Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Chicken Fried Steak and Gravy . . .



That got your attention didn't it?
And if not, well, then all I can say is you must not be from Texas!

While it's no secret that I do love an adventure I whole heartedly believe it's not where you go
as much as it is what you do along the way to where it is your going. Because if I can't find adventure
in my own backyard, chances are I'm not going to find it on a remote vacation destination in some far off exotic land. Oh, but don't get me wrong I would jump at the chance! ; )

Wait, did you say Chicken Fried Steak and Gravy . . . yes I'm getting there.

When out on an adventure, most of which are in my own backyard, I guess you could say my favorite
part is the wandering. I enjoy being somewhat of a nomad, not having to follow any specific course but
almost always ending up in the right pasture so to speak. And I think most will agree that while we can find places to be interesting,  it's really the people along the way who grab our curiosity.

In this past year I have met some fascinating people, strangers whose countless stories I have listened to, fisherman that have let me hang out with them, and some where I ended up at their kitchen table having coffee and great conversation. Some I have shared here with you, and many I have not because they weren't
my stories to share as they were quite intimate and personal details of their lives. Those that at times I have felt both burdened by and privileged to know.

And so, this brings me to the whole Chicken Fried Steak and Gravy thing . . . finally!

While out in Galveston this last weekend during an event, we came across a street musician, a singer songwriter. It's not at all unusual to find one on a street corner, in front of a store or restaurant at any given time and it's what adds to the character of the Historic District in Galveston. As we got closer my husband took out a small donation to add to the bucket and asked him if he knew a few songs. His genre was Jazzy-blues, Country-folk, Americana and the request was for "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash -  and he was happy to oblige. That song rolled into a few others, which turned into an hour long conversation.

His name is Dan and he has been here in Galveston for about six months. He said the wind
blew him here from Dallas and that things are working out pretty well for him here. He continued with a few more songs, all ones that he had written, and one that I found out later on my own that won him second place in The American Songwriter Lyric Contest. And as we talked I found that he was just as interested in us as we were in him.









It wasn't only his voice and his words, but also his hands that I was drawn to.
There was history and wisdom written on them.




Dan is one of those really down-to-earth kind of people that you meet, genuine and authentic, and definitely humble. I think that's why I was drawn to his music, you could feel the authenticity in his voice that came from his heart and knowing part of someones story makes for more of a connection.
 That and the fact that he lovingly compares a woman  . . . . to Chicken Fried Steak and Gravy in a song
he calls, "Blue-eyed Texas Baby"!

Okay, okay, maybe you have to live here to get this one, but in Texas we do LOVE our
chicken fried steak and gravy! ; )  And it just so happens I found the song . . .did I mention I love google!

I hope you enjoy this too, (hopefully I embedded this correctly)!

Love, Kim
XO


                                                  
ComScore

Linking with Monday Moments and Communal Global and:





Thursday Favorite Things

21 comments:

Deanna said...

I am bouncing along listening to that song and enjoying it as much as I enjoyed your post and pics. And chicken fried steak and gravy....ummm nothing better!!!

Lisa Gordon said...

What a wonderful experience Kim!
There truly are so many wonderful stories just waiting to be told.

Anna said...

Folks can be pretty amazing, if only we stop to hear their stories. Nice captures that certainly tell their own story! My fav is the second one.
Thanks much for your comment at CE:)

Kmcblackburn said...

:) <<< that is a big smile you just put on my face. I so admire how you can put yourself out there like that with a complete stranger, and get soooo much in return. Awesome story and awesome photos.

Marvett Smith said...

I love that you stopped to find out more about Dan's story. Great images!

Sylvia said...

Oh, this is such a nice story and so beautifully told .
I can see why you were drawn to his hands; awesome photos ! Thank you for your comment on my blog .
Keep looking for stories ( and adventures )!

Saun said...

Oh I know about chicken fried steak my dad served at his restaurant. :)
Great post! pictures and music maybe the wind will blow Dan into Ohio. Would love to see him play. :)

Molly said...

These photographs have such a wonderful atmosphere about them. I love the close up of his hand on the arm of the guitar.

Mollyxxx

Lisa Gordon said...

Kim, just stopping back for another look, and to say thank you so much for sharing these wonderful images at The Creative Exchange this week.

Have a wonderful day!

lisa.

Blooming Rose Musings said...

What a wondeful story and I love your photos because they show so much texture and life. Beautifully told.
Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.
I'm going back to take yet another look at your post.

Cordial Chaos said...

Great pictures! I especially love that second one :) What a great story!

Unknown said...

Looooove that second photo! I would love to have the courage to just approach people and get to know them like that!

Privet and Holly said...

Beautiful, Kim!
I am a firm believer
that EVERYONE has
a story....To me, each
and every one is
fascinating. Love Dan's
story; your pics are
brilliant : )

xx Suzanne

Privet and Holly said...

PS: Thank you for
sharing your story
at Monday Moments!

xx S.

Jessica Monte said...

The light, composition, processing, and texture in these photos is amazing. I love the entire series!

Katherines Corner said...

First-excellent photos!
Second-yum
Third, what a wonderful way to spend some time
fourth Thank you for linking to the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop at Katherines Corner. Hugs and smooches and wishes for a wonderful weekend

Honey from the Bee said...

I wasn't expecting that! lol! As always I wish I was on your adventures with you.. if just a bee on your shoulder.

deb duty said...

Well, I do really love chicken fried steak! Now I'm thinking I want to go to picadilly tonight! Great photos!

Dan T Chandler said...

We never discussed it, but in my view, my job on that corner was to get people to visit Collectible Antiques, or atleast to turn down Post Office and visit the artist shops. I did that with a song, or "They have antiques here that are just like new! Howdy there. How are you. Nice to see you." It is Galveston and everyone is amazing and easy to talk with. I know about myself and did not usually say much. I was interested in their stories. It is interesting that she focused on my hands. Some people see things others do not. And so she routinely has great adventures in her own backyard. Like the fish with clear fins that she catches in the surf with her little-kid, aquarium net. Has no idea what they are but she is astounded that they have clear fins.

Dan T. Chandler said...

She focused on my hands. Note too much skin and wrinkled. I had lost the use of them, but the ulnar and carpal tunnel surgeries had restored some function, and gotten me to where I could play a little bit, atleast. But there were still accruing calcium deposits in my back,and the prognosis was loss of the muscles in hands, arms and shoulders, paraplegia, and eventually, loss of major organ function and death. Suffocation. I did not tell her, of course. But later on, during the summer, a preacher said "someone's back, keep seeing it this morning, who is it?" And then at the end of the service, he said "ok...the MIDDLE of someone's back...who is it? Someone here." I was the only one to hold up my hand. I faced the congregation, and he touched my back, and I saw them raise their hands toward me.

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