Share a Story - Change the World
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Tom Taylor's Groups
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Animal Stories
21 members
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OneSentenceStories
28 members
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Open Topics
23 members
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Story Library
89 members
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Show Me the Money!
39 members
Tom Taylor's Discussions
Tom Taylor*PLUS!......Songs/Poems/Stories, Rhythm and Rhyme...Laughter'n Learning... A Wonderful Time!
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W: http://www.tomtaylorstoriesplus.com
F: http://www.facebook.com/tomabtaylor
Thanks, again, Dianne!
t
"SHARE A STORY, CHANGE THE WORLD" is, when it comes to biblical storytelling, much more than just a catchy motto, catch-phrase or slogan - it's a real possibility.
Profile Information
- About Me:
- Theatrical background, 10 year tour of one-man show - TOM TAYLOR AS WOODY GUTHRIE - both here and abroad: Off-Broadway, the White House, Library of Congress, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Canada, Scotland, England and many other venues. Led to television and film appearances such as DALLAS, THE CHISHOLMS, DARK NIGHT OF THE SCARECROW, ALICE, RESURRECTION, THE WHITE LIONS, THE LILY TOMLIN SPECIAL, etc.
Tiring of life "on the road," Tom taught theatre, English and speech for 20 years at both college and secondary school levels before retiring to focus on "Stories-PLUS!," a variety of programs for all ages/audiences. Programs include original stories, ballads, songs and poems, as well as traditional tales of Texas, the U.S.A. and a wide assortment of countries and cultures.
A wildly popular element of most presentations is the segment on AMERICAN FOLK RHYTHMS, featuring audience-members playing the spoons, perhaps the bones, an authentic stump-fiddle, maybe a few paper (sometimes plastic) bags, as well as performing some basic "licks" of both the hambone and the washboard.
Programs may be "tailored" to accommodate specific emphases, themes, events and occasions.
Tom won the 2007 Texas Storytelling Festival's "Lone Star Liar's Contest"
with his startling revelations of the Texas Turtles' nasty habit (aka "addiction") in his authentically verified and legally documented original account of "The True Tale of the Origin of the Chisholm Trail."
15 MINUTES AUDIO ... Sample some of Tom's Tellin' : storyteller.net/tellers/ttaylor
FREE 15-MINUTE PHONE Q&A: http://tomtaylorstoriesplus.com
My adaptation of a Soren Kierkegaard story via Tony Campolo's book "You Can Make a Difference."
A LAND OF DUCKS
(c) 1985 - Tom A.B. Taylor
I read about a land of ducks who waddled their lives away
They'd duck-walk to their daily jobs'n'duck-walk while at play
They'd waddle to th' duckstore & th' Duck movie way down town
When th' traffic was bad, there'd be "Quack-Ups"...
As the ducks waddled all around
Come Sunday mornin' ev'ry week, they'd fill th' church's pews
An th fiery new duck preacher'd try'n pound home th Good News!
"Listen, Flock, you've got wings! Y'don't have to walk around....
Y'can soar like an eagle soars - thru clouds and Heaven-bound
"Hear me, Ducks - Listen up: YOU were MADE to FLY!!
While the choir sings, jus lift yer wings - who'll be first to try!?
Ducks are made to SOAR!" - and the ducks all cried, "Amen!"
Then the preacher duck just dropped his head . . .
As his flock . . . waddled . . . out . . .again . . . .
(c) 1985 - Tom A.B. Taylor
A LAND OF DUCKS
(c) 1985 - Tom A.B. Taylor
I read about a land of ducks who waddled their lives away
They'd duck-walk to their daily jobs'n'duck-walk while at play
They'd waddle to th' duckstore & th' Duck movie way down town
When th' traffic was bad, there'd be "Quack-Ups"...
As the ducks waddled all around
Come Sunday mornin' ev'ry week, they'd fill th' church's pews
An th fiery new duck preacher'd try'n pound home th Good News!
"Listen, Flock, you've got wings! Y'don't have to walk around....
Y'can soar like an eagle soars - thru clouds and Heaven-bound
"Hear me, Ducks - Listen up: YOU were MADE to FLY!!
While the choir sings, jus lift yer wings - who'll be first to try!?
Ducks are made to SOAR!" - and the ducks all cried, "Amen!"
Then the preacher duck just dropped his head . . .
As his flock . . . waddled . . . out . . .again . . . .
(c) 1985 - Tom A.B. Taylor
Tom Taylor's Photos
Tom Taylor's Blog
Easter Snow in Texas
Saturday, April 07, 2007 –6:30 p.m.
Easter Eve
Easter Snow in Texas
I mowed the grass yesterday, a mere 24 hours ago
And I just looked out the window – to see a world of snow!
Easter weekend! In Texas! You know, TEXAS – cactus, cowboys and such?!
‘Spose I coulda been more surprised, but, I declare – not by much!
Birds didn’t mind, ‘cause there they sat, snackin’ on sunflower seed
I’s peekin’ through the kitchen window, jus’ enjoyin’ watchin’em feed
Cardinals both – a beautiful two – Mr. Car… Continue
Easter Eve
Easter Snow in Texas
I mowed the grass yesterday, a mere 24 hours ago
And I just looked out the window – to see a world of snow!
Easter weekend! In Texas! You know, TEXAS – cactus, cowboys and such?!
‘Spose I coulda been more surprised, but, I declare – not by much!
Birds didn’t mind, ‘cause there they sat, snackin’ on sunflower seed
I’s peekin’ through the kitchen window, jus’ enjoyin’ watchin’em feed
Cardinals both – a beautiful two – Mr. Car… Continue
Posted on April 3, 2008 at 7:26am — 5 Comments
"Bye-bye . . . I love you . . . ."
I'd just pulled into the closest parking spot I could manage on a Wal-Mart Saturday. Making sure windows were up, doors were locked, double-checking to make certain that I wasn't about to lock - or hadn't already locked myself out by leaving car keys on the front seat when I heard it.
A small voice. Sweet. Innocent. Directed at me? I turned to look over my shoulder, and there was the source of that voice. A little boy, maybe two, two and a half years old - leaning out the window of an old stati… Continue
A small voice. Sweet. Innocent. Directed at me? I turned to look over my shoulder, and there was the source of that voice. A little boy, maybe two, two and a half years old - leaning out the window of an old stati… Continue
Posted on February 24, 2008 at 9:19pm — 6 Comments
THE PATHETIC LITTLE TOWN
THE PATHETIC LITTLE TOWN
Once there was a tiny town doomed never to succeed
The fundamental problem was that no one there could read
And since they couldn't read, of course, they couldn't write
They fed on "Foolish" ev'ry morning - dined on "Dumb" at night
The newsboy there never cried, "Extra! Read all about it!"
For in that town not one was found who could read, don't you doubt it
In fact there was no newsboy, nor paper for him to sell
Since none in town could read or write, they didn… Continue
Once there was a tiny town doomed never to succeed
The fundamental problem was that no one there could read
And since they couldn't read, of course, they couldn't write
They fed on "Foolish" ev'ry morning - dined on "Dumb" at night
The newsboy there never cried, "Extra! Read all about it!"
For in that town not one was found who could read, don't you doubt it
In fact there was no newsboy, nor paper for him to sell
Since none in town could read or write, they didn… Continue
Posted on February 17, 2008 at 10:37pm — 2 Comments
NEW: Biblical Storytelling Group
If you are interested in learning about biblical telling, the "hows, whys, wherefores," its opportunities, its power, its challenges, its rewards for both teller and listener, and if you're willing to learn and grow along with others, please join the group - we'd love to have you!
Tom Taylor
Tom Taylor
Posted on February 16, 2008 at 11:29pm — 4 Comments
K-MART TREE
Judgmental-dismissive labels and tags are NOT the way to go
And here's a True Tale - it happened to me - I guess I should know
"You can't judge a book by its cover," an ol' guy once told me
I recall what he said, when I get outa bed, and see, thru the window, that tree
K-Mart...Cheap Tree...A dollar and a half
A thing of beauty? Dignity? Grace? Please, don't make me laugh
Was I, the moment I saw it, simply filled with delight?
At its stature? Its promise? No, oh, no - but, you see, the p… Continue
And here's a True Tale - it happened to me - I guess I should know
"You can't judge a book by its cover," an ol' guy once told me
I recall what he said, when I get outa bed, and see, thru the window, that tree
K-Mart...Cheap Tree...A dollar and a half
A thing of beauty? Dignity? Grace? Please, don't make me laugh
Was I, the moment I saw it, simply filled with delight?
At its stature? Its promise? No, oh, no - but, you see, the p… Continue
Posted on February 16, 2008 at 10:00pm — 2 Comments
Comment Wall (187 comments)
- At 11:23am on May 24, 2009,
Richard Stillman said…
- Dear Tom
Nice to meet you on the website. I mostly travel locally, so I probably won't do anything in Texas anytime soon - but who knows maybe I'll be surprised. I love Western Swing music like Asleep at the Wheel and Bob Wills.
I don't know if it's any consolation to you, but I have my struggles with envy too and like you, I turn to prayer to find some peace about it. Though usually I make myself miserable first.
Anyway it's nice to have a new friend on this site. I only check it once in awhile.
Happy tales to you until we meet again,
Richard
- At 3:55pm on April 15, 2009,
Toni Simmons said… - Tom, It was great to hear from you. This looks like an interesting place to be. Thanks for the comments regarding my website. I hope to see you in the near future.
Toni
- At 3:32pm on April 15, 2009,
Linda King Pruitt said… - Hey Tom,
We've been married for going on 32 years, and more and more now Bob is joining me for programs. I love having the music - it sets an emotional tone for the stories. After doing a story with music it feels sort of 'naked' without. I've even gotten my daughter to accompany me with her cello for one remarkable telling of Jane Yolen's "The Lady and the Merman." Goosebumps!
Warm Capistrano Beach, CA hugs,
Linda
- At 3:42pm on April 14, 2009,
Glenda Bonin said… - Hi Tom!
I got your message from Plaxo, and am pleased to be part of your networking circle.
I'm really not too good about this Internet networking stuff. I know some folks who seem to be able to use these connections quite effectively. Maybe one day I will figure it all out.
In the meantime, I read your latest message on Professional Storyteller about how the tax man has surprised you. My only saving grace has been the RV I purchased several years ago to serve as my office (I live in a very tiny house) and home away from home when I travel. So far, it has been a good investment and my taxes have stayed low (of course, RV expenses are awful - so someone gets any extra money I thought I might be able to save, no matter what). Best of all, when I do month-long residencies in rural areas I get to sleep in my own bed and cook in my own kitchen.
Take care and be happy,
Glenda
--- On Mon, 4/13/09, Plaxo
- At 6:33am on March 24, 2009,
pamela groves said… - Thanks, Tom, for your welcoming words. I'm off to Jamaica to collect a story or two!
- At 3:45pm on March 23, 2009,
G.Robin Smith said… - Hi Tom, pleased to meet you. Thank you for your kind comments. I took a college course at the Univ. of Washington a few years ago from her. I have been an actor/performer (your Woodie Guthrie program sounds wonderful, btw!) for many years, but always considered 'storytelling' as something of a poor step-child. You can guess how long that attitude lasted with Dr. Mac! I had my head turned around fast. Now I consider Storytelling as the Mother of All Arts and teach it that way. I did take my Ben Franklin to Texas (Cleburne and Hillsboro near D/FW in 2006 I think). I have a friend in South Texas who wants to bring me to her school. I would love to go back, do a benefit performance for a local charity, teach, etc. for a week or so. I am envious of your travel schedule. My Chautauqua mentor Clay Jenkinson has taken his Thomas Jefferson/Robert Oppenheimer/Meriwether Lewis/T.Roosevelt etc. program to the Supreme Court, White House, etc. I need a good booking agent. Sigh. More anon, thanks for the welcome. Best, Robin.
- At 6:11am on March 6, 2009,
Alan (Robert Alan Black, Ph.D., CSP) said… - Hello Tom
I just clicked on a Storytelling email and flew back into time when I joined this Storytelling group and was welcome by Buck, Diane, You and others immediately. Then it appears I dropped off the earth.
Many exciting things have happened with this group and the many special groups that have developed from it.
It will take awhile to catch up on my reading.
As to my job as an international creativity consultant, I created it by speaking at conferences, association meetings at first. Then for clients and at conventions.
This weekend, thanks to a Malaysian-English colleague I am flying to Portugal to present at an annual conference focused on entrepreneurship and creativity/innovation plus the organizer has set up other presentations in a mix of places in Portugal and Spain.
One of my primary messages involves closing the
CREATIVITY G.A.P.S. in workplaces and lives
G - Gift, the myth that creativity is a gift that only a few receive or possess
A - Attitude, our abilities to be creative are highly dependent upon our attitudes and moods
P - creative thinking is the result of tools and techniques, either consciously, sub-consciously or unconsciously used
S - creativeness is the result of chosen strategies
Being creative is a choice.
Talent may be a gift to a point yet it takes development, practice, application, learning, growth to master them.
- At 10:21pm on January 5, 2009,
Reisa Stone said… - Hi Tom,
Glad you joined Animal Stories! The story I was talking about is in the forum, not on my Home page.
- At 1:57am on January 5, 2009,
Reisa Stone said…
- Hi Tom,
I'd like to trade you a "birds in snow" story. Yours is lovely. Mine is posted in the Animal Stories group, which I'd like to invite you to join. Maybe even repost your story in the Animals in Winter forum. Please?
Kind regards,
Reisa
- At 1:36pm on November 14, 2008,
K. Sean Buvala said… - ah, there he is
welcome mr tom, good ta see ya.
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