William Shakespeare

[Kevin H.]

Where is Will? Follow (and write) his adventures here.

[Ginger Worthington]

"Friends, Romans, countrymen," alas I have arrived at the Worthington home in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Cleveland, MS. After my long journey, I felt as if "I could not budge an inch" but was invited to join my new found friends for a quiet bar-b-que dinner on the patio where I was presentented with "a dish fit for the gods." My parched throat was quenched with a tall glass of sweet tea and great conversation during what I am told is an unseasonably cool evening in the Delta. My itinerary is quite full for my stay in Mississippi. Tomorrow I am looking forward to accompanying my hostesson a trip to the Tunica River Park Museum and taking a cruise down the Mississippi River (You won't have anything on me, Mark Twain.) on the Tunica Queen with a group of Young Writer's that she is leading from Belzoni, Mississippi. We will take picture's and I will post my travels often.

[Laura Lee Claypool]

What a great day! I woke up Tuesday morning, June the 16th, excited because I knew I was headed home with Lee Claypool this afternoon. My day began with a lesson on endings and writing demonstrations from two of the wonderful teachers attending the Delta Area Writing Project at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. I sure learned a lot. They sure have some wonderful, hard-working teachers in the Mississippi Delta!

Upon leaving Delta State University, I headed straight to Lee’s house to pick up Buster Brown, her very active basset hound. She told me that we had to carry him to the vet because he has heart worms. She was very sad and upset and is worried about how he is going to react to the treatment. She said that she has always given him his pill but he got them anyway. Those mosquitoes are terrible in the Delta! She told me not to tell Buster Brown where we were going because he hates to go to the vet. Lee and I watched him get his shot and talked to the vet about the treatment.

After leaving the vet, I was exhausted. Buster Brown was a handful. Lee made us ride to and from the vet with the windows down so that Buster Brown could hang his head out the window. The small amount of hair I have left was blowing in the wind. As soon as we got back to Lee’s house, I took a nap while she studied for one of her night classes.

After a two hour nap, Lee woke me up and asked me if I wanted to join her and her friends at supper club. I immediately agreed because I was getting hungry. She told me I needed to get ready because we were leaving in twenty minutes. Lee and I met her friends and headed to Greenwood, Mississippi to eat at the Flatland Grill. It took us about forty minutes to get there. Riding in a car for forty minutes with a group of girls will really give you a headache!

I ate spinach artichoke dip for the first day. It was really good. I ordered a salad, grilled shrimp, and French fries. Can you believe I actually ate French fries? Lee made me order a tall glass of sweet tea. It sure was good! After I ate and listened to all the “girl” stories, I decided I wanted dessert, so I ordered a big piece of Mississippi Mud pie and a scoop of ice cream. I was stuffed. I slept the whole way home. Lee woke me up and put me in bed. She sure wore me out!

[Melanie Bray]

Today I am spending the day with the writer, Melanie Bray. We started the day in her writing class. Such happenings today. People were scurrying around stuffing items in brown bags and creating some sort of board. All I could think was, “Though this be madness, yet there is method in ‘t.” I am hoping this is true. All of the work these writers are doing preparing for company of some sort to come and be entertained.
After class, we went to the library at the university. I noticed that Melanie was researching famous quotes from none other than myself. I am not certain why she wasted her time on this as I was right there with her.
After we left the library, we went in her automobile from one activity to the next with her son. I watched football practice followed by a baseball game. We finally made it home where she could finally cook dinner. By this time I was famished. She was out of some item needed to complete her dinner which she borrowed from her next door neighbor. I tried to warn her by saying, “Neither a borrower nor a lender be”, but my advice went unnoticed.
After dinner, we retired to the bedroom. I was exhausted and happy to be able to rest for the night. In the early morning we arose before daybreak to set off to Hattiesburg where she was picking up her daughter. Imagine my surprise when instead of venturing off with the family on the trip, I was deposited into the mailbox of Ginger Worthington. “That it should come to this!”

[John Ryan Sacco]

Shakespeare meets Cervantes

John Sacco

My previous host’s warnings echoed through my plastic ears. My first encounter with Latinos, my mind was adrift with thoughts. Sombreros, salsa, tequila, rum, wild fiestas; I was truly fearful for my life. My journey north through the Delta into the hills of Desoto County was not eased at all. My host for the weekend was a Tico named John Sacco. At first he was very suspicious of my presence; he didn’t speak English to me at all. I just know he cussed me out. My other hosts had informed me of “his” bold and audacious habits. So far, they were right…I was afraid for my life. Who would hear my cries? More importantly, who would understand and care to know my apprehension.
As we neared the Desoto County border on Interstate 69, the first words in English. “You know William, this county we’re entering was named for a Spaniard, you may have heard of him…Hernando De Soto.” The name resonated through my mind, of course, the Spanish…they got the jump on us when settling the New World.
As we neared Olive Branch, I was relieved when I got a look at the neighborhood. My nightmare was avoided. I could have sworn crime infested apartments would have been the norm for “his kind”. Instead I was amazed to see a very nice, two-story house of immense size. A front yard that would rival most golf courses with its plush, velvet like grass turf. Gardens that encircled the majority of house’s foundation, full of various annuals and perennials; my expectations and prior discussions with the other candidates were just completely squashed. They even had a water fountain, a water fountain.
My first impressions were nothing that I had expected. I was treated like something out of Spanish nobility. I entered the house smelling shrimp and the back porch grill. My thoughts were confirmed…we were eating shrimp. Lots of shrimp. I may be weak, but the various dipping sauces all ranged from sizzling to atomic hot.
As the night drew on, a family friend by the name of Ricco came over. From what John told me, he was Mexicano. The rest of the conversation was in Spanish, but the impression of the tattoos they both had was a troubled past. Then came the liquor…at last, he lives up to the reputation. I dared not mix rum, coke, margarita mix and tequila, but John and Ricco did…early and often. At 10:30, they decided to call it a night. John told me that we had a busy morning ahead. I finally met the infamous pooch named Jasmine. She inspected me thoroughly with her quaint black nose, before pawing me onto the floor. How rude! John did pick me up and put me safely onto the dresser near his bedside, cloaking me in a Crown Royal bag for the night…I survived.
The kitchen was abounding with activity…at 7 o’clock in the morning. That was before I realized that I was towering above the yard attached to a string where John and his dad were fixing siding and gutters around one of the doghouse windows…all at 5 o’clock in the morning From what I could decipher, a tornado had been in the vicinity just one week earlier.
When we got in, I had a better chance to examine the intricate workings of the Sacco family. His mother was Scot-Irish and Italian. John’s dad was Sicilian and Costa Rican…he’s got the nose and ears to prove it. The table was set and prepared for both John and his dad; sausage, eggs, waffles, coffee with milk – no, not your ordinary coffee with milk…this was café con leché. This was a Costa Rican specialty where you cook the coffee and milk together. Exquisite.
I came to realize despite the many stereotypes depicted against John and his family they were very smart and had rather enlightening conversations. They ranged from politics to finance. Apparently, this family has been around and don’t get taken advantaged of often. John’s dad was by far one of the most interesting of all, whereas my other hosts gave many warnings about how I might be treated…he failed to hold his tongue at all about how he was treated as a child and the numerous adversities he continues to encounter. As the conversation got testy, John kindly lifted me up and took me outside for a cigarette break. It feels we were just outside and the heat was getting stiffer with each passing hour. Although the conversational temperature had cooled off dramatically.
The afternoon came and the family decided to attend mass that evening, although John is a self proclaimed “non-religious” person, he apparently went out of respect for his family and heritage. According to John, he does not flaunt his personal religious views on anybody, so long as they give him the common courtesy. That did not stop John from biting his tongue to others who offended him on “holy ground”, as I recall he vividly described his desire for one particular individual to the effect of “the bottomless pit of hell should open right underneath your pew and devour you whole!” Needless to say, that fit the general profile picture the other hosts had warned me about.
After mass, we journeyed home. They were cooking freshly ground Angus beef – that the family had prepared a week ago – for the hamburger meat they were serving that evening. Each had their fill, laughing and talking, all of course intermittingly in English and the various other languages present in the house. The night would end very quietly with John and me enjoying a 12-pack of Dos Equis beer. Though I’m not that big of a drinker, the setting sun and rocking chair atmosphere, complemented with twelve cool and refreshing drinks was just too much to not enjoy…I can’t help myself!
By 9 o’clock in the morning, the house was bustling with activity again. John and his sister, Stephanie, were taking both his mom and dad out to lunch at the Olive Garden. Although John attempted to be a cutthroat by suggesting that he simply pay his portion of the meal ticket, I was twice approving of his mother intervention on this matter…both on principle and general family courtesy. The afternoon proceeded with the typical steaminess of Mississippi summers, as we all exited the car. Apparently, I have learned an important secret; this family loves to talk about people in public. They get away with it by not speaking English. They were fairly bold in their conversations, my language skills have improved dramatically. Although his mother and sister rarely participated in these discussions, John and his dad seemed to enjoy themselves at other people’s expense. They even got the waitress, who was Honduran, to participate. I am just appalled!
After such a late lunch, John informed both his parents and me that he was going to start packing for his journey down Highway 61. I kid you not, we were flying going north bound on the highway, breaking several traffic laws…but on the way south, I think John studied the traffic code because he abided by each and every technicality in the book, as we cruised down Interstate 69 on down to Highway 61. All in all, I think I am ready for my Monday assignment. I learned a lot about John and his family. While speaking reservations maybe in short supply, they are nonetheless dangerous with words…even the ones in English. John is a very stoic person, but is an easy to go person; just don’t cross him. If you do he will be all for your pain while you lose your gains. Overall, this family is a smart and intelligent bunch. I would almost be tempted to demand a full week of analysis with this family…¡John contou-mi que não havia nenhum rum nessa bebida! ¡Tenho uma dor de cabeça de proporções épicas! John told me that there was no rum in that drink! I have a headache of epic proportions!

[aurelia colley]

My Day with William
Aurelia Colley
On June 10, 2009, I had the privilege of spending the day and the night with Aurelia Colley. I spent the day in her writing class (Delta Area Writing Project). She and her classmates wrote a topic stemmed from viewing a rock. Guess what! It was Aurelia’s rock. All of her classmates brought in artifacts for journaling and put them in a bag. Mary, the teacher, pulled Aurelia’s rock. The strangest thing, Aurelia began to cry as they read. She explained how precious the rock was to her. It was given to her about 9 years ago by her then 5-year-old granddaughter. Aurelia uses it as a paperweight. The rock really evoked writing. Her granddaughter wants to keep the rock to show to her children some day.
Later that evening, I ate supper with Aurelia and her daughter. They had a strange dish called turkey burgers and French fries. She also called her granddaughter, on something called a cellular phone, and told her all about the rock. She told her how she cried in the class. I then went to the bread store with her. I had never seen bread wrapped in colorful plastic paper. I was not familiar with this plastic, but Aurelia explained. I still don’t know, but do not tell her; she might try to explain again.
We then proceeded to this place called Meadowview. I expected to view a meadow, but there was not a meadow insight. Instead, I saw a group of African Americans. This race was unknown to me. I also overheard Aurelia talking about someone named Barack Obama. She said how proud she was to have the first African American President. She said, “Lord have mercy; I am so happy.” She introduced me to the crowd, which included 3 people in a wheelchair and several on walkers and canes. These were the people that lived in the meadow view without a meadow or a view. She introduced me, and as famous as I am no one at this place knew who I was. Aurelia did an excellent job of explaining me. They were not impressed. They became excited when Aurelia prayed and Mistress Wilborn sang, “Jesus is on the Main Line”. There were a lot of amen’s and praise the Lord.
They then opened a book entitled the Purpose Driven Life by a bestselling author named Rick Warren. Everyone knew him; they said he prayed at President Barack Obama’s inauguration, but no one knew me. Aurelia began to read from the book. The people were very excited about their purpose. I took pictures with everyone there. I even stood on the King James’s Bible. Aurelia told them I helped translate it. They paid a little more attention to me after that. One woman named Mistress Florida was awarded the book Purpose Driven Life because she agreed to read every day for the next forty days. I enjoyed the evening. The focus was not on me but the Bible and the Purpose Driven Life.
I also learned that Aurelia teaches a Bible class at Meadowview, without a meadow or a view, every Wednesday night. Meadowview is an assistant living facility. I enjoyed my evening at Meadowview and the time I spent with Aurelia. We went home and looked at Nancy Grace and Criminal Minds. Those are television shows. I do not know about television either. I asked Aurelia and she did not explain once again. I only learned that you do not have to go to the theater to see a play. After the news, we went to bed, and I had a real Mid Summer’s Night Dream.

[Sonya Rockett]

Today is June 17th. My adventures in DAWPing today led me to the home of Sonya Rockett. Our day began with all of the fellows with a full day of writing and responding. Our ride home was rather uneventful and we arrived at the Rockett home. I was introduced to the other family members, Joe and Kajah, as they reassembled from their various activities. In the back yard I met the family pets Shadow and Chloe other wise known as the Dynamic Duo. They are the ones who truly run this household, but there is no way I would tell the Rocketts that.

The house was one big ball of chaos as Sonya finished the last minute packing necessary for Kajah's trip to Florida. She would be leaving later in the night for a four day trip with the Math and Science Enrichment Program (MSEP) she attends each summer. With all the last minute hustle and bustle, I quietly sat and visited with the head of the house. He is a man with great taste. We even share the same hairstyle. I think he has a little more on the top than I do, but still he has wonderful taste.

After some time things began to settle down and the attention turned to me. Sonya took me on a wonderful trip through the area. We began with her personal library where I read from the works of Richard Wright, Alice Walker, Zora Neale Hurston, Sharon Draper and some of her other favorite writers. They write just as I did, for the people of the time. I also found that she is a fan of the performing arts as she showed me a replica of my most favorite place...the Globe Theater. How nice to see that great art has not been forgotten. Further along our walk we came upon a section of work from my early days with King James. There was a plaque of the Ten Commandments!!! My how proud I was to see some of my early work still in print. PEOPLE STILL DON'T FOLLOW THESE.

My writing has been greatly influenced by the diverse people and music I encountered on my visit. Drum beats from the African family of Mufato sent visions of the vast African jungle sounds echoing through my mind. The Blues is Alright!!! I sat in on a soul-stirring, heartbreaking, blues with Howling Harold, Singing Sal, Jammin Jack and Bad Boy Bobby Blue. They really put their heart and soul into their music and have inspired me to do even more romantic writing. Maybe a revision of Romeo and Julliet where...oh well, I don't want to spoil the surprise. The smooth sounds of the Junction Jazz Trio caressed the depths of my soul and the beauty of the Delta women is unsurpassed.

Tomorrow I visit with another Delta area family. I'm sure my adventures will become greater and greater. I'll keep you posted.

[Rosalyn J. Robinson]

As I awake from my good night's sleep, I find out that I will be accompanying Rosalyn home today. We had a very interesting day at the Delta Area Writing Project. I watched the fellows as they shared their daily journal writings with me. I had the opportunity to watch the Delta Area Writing Project fellows read, write and think. The writers even created road maps to go along with a chapter that they read about what administrators can do in order to construct an effective writing program in their schools. The fellows had Tech Thursday today, where they worked on their digital story telling. I heard that one of the fellows will be doing their story on me. How sweet!

Once I left Delta State I had the opportunity to travel home with, Rosalyn, a young lady who appeared to be preoccupied on the telephone and did not say one word to me until she made it home. Upon making it to her residence, I had an opportunity to meet three children who were very fascinated with my presence. The oldest of the three children let me watch her as she wrote a Haiku. Once she finished the family ate dinner and the mother placed me on top of the refrigerator to avoid the children from misplacing me.

On top of the refrigerator, I watched the mother wash dishes and tidy up the house before putting the children to bed. This was a hard task for her; considering that the children were not ready to go to sleep. The mother patiently waited until the children fell asleep before beginning her own bedtime rituals, or so I thought. After the children fell asleep around 9:30, the woman sat down at her computer and began to write something at the computer. The woman then realized that she had forgotten me again. She allowed me to take a peek at what she was writing. She was working on a love letter. There were many pictures representing love and even a pleasant melody that accompanied the words. As she tried to record her raspy voice on the computer; she began to cry. This showed me that this woman felt like “Love” was one of the most important things in the world. She finally put the microphone away and decided to try again later. She began to nod at the computer as the 11:00 hour approached. Once she realized that she was nodding, she placed me inside of her bag and went to sleep.

As I lay awake, I thought about the daunting life of single parents. This woman really had a lot of things going on and no one was there to assist her but she handled it with great poise.

[Ilka Hanselmann]

I feel for the mom's situation. The great thing is in the love between the parent and the child. That's always there, through good times and tough.

[Joyce Y. Wilson]

William’s Journey
Joyce Wilson

My! My! My! I am ready for an adventurous day! I woke up alert and ready to do something new. On June 24, I looked and found my new friend, Joyce Wilson. I was so excited, because I knew Joyce was ready to have some fun. My morning with Joyce kept me very busy. She observed an awesome writing demonstration from one wonderful teacher. He is attending the Delta Area Writing Project with Joyce at Delta State University (DSU) in Cleveland, Mississippi. Joyce and I observed and learned some interesting strategies. Those teachers are dedicated, focused, and work very hard. The Mississippi Delta residents are “to be, not to be” anywhere else.

When we left Delta State University, I went to Greenville, MS. Joyce introduced me to her two daughters. I introduced myself and kissed their hands. They liked my chivalry. Joyce had a lot to do. She had to take the girls to the library and work on publications. As I waited, I read one of my favorite books, Romeo and Juliet. O what a wonderful book! As we ran our errands, I entertained Joyce’s girls in the car. Joyce told me, “We were laughing to loud!” I was so sorry! I had partied with friends and forgot my manners. She was very tired and wanted to go home.

After Joyce and I finished our errands, I helped Joyce make dinner. She cooked a wonderful dish! I am still curious! How did she get the Shepherd into that small pie? “O thy liked it anyway.”
After dinner, I was so exhausted. I wanted to go to bed. I took my shower and marched to
bed. Before I knew it, I went to ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. The End.

[Mary in Missouri]

Will, arrived in NW Missouri July 7, 2009.
Since I will not be attending our Summer Institute until July 13th, Will is going with me to Tahoe City, CA to the Technology Liaison Network Resource Development Retreat. He will experience PLWP's SI when I return. We will have to see how Will responds to this tech retreat.
Mary in Missouri

[Mary in Missouri]

I arrived at Mary’s house on the evening of July 7th after a tummy tossing ride over the rolling hills of NW Missouri in a mud splattered white pickup driven by a crazy mail person.
To my surprise Mary was packing to go to Tahoe City, CA to attend a 4 day Technology Liaison Network Resource Development Retreat. “You know, Will I’m just going to take you along with me to the retreat. PLWP SI will just have to eat cake until we return on July 13th. “ With that said I was tucked into Mary’s handbag to travel to CA.
Our plane was delayed in Oakland CA so we arrived in Reno to almost miss the Granlibakken shuttle. Amazing seeing float riders in Turckee Creek rushing past us as we traveled what seemed to be down hill. They were floating in the opposite direction. We arrived to a rowdy reception going on where Mary had to greet Joe, Rebecca, Bari, Paul Oh, and Chris Sloan. After a lively reception they settled down to a wonderful dinner.
After dinner was an organizational meeting where Flecia George provided not only the goals and objectives, but a fun getting-to-know group activity, smart lady to get everyone up and interacting. She was wise to the effects of a long travel day ending with too much good food. That ends our first day. Mary says work really begins tomorrow so she may not get to write much. She promised to take me on a walk to see this place of tall pines and mountain, of this place called Tahoe Lake. in this place called America.
Day two I got involved in helping create a poster to visualize our purpose. Jane and Mary started pouring over a screen called Survey Monkey with a lot of questions and answers. No time for a pen and ink writer like me.
Jane just said, “That is it for me.” I think that means Mary has to stop.

[Ilka Hanselmann]

A Sonnet for Will, by Ilka Hanselmann

The techs await with bated breath upon
Will's words so wise. He's come so far to drink
with Paul and share his time with us. And on
he goes, in Meyers' pocket. Odd, I think.

Barri sends his visage to Missouri's
2.0. She thinks that he's Stephen King.
Missing his friend Poe, he seems to worry.
Distractions come by way of crime solving.

The techies work so hard at tasks that seem
to drain the brain. His festival he must
forego because his muse they need. Not keen
to make them wait much more, he shows his bust.

Surrounded by those who know his words ring,
Sir Shakespeare speaks, "To Ning or not to Ning."