As we start 2024, I’d like to show a little adventure I took the family on during the week of Thanksgiving 2023. But first, a bit of background about how it started…High On The Hog. This is a book about African-American history as told through our food. The book was turned into a Netflix series which is currently in its second season, and I can’t recommend it enough. Everyone, no matter your skin color should watch it. It’s beautiful, it’s challenging, it’s full of heart and I know you’ll find something out about Black cuisine and the history behind it you didn’t know. The fourth episode is called Freedom and moves the story to Texas, and I was exposed to places I have never heard of and people I have never met. I decided to change that in a big way. After all, I can’t be a Black Western writer and say “Nope never been” when asked if I’ve ever been to the Black Cowboy Museum, could I?
This is the first of a series of posts, and if you’d like to play along, start by watching the Netflix series High on the Hog. While I think you should watch EVERY episode because they are all simply fantastic, starting out with episode 4, Texas, will suffice! And look what I got for Christmas! The book itself!
It’s that time, everyone! Check out my upcoming appearances, and I hope to see you all there! This list will be updated as more appearances are booked!
April 6 & 7: The Spring Local & Indie Author Fair at Copperfield Books, Spring, TX 10am-4pm
July 26 & 27: Texas Authorcon and Book Festival in Richardson, TX
We had a good time on our trip, learned a lot, and before long we were on our way to our last stop from the High on the Hog series (on Netflix, Season 1 Episode 4), and the Black Cowboy Museum didn’t disappoint. When we walked in we were immediately greeted by Cowboy Larry Callies, who was for sure a cowboy through and through! He stands with a presence, almost larger than life, but with a strong kindness about him. Larry looked every bit the cowboy and you could tell he lived it as well. No window dressing here. As he told us, “I am a Christian first and a cowboy second!”
While the museum was small, there was an enormous amount of history there, and he proceeded to take us through it, imparting knowledge about how the Black cowboys survived, and in some cases, thrived. This also included Larry’s life as a Western musician before vocal Dysphonia took his vocal cords. He was also involved in the rodeos and showed us pictures of his own bull-riding exploits of him and his contemporaries. He also showed us actual sheriff and marshall badges, and one I had never seen before: badges worn by men whose job it was to round up escaped slaves. We also got to see a myriad of old west pistols, including a replica of Wyatt Earp’s Peacemaker, which for the life of me I couldn’t see how he could shoot it with how long the barrel was. We surmised the pistol was more ceremonial than anything else, and not something he would wear day to day.
Larry was very open to questions, and we peppered him with many of them, and he was gracious and patient with us. The day ended with Larry showing my son how to use a lasso, and in return was shown how to do the griddy!
Third Time’s the Charm!
Larry proved he could hang tight on the dance floor too! Larry and I spoke at length about Bass Reeves, Nat Love and others, and their recognition in pop culture. We spoke about my novel The Girl With Strawberry Hair and the next book in the series, and of course, I had to give him a copy! I also expressed an interest in writing non-fiction accounts of some of the history he knows. We agreed to talk some more down the line. That was where our fun pre-thanksgiving adventure ended, but wait! I was delighted to find, on Christmas Day, my wife had an additional present for me: Larry’s book, “ Here Comes Larry Callies, Stepping Out In Faith”!
We had an amazing time, and it was the right way to end our family adventure. I can’t recommend enough taking a day and just going out and about, learning things you didn’t know. Go with family, or friends, to the places you see on TV, or read about. You’ll have a great time, and expand your mind all at once! I would also recommend reading the book High On the Hog, which you can purchase here, or watch the Netflix series of the same name, and if you happen to find yourself in the Houston area, how about a trip to the Black Cowboy Museum?
So the first place on our list from High On the Hog was Gatlins’ BBQ. We stood in a long line but it moved very quickly. I had my heart set on a Smoked Bologna Sandwich but they were out of the bologna when we got to the front! It stood to reason as we were there mid-afternoon. We stood with some patrons who gushed about the place, many coming there since the beginning. I satisfied myself with a Rib sandwich, which was insanely tasty, and I have to admit, my son had the Mac n’ cheese, I took a taste and was disappointed I didn’t order it myself! My wife had a sausage plate, and that was excellent as well! If you are in Houston head over to this place for some magnificent BBQ!
After a moment Momma Gatlin herself came by our table and talked to us for a while, and she was gracious, kind, and we felt like part of her family before we left! Of course, I had to give her a copy of my book, and I hope she enjoyed it! I promised her whenever I return to Houston, which I will, several times in 2024 in fact (stay tuned!), that I would stop by. This is a promise I intend to keep!
One of the reasons for our 4-hour excursion to Houston was to see the museum exhibit The Green Negro Motorist Handbook at the Holocaust Museum before it moved on to other pastures (in this case Los Angeles, CA). For those who don’t know, during the Jim Crow days the Green Negro Motorist Handbook was a way for Black people to travel the country with grace and dignity, and just live with the freedom that car travel provides, despite the laws that restricted our rights. There is an interactive display where you can navigate a trip to grandma’s house, and you can choose to use the handbook or go without, to your own peril.
The exhibit is divided into regions, North, South, and West. The ingenuity of what it took to survive was, frankly, genius, such as many black men drove their own cars with chauffeur hats next to them, so in case the police stopped them they could claim they were driving their employers’ car, and taking the help home ( if your wife happens to be in the car with you). If you get a chance to see this please don’t hesitate. You can go to the website to see when the exhibit reaches your town here: https://negromotoristgreenbook.si.edu/
There was a lot my 9-year-old son didn’t understand, but a lot he did. It was worth it to expose him to a part of the history of his people. We also explored the Holocaust museum, and it was a sobering experience to say the least. There was much to digest and think about, and anyone who denies it happened is simply insane.
Next in Part 3: Time to Eat! (and time to meet someone from the show!)
It’s been a fun summer, meeting new and fantastic people and getting my book out to them! As things wind down for summer festivals, I have a few more appearances, and here is the first one! It’s a free event, so come out and take in the fantastic history present, and learn so many things you didn’t know about, and stop by and buy a signed book from me! Looking forward to seeing you there!
Tonight is the book signing party for The Girl With Strawberry Hair! I’ll have copies to sell on site and I would love to meet you! Stick around and get a great cup of coffee and a pastry from Babylon Coffee while your hanging out!
Happy Read an Ebook Week! You can find my book, The Girl With Strawberry Hair, available now at @Smashwords at a promotional price to help you celebrate. Find my book and many more at https://www.smashwords.com/ebookweek from March 5-11! #ebookweek23 #Smashwords
I’m excited to announce my book, The Girl With Strawberry Hair, will be promoted as part of a special sale on @Smashwords to celebrate Read an Ebook Week 2023 from March 5-11. Be sure to follow me for more updates and links to the promotion for my book and many more! #ebookweek23 #Smashwords
Liberty Saints Press 