Dear Jitty,
I discovered the BONES Series at Thanksgiving
at my mother-in-law's house and already on the 3rd book! I
love them and you are my favorite! I grew up on a cotton farm
in Morgan City (25 miles south of Greenwood) and Onie, the black
housekeeper, was my 2nd mom. She died a few years back,
and I really miss her. I, too am a Daddy's Girl, and much
like Sarah Booth: didn't follow the path of other DG in the
area; went to MS State, but graduated from Converse
College in SC; married later in life (to an AR man!);
taught for 10 years, but love the area and "my roots". The
stories bring back such memories for me. I moved away from
MS in '77, but moved to Madison, MS in '96.
You may have answered these questions as I
get further in the series, but I'm curious:
1. Did you appear to Sarah Booth when
she was a child or only when she returned from New York?
When Sarah Booth was a child, she
had her mama and her Aunt Loulane to keep her straight.
She didn't really need me. It was only when she came
back from New York all alone that I decided to keep her
company.
2. How did Sarah Booth react the first
time she saw you and did she believe right away?
Lord, she likta jumped out of her
skin. It was pure dee delicious. But she needed someone to
keep her straight, and she knew it.
3. Did you appear to other relatives or
does Sarah Booth have this privilege all to herself and why?
No, I haunt only Sarah Booth. I
am, in a way, her subconscious.
4. Are you able to be heard by others
or is this your choosing to be only heard by Sarah Booth?
It is funny the situations she is
put in when folks hear her talking - to what seems - herself!
I'm like the little angel (or devil)
sitting on your shoulder--your personal guide. That's how
I am for Sarah Booth. It's a very personal and privileged
relationship.
5. Where do you get your outfits?
Why, they're woven completely out of
imagination. That's one of the benefits of being dead.
6. Can you leave the farm or are your
boundaries limited?
Technically, I can go wherever Sarah
Booth needs me, but I prefer to remain in Dahlia House.
It's where I belong.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Merry Christmas!
Mary Jane Kimball
I'm so glad you asked all the
right questions. There are times when Sarah Booth
doesn't give me enough page time. She thinks folks
read the books to hear about her cases, but I know it's all
about me. I'm going to answer your questions as you
asked, and it was a pleasure hearing a little about your
Delta experiences. There's no place like home, as
Dorothy knew.
Best,
Jitty