Featured Author - Mary Logue! - Part 2

MLM: Mardi Gras is Tuesday March 8th this year. Will you be celebrating it this year? Why or why not? If so, what are your plans this year? Care to share any stories of past Mardi Gras celebrations?

MARY: I’ve never really celebrated it. When I was seven I went with my family to New Orleans right after Mardi Gras and remember picking up beads off the street and eating beignets.

MLM: Are you Irish? Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day…why or why not?

MARY: I am very Irish, although many generations removed. Logue is an Irish name and my mother’s maiden name was Kirwin. My partner, Pete Hautman, is also part Irish and we make a nice meal. One year he even corned some beef. I always make Irish soda bread and we drink Black and Tans—Guiness and Harp Beer.

MLM: In some areas, St. Patty’s Day is celebrated with green beer and all sorts of other green things, like green eggs and ham, have even been given a spotlight this time of year. What kind of activities will be going on in your area?

MARY: There’s a big parade in St. Paul, MN. A very Irish town.

MLM: One of the greatest things about the Internet is that we can connect with writers of all kinds from all over the globe so we want to know:
a.)What area of the country/world are you from?

MARY: I live in Golden Valley, MN, right on the outskirts of Minneapolis.

b.)What are the average temperatures of your area?

MARY: This is not a good time to ask me that question. We’ve had a nasty winter. Today wasn’t too bad—it got above freezing. But it spit snow all day long.

c.)What type of clothing would most residents be wearing today?

MARY: Believe it or not, you might even see someone in shorts. Minnesotans are hardy and the slightest glimpse of the sun or warmth and they shed clothes.

d.)What tips do you have for people to “survive” the weather where you are?

MARY: Buy flowers for yourself, light candles, read good books, sit in front of the fire, write a poem or two. Write a novel for that matter. It’s a good time to get work done.

MLM: March has strong connections with Ireland, which is steeped in mysticism. What about you, are you steeped in mysticism? Do you believe in leprechauns and the like, or at least enjoy the tales of them? Why or why not? Are there any mystical beings with ties to Ireland that you really enjoy?

MARY: I like the spirit of the people. I’ve been to Ireland many times and have felt so at home there—the people like to talk, they love to tell stories. I fit right in.

MLM: What is your view on March? Does it come in like a lion and exit like a lamb? Do you feel that March is really the time of rebirth, even though many flowers and trees might not start budding until April in northern parts of the world? Why or why not?

MARY: We still have three feet of snow on the ground—so I’m hoping it will go out like a lamb.

MLM: If you could go anywhere in Ireland, where would you go and why?

MARY: I have loved Galway, but if I went again I’d visit Donegal, which is where the Logues are from.

MLM: On that note, we’ll end our interview for this week. Thank you so much for joining us this week!