The horrific fires in California have been in the news over the past week. My heart breaks for the people who died, those who lost their homes, and the animals that perished as well. Fire has long been a blessing and a devastation for humankind. Today’s post is about a fire that burned down the home of my great-great-grandmother’s brother and his family.
The last three weeks I’ve shared articles published by Broad Street magazine. They are featuring a series showcasing what went into the making of six poems and flash prose pieces in my chapbook Kin Types. The idea is that you can see how you, too, can put together stories of your ancestors.
Today the fourth part of the series was published and can be found here: Family Laundry: “The Weight of Smoke” by Luanne Castle
The first feature article is “Family Laundry: “An Account of a Poor Oil Stove Bought off Dutch Pete,” by Luanne Castle”
The second feature article is Family Laundry 2: “What Came Between A Woman and Her Duties” by Luanne Castle
The third feature articles is: Family Laundry: “More Burials” by Luanne Castle
An introduction to the series can be found here. SERIES INTRODUCTION
The Family Kalamazoo 
Reblogged this on Luanne Castle's Writer Site and commented:
I’m so jazzed to have an article about the aftermath of the fire at my relatives’ home in 1902 up at the wonderful creative nonfiction magazine, Broad Street! It’s week 4 of the 6 week series. This is the only piece featured that is flash nonfiction, rather than poetry, although I am hoping you can find some “poetry” in it.
I remember this piece and how vividly you portrayed the feelings of the family as they watched the house burn. I imagine those whose homes have been destroyed in California would read this with a deeper understanding and with much pain. It is amazing how art allows us to share our human experiences, both wonderful and devastating.
I have a theory that art slightly defamilarizes so that we can really recognize. Does that make any sense or only to me?!
Absolutely! I find this often with novels. I am seeing the world through the characters’ eyes and then all of a sudden, I realize that I am seeing my experiences as well. And also why sometimes a song lyric can move me in a way that plain words might not—the music takes it out of the mundane.
You have put this so much more beautifully and clearly. Yes, exactly!!! I hope your Thanksgiving was all you could wish for!
Thanks, Luanne. It was an experience….dealing with four generations—from 4 to 92—can be emotionally exhausting. But worthwhile!
Oh, it sounds wonderful!! We only had two generations here, and I was exhausted!!!
🙂 It was stressful! But like I said, worthwhile.
Of course it was!
Thanks for yet another wonderful post, Luanne! You’re an inspiration to me. I’m working part-time now (may have mentioned this) which is cutting into my blogging time.
Thank you, Elaine. You did–how are the kiddos?!
Congratulations, Luanne
Derrick, thank you!
Congrats again on this series of publications! They are wonderful.
Thanks, Sheryl!
What a story! I love how you take different members of the family and we see what happened through their eyes and thoughts.
And when you look at their faces in the photo, don’t you see stories there?! Thanks, Clare!
My pleasure, Luanne
Just finished a genealogy for a friend that included a horrid fiery death of a Grandma. What struck was the vivid detail in newspaper accounts. One could not read, but had to read. Unfortunately.
Oh, how awful. That is so very sad.
What a story. OMG, I love it.
[…] I read a number of fellow family historians. Luann at The Family Kalamazoo was one of my earliest followers and a great mentor. Other favorites include Joy Neal Kidney, Jamie […]