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11/12/2017

The Last Resort…Illustrated

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PictureLaura Lee Cundiff, artist and master sailboat renovator
As we were preparing The Last Resort for publication, I had one nagging frustration: I wanted to include a map of the area around the camp on Salt River, but I didn’t have the skills to realize my vision. I imagined a map that would help the reader locate Pud’s favorite fishing holes and river paths as well as the farms he and the other boys traipsed across to get to the camp. I had in mind something similar to the hand-drawn map of Port William at the back of Wendell Berry’s Jayber Crow.

It was not until after we had published the paperback edition of the book that a friend suggested the perfect artist for the job. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought to contact her before. She is a friend of many years, a former work colleague, a recognized artist in multiple media, and a musician. As chance would have it, she was also another college chum of mine. Having her join our creative team—which already included college classmate David Hoefer, the author of the book’s introduction; Barbara Grinnell, my friend and former colleague at Transylvania University; and my husband, Rick Showalter—upped the talent level and increased my joy amidst all the hard work.

​Well, dear reader, you are in for a treat. This map is my small gift to you, to thank you for following this blog and sharing interest in this project. If you have read The Last Resort, I think you will appreciate Laura Lee Cundiff’s representation of “The Last Resort and Environs.” You will recognize most, if not all, of the landmarks on the map. Look closely and you will find Thomas the Model T pickup and Mike, Pud’s Wire Fox Terrier. Of course, all of the important fishing gear is in plain sight.

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If you do not yet own The Last Resort, you may want to purchase a copy of the new hard cover edition, which will include this fanciful map. Books will be available through your local bookseller by early December. (Simply ask the proprietor to order ISBN 978-0-9992540-1-1 through Ingram book distributors.) It would make a great Christmas gift!

As the season of thanksgiving approaches, I am so grateful for everyone who has helped bring this second release to fruition. Each time I dive into a new publishing project, I am amazed at the amount of labor involved. Thankfully, I have a supporting team that never lacks energy, inspiration, and encouragement. No matter how unreasonable my demands or how zany my requests, they have responded with patience and dedication. 

Who knows what the next chapter will be?

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7 Comments
Robert Goodlett
11/12/2017 09:31:46 pm

Wonderful drawing..makes me want to go back there and explore around

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Ward Wilson
11/12/2017 10:59:50 pm

Great talent can make a thing look simple, yet still be detailed. LL is a great talent and a really nice person. I need to check out this book. I’m part of a collaborative doing Conservation mapping of the Salt River basin.

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Sallie Showalter
11/13/2017 07:33:39 am

Ward, I hope you will consider taking a look at the book. Poor Richards in Frankfort should carry the new hard cover edition by early December. Claude Stephens at Bernheim had thought you might be interested, and I believe I contacted you earlier this fall about it. Good things always come from recruiting Laura Lee and her talents for a project!

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Joan Cullen link
6/9/2021 09:05:25 pm

Hi, Ward, I discovered this website after Sallie Showalter posted a wonderful tribute for my younger brother, Philip, who died unexpectedly 10 May "life without end".

I was browsing other posts and found you here. As you said, a good map can make all the difference.

I didn't have any luck getting a copy of the book on the Paris station at Carmichael's. If you found a copy somewhere else here in Louisville, please let me know.

Hope all is well with you and the family.

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Laura Lee Cundiff link
11/13/2017 07:30:30 am

Aw, shucks! I have really enjoyed being a part of this project!

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S. H. Cundiff
11/13/2017 12:22:18 pm

What a charming map! Makes me want to go there . . .

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marcy rucker
11/14/2017 02:39:18 pm

Great job on the map!! It's a shame that today's generation doesn't take (or have) the opportunity to go on adventures like Pud or even our generation did.

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    Between the debilitating effects of age and the 24-hour crush of mind-bending news, my brain is frequently in a fog. Nonetheless. I'll occasionally try to sweep aside the ashy gray matter and shed some light on what's going on at Murky Press. Perhaps together we can also gain a little insight into how we can better use words to organize and clarify the world around us.

    Cheers! 
    Sallie Showalter, Murky Press 

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