I have been thinking for some time that I needed to write a post for my website, and this phrase came to mind. I am reminded of how language moves from one place and time to another, gathering new meanings on the journey. One apparent origin of these words comes from the story, in the 1840s, of the North Carolina governor, John Morehead. He was in the middle of an increasingly intense and heated argument with the South Carolina governor, James Hammond. Morehead’s words, timed for their best effect, resulted in lessening the hostilities and restoring goodwill between the two governors. In 1933 the catchphrase acquired new meaning during the liquor prohibition in both North and South Carolina. Railway passengers travelling through North and South Carolina faced “a long time between drinks’ because of the train’s closed bar. (sourced online, Jerry Mills, 2006)
The phrase now usually means a long and tedious wait between notable events. My last blog was written about 8 months ago, following the election in 2020! This could appear to be a long and tedious wait between notable events on this website! However, despite the apparent lack of activity, there has been plenty going on!
Since December 2019, I have been immersed in writing and illustrating another children’s story - this time about soil. “The Secrets in the Soil” is now in her final stages of production. We have done two drafts, and I will meet with Rongo, the talented graphic designer, tomorrow to look at what may well be the final draft, before it goes to the printers.
I am reminded of the process that it takes between having an idea and the eventual appearance of the end product. While it may appear to be a long and tedious wait to those on the outside, there is a multitude of activities unfolding on the inside. Rather like the seed which is planted in the garden, the slumbering inactivity on top of the soil hides a riot of growth and development underneath. I often feel surprised when eventually the new green shoot emerges.
The image on this blog is the cover of “The Secrets of the Soil”. Maisie and her Dad discover that who lives in the soil makes all the difference to the health and happiness of their tomato plant. Now that there is obvious activity again on this website I’ll post more, over the next weeks, about Maisie, the microbes and the tomato plant. (And let you know how you can buy a book! :) )
