Sorry, folks, but one post will not cut it for Claunch. That is a busy place, lots going on. Round ups, cyclones (or something) showers (baby kind) music playing and singing and most of all some mighty nice folks serving some mighty good food. I am so dang tired from all the stuff going on I am going to make 2 0r 3 posts on this visit. I very seldom see my neighbors around here and those folks come for miles to shake hands, say howdy and greet one another. Word gets out on it and Claunch may start growing again. Well, more later, I got to rest up some from all that visiting…… It plum tuckered me out…..

Have you ever been to Claunch, NM? Well, me neither. I’ve lived in New Mexico since… well, a long, long time and have never even heard of Claunch until a short time ago. Lately, at every turn someone is talking about Claunch. I heard a few days ago that two people moved into the town and it boosted the population by 25%. Now that’s growth, folks!!! Anyway, I’m thinking about touring the place this weekend, but I understand Motel 6 does not have a facility there. Dang…. You reckon that’s right??

Yesterday I recieved a comment from a young lady I used to work with. She has read every one of my books or manuscripts. So yesterday, she gave me a thumbs up on “Apaches, Buffalo Soldiers, That Female Reporter, And Me”. What do you think about that “Mr. Editors who have turned me down?” It really is a good book folks. I just write terrible query letters and synopsis.        if i just knew someone important…… oh, well….

Since “Apaches, Buffalo Soldiers, That Female Reporter, And Me” is going absolutely nowhere, I am having trouble getting into my next book, you know what I mean, no excitement at all in my writing. I have four chapters written and a mental outline, but it is slow going. El Paso, TX area is the center of the story, 1881, when Dallas Stoudenmire was town Marshall. He was known for his “shoot and ask questions later” style of justice. Three railroads have just made it into town and the boom is on. I really need to get on with the story. When the words hit me they generally explode like a bomb,  but so far, not even a firecracker.

Number two son had his Mom and me over for Mother”s Day dinner yesterday. Great meal, both Grandma’s were there as were Number two son’s wife, daughter and two sons. Lots of visiting, good food and planning. One grandson is a huge fan of the Atlanta Braves. We discussed my attending a reunion down in Pickens County, Al this summer, July as a matter of fact. Grandson jumped on the computer and learned that the Braves were going to be at home during that time frame. Now, maybe a bunch of us will be headed toward Alabama with a brief sojourn over to Atlanta to see the Braves play. Both grandson want to see how many major league ball parks they can visit in the next few years, etc, so really both of them became excited over the “reunion”. Me too, because I would really love the company and I hate to fly any more. So, the Mother’s had a good day, my granddaughter announced plans for a San Franciso trip to see the Cowboys play in preseason (amongst eating a dab of great sea food), so she had a good day,  and us boys started planning for the reunion. It was really a good day for all.

Here is a short story that you may download. This was one of my first short stories and it remains one of my favorite. I hope you enjoy it, titled Fats’ and Punky’s Monster.