by Joe Barr
Bum-bum is a young, bright and beautiful, blue-eyed blonde. She is a Lady, a Wife, and a Mother. She is also a prolific published writer. Introducing her is not an easy task. She can be reticent, even resistant. She avoids sharing information about herself.
For those not familiar with the name Bum-bum, we should mention that outside the home, she is better known as Tammy Peacy.
To sidestep this hurdle we have enlisted the services of another member of the household. Our behind the scene correspondent is a young blue-eyed stud who goes by the name of Keagan. His communication skills, while notable for a young man grown to a proud 24 inches, can be limiting. To ease the process, we have conducted this interview via email.
Joe: Master Keagan, beyond hugging you, and the rest of the family, what does you Mom consider fun?
I have heard her mention dancing a time or two. She gets all dolled up and seems a little too enthused about getting away from the family for a few hours.
When she has friends over to visit with me, she laughs and swears a lot. I can’t wait to tell Daddy the new words I’m learning. Her friends are rather boring though. And they don’t seem to understand plain English. I’m constantly repeating myself to get them to understand me. I’d prefer playing with my toys or watching a video to listening to them drone on about husbands and dishes and children.
Joe: Thanks, Keagan. I think you are holding up well under the stress.
Let’s cover some details. When did Bum-bum start painting?
I can only remember the last two years and there seems to be some sort of communication block between us, so I can’t ask her to get an answer as to when she started.
Joe: Okay, Keagan, let’s take something more recent.
Tell me about Bum-bum and her camera. How did she come to do self Portraits?
Bum-bum likes to think that she has a good eye for balance and enjoys taking photographs based on this assumption.
Joe: Tell Bum-bum to take a bow for her adventuresome spirit.
Let’s get to the grist, Keagan. Tell me why Bum-bum writes, please.
Joe: You are getting rather concise, Keagan. You can ask Bum-bum what that means. What do you think people should know, or would like to know about her that we have not covered? Tell us, please, about her life outside the house.
I’ll get back to you on this last answer. I need a diaper change.
. . .
Keagan: Sorry for the delay. Back to Bum-bum.
Bum-bum is recovering from a nasty head cold.
Here are some things that you should know about Bum.
- She is a terrible housekeeper. I can hardly get her to pick up all of my toys these days. She keeps insisting that since I made the mess, I should clean it up. I hear her having this same argument with Daddy from time to time.
- She has a bet with her friend Michele that she will win a Pulitzer before Michele does. I think this is unfair since Michele isn’t a writer.
- Bum-bum owns over sixty pairs of shoes and I can’t get her to wear anything other than her ratty old Wal-Mart flip-flops.
- Her secret wish is to one day record an album of her singing her favorite songs. (I don’t want to be the one to break it to her, but she isn’t a very good singer.)
- Aside from writing, painting and taking pictures, I have also witnessed Bum-bum crocheting, embroidering, sewing, and making a braided rug. Sometimes I think she’s fantasizing about being a pioneer woman.
Joe: Nicely done, Keagan. Now let’s ask Bum-bum for a little input. See if you can get her to do 50 words or less on defining herself. And thanks for your help, Keagan.
I’ve had a really exciting year. I decided to get serious about writing in January and have been published in small press lit mags and an anthology several times since then. I hope that part continues.
Hmmm, I don’t like to talk about myself.
When I was in second grade we were given a writing promt. It was about a busy little beaver and we had to complete his story with a few sentences. I filled several pages. I’ve been writing since (with a small break between 1997 and 2003).
Joe: You are challenging my concept of “Prolific”, Young Lady.
Who are You? What defines You? To a total stranger, explain who you are, what you do, what you think…
Please
You are more than a few sentences.
Who I am defies defining. How about that? Why do I have to define myself? Sounds limiting.
And just so you know, I don’t go around explaining who I am to total strangers. Ugh.
What do I do? I don’t think I do much, because I don’t sit around thinking about it at length. I just try to do the things I do. But if you’re forcing me to sit down and examine what it is I do, it goes like this:
I am a mother, and all that entails. I write when I feel there is something to say or a story to be told. I pout when I don’t get my way. I think it’s okay to say that men and women are not equal in all things. I wish I’d had more time with my grandma. I paint when I need an outlet and nothing else suffices. I don’t want to age, but I want the wisdom that comes with it. I am a good wife to a man with low expectations. I am done talking about myself, so don’t ask me to do it any more.
And that is Tammy!
And she smiles, and you have no choice, you smile back.
The words are worn and familiar, but they fit.
Tammy is a delightful original, and it is a pleasure knowing her.
~Joe Barr
Tammy Peacy, you have been “Exposed”
Tammy’s work has been published in AntiMuse, Chick Flicks Ezine, The Write Side Up, and Wanderings Magazine.
Joe Barr is not only a photographer, he is also a member of the Kenosha Writers’ Group.
5 comments ↓
What a wonderful account of Bum Bum and her adorable son! I love the flow in this interview…I love the “real” of Tammy, who I might add is an exquisite young woman. I am reading well between the lines and see her gentle stamina… Tammy - that Pulitzer just may be yours someday! You shall persevere with your humble strength..keep believing in yourself…I sure do!
Great job Joe, you’ve captured another beautiful flower…God bless you both!
Too often those of us that are wives and mothers are defined by those titles alone. But, we cannot (nor should we attempt to) separate ourselves from all that makes us whole. I enjoyed how Joe & Tammy incorporated these very important roles a woman has with that of individual self.
Tammy is always inspiring, even “second-hand”!
Great interview, Joe.
Very much enjoyed seeing this style of writing. Would like to see more of it.
I understand this young woman has some short stories that have been published, where might I locate a book of them?
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