Interest in Abraham Lincoln is soaring these days thanks to Steven Spielberg's brilliant Lincoln film, the so-so Abraham Lincoln : Vampire Hunter movie, and of course the Lincoln birth bicentennial along with the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War. New books seemingly appear every week discussing some aspect of Lincoln's life or legacy. Documentaries, some excellent, some dreadful pop up on cable television. One could say that Lincoln is "hot" right now.
In recent months, a new Lincoln website or blog has appeared that I wish to bring to the attention of my own readers. A young woman named Cassandra who lives in the American west has begun an ambitious project about Lincoln, in which she wants to post an article a day about Lincoln to her blog, which may be found at www.abeaday.com. It's a delightful mix of information, quirkiness, and fun. I've enjoyed reading her various posts, which range from her own insights about Lincoln to comical pop-culture "Abe Lincolns" that she's found while surfing on the Internet. In fact, I like her Lincoln project so much, I contacted her to ask if she'd submit to an interview, which she readily agreed to do. What follows is the interview we had via email.
1. What led to your adoration of Lincoln?
It all started as a kid, when I was visiting Disneyland for the first time. Right when you walk in the park, there used to be a "ride" (or so my dad called it) called The Hall of Presidents. Inside was an animatronic Lincoln that said a few things including the Gettysburg Address. I'm not sure why it affected me so strongly, but since that day my family started on quite the Lincoln kick. I barely remember anything else about that day with so much detail.
2. How long have you been a fan of Lincoln's?
Let's see, I was about 7 during the Disneyland event, so I guess that's going on 20 years! Yikes!
3. What led you to begin writing a blog about Lincoln, especially a post a day?
Since the blog revolution, I've loved how readily available people's passions, interests, hobbies, and countless other things can be shared. I had seen the post a day type of blog many times, when I started looking around my house at all the Lincoln crafts I had made it seemed totally plausible that I could and should try my hand at it. Lincoln has always been my favorite interest and I knew this blog would lend me the opportunity to learn more and engage others into the life of Lincoln along the way.
4. What about Lincoln most attracts you to him?
That is a heavy question. When I was 7, I think it was something about the Gettysburg Address that attracted me to him. As I've grown older, read more books, done more research the thing that I love about Lincoln tends to change as to where I'm at in life. If I'm sad, I love to read about his bouts of depression and how he overcame them. When I'm worried about seeing signs of bipolar behavior in my family and friends, I read about Mary. And I love him for loving her throughout her disease. What I love most is that he was a man, a real man, that changed history and only truly fascinating people hold that capability.5. Do family members/friends ever tell you that you're talking too much about him or are obsessed with him?
I am very lucky to have supportive friends and family that encourage my love of Lincoln. If anything, it has made us all closer because as soon as anyone finds a new Lincoln fact, we get in touch. Now we have an excuse to socialize, and I think everyone benefits. Friends and family have been active members in blog helping in many ways from creating crafts, forwarding me information, to the endless amount of creative ideas they send my way. For people that aren't aware of the Lincoln thing, I think the first time they come into my house can be a bit disconcerting. As soon as I explain the blog and the interest, they begin to look at it as a hobby instead of some crazy person who may have a shrine to Abraham Lincoln in her house. Hahaha, it's made for a lot of interesting conversation.
6. What's your favorite aspect of Lincoln's life or legacy?
My favorite thing that Lincoln left behind were his letters. I could read endlessly his eloquent thoughts. We are so lucky that so much of his personal writing still exists. Also, whenever I read them, the voice of Abe (like Daniel Day) echos them in my head. In a way, Lincoln is my favorite author.
(end of interview)
Thank you, Cassandra, for agreeing to the interview about your really wonderful Abe-A-Day blog. Readers, please check it out at www.abeaday.com. I know you'll enjoy it as much as I do.
