The stories revolve around women who have Mae in their names. Before I did this book, which actually started out as a bunch of drawings tied with ribbon, I was working on a biography about the late jazz guitarist Grant Green . I spent the last nine years as a journalist, first at The Miami Herald and then at The Detroit Free Press. I especially enjoy painting faces and people on old wood I find in my neighborhood. By the way, May was among the top 10 names for women in England and Wales in the year 1900, and among the top 10 names for women in the United States in 1875.
Some people think the name is too old-fashioned, too Southern or too black.
Hopefully, my book will change some of that thinking. Coming up, if someone added Mae to your name, it was like a term of endearment. It was like giving somebody a hug. Now I want you to meet six of my Maes . You may have a hard time finding the book in bookstores now so if they don't have it, please ask them to order it.