Sorry to be so long-winded, but you ask really interesting questions. I have yet to learn the art of brevity; therefore, this has had no final edit.
I met the friendly Mary Scott when I was selling my books at the Next Chapter Books & Art during MumFest. And as her smile would suggest, she is outgoing and inviting. She asked me if she could also participate in our October 29th Authors’ Sunday Event at the New Bern Farmers’ Market. Of course, I said yes.
Welcome to my blog. I know you now live in the beautiful town with the delightful name of Oriental. And please remind us how the town got its name.
From Wiki:The town of Oriental was named after the Sailing Steamer Oriental. Built in Philadelphia in 1861, the ship was used as a federal transport ship in the Civil War. She met her fate a year after being launched, running aground in May 1862, when she was wrecked off Bodie Island, 33 miles north of Cape Hatteras. Her passengers and crew were saved.
The United States Post Office Department established a post office in 1886 in what had been called Smith’s Creek. Lou Midyette was named postmaster. Postmaster Midyette’s wife, Rebecca, thought the village needed a better name. One story says that she had found the nameplate from the wrecked sailing steamer “Oriental” on the beaches of the Outer Banks and thought that name was more suitable. Another version of the story says she just saw the nameplate in a Manteo home. Either way the name “Oriental” made an impression on her. The village became known as Oriental a few years after the post office was established and was incorporated in 1899.
Have you lived there all your life? Something to do with a storm and a boat? If you have not always lived there, where else have you lived?
MI born, raised, married; lured to TN in 1986 with an incredible job offer with Eastman Chemical, at the time a division of Kodak. Jim became the trailing spouse for a change.
Only boats we ever owned were ever increasingly larger cabin cruisers on the Great Lakes, Lake Erie mainly. Then came the oil crisis in the ‘70’s and we could no longer afford, though GREAT fun for a few years.
Moved to Oriental in 2016 after discovering it on a sojourn down the NC coast. I called it ‘Mayberry on steroids’ after stumbling on it and within days met multiple people and staying for the Croaker Fest Parade. Spent two weeks, bought a house, sold mine in TN in 4 days and within 4 months was living in Oriental. “It Just Felt Right.”
What have you done before you took to writing memoirs? Let’s start with your childhood and what your dreams were then?
As a kid hated playing w/dolls except to use my tiny sewing machine to make them poorly constructed clothes. Got a little blackboard for Christmas and began teaching classes. Loved it, other kids not so much. Only girl on our block in Detroit so I hung out with the boys. Lacked the coordination to do well climbing trees and jumping to garage rooftops, so was more a tomboy & mascot. Entered college planning to become a biology teacher, wanted to be like mine had been, idolized him. Student teaching blew out that candle, so went into biomedical research.
Zero interest in reading except science to learn. I have always been an avid learner, just for the sake of learning. Few things have challenged me long term except medical research, science in general, and mechanical/architectural and human behavior.
I notice you have a cute dog to keep you company. Have you always had animals in your life? Any animals other than dogs?
We had a family dog, but no major attachment for me, more my brother. Jim, husband, had a horrible upbringing and his dog was given away when is younger half-brother was born, Dog died two weeks later. Jim never got over never having even had the chance to say good bye. So we have had a series of Chihuahuas, six including my current P-Nutt adopted after Jim passed. Joy, #5 was the first to bond on me. She was a major member of my memoir’s entourage.
What do animals give to you to make your life better? For instance, my animals have always been my confidants and comforters.
Jim and I chose to be child-free… except for the dogs, and Jim insisted when asked, “If I ever get Mary raised, no more children!” I never truly understood Jim’s passion for our dogs until he passed and Joy was my little rock. She sensed what I needed, and was more a dearest friend than a dog. I will always griever her loss, almost as much as I grieve for Jim.
I expect you like to hike or ride a bike/tricycle or swim. Anything to keep your body trim and your mind fit, I’m sure.
For many years a swimmer, though never very good at it. Biked a lot as well. Once in TN, too hilly, so became an avid walker/hiker, 3-4 miles every day. Went to treadmill as Jim’s health declined. Quit exercise after he passed. Then joint issues, new right knee, then right shoulder, and before long, left knee. Lots of PT and learning how to correct posture lost to accommodating painful joints. Beginning to get back to bike and walking.
Do you have a big family with lots of siblings and children?
Late older brother, 2yrs, younger sister, 6yrs, still kicking, smart, talented and my constant writing advisor, critic and all-round thorn in my side.
My husband and I have not been blessed with grandchildren, so I always have to ask about other people’s grandchildren. I do hope you have many and that they bring great joy.
No, but Jim and I loved other people’s kids and grandkids. I still do. I’m like an indulgent grandparent; love ‘em, have fun with ‘em. That’s it! Current love is the daughter of the young couple that bought my house in TN. She is a DOLL!
I also believe you said you work to keep Oriental the charming place it is. If that is true, what do you do?
I volunteer ticket-window, The Ole Theater; docent, Oriental Museum; Help-Line for Neuse Neighbor Network. And always ready to lend a hand on various projects. Wonderful feeling to give back to community.
You mentioned something about your book when we met, but please let us know more. I remember your saying you and your dog have been driving around the country in your RV. What great fun, especially since you share the adventures with your husband, at least with your mind. And I’m sure his spirit follows you wherever. But what makes particular memories feel important enough to share with him and now us?
Joy was the world’s finest co-pilot, right up until she passed. I got little P-Nutt so Joy would have a buddy as I got more involved in writing. She hated the little squirt, but finally realized the kid was here to stay and turned into the world’s finest big sister. Even prompted me to call my sister and apologize for being so mean when she was young.
She LOVED travel, and meeting people. She was the world’s BEST companion dog. P-Nutt, not so much. She is more Chihuahua-like, nervous, skittish, shy, and TOTALLY about herself. Good traveler if a dog that sleeps while you’re driving makes her good. But she is very sweet and cuddles in bed.
I firmly believe Jim is with me still, looking out for me. His family was very psychic—though I’m not sure if that is the correct term. So I do ‘talk’ with him at times. No need. He is with me. That’s why my RV is named, “The Spirit.”
I always keep a travel log when on the road. They do accumulate.
And now that you’ve written one book, what happens next? I believe you said you were continuing your travels, so where are you going next and are you planning to write about those adventures? Or are you going to start making up stories about the people you’ve met along the way?
Everyone wants to know when I will continue my story, or better yet, have Joy write a book as she evidently now has a following of her own among my readers.
I find I love to write, but in what direction to take it is uncertain right now. Still recovering from my single venture into authordom. Not sure of next steps, if or when. I never aspired to be an author. Felt compelled to tell of my grief gauntlet in hopes others could relate, understand grief is a uniquely individual and solo journey. It is NOT 5-steps and you get a graduation certificate.
Travel has been curtailed the last few years with pushing to finish and publish my book, and too many surgical procedures, though Covid lockdown was a mixed blessing. Travel for a while will be almost totally driveway camping, visiting friends getting older and less travelable than me. Have lost a couple very dear friends during my travel hiatus, so will be doing more than a quick pass-through as I visit these days. Life is fleeting.
Sarah’s final note. Have you ever had a day where if something could be obstreperous, it would be? Well, that’s what this day has been like. So, please forgive my typos and lack of bold print for Mary’s answers and blame it on the computer gremlins. Thanks, I’m going to take a nap or ride my tricycle.
sarahsbookreflections 