By Emilie Parten, Reporter on the Rove
Virginia Miller Reeves, 80 and Kyle Hobratschk, 30 were welcomed at Kinsloe House last Wednesday to discuss their new book “Once in the Blue Moon”. Reeves, who was born and raised on a cotton farm in Oklahoma, did a short reading of the book which was largely inspired by her own experiences and her family’s story. “This is the story of a family doing things they think they cannot do, trying so hard to stay together,” Reeves explained, describing “Once in the Blue Moon” as a tale of resilience, forgiveness and redemption. “We all carry the dirt we grew up in,” Reeves said.
Kyle Hobratschk is the founder and director of 100 West, an artist and writer residency. Hobratschk is a painter, print maker and crafter of furniture who was raised in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and Arizona, a resident of Corsicana for 12 years now. He drew 20 illustrations to pen the chapters of Miller Reeve’s story, making elaborate copper etchings that became the prints for the book, some of which had to be drawn backwards in order to press correctly.
Hobratschk traveled to Oklahoma and toured Reeves’s home town in order to get a better impression and improve the illustrations that eventually were printed with the book. The impressive etchings were on display with the books at the program and added a layer of awe to the unique process these two went through in order for their story to be told.
Kinsloe’s next program will be “My Dirty Little Secret” by Patricia Thibodeau on November 6th, “And Now for the Rest of the Story…” with Lloyd Hickerson on November 13th and “Use It or Lose It” with Dr. Danica Watson and Dr. Seth Watson on November 20th. Reservations can now be done online.