marching

as my son marches to church
and school. Mr. Everly, called one.
It’s me, Tommy VanLenten. It was indeed.

His eyes greeted mine as a boy’s
would greet his father’s. I was his teacher.
Think we’re in for a roll and a ruckus?

Little Tommy, how you struggled
with your spelling. Lieutenant, soldier,
I blasted. I am your` lieutenant. Now shut

your mouth and march.
There’s a beast about.

I’ll Be There: Civil War Encampment (thelintinmypocket.wordpress.com)