Perks of Oral Interviews

At each house I visit to interview another neighbor for my Stories blog, I usually come away with a taped interview and a full belly! Something to remember is that interviews should be relaxed and fun. Every neighbor offers me a snack and depending on the time of day, a cup of coffee, tea or wine. I have had sweet, white Hungarian wine and sugar cookies, pumpkin bread and espresso, Afghani vegetable soup and homemade bread, and gumbo and Maker's Mark. My project has turned from just research work to a series of social events! I am completely enjoying learning about my neighbors' lives, tape by tape, snack by snack.