This is another picture of our business’s sign out along HWY 522. Great country.

This picture is taken from HWY 522 in front of our home. The small building to the right is our store. Not big but lots of very unique things.

One More That I Thought was real nice.

Just up the road from us is this real nice view of some fall colours and thought I would share.

For a bigger view of the pictures just click on the picture. Enjoy.

Hi Folks well I see the story I sent to the Community Voice didn’t run not sure why so from now on I won’t put any notices on here till I make sure they have run. Simple way of making sure you are able to read them. In this world of today things change and News Papers are one of them. Talk Soon.

Hi folks well this week the column is called, Lost Wisdom. It pertains to my younger days and how I came to writing short stories, along with my views on our Elders and all the wisdom that will be lost when they are gone. Also a lot of other tips, info and bit of my wisdom that I know you will enjoy. So if you get a minute go out and get yourself a copy of the Community Voice, in North Bay and surrounding areas. Talk Soon.

Well I think my Column in the Saturday Nugget should be in there this week, as they took it out last week as they needed space.  Well what can you do its their paper.  At any rate here is a bit on what its about thought I would share.

This week I wrote one up on Messages and how we got them out to folks years ago back on the Dairy farm where I was raised.  I got to say when writing this story a lot came to mind and brought back a lot of fine memories. Folks of today would probably wonder how we made out as good as we did back then, but we did ok.  The Story is called Messages but we will see what the paper calls it as they have a Tendency of changing the titles on me.  But what can you do.  At any rate look for it this week in the North Bay Nugget.  Talk Soon

WRITING A GOOD ARTICLE QUERY

Most magazine editors prefer authors send them a query letter
rather than the entire article. This helps minimize the size of
the unsolicited submissions stack towering over their desks, and
allows them to quickly judge if an idea is right for their
publication. Some editors will buy an article on the strength of
the query alone, especially if the author is previously
published. So, while you can send out queries before you
actually write the piece, it’s essential that you complete your
research and have a good idea of the direction your article will
take before committing to it in the query letter. Also, be sure
you can finish the article quickly if the editor writes back and
asks to see the whole piece. If you’ve never written a magazine
article before, I suggest you do so before sending out queries,
just to be sure you can deliver what you promise.

Like your article, the query letter should be lively, well-
organized, and entertaining. Open with a strong sentence that
sets the tone for your article–an interesting fact about your
subject, a question you intend to answer, or a line of dialog
from someone you interviewed. Complete the paragraph by
presenting the five basic facts about your topic: who, what,
when, where and why. Sprinkle in a few statistics if you have
them, and don’t forget to list the projected word length. Your
second paragraph introduces the questions you intend to answer
in the article, and the slant you’ll take on the subject. This
is your opportunity to show the editor why your article is
unique. If you have unusual information or have interviewed
experts, include that in this paragraph.

The third paragraph states the market for this topic. Show
you’ve done your research and explain why your article would
appeal to the magazine’s readership. You should know that your
particular slant on the topic hasn’t been done before (search
magazine databases at the library under subject headings), so
tell the editor of your findings.

Your final paragraph includes any pertinent information about
yourself. List previous writing credits, areas of expertise that
are related to your article, writing organizations to which you
belong. Anything that gives you credibility as an author should
be included. If you have no relevant experience, skip this
paragraph.

Some magazines request an annotated bibliography of resources
used in writing the article. This can be attached on a second
sheet of paper. Be sure your letter also includes your full
address, phone number, and email. Submit with a self-addressed,
stamped envelope for the editor’s reply.

It’s best to query one magazine at a time unless you are
slanting the article differently for different publications. If
two magazines request the complete work, send to your preferred
market first. If they buy the piece, be sure you retain the
appropriate rights to write about the same subject for a
different market before submitting a new article elsewhere.

Good Luck!

A COWBOY’S GUIDE TO LIFE

Don’t squat with your spurs on.

Don’t interfere with something that ain’t botherin’ you none.

Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

The easiest way to eat crow is while it’s still warm. The colder it gets, the harder it is to swaller.

If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.

If it don’t seem like it’s worth the effort, it probably ain’t.

It don’t take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep.

The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with watches you shave his face in the mirror every morning.

Never ask a barber if you need a haircut.

If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around.

Don’t worry about bitin’ off more’n you can chew; your mouth is probably a whole lot bigger’n you think.

Always drink upstream from the herd.

Generally, you ain’t learnin’ nothing when your mouth’s a-jawin’.

Tellin’ a man to git lost and makin’ him do it are two entirely different propositions.

If you’re ridin’ ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still there with ya.

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

When you give a personal lesson in meanness to a critter or to a person, don’t be surprised if they learn their lesson.

When you’re throwin’ your weight around, be ready to have it thrown around by somebody else.

Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back.

Always take a good look at what you’re about to eat. It’s not so important to know what it is, but it’s sure crucial to know what it was.

The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back into your pocket.

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

Pretty Good Advice Huh?

The Legend of The Cedar Tree
By

Grey Wolf
A long time ago when the Cherokee people were new upon the earth, they thought that life would be much better if there was never any night. They beseeched the Ouga (Creator) that it might be day all the time and that there would be no darkness.
The Creator heard their voices and made the night cease and it was day all the time. Soon, the forest was thick with heavy growth. It became difficult to walk and to find the path. The people toiled in the gardens many long hours trying to keep the weeds pulled from among the corn and other food plants. It got hot, very hot, and continued that way day after long day. The people began to find it difficult to sleep and became short tempered and argued among themselves.

Not many days had passed before the people realized they had made a mistake and, once again, they beseeched the Creator. “Please,” they said, “we have made a mistake in asking that it be day all the time. Now we think that it should be night all the time.” The Creator paused at this new request and thought that perhaps the people may be right even though all things were created in twos… representing to us day and night, life and death, good and evil, times of plenty and those times of famine. The Creator loved the people and decided to make it night all the time as they had asked.

The day ceased and night fell upon the earth. Soon, the crops stopped growing and it became very cold. The people spent much of their time gathering wood for the fires. They could not see to hunt meat and with no crops growing it was not long before the people were cold, weak, and very hungry. Many of the people died.

Those that remained still living gathered once again to beseech the Creator. “Help us Creator,” they cried! “We have made a terrible mistake. You had made the day and the night perfect, and as it should be, from the beginning. We ask that you forgive us and make the day and night as it was before.”

Once again the Creator listened to the request of the people. The day and the night became, as the people had asked, as it had been in the beginning. Each day was divided between light and darkness. The weather became more pleasant, and the crops began to grow again. Game was plentiful and the hunting was good. The people had plenty to eat and there was not much sickness. The people treated each other with compassion and respect. It was good to be alive. The people thanked the Creator for their life and for the food they had to eat.

The Creator accepted the gratitude of the people and was glad to see them smiling again. However, during the time of the long days of night, many of the people had died, and the Creator was sorry that they had perished because of the night. The Creator placed their spirits in a newly created tree. This tree was named a-tsi-na tlu-gv {ah-see-na loo-guh} cedar tree.

When you smell the aroma of the cedar tree or gaze upon it standing in the forest, remember that if you are Tsalagi {Cherokee}, you are looking upon your ancestor.

Tradition holds that the wood of the cedar tree holds powerful protective spirits for the Cherokee. Many carry a small piece of cedar wood in their medicine bags worn around the neck. It is also placed above the entrances to the house to protect against the entry of evil spirits. A traditional drum would be made from cedar wood.

Does the author believe this? Well, lets just say that there is a piece of cedar in my medicine pouch and I carry it always. The Creator did not make the people because of loneliness, but because the Creator wanted to show generosity and love to the people. Accept the blessings and the gifts given and always give thanks for them.

Grey Wolf

Two Wolves

I thought I’d share a story today.

Old grandfather said to his grandson who came to him with anger at a
friend who had done him an injustice ………
I too,at times,have felt a great hate for those that have taken so
much, with no sorrow for what they do.But hate wears you down,and does
not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy
would die.
I have struggled with these feelings many times.

“It is as if there are two wolves inside me :
One is good and does no harm. He lives in Harmony with all around him
and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only
fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way. He saves all his
energy for the right fight.

But the other wolf,  Ahhhh!
He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of
temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think
because his anger and hate are so great.It is helpless anger, for his
anger will change nothing .
Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me , for
both of them try to dominate my spirit.

The boy looked intently into his grandfathers eyes and asked……..
“Which one wins, Grandfather?”
The Grandfather smiled and quietly said……
“”The one I feed.”
Walk in Peace and Beauty
Grey Wolf

H folks well just got an E-Mail from the Nugget and they aren’t going to put in my Column this week due to space shortage.  Hmmm.  Well not much one can do so the story that I mentioned won’t be in till next Saturday.  Sorry about that and hope this isn’t a regular thing as I know how many folks look forward to reading them.  Talk Soon/.

Country Woman

It was a beauty of a day and I had just come in from doing my chores. I was sitting in my most favorite spot, in the wood box in the corner and listening to Reg talking to his Grandson and wife. Reg was washing his hands by the sink and listening to what they had to say. The Grandson’s wife was looking out the window. ¿I see your wife Laura working in the garden, she sure looks happy out there. It must be nice to not to have to go to work every day like I do. She has the life of Riley living here on the farm, doing what she wants, when she wants, not having to answer to any one. I got to say, I don’t think she would last a week in the city.¿

Reg was standing there taking it all in and then went and sat down at the table. ¿Young lady, I think its about time you and me had a talk. That woman your talking about, is about the hardest working woman I have ever met. She might not have a degree of schooling hanging on the wall, but she has a farm that has risen from the dirt and made into a place we can call home. She is the back bone of this whole farm, without her it would have never happened.

You say she could never live in the city and do your job, well your probably right. She hates the city, as she is a country woman. Country women are a different breed of woman. They are special, she has worked by my side for over fifty years now, through hard times and good times. She has put up with my nonsense, cooked, baked, washed, and knitted my clothes when they had holes. She was there for me when we had no money to hire help, worked in the fields, helped with the milking, delivering new born calves in the middle of winter in the snow. She has helped with getting firewood ready for winter, splitting logs with an Axe, she has planted and worked the family garden, for longer than I can remember and kept it hoed by hand. She has been there for your Father and myself, when we were sick and nursed us back to health. Fixed our cuts and broken bones when no doctor was around. She also has been the love of my life and I will not stand here and let you run a woman down that has done so much.

I don’t blame you though as much as I blame society. You younger folks don’t realize, that if it wasn’t for these hard working country women, you wouldn’t have even been born. All the food that is eaten in your cities, where do you think it comes from? It isn’t grown in a grocery store. Society has you all so strung up on what you think you need in life, that you don’t take time to enjoy life.

You see that woman singing away in the garden? She is enjoying life, doing what she loves and making every minute of every day, count. When she comes in here in a few minutes, I expect you to treat her with respect, as she will you. I have had my say and these words will never leave this room.¿

With that Reg got up and went outside. I watched as the Grandson’s wife got up and went to the sink. She wiped her eyes and then looked over at her husband. I needed that she said. I just never realized what your Grandmother had to go through, or any farmers wife for that matter. They gave each other a hug and went outside to the garden.

I don’t know what was said after that, but for as long as I can remember, I do know this. They became the best of friends from that day on.

Farm women are a different kind of woman I will say that. As my wife, she has been there for me through all our farming days and without her we wouldn’t be where we are today. The old saying, that behind every successful man is a good woman, can wrap this story up all in one sentence.

So there you have it, a conversation that I overheard, that stuck with me through life. I guess I kind of molded my life around that conversation and I do know that when it comes to country women. I got one of the best.

In closing I would like to wish you well.

Hi Folks well decided to let you know a bit about how I got into writing and things. It actually happened around 20 some years ago.  I always had the urge to write,  just never knew how to get started. So,  decided on just sitting down and doing it. MY first bit of writing was my Biography which turned out pretty good.  I then decided on writing short stories of something I knew like, farming, woodworking you name it.  Ended up I got to writing of my past life experiences and my old Dad’s and Grandfathers. We all have had quite a life.  If there was any advice I could give to any one that wants to be a writer would be this. Write what you know and you can’t go wrong.  Today I look forward to sitting down and writing up a story or two and it always gives me a good feeling inside when done.  I write now for different Newspapers and magazines.  I am currently working on putting out my first book which should take place next summer, should.  Not cheap doing that I have found,  and it takes a lot of work getting things done up right.  I think I am half way there.   I have planned on taking around 60 of my stories and using them for my book,  time will tell how that goes.  My son Karl put a link on The Old Craftsman’s web site www.theoldcraftsman.com   for those that are interested in Pre-registering  for the book.  Once the book is published and those that have signed up, will then be notified and the book will be mailed out to you or you can pick it up.   Following this post I will put on a story called,  Country Woman. Kind of figured I should let the folks see how I write.   Also if you want further stories to look at there is another link on the Old Craftsman’s site which says Just One More Story.  Click on that and it will show you a list of around 300 stories with a blip of each one.  Can’t beat that huh?    Talk Later.

I haven’t been doing to much writing for the Community Voice lately as I have had a real busy summer.  But now that cold weather is settling in I have a bit more time,  so wrote up one. It was called Fall Is In The Air.   It is about getting ready for fall with  firewood and things, along with a bit on getting the vegetable garden ready  for winter and next spring. So hope you all pick up a copy as there is a lot of good tips and things and of course a bit of my every day humor.   Enjoy and talk to you soon.

Well figured maybe I might just give you a glimpse of the story that will be in the Nugget each week.  Can’t get into telling you to much as that would kind of take away the whole story.  This week I wrote one up on Messages and how we got them out to folks years ago back on the Dairy farm where I was raised.  I got to say when writing this story a lot came to mind and brought back a lot of fine memories. Folks of today would probably wonder how we made out as good as we did back then, but we did ok.  The Story is called Messages but we will see what the paper calls it as they have a Tendency of changing the titles on me.  But what can you do.  At any rate look for it this week in the North Bay Nugget.  Talk Soon

Well another day here in the small quiet town of Port Loring. Had a good breakfast and now settling down to do a bit of writing for a column that I put out each week. You know I got to thinking here about this Blog thing and for most parts I don’t think there will be much adding to different Categories for now as when I talk it is usually here in the Uncategorized one. Simpler I think and if any one wants to read what I have to say its right up front. I guess I am a up front sort of feller anyways. I did manage to get one story ready for press this morning and got it Edited up. I do all my own editing pretty well other than my wife and boys giving me a bit of their wisdom once and awhile. Some I take some I don’t. My writing style is different than mosts. I use simple words and phrases and over the years seem to like them. The story today is on giving (Advice). Can’t get into the whole story but will say this. Never tell folks what they should or should not do. I try and show by passed life experiences when I go to help folks. At least then I know what I am talking about. Well guess will go will probably be back later on just that I got another story that came to mind so had better get it on paper. That’s a good tip on want to be writers. Write things down as soon as you can or for sure you will forget it. Taker easy.