I Can't See, But...I Can Imagine

Oregon Association of School Libraries Conference

2011-10-25T15:24:00.000-07:00

October 14,15 I attended the Oregon Association of School Libraries Conference in Seaside Oregon. As always it is often the contacts you make (as well as the converence itself) that make attendance at an event a success. I made several, but I was especially impressed with Sharon Wood Wortman. She was one of the speakers at the conference and author of The Portland Bridge Book. Her book won the Independent Publishers Award.

Sharon loves my book and gave me advice and ideas for awards & marketing…including some great contacts.

She has a great project in the works now:

Bridge Walks Raise Funds for

The Big & Awesome Bridges of Portland & Vancouver--A Book for Young Reader

Sunday, October 30, 2011 and Saturday, November 19, 2011 ---- 1-4 p.m.

Sharon Wood Wortman is leading these bridge walks in October and November. If you think you might enjoy standing in the tower of the Burnside Bridge during a test lift this might be for you.

This is a project of PDX Bridge Festival, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, Big & Awesome is the first bona fide book about the local bridges written for young readers. The goal is to donate free copies to PPS third grade classrooms and Vancouver School District fourth grade classrooms. To register, email sharon@bridgestories.com. Those who cannot walk but wish to make a donation may visit www.bridgefestival.org.

The Frog Song on YouTube!!

2011-08-16T20:07:00.000-07:00

Four year old Emerson and father Tim Williams of Bend, Oregon performed 'The Frog Song' at the Oregon Trial Lawyers Convention talent show using one of the sound tracks (with no vocal) on the CD included with my book “I Can’t See, But…I Can Imagine”. Tim said, “Thanks again for the wonderful book. What a great idea to include the songs and instrumental versions. Now we are working on the ‘Patty’s Puppy Pepper’ song... I assume Pepper was your dog long ago. After all, Patty had a puppy, Pepper was her name!"

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OsYbHFbUp8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Book Signing and Reception June 18

2011-06-13T16:21:00.000-07:00

The following is information about a book signing and reception June 18 for the illustrator of my book "I Can't See, But...I Can Imagine" Sharon Bean, and me, Patricia Wilson, in the Redmond Public Library (Redmond, Oregon) June 18. The reception is also for children's author Kia Strand and her illustrator KC Snider. All of the illustrations done by Sharon Bean for my book and several by KC Snider are now up in the library and will be there through the end of July. This is the press release:

Redmond Public Library

827 NW Deschutes Ave.
Summer Reading Program

Showing June 3 through July 30 2011

Local Children’s Books Illustrators, KC Snider & Sharon Bean

Meet the Central Oregon authors and illustrators of popular illustrated children’s books. Hear their stories, get your books signed, ask questions, and enjoy the display.
Activities:           Saturday June 18^th
Book Readings: 10:30am 11:30am 1:00pm to 4:30pm
Book Signings:   1:00pm to 4:30pm by authors and illustrators
Reception:         2:30pm to 4:30pm for the illustrators and authors

Location: Main floor of the library.

Featuring:

“I Can’t See, But… I Can Imagine” author Patricia Wilson, illustrator Sharon Bean

(self-published)

“The Weaver” author Kai Strand, illustrator (front cover) KC Snider
(Guardian Angel Publishing)

Other children's books illustrated by KC Snider will also be available for sale and some of the illustrations will be part of the exhibit.

The library display will have the original art and information about illustrations for children’s books; a history of types of illustrations, an explanation of how illustrations are determined, researched, and edited; plus other interesting facts.

"I Can't See, But...I Can Imagine" in Braille/Print!!!

2011-04-08T20:06:00.000-07:00

It seems that this has been a long time coming, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! Watch for my children's Braille/Print book on my website. It is actually done! It will be on my website for sale within the next 2-3 weeks! www.icantseebuticanimagine.com

Do to popular demand! "I Can't See, But...I Can Imagine" In Braille/Print!! This children's Braille/Print book will encourage a positive interaction between the visually impared child and people in his/her world who are able to see.

Prepared by (APH) The American Printing House For The Blind
61 page book with additional clear Braille pages
Includes CD going with for word with story and five children's songs
The main character (grandmother) is blind....and delightful!
Fully Illustrated

Imagine Braille/Print Happening!

2011-01-04T17:20:00.000-08:00

Wow! Lots of things have been happening since my last post -- especially pertaining to my children's book I Can't See, But...I Can Imagine. I have had several speaking engagements, farmer's markets, bazaars, school talks, etc. All that is 'normal' marketing. The biggest accomplishment if finally getting the book in Braille/print!

It is a HUGE issue for me to feel I may help blind children struggling to find something in this world that makes a difference in his/her life.

A CD accompaning the book goes word for word with the text of the book and music. (The book is written around 5 of my blind grandmother's delightful children's songs.) Since I don't read Braille, I had it transcribed and edited twice to be certain it is correct. My goal is to have it be a great learning tool for a person learning Braille.

This is an entirely new market for me. If any of you 'out there' have any ideas about that I would love to hear them.

I am doing two types of Braille/print books. One is done with Braillon onlay using the existing book. The other is produced by the American Printing House for the Blind. APH will use the existing pages with a spiral binding. It will have a hard cover like the original book, but a new spine. There will be plastic Braille see-through sheets between the pages. I have the Braillon copies now and will have the books from APH very soon. When I have both available they will be on my website http://www.icantseebuticanimagine.com/ and people can choose between the two types of Braille/print books.

My book in Braille/print will be a huge blessing for a blind child because it will:

Help a child to learn Braille because the CD goes word for word with the book. I realize since the CD is accompanying the book the child already has access to the words, but my goal is to use the combination as a teaching tool for the child/teacher.
Encourage interaction with loved ones in the seeing world because it is Braille/print
Encourage the love of music
Assist teachers in teaching music. Included on the CD are all five sound tracts without the vocals so the child can learn the words from the book and do a 'sing-a-long' adding his/her own voice to the music.
Encourage imagination
Help the child know it is possible to have a rewarding life by cultivating his/her talents.

I believe my grandmother, Persis Beach Bennett, would be delighted to know she is responsible for all of this. Without her delightful children's music, there would be no book called

I Can't See, But...I Can Imagine!

Anyone a Braillist???

2009-11-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

I have been really busy with farmers markets and Bazaars this summer. It has been a great way to market my book “I Can’t See, But….I Can Imagine” because people actually see it…and hear it. Sometimes contacts I make are just as important as the book sales. A lovely young woman who is Instructor and Teacher of the Visually Impaired purchased my book and emailed me that she is using it with her children. They love it. She is encouraging me to create a few Braille books to see how they would sell. She suggested hiring a Braillist who uses Braille to transcribe my book into Braille in an electronic format. She suggested I have a few sets printed up on sticky-backed plastic, which is called Braillon, and apply those pages to the books. I think this would be a great way to get my book into a Braille market a little at a time. It would be a great teaching tool for children to learn Braille, because the CD accompanying the book goes word for word though the book – including the music. This seems to me to be a natural road to take. Many people who are blind or have a blind member if their family have bought this book and love it. It is a fun, positive story of a blind person who refused to allow her blindness keep her from enjoying life. Now I need to find a good Braillist!

Bend Summer Festival

2009-07-17T17:01:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we were selling my book "I Can’t See, But…I Can Imagine" and prints of the book’s illustrations at the Bend (Oregon) Summer Festival. I was pleasantly surprised when 15 people (in two days) made a special effort to come up to me and thank me for writing the book. The 15 included one teacher, 5 parents and 9 children. We sold several copies, of course. I was truly touched by a young woman who had adopted a boy from Africa (Rwanda, I believe). It turned out he had glaucoma. He is almost completely blind. The book brought her to tears. She loved it and purchased a copy to share with her son.

The Middle of Somewhere

2009-04-06T16:52:00.000-07:00

How often have we said a certain place is “in the middle of nowhere”? When we use that term we are generally talking about a very rural area. I have visited several schools in the process marketing my book I Can’t See, But…I Can Imagine. During my visit with the kids, I attempt to help them understand that writing is an adventure they might enjoy. I want them to know they can live anywhere and be a successful author. I love to visit schools ‘out in the country’. Recently I took my presentation to a place I considered to be in the “middle of nowhere” but to my pleasant surprise it was in the “middle of somewhere”!
Fort Rock, Christmas Valley, and Silver Lake are three small towns in southeast Oregon… high desert country. The school I visited was North Lake School. The towns have pooled their resources and build a school that was every bit as nice as any of the 44 schools I have visited! The camaraderie between the children and teachers is something to see. We found everyone to be very friendly. They are proud of their little towns and the school. They have a writers group, a thespian group and many volunteer in the school to help coach sports, etc. Hearing some of the stories I learned about their rich history. There are huge hay ranches all over that country with modern pivot irritation everywhere. A person cannot learn much about that area just driving through. It is worth staying a spell….and learning what a town in the ‘middle of somewhere’ is like.

Visually Impaired Imagination

2009-03-13T16:25:00.000-07:00

My visit to Ochoco Elementary last week was great fun. The children were thrilled when they learned that their very own music teacher, Blaine Cameron, is actually one of the vocalists on the CD accompanying the book. He played the Big Frog in “The Frog Song”. Blaine actually was one of the talented people instrumental helping produce all of my grandmother’s music. She did a good job in 1949 getting her songs on 78rpm records, but today’s technology did the magic!

During the presentation, there was a darling little girl about age ten who came up to closely see my big picture displays. The teacher told me that she is seriously visually impaired. She has had surgery on one eye at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland and she will have the other eye done very soon. I put my arm around her and whispered in her ear that I am sending her something special. Today I sent my book I “Can’t See, But….I Can Imagine” and signed it “May my grandmother be your inspiration! Happy Imagining! God Bless You! Patricia Bennett Wilson .” She may have trouble seeing the colorful illustrations, but the entire book (words and music) is on the CD. She will love that! Perhaps her imagination will make the illustrations even more wonderful!

FAMILY READING CARNIVAL

2009-02-28T11:30:00.000-08:00

One of the most rewarding things I have done while marketing my book “I Can’t See, But…I Can Imagine” is visit schools and encourage children from kindergarten through 5th grade to love to write. My goal is for the kids to consider their own roots in their writing. I tell them the ‘family story’ behind my book with the idea they have their own stories….and can add their own imagination, as I did. Always they are divided into similar age groups so that it is possible to gear my visit to the particular age, teaching the older children the steps it takes to actually create, publish and market a book. The original illustrations, by Sharon Bean, are with me for them to see. The kids love that!

I have been to 42 schools so far, and this week will be my 43th. I will visit Ochoco Elementary School in Prineville, Oregon. Monday evening March 2nd I am taking part in a delightful Family Reading Carnival and Wednesday, March 4th I will be talking to all of the elementary children. Great fun!

Yummies From The Basement

2008-12-04T00:38:00.000-08:00

Somehow Christmas reminds me of my blind grandmother, Persis Beach Bennett, and the narrow stairs that went down to the basement. Her biggest oven was at bottom of the stairs. She would cook the best stuff down there –at Christmas, the Christmas Turkey. She seemed to go up and down the stairs many times just to baste the bird. Raspberry steamed pudding came up from those stairs too. The stairs were quite dark. I always felt it was a little spooky going down there and the darkness scared me as a child. That didn’t matter to Grammie, however. She couldn’t see anyway. Most children were watching for Santa to come from the chimney. I was watching for Grammie to come out of the basement.

Eagle Crest Resort

2008-12-01T19:44:00.000-08:00

Eagle Crest Resort (Redmond, OR) has asked me four years in a row to join them when Santa is there. Every weekend, from Thanksgiving to Christmas, Eagle Crest has a wagon with big draft horses to go through all the delightful Christmas light displays. The children are delighted with the entire spectacle. Parents and grandparents are there with the children and often purchase “I Can’t See, But….I Can Imagine” adding to excitement and pleasing the kids. I will be there every Friday and Saturday evening until Christmas – with Santa and the beautiful horses, of course.

Booking A Lunch

2008-11-24T23:56:00.000-08:00

This last weekend – 3 days including Friday -- we were at the Holiday food and Gift Festival signing and selling books, CDs, Prints, and T-shirts. It was great fun. One woman came up to us and said she bought a book a few weeks ago. She is in her late s 70’s and does not have any children. She said she invited 15 neighborhood children, ten and under, for lunch and shared the book and CD. “They absolutely loved it!” She said, “They stayed at my house until 4:30! I felt like I had opened a new orphanage.”

Kentucky Radio Interview

2008-11-19T16:30:00.000-08:00

Today was truly a special day. I received an email from Michael McCarty, the President of the Kentucky Council of the Blind (www.kentucky-acb.org). He has Sound Prints, a weekly radio show heard on WKJK Talk Radio 1080 in Louisville, Kentucky. His program is heard Wednesday nights at 6:00 PM Central and then goes to ACB Radio (www.acbradio.org) where it is listened to by a world-wide audience on their Main Stream channel. He said, “I would love to have you on my radio show to talk about your book.” I called him this morning and this afternoon he interviewed me (by phone) on the radio. My book I Can’t See, But …I Can Imagine is perfect for anyone who knows or is related to a blind person, because it is a fun, positive person about a blind grandmother. I told Michael during the interview that my grandmother, Persis Beach Bennett, considered blindness simply an inconvenience. I’m certain she had her bad moments, but to this granddaughter; she was a kick in the pants. She was a ton of fun.

Imagine Book in Braille!!!

2008-11-14T14:01:00.000-08:00

Today I ventured into something new. I sent my book I Can’t See, But…I Can Imagine information to American Printing House for the Blind. I have had several people with blind or low vision family members tell me, “Oh my gosh! What a great story! You have to get this in Braille!” American Printing House for the Blind had several questions including the needs my book will fill for a blind child. This was my list:

1. Encourage imagination!!!
2. Encourage an understanding that a person who is blind can have a great life by cultivating talents they possess.
3. Encourage readers to consider blindness from a positive point of view (a positive, fun story about a blind grandmother) .
4. Help friends and families of the blind understand blindness.
5. Encourage music interest.
6. Help readers to consider family roots.

I have no idea what will come of this, but I would love see I Can’t See, But…I Can Imagine in tactile graphics in a way that the seeing person can see the pictures and the blind person can feel different layers of Braille so that they can share the book together. That’s my dream anyway.

A Woman Cried

2008-11-11T14:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to Aspin Ridge Retirement home in Bend, Oregon. It is the second time I have been there. This time a woman cried at the end of my presentation. She said, “I was here during your first presentation and bought your book. The book went to my 4 grandchildren in Canada. They loved it and said it was their best Christmas present ever! They have read the book and played its CD over and over!” Often I visit retirement homes and share my blind grandmother’s story and children’s book I Can’t See, But…I Can Imagine. It may seem a little silly to take a children’s book to a retirement home, but I have been to several now, and the residents absolutely love my “Grandmother Story”. After I have told the story behind my book, I play the book’s CD and flip the pages. In addition, I play some of the ‘adult’ music that my grandmother wrote and is on the separate CD “Songs From Grandmother’s House”. This time I played some of the original music from the scratchy 78 rpm records. What a contrast from the updated version! I believe Grandmother would be pleased if she could hear her music today.

Farmers Markets, Bazaars and Inklings Bookshop

2008-10-20T15:09:00.000-07:00

It seems sad that summer is over. We had a very busy summer doing book stuff. Two years ago I thought, “We have never done farmer’s markets. Let’s give that a try.” We took part in several farmer’s markets and bazaars this summer. It is a great market for my book I Can’t See…But I Can Imagine! The book sells itself when people see it and they love having it signed by the author. In August I especially enjoyed a book signing at Inklings Bookshop, a delightful store in Yakima, WA. Last week we did the Sisters Harvest Festival in Sisters, Oregon. It was a little cool for our Central Oregon “Indian Summer” time of year but there were 200 great vendors and lots of people. We sold a ton of books and “Songs from Grandmother’s House" CD’s.

Grandmother Inspires Blind Girl!!

2008-07-28T15:52:00.000-07:00

In BlogCatalog I just got a great message from Nana07 . She said: Patricia, My student who is legally blind wrote a child's story because of your grandmother's inspiring story. It really helped her self-esteem. I will be publishing it in the Fall after another student of mine illustrates it. Thank you for visiting Nana's Corner. Have a great summer! Nana (Barbara)
I answered:
Wow! That is awesome! I would love to have a copy of that when it is done! If you send me the blind child's information, I would be pleased to send her a copy of I Can't See, But...I Can Imagine. If the child is totally blind and cannot see the book at all, she will hear the entire story and music on the CD.

Secret Weapon? Really?

2008-06-28T00:18:00.000-07:00

I have been doing several farmers markets and bazaars with my book
I Can’t See, But…I Can Imagine. Today a young teacher told me she loves my book and said she calls it her, 'secret weapon’. Now, I have never heard anyone call it that before. She said, “When my class get a little restless and I seem to be losing their attention, I bring it out and play the CD. I have their full attention then. It gets them on track.”

Look Forward to Being 50!!

2008-04-23T17:15:00.000-07:00

I have several friends who are in their 50’s and think their lives are half over. Not so. Life truly can begin in the 50’s. I loved all the things it took to be a wife and Mom in the earlier years, but the fifties were awesome. I found I finally had time to search for my passion and pursue it. Actually this blog tells a lot about that.

In my fifties I also got involved with different exercise programs (i.e. Jazzercise, Curves, Aerobics, swimming, walking, hiking --- not all at once!). I just realized that I had to take better care of the ‘machine’ I lived in. I also began to eat (and enjoy) things that were good for me. Meanwhile, I made a ton of friends, felt great, and fit my pants better! The trick is making it a lifestyle. I am in my 60’s now and go to Curves every morning at 7:30.

It's All About Legacy

2008-03-22T12:35:00.000-07:00

Growing up, I couldn’t care less about “old stuff”. For whatever reason, at age 35, I made a 160° change. Suddenly I began to be interested in history. What amazed me it that I really began to be interested in my family history. My grandmother (Mother’s side) did a complete genealogy of her and my grandfather’s family when ‘genealogy wasn’t cool’. I never met this grandmother. She died before I was born at age 52….about 70 years ago. She did extensive research of our family and traced them both sides to England. With lovely handwriting she made two thick journals of family history…for my mother and her sister. I was very aware of my mother’s copy of the journal but had no interest until the day of my 160° turn around. One week, between Christmas and New Years, my family visited my parents and I spent nearly the entire time with my nose in that book.

I am certain that my saving my (Father’s side) grandmother’s music and writing the children’s book I Can’t See, But…I Can Imagine including her children’s music is all part of that 160° turn around. I will be forever grateful to both of my grandmothers for planting the legacy seed in my brain. It has grown in so many ways..and taken me on adventures.

Great Time in Arlington, Oregon school!

2008-03-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

Monday March 10 I went to the big city of Arlington in Oregon (500 population) to work in the elementary-middle school. I have been to 40 schools so far – mostly larger schools – but I love going to smaller schools. I talk about the process of getting a book published and give them tips on writing. I had 5 classes. Small schools very seldom get authors in and it is great for them to know authors are just ‘normal’ people like me. I had a great time there…impressed with that little school.

Just a side note: I had foot surgery and I am wearing a boot. It is not painful anymore, but it sort of upstaged my talk. The kids were interested what I did to my foot. On one toe I have a pin sticking out with a green ball on the end of it. It looks pretty bad. One of the kids asked me if I had my toe pierced and did I just like green. I laughed and said, “Yeah, all I need now is a tattoo!”

Grandparents Have Lots to Offer Young'ns

2008-03-07T15:26:00.000-08:00

My children’s book, “I Can’t See, But…I Can Imagine” often takes me on unexpected adventures. Some time I ago I was asked to go to a retirement home. At first that didn’t make much sense to me because my book is a children’s book. On second thought, I thought, “It makes perfect sense!” This is a story of my blind grandmother and her music. They love to hear about finding her 78 rpm records in my cousin’s basement, taking them home, updating them and re-recording everything on the CD “Songs From Grandmother’s House”. I play some of that CD, and they especially love the book when I play its CD and show them the pictures. I often sell several books as well. When they give the book to a great-grandchild, it is if they can say, “See! We grandparents have something special to offer you young’ns!” I have been to several retirement/nursing homes since that first one. It is a kick in the pants for me and lightens an hour of their day.

Life A Lot Nuts!

2008-01-05T11:38:00.000-08:00

It is about time I made another entry on this blog! Like every other person over the holidays, my life has been a little nuts…actually a lot nuts! I was involved in several bazaars, book fairs, and book signings…all pretty successful. In addition, I finally retired from my 44 year profession as a dental hygienist December 20. My office gave me a great retirement party. It is sad to think of that ending finally, but I am on to an entirely new era with my book. Now I have time to pursue markets I didn’t have time for before this…and make more frequent entries in my blog!

Oregon Association of School Libraries Conference

2007-10-26T10:05:00.000-07:00

A week ago I attended the OASL (Oregon Association of School Libraries) conference in Seaside, Oregon. I met lots of great people and made several new connections. Going into the schools is great fun. It is a marketing tool for my book, but not a big “selling thing”. I share my book "I Can’t See, But…I Can Imagine" and its CD with the idea the children have their own stories and can use their own imagine. I give them lots of tips on writing and explain the steps from writing the story to getting a book published. At the conference I met the winner of the 2007 Newbery Medal – Susan Patron. That was a treat!

Leaving a Legacy

2007-10-19T12:38:00.000-07:00

I have been invited to be the main speaker at a women's Christian retreat in June. It is a three day deal. The theme is "Leaving a Legacy" This is the kind of thing I go to each year with my church, but there are REAL speakers that speak! I have been to 36 schools talking to children with encouragement to write and I have had several speaking engagements sharing my grandmother's story, but not for three sessions! I am thinking about possibly naming the first day "Leaving a Family Legacy" and the next day "Leaving a Christian Legacy" Possibly I can get the audience to participate the third day. I am certainly no expert. God’s going to have to help me with this……again. I would appreciate any input on this from my blogger friends!

"Special Need" like Blindness

2007-10-10T11:50:00.000-07:00

Not long ago I was signing books in a local book store. A young woman with two children and one on the way walked into the store. She had already purchased a book and wanted me to sign it. She said, "Let me tell you something! My husband has been blind from birth. There is very little out there for children with a positive story about a blind person. My children adore this book and the music. I just wanted you to know."

It is nice to know that people enjoy knowing that a person with a "special need" like blindness can have a great life.

Busy Life of this Author

2007-09-21T23:00:00.000-07:00

This has been a very busy time for me --- but that's my life. It seems I get up on a dead run and go to bed on a dead run. Most of us have lives that go in 14 different directions, and I am no different. In addition to being and author and marketing my book, I am a dental hygienist. I graduated from University of Oregon Dental School in 1963. You don't have to do the math! I married a dentist and he brought me to Redmond Oregon in 1964. I am the very first dental hygienist in all of Central Oregon. We started his dental practice in 1964. He passed away in 1968. I had established roots in this area and decided to stay to raise my 2 yr old daughter here. She is still here -- a pharmacist. She's married and had two sons and two step children.

Grandmother's CD Produced and Book Written

2007-09-12T14:45:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that 12 years from the time I brought those records home, I have a professionally produced CD -- Songs From Grandmother's House and a children's book -- I Can't See, But...I Can Imagine. It truly has been a 'God Thing'. It is though God and my grandmother said, "It is time to do something with this music. Pat's going to do it. We'll make sure she has everything and everyone she needs to get the job done."

In the beginning I couldn't understand the words on the records! I worked an entire year from a tape we made from the original music just trying to understand the words. Truthfully, I don't know why I just didn't give up! One day my cousin, Rodney Sayles from Vermont, called me. His mother was Beulah Sayles, the pianist on the original records. He said, Patty you're going to flip! I found the music! He send me a huge packet full of music! Over 90% of it was there! Beulah had done it! She wrote it down! We had no idea!

From then on, everyone I needed to produce the music just 'showed up' in my life. There have been so many incredible 'coincidences'! Obviously, God has been orchestrating this entire project.

All of the 14 songs on the CD Songs From Grandmother's House are wonderful, but I began to especially notice the 5 children's songs on that CD. I was working with the local songwriter's association at the time and I kept hearing, "The children's songs are wonderful, but there's not much of a market for children's music." I said, "You are wrong! Kids need music, and they don't need what they are getting!" That is when I said to myself, "I have always loved to write. What if I wrote a book? What if I wrapped the book around my grandmother's children's songs? What if I included a CD with the book that went word for word through the story and music! What a package for the kids!" So that is what I did. My book I Can't See, But...I Can Imagine came out December 2003.

To be continued...

Patricia Bennett Wilson, Author

2007-09-09T20:16:00.000-07:00

My journey with my blind grandmother's music began in 1948. I was eight years old. She was an awesome music composer. That day, she sat beside me on the piano bench and (with one finger) taught me the song she wrote for me, "Patty's Puppy Pepper". I remembered feeling so loved that day....just to think my grandmother loved me enough to write a song just for me!

Grammie, Persis Beach Bennett, lived in a big house on a hill in Lancaster, New Hampshire. I was born in that state, but grew up in Connecticut. We visited my grandmother often, and each time she would play the piano and sing us the last song she wrote.

As my grandmother advanced in years, she desperately wanted to save the music for her children. Because she was blind, she could not write her music down. When she passed away, her music would be gone forever. In 1949 she traveled to New Jersey with her daughter, Beulah. Beulah was a self taught, but talented pianist. Actually, they made quite a team. They went to a recording studio and recorded 15 of Grammie's songs on 78rpm records.

Grammie passed away when I was 13. I remember asking my father, "Daddy! Whatever will happen with Grammies music?" When my grandmother died, we were living in Southern California. Four years later, we travel to New Hampshire. I worked with my Aunt Beulah trying to get some of my grandmother's music in written form. We did get two of the songs (simple melody and lyrics) written, but it seemed to be such an impossible task at the time to all the music in written form. Already the records were terribly scratched and hard to understand. I remember returning to California in tears, because I felt, in-spite of Grammie's efforts to save her music it would be lost for my generation.

In 1994 I went to New Hampshire and expressed my concern to my cousins. We searched for written music. None. The records were in a cousin's basement. I brought them home to Redmond, Oregon, where I now live. The records were on my lap as I sat in the plane on the way home. I remember thinking......."Pat! This is the dumbest thing you have ever done! What do you think you are going to do with these??" All I knew was that the would be soon thrown away if I didn't do something!