"Philadelphia to Wilson" by Ginny Foard

 – I can’t miss the bus.

History’s divisions had no place here.

Ginny Foard visits all over while her mail stacks up in a post office box near family in South Carolina. She’s curious about people and things. Southern upbringing taught her there are always interesting stories. And don’t jump to believe the first thing you hear. Listen. Ask questions. Ponder. There’s more to learn.

Author’s talk

Ginny Foard - self-portrait

Most of my writings are still in my head.  But here’s one that’s not.  A visit to the Edgar Allen Poe Library’s memoir writing group on Sullivans Island, SC helped get it started. 

Who wants to spend hours sitting in close quarters with a stranger?  Sometimes we have to.  We tolerate it.  An intrusion into our world.  What to do: politely ignore the stranger; exchange brief civilities; be oblivious?

But who is this person sitting next to you? 

They say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Instead, take a look inside.

Might there be treasure?

Do you have fond memories of a stranger?  

Images are another way to tell stories, so I sketch and paint too. My sketchbook has started interesting conversations, sometimes when language limited us to only a single word in common. Often the Ocracoke Preservation Society’s Annual Art Auction in the early winter includes some of my work.
—Ginny Foard