Season One of Lilac Wine - The Podcast is now in the books, so to speak. Thank you for listening. I couldn't have done it without you.
We are currently on hiatus. Hopefully, I will be able to continue writing very soon and get Season Two off the ground.
In the meantime, please tell your friends about Lilac Wine, especially those who enjoy historical fiction.
If you haven't done so, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
When will season two drop? To be honest, I have no idea. Life often gets in the way of writing. And anyone who knows me knows that I often have too much on my plate. Lilac Wine, though, always consumes my thoughts. Hopefully, new chapters will flow soon.
In the meantime, I would love to hear from you. What did you like about Season One? Anything I can do to make the podcast experience better? You can simply send your comments to comments@lilacwinenovel.com
I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for listening.
Sincerely,
Bruce Janu
author of Lilac Wine
Monday, September 2, 2019
Monday, August 19, 2019
Chapter 25, the Season Finale
The Season Finale of Lilac Wine-The Podcast is here! Billy considers his options for getting out of Lily Springs when an unexpected visitor changes everything. After the reading, author Bruce Janu talks about the episode and discusses the future of Lilac Wine. Listen now or in your favorite podcast app.
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Lilac Wine-Chapter 24 is now live
In this chapter, Robert delivers a record to Abelia and they share an awkward dance on the porch to the fast-paced music of the Original Dixieland Jass Band. Listen below or in your favorite podcast app.
Monday, July 22, 2019
Lilac Wine - Chapter 23
Art is dead, and as is the custom in Lily Springs, which still at times has not left the 19th century, Robert must stand vigil through the night at Art's side. However, music brings him out into the night.
This chapter features discussions of turn of the century death rituals, such as mortuary photography. Back in 2012, I wrote an article about this phenomenon. It is being republished below.
In today's America, funeral practices and mourning rituals have become a highly sanitized and commercialized process. Funeral parlors and morticians provide a service that for most people in America is not only indispensable, but an economic powerhouse that generates over $20 billion annually.
That is not how it used to be, however.
In the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century, funeral rituals were much more personal and immediate. Most funerals were held at home, for example. The front rooms of middle class homes were called "death rooms," and were not used much for day-to day living but reserved for those times in life when one must mourn the dead. The deceased would be laid out in these rooms, sometimes for days. Flowers were used to help hide the odor as embalming was not something that most families could afford and was not something that was readily available in rural America until the 20th century when funeral parlors began to replace the in-home tradition of wakes and funerals.
The death of Abraham Lincoln and his subsequent embalming popularized the practice. Funeral parlor acceptance grew slowly and began appearing mainly in urban areas. By the turn of the century, most funerals in urban areas were held in funeral parlors. As a result, Ladies Home Journal in 1910 made the suggestion that the front parlor should no longer be a "death room," but a "living room" instead. As more and more people moved the process of mourning from the home to a local business, that is exactly what happened in American homes. The front parlors were now opened up, made bright and airy and became "living" rooms instead.
In my novel, Lilac Wine, a death occurs in the small Iowan town of Lily Springs. This, of course, necessitated some research into funeral practices of the early 20th century. One thing that has made the writing of this novel truly enjoyable has been delving into the past and learning just how different things were 100 years ago. A resident of the 21st century would no doubt be shocked as to what our forebearers did when it came to funerals.
The entire mourning process was guided by strict norms and etiquette. Not only were wakes and funerals held in the home, photographs of the deceased were commonplace. In fact, as photography was an expensive endeavor, most people reserved money for a formal photograph of their loved ones when they died. Post mortem photographers would be called in and a photograph would be taken of the deceased, often with loved ones standing or sitting near the body.
Sometimes, the body was arranged in such a way to be made to "look alive" and, using stands and wires the deceased would be propped up on couches, chairs or even standing in an official looking portrait.
Photographers often went to elaborate lengths to give the appearance of life to the deceased. Not only would they have the deceased standing in a pose, but eyes were sometimes painted on the closed eyelids to simulate life.
This practice was called Memento Mori (remember the dead) and was common from the invention of photography in the mid-1800s until the early 20th century. In fact, photographs of the dead were more common than any other photograph from this period of time.
As infant mortality was much higher in the 19th century than today, a majority of photographs from the time period are of deceased children.
In Lilac Wine, there is a death in Lily Springs. Although the novel takes place in 1917, much of rural America was still very much rooted in the practices of the previous century. And Lily Springs was no different from most small towns, teetering on the edge of modernity but still clinging to tradition. Robert was asked to stand next to the casket for a memento mori, which was being provided by the town photographer, John Hickman:
The inspiration for that passage came from a single photograph that broke my heart when I first saw it:
Victorians on both sides of the Atlantic took mourning very seriously and the elaborate rituals surrounding death may seem somewhat macabre today. However, we must remember that images of loved ones were not often made in life, as the process was so expensive for most families. So a memory of that person, even taken in death, became a way to cherish the memory of a loved one. And if that photograph could provide a reminder of how that person was in life, then the grieving process was made easier. It is all too easy for us to judge in the present as we are surrounded by imagery and take pictures of nearly everything. The Victorians weren't so lucky.
By the turn of the century, photography was becoming more affordable and funeral practices soon moved from the home to the funeral parlor. Memento mori became less of a necessity. As more and more people bought their own cameras and could afford the development of photographs, the same thing that happened to change front parlors to living rooms happened with photography. People began collecting photographs of the living and arranging them on walls and in photo albums.
The memento mori photographs of the 19th century may seem bizarre, but they stand as stark reminders of the fragility of life and the desperate need to cope with loss. But they also highlight the need that we have as human beings--in any age--to cope with mortality and grief.
------------------------
Links:
Dan Meinwald, "Memento Mori: Death and Photography in Nineteenth Century America." Terminals: UCLA, 1999
The Thanatos Archive
"Memento Mori ~Victorian Era Postmortem Photography"
"19th Century Photography" Paul Frecker London: Post Mortem Collection
Victorian Death and Mourning Photo Set on Flickr
This chapter features discussions of turn of the century death rituals, such as mortuary photography. Back in 2012, I wrote an article about this phenomenon. It is being republished below.
A Death in Lily Springs: Turn of the 20th Century Funeral Practices
In today's America, funeral practices and mourning rituals have become a highly sanitized and commercialized process. Funeral parlors and morticians provide a service that for most people in America is not only indispensable, but an economic powerhouse that generates over $20 billion annually.
That is not how it used to be, however.
In the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century, funeral rituals were much more personal and immediate. Most funerals were held at home, for example. The front rooms of middle class homes were called "death rooms," and were not used much for day-to day living but reserved for those times in life when one must mourn the dead. The deceased would be laid out in these rooms, sometimes for days. Flowers were used to help hide the odor as embalming was not something that most families could afford and was not something that was readily available in rural America until the 20th century when funeral parlors began to replace the in-home tradition of wakes and funerals.
The death of Abraham Lincoln and his subsequent embalming popularized the practice. Funeral parlor acceptance grew slowly and began appearing mainly in urban areas. By the turn of the century, most funerals in urban areas were held in funeral parlors. As a result, Ladies Home Journal in 1910 made the suggestion that the front parlor should no longer be a "death room," but a "living room" instead. As more and more people moved the process of mourning from the home to a local business, that is exactly what happened in American homes. The front parlors were now opened up, made bright and airy and became "living" rooms instead.
In my novel, Lilac Wine, a death occurs in the small Iowan town of Lily Springs. This, of course, necessitated some research into funeral practices of the early 20th century. One thing that has made the writing of this novel truly enjoyable has been delving into the past and learning just how different things were 100 years ago. A resident of the 21st century would no doubt be shocked as to what our forebearers did when it came to funerals.
The entire mourning process was guided by strict norms and etiquette. Not only were wakes and funerals held in the home, photographs of the deceased were commonplace. In fact, as photography was an expensive endeavor, most people reserved money for a formal photograph of their loved ones when they died. Post mortem photographers would be called in and a photograph would be taken of the deceased, often with loved ones standing or sitting near the body.
Sometimes, the body was arranged in such a way to be made to "look alive" and, using stands and wires the deceased would be propped up on couches, chairs or even standing in an official looking portrait.
Photographers often went to elaborate lengths to give the appearance of life to the deceased. Not only would they have the deceased standing in a pose, but eyes were sometimes painted on the closed eyelids to simulate life.
This practice was called Memento Mori (remember the dead) and was common from the invention of photography in the mid-1800s until the early 20th century. In fact, photographs of the dead were more common than any other photograph from this period of time.
As infant mortality was much higher in the 19th century than today, a majority of photographs from the time period are of deceased children.
In Lilac Wine, there is a death in Lily Springs. Although the novel takes place in 1917, much of rural America was still very much rooted in the practices of the previous century. And Lily Springs was no different from most small towns, teetering on the edge of modernity but still clinging to tradition. Robert was asked to stand next to the casket for a memento mori, which was being provided by the town photographer, John Hickman:
Robert respectfully declined John’s request to stand next to the casket and cast a mournful eye down upon its contents. He didn’t quite understand memento mori. Images of death haunted his dreams at night and he didn’t need such reminders during the day. When Robert was child, Abigail DeWitt, the young girl and occasional playmate who lived next door, died at the tender age of seven, the victim of typhoid fever. Robert watched from an outside window as the family made preparations for her funeral. A post mortem photographer was hired and Abigail’s little body was made to sit on her favorite wooden horse through the use of hidden stands and wires. Watching the man work on young Abigail’s remains reminded Robert of a puppeteer. After she was posed properly on her horse, pupils were painted on her closed eyelids giving her the appearance of life. Her parents then sat next to her in solemnity as the photographer took their picture.---from Lilac Wine, Chapter 23
The inspiration for that passage came from a single photograph that broke my heart when I first saw it:
Victorians on both sides of the Atlantic took mourning very seriously and the elaborate rituals surrounding death may seem somewhat macabre today. However, we must remember that images of loved ones were not often made in life, as the process was so expensive for most families. So a memory of that person, even taken in death, became a way to cherish the memory of a loved one. And if that photograph could provide a reminder of how that person was in life, then the grieving process was made easier. It is all too easy for us to judge in the present as we are surrounded by imagery and take pictures of nearly everything. The Victorians weren't so lucky.
By the turn of the century, photography was becoming more affordable and funeral practices soon moved from the home to the funeral parlor. Memento mori became less of a necessity. As more and more people bought their own cameras and could afford the development of photographs, the same thing that happened to change front parlors to living rooms happened with photography. People began collecting photographs of the living and arranging them on walls and in photo albums.
The memento mori photographs of the 19th century may seem bizarre, but they stand as stark reminders of the fragility of life and the desperate need to cope with loss. But they also highlight the need that we have as human beings--in any age--to cope with mortality and grief.
------------------------
Links:
Dan Meinwald, "Memento Mori: Death and Photography in Nineteenth Century America." Terminals: UCLA, 1999
The Thanatos Archive
"Memento Mori ~Victorian Era Postmortem Photography"
"19th Century Photography" Paul Frecker London: Post Mortem Collection
Victorian Death and Mourning Photo Set on Flickr
Monday, July 8, 2019
Lilac Wine - Chapter 22
On this episode of Lilac Wine - The Podcast, Billy takes Robert to the Mississippi River and teaches him the art of "jugging" catfish.
Chapter 22 is available now.
Chapter 22 is available now.
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Lilac Wine - Chapter 21
In Chapter 21, Robert deals with the aftermath of his waking dream. While walking Abelia home from the picnic, he ponders his choice of coming to Lily Springs.
Chapter 21 of Lilac Wine-The Podcast is now available.
Chapter 21 of Lilac Wine-The Podcast is now available.
Thursday, June 20, 2019
"Over There" and Historical Anachronisms
One of the cool things about writing an historical novel is the ability to place characters in actual events and places. When I started Lilac Wine, I was determined to make the novel as historically accurate as possible. Being a history teacher, this was very important.
So, when my characters go on a Mississippi river excursion, for example, it is based on the actual timetables for the actual boats. In this case, the S.S. Sidney. When they go to a movie theater in Chicago, they go to an actual theater and see what was playing that evening---such as seeing Charlie Chaplin's classic The Cure at the Gem Theater on June 10, 1917.
In Chapter 20, a special guest arrives in Lily Springs for the Fourth of July celebration. He is there to sell Liberty Loans and, in the process, sings a rendition of the famous George Cohan song, "Over There."The problem is: in July of 1917, no one had ever heard of the song. Although it was written in April of 1917, it wasn't recorded until July by Nora Bayes. That recording wasn't released until October. The song was premiered live for the first time in the fall of 1917 at a benefit in New York for the Red Cross.
When I first wrote that chapter, I had read that George M. Cohan had written the song the day after war was declared in April of 1917. I assumed then that the sheet music would have been released shortly after. None of the examples of the sheet music had a date beyond the year. So, I just went with it.
Just recently I discovered that I had been mistaken. Horribly mistaken. Turns out the sheet music wasn't copyrighted until December.
So this brings an historical conundrum. "Over There" is a song that modern audiences will know; it can give the reader a sense familiarity. However, it is not historical. The character could not have sung that song.
So, do I go with history or familiarity? If I chose history, what could I use in its place?
Thank God for Google. Although they are no longer adding to their newspaper archive, Google has hundreds of newspapers digitized. And among those digitized is the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald. A few years ago, I traveled to Dubuque to view issues of the newspaper on microfilm. Not anymore. I can look at every issue from 1917 from the comfort of my own home. Thanks, Google.
So, I began searching for ads and articles related to music of 1917 and found this Victor ad from the June 18, 1917 edition:
Among the standards, such as "Hail Columbia" and "The Star Spangled Banner," the ad lists two popular songs as well. A quick search in the Victor catalogue reveals that both songs were written before war was declared and even the sound recordings were released just in May of that year. So these two songs are prime candidates if I chose to replace "Over There" in Chapter 21.
The first song is "America, Here's My Boy." It was written by Andrew Sterling and Arthur Lange. It was published on April 20, according to the Copyright office and released on Victor Records in May, 1917. This version is performed by the Peerless Quartet.
The other song is "Let's All Be Americans Now," written by Irving Berlin. This recording is by Billy Murray and the American Quartet. It was released in February of 1917.
Both songs have a great feel for a patriotic Liberty Loan rally....but, for most readers, these songs will be very unfamiliar. Does that matter? Or is it better to go with a song that many people can hum in their heads?
I think I need to go with the history. That was the intent at the beginning and I cannot change now. The question then is: which song?
(This post was originally published in July, 2013. Updated on June 20, 2019)
Monday, June 10, 2019
A Special Guest Arrives in Lily Springs - Chapter 20 is now Available
Ellie's special guest finally arrives, dressed in olive drab and with the goal of selling Liberty Bonds. His presence triggers some lucid dreams for Robert. Listen to Chapter 20 now.
Monday, June 3, 2019
Lilac Wine - Chapter 19 is now available!
As the 4th of July Celebration begins in the Lily Springs town triangle, Robert wonders if Abelia is going to make an appearance.
Check out the new episode of Lilac Wine, available now. Listen below or in your favorite podcast app.
Check out the new episode of Lilac Wine, available now. Listen below or in your favorite podcast app.
Help Us Choose a T-Shirt Design
This summer we will be sending out t-shirts to some of our loyal listeners as a thank you for listening. We have recently reached the 1000 download mark. Which shirt design should we use? Vote below or click here.
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Monday, May 20, 2019
Lilac Wine - Chapter 18 is now available!
On this episode of Lilac Wine, we go back to the battlefields of France as the war once again invades Robert's dreams. But this time, the dream is more realistic, more terrifying. Listen now below or in your favorite podcast app.
Monday, May 13, 2019
Chapter 17
After a week hiatus, we are back with Chapter 17. Robert pays a visit to Abelia's backyard and the "Clara Barton of Plants" attends to his wounds.
Listen below, or in your favorite podcast app.
Listen below, or in your favorite podcast app.
Monday, April 29, 2019
In Chapter 16, Robert learns a little something about small towns
After waking up the next day, Robert is confronted by Art and Tom about the incident aboard the Sidney and he learns firsthand how a small town operates. Chapter 16 is now available. Listen below or in your favorite podcast app.
Monday, April 22, 2019
Lilac Wine - Chapter 15 is now available
Robert tries to piece together what happened on the Sidney, and Billy gets a telegram from Streckfus Steamers.
Listen now to Chapter 15. After the reading, author Bruce Janu discusses the character of Billy. Listen below or in your favorite podcast app.
Listen now to Chapter 15. After the reading, author Bruce Janu discusses the character of Billy. Listen below or in your favorite podcast app.
Thursday, April 18, 2019
Monday, April 15, 2019
Lilac Wine - Chapter 14
On this episode of Lilac Wine-The Podcast, the excursion aboard the SS Sidney takes a turn for the worse for Billy and Robert. Cornered on the hurricane deck, fists fly.
Listen below or in your favorite podcast app. Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Listen below or in your favorite podcast app. Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Monday, April 8, 2019
Lilac Wine - Chapter 13
On this episode of Lilac Wine-The Podcast, Billy takes Robert on an unconventional trip on the SS Sidney, a steamboat excursion paddlewheeler "tramping" along the upper Mississippi. On board, they listen to some jazz from Fate Marable and drink real beer for a change.
Listen below or in your favorite podcast app. Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Listen below or in your favorite podcast app. Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Monday, April 1, 2019
Lilac Wine - Chapter 12
Chapter 12 is now available. Abelia makes some gazpacho and reminisces about Rima Reiniger, a woman from Over-the-Rhine who taught her about the "fruit of love" so many years ago. When Robert pays another visit, she is surprised at how she feels.
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Chapter 11 is now available
Finally, after a two week hiatus another chapter of Lilac Wine is available. And this is a big one. In Chapter 11, Robert starts delivering the mail in Lily Springs and he finally meets the strange woman who lives in the last house on River Road. Listen now.
Monday, March 4, 2019
Chapter 10
In this Chapter, Billy takes Robert to his favorite spot along the Mississippi and the two of them drink Bevo, a non-alcoholic drink by Anheuser-Busch.
After the reading, Bruce talks about Bevo and steamers.
After the reading, Bruce talks about Bevo and steamers.
Monday, February 25, 2019
Chapter 9
On the next episode of Lilac Wine, Robert finally arrives in Lily Springs. He's greeted at the depot and then taken for a joy ride around the town triangle.
After the reading, Bruce discusses researching how to drive a 1913 Ford Model T.
Check out this video about driving a model T:
After the reading, Bruce discusses researching how to drive a 1913 Ford Model T.
Check out this video about driving a model T:
Monday, February 18, 2019
Lilac Wine - Chapter 8
Robert is on a train to Dubuque when the war invades his dreams. This isn't the first time that this has happened. But this time the war is more real, more immediate.
Listen below, or in your favorite podcast app.
Listen below, or in your favorite podcast app.
Monday, February 11, 2019
Lilac Wine - Chapter 7
In this episode, we sit with Abelia on a warm June evening on her porch. She pours herself some wine and listens to records on her talking machine. John McCormack, an Irish tenor, is one of her favorites. She is reminded of her mother, Colleen Brody.
Listen below or on your favorite podcast app.
After the reading, Bruce discusses music from the early 20th century, the difference between 78s and 33s and the only "castrato" ever recorded, Alessandro Moreschi.
Listen below or on your favorite podcast app.
After the reading, Bruce discusses music from the early 20th century, the difference between 78s and 33s and the only "castrato" ever recorded, Alessandro Moreschi.
Thursday, February 7, 2019
"The Cure" Starring Charlie Chaplin
In Chapter 6 of Lilac Wine - The Podcast, Robert attends a screening of the new Chaplin film, "The Cure." Here is the film. Imagine you are in a dark theater in Chicago in 1917. It is a Saturday night, scattered people throughout the small theater. Some women are "working" in the dark corners, if you know what I mean. After the film, all hell breaks loose. Listen to Chapter 6 now.
Monday, February 4, 2019
Lilac Wine - Chapter 6
On this episode of Lilac Wine - The Podcast, we are back in Chicago for Robert's last night in the city before catching a train to Lily Springs inthe morning. A fan of Charlie Chaplin, he decides a trip to the Gem Theater is in order to catch a screening of The Cure---and then all hell breaks loose!
Listen below or on your favorite podcast service. Subscribe now and tell your friends!
Listen below or on your favorite podcast service. Subscribe now and tell your friends!
Monday, January 28, 2019
Lilac Wine - The Podcast: "Chapter 5"
On this episode we are going back to Lily Springs. Charlotte is painting in Abelia's garden when chaos strikes.
Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast app, or listen below. If you are enjoying Lilac Wine, please consider writing a review at iTunes. That would be greatly appreciated!
Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast app, or listen below. If you are enjoying Lilac Wine, please consider writing a review at iTunes. That would be greatly appreciated!
Monday, January 21, 2019
Lilac Wine - The Podcast: "Chapter 4"
On this episode, we join Robert Bishop as he pays a visit to Conrad's Tavern, and meet the proprietor and his wife. There, Robert and Conrad talk about recent events as Robert enjoys a class of Edelweiss lager and contemplates his uncle's offer.
After the reading, author Bruce Janu discusses the plight of Germans in Chicago following the U.S. declaration of war against Germany.
After the reading, author Bruce Janu discusses the plight of Germans in Chicago following the U.S. declaration of war against Germany.
Monday, January 14, 2019
Lilac Wine - The Podcast: "Chapter 3"
On this episode of Lilac Wine, we go to Chicago to meet Robert Bishop, who works at his uncle's piano factory on "Piano Row." Chicago, at the time, was one of the leading producers of musical instruments. But the war was taking a toll on business, and soon Robert will need to find another job.
Check out the picture of "piano row" below, taken in 1907. Tell your friends about the podcast. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app.
Check out the picture of "piano row" below, taken in 1907. Tell your friends about the podcast. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app.
This is "Piano Row," Chicago. Click on the picture below to go to a full size version. The detail is amazing!
Monday, January 7, 2019
Lilac Wine - The Podcast: Chapter Two
After Owen's accident at the swimming hole, Abelia's picnic in interrupted by a black cherry wine-induced dream. Listen below or in your favorite podcast app. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Lilac Wine - The Podcast: Chapter One
Chapter One is here! An accident at the swimming hole brings out several residents of Lily Springs, hoping to find the source of the sound that is reverberating off the buildings in Lily Springs. Listen below or in your favorite podcast app. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
This episode features some of the more eccentric characters in Lily Springs. Where is Lily Springs located? North of Dubuque, Iowa, along the Mississippi.
When researching the book, I took a trip to Iowa and drove up and down the banks of the Mississippi, stood at the railroad tracks mere feet from the river.
Lily Springs is a completely fictional town, but North Buena Vista was a town that had many qualities I was looking for in regard to the "look" of Lily Springs. Here are some pictures I took on that trip:
This episode features some of the more eccentric characters in Lily Springs. Where is Lily Springs located? North of Dubuque, Iowa, along the Mississippi.
When researching the book, I took a trip to Iowa and drove up and down the banks of the Mississippi, stood at the railroad tracks mere feet from the river.
Lily Springs is a completely fictional town, but North Buena Vista was a town that had many qualities I was looking for in regard to the "look" of Lily Springs. Here are some pictures I took on that trip:
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