Kind of like this an old friend sent me.  Take A Look.

*How I learned to mind my own business** *

* *

I was walking past the mental hospital the other day, and all the patients were shouting,
’13….13….13.’

The fence was too high to see over, but I saw a little gap in the planks, so I looked through to see what was going on…..

Some idiot poked me in the eye with a stick!

Then they all started shouting ’14….14….14’…

Thought I would let folks know I am now full swing into getting my third book done up.  Lots to do but on the bright side after two books I at least know what lies ahead.  Right now it’s picking the stories that I would like to go into the book along with editing, editing, editing and more editing.  Amazing how you can write up story then later on come up with new things and ideas to add to it.  But I enjoy doing it,  that is all that matters.  My lovely wife is working steadily on the colour scheme for the cover and along with the painting.  It will be major change from my other two books and I am sure you all will like it.  She is also working on the sketches for each story. My sons are working on the technical stuff so as you can see things are getting done.  Also got a special poem going to be going into the book which I am sure you will all enjoy.  Not written by me, but by some one close, my sister Barb.   So……………if everything goes to plan, we should have it in the stores for the first of June. Hope to see you all at the book signings.  The dates of when they will be, I will post on here and put in with my columns as time goes by. Going to be a great book for sure.  New stories, longer stories, new sketches, a poem to remember and a whole new look.  What more can you ask for.   Talk Soon.

Question; Dear Mr. Walters;  I was just wondering if you would share where all your story writing takes place?

Well I have been a bit reluctant in telling folks, as it is hard to explain so….. figured instead of saying it in words, I would let you take a look.  I know it probably isn’t what one would have figured, but it does me well.  I am surrounded by the days of long ago, which brings stories to mind at a glance, and, well, that is what is suppose to happen.  This picture was taken last year and my lovely wife has changed things a touch, with a book case here and there which are filed  with hundreds of old time novels and things.  I will see about getting another picture in the coming days that does it more justice.  To enlarge the picture below, just click on it.    Hope this helps.

Well not sure why they call it  SUNDAY, as there is no sun to be seen today, or should say any to speak of.  At any rate, not doing to much today other than writing up a few stories for my columns.  You know, I have heard of folks having writers block and never could figure out what they were really talking about.  I have always figured and even told folks, to just sit down and start writing, what comes to mind, is what is meant to be wrote.  Thing is, I have found that a few things that I have figured to be standard thinking, are, well, maybe are not always correct.  So being me, I figure I should be the one to let you folks know that I can slip up once in awhile.  Amazing I know, but true, ha ha. The problem I guess I am having today, is that after twenty some years of writing short stories relating to pretty well the same thing, one gets, well lets face it, bored and wanting to look for different avenues. My columns I will never stop as I look forward to writing them as much as my readers enjoy reading them.   So don’t take me wrong, I would never say I want to quit writing, as that is the furthest thing from the truth, but I am looking for other avenues that my writing can take me.  I have a novel novel on my mind now, which will pertain to a thriller mystery.  Can’t wait till I can give it the time it deserves.  I have also given some thought to doing more stories on my old Grandfather and his adventures through the USA, surveying in the late 1800s and early 1900s. I have a lot of info on him, and put into stories, I am thinking his material would make for some very entertaing reading for folks. My style of writing has done me well for a great number of years and was told to never change, early in my writing career, which I still believe is right on the  money and will continue to put words down as I always have.  So……………………there you go. As you can see, my mind is trying to get out of this slump I am in, which is very bothersome.  I guess I just have to use my own advice, set down and just start writing.   Hmm……….maybe my thinking has been right all along.  Talk Soon.

What’s mainly wrong with society today is that too many Dirt Roads have been paved.
There’s not a problem in America today, crime, drugs, education, divorce, delinquency that wouldn’t be remedied, if we just had more Dirt Roads, because Dirt Roads give character.
People that live at the end of Dirt Roads learn early on that life is a bumpy ride.
That it can jar you right down to your teeth sometimes, but it’s worth it, if at the end is home…a loving spouse, happy kids and a dog.
We wouldn’t have near the trouble with our educational system if our kids got their exercise walking a Dirt Road with other kids, from whom they learn how to get along.
There was less crime in our streets before they were paved.
Criminals didn’t walk two dusty miles to rob or rape, if they knew they’d be welcomed by 5 barking dogs and a double barrel shotgun.
And there were no drive by shootings.
Our values were better when our roads were worse!
People did not worship their cars more than their kids, and motorists were more courteous, they didn’t tailgate by riding the bumper or the guy in front would choke you with dust & bust your windshield with rocks.
Dirt Roads taught patience.
Dirt Roads were environmentally friendly, you didn’t hop in your car for a quart of milk you walked to the barn for your milk.
For your mail, you walked to the mail box.
What if it rained and the Dirt Road got washed out? That was the best part, then you stayed home and had some family time, roasted marshmallows and popped popcorn and pony rode on Daddy’s shoulders and learned how to make prettier quilts than anybody.
At the end of Dirt Roads, you soon learned that bad words tasted like soap.
Most paved roads lead to trouble, Dirt Roads more likely lead to a fishing creek or a swimming hole.
At the end of a Dirt Road, the only time we even locked our car was in August, because if we didn’t some neighbour would fill it with too much zucchini.
At the end of a Dirt Road, there was always extra springtime income, from when city dudes would get stuck, you’d have to hitch up a team and pull them out.
Usually you got a dollar…always you got a new friend…at the end of a Dirt Road!
~by Paul Harvey~