As the crow flies click map free#

I remember standing, walking shyly to the center of the room, and looking down before turning to look at my brothers, Mama, and Sister Swan. The following week, when it came time for me to recite, Sister Swan directed, “Now when you recite your piece, before you begin, I want you to stand quietly for several seconds, make certain that your breathing is steady, look at your audience, not just at one person, and when you say seashore, I want you to sweep your hand outward as though you are showing your audience the seashore.” When explaining this, Sister Swan demonstrated by gracefully sweeping her hand outward and gently turning her palm up. My grandmother spoke Swedish often when I was growing up.” “And as for my accent, I think it’s a blend of Swedish and English. Your enunciation is excellent, and you have a beautiful accent.” Swan said to Mama, “you can help them at home. The seashells she sells are seashore shells, Because I had a sh lisp problem, I was given a tongue twister that contained the sh sound: Before leaving our first lesson, we were each given a short poem or Bible text to memorize and prepare to recite the following week. Start again.”Īnd so, my brothers’ and my elocution lessons began. “I want you to say, ‘I am Steve Towne.’ Do not use a contraction. And when you are talking to me, I want you to look in my eyes,” she said and then added, “Take time to think about what you are going to say.” I also want you to tell me something that you enjoy doing.

“I want each of you to stand, one at a time, and tell me your name and where you live. I will give you the ability to speak with poise and confidence. “And I’m going to give you something that you will be able to keep forever. “You will be coming to my home five times,” she continued. “To teach us to speak properly,” Steve answered. Steve and Ted were quiet, but I said, “Because we didn’t get the church piano.” “Children,” she addressed Steve, Ted, and me, “do you know why you are here?” She smiled occasionally but was quite serious. “When should I bring them to your home?”Īnd so it was that three children wearing faded clothes and scuffed shoes found themselves sitting on carved mahogany chairs in an elegant living room. “That’s wonderfully kind of you,” Mama replied. “It’s not the same as piano lessons, I know, but it will help develop speaking skills and poise,” Sister Swan encouraged. People who wanted to improve their public speaking ability, theatre students, and individuals with speech impediments went to her for instruction.

As the crow flies click map free#

I will give your children free elocution lessons if you bring them to my house.”

“I wanted it for the children.” “I understand,” Sister Swan replied. “Ruth,” Sister Swan said, “I’m sorry the board didn’t give you the piano.” She liked how Mama contributed to the Bible study sessions before the church service each Sabbath. Mama straightened her shoulders, lifted her head, and replied, “I understand.”Īs she turned to walk away, Sister Swan stopped her. The board felt the Martins would be able to make better use of it.” Remember, your children’s tuition is sponsor-paid. “I know I was the first to ask.”īrother Lane cleared his throat before explaining, “Well, the board knows that your family has a hard time financially, and paying for piano lessons would be a burden. “Well,” he replied, “it was the consensus of the board to give it to the Martin family.” The following Sabbath, Mama asked Brother Lane about the piano.

Instead, he crossed his arms and said, “I’ll have to speak with the church board.” Before heading home, Mama told Brother Lane that she wanted the piano for her children. (Elocution hand positions pictured.)īefore church service each Sabbath, the head elder, Brother Lane, gave announcements, and one Sabbath he announced that the church had a piano to give away. Excerpt from Nettles and Roses: A Mother Remembered.