Did I want to write a book? Absolutely. Did I think I could? Yes. Would I actually get down to writing one? Not sure; not sure at all. The very thought of trying to put a book together was overwhelming. One day, I’d think I could do it. The next day, “you gotta be kidding.” At my age with no knowledge of all that’s involved in writing a book was too much. I decided to just forget it. As much as I’d like to see a book with my name on the cover, it was just too much, so I gave up the thought.
Enter Morgan Tarpley Smith. She had been my contact for my weekly columns in The Jena Times, a newspaper I have submitted my outdoor columns to for years. Her side gig, which became her main job after her years with the Times was setting up her own business of being an editor, assisting and guiding writers in book-writing projects.
Smith began dropping hints that I ought to consider compiling a book and she was willing to help by becoming my editor. This past summer, I took a deep breath, shook off a case of nerves and decided to give it a try under her direction.
This past Wednesday, November 29, Amazon. com released to the world my book. My palms are sweaty and I hyperventilate some at the thought that I actually did it. The title of my book, “Bamboozled by a Bobcat” highlights one of the stories about a harrowing experience I had as a kid when I was within two feet of having a big bobcat pounce on my head.
In my introduction of readers to my book, here’s what Morgan Smith guided me in writing on my Glynn Harris Author page on Facebook…. “It’s a collection of many short stories from my growing up years in Goldonna and other stories involving country life, fishing and hunting.”
To give you a better idea of the contents of the book, some chapter titles begin with my growing up in a four room house my daddy and friends built. Two bedrooms, a kitchen and living room. Bathroom? We didn’t have one the first few years of my life because bathrooms need water and our shallow well where we drew water for drinking and cooking couldn’t cut it. Our bathroom consisted of a path out back leading to our outdoor privy.
We didn’t have air conditioning early on. We didn’t even have fans for one main reason. Electricity had not made its way to Goldonna back then. I did my homework by the light of a kerosene lamp, we heated the house in winter by a wood heater and in summer without power meant that we sweated a lot. It was a glorious day when they erected a pole, ran a wire to the house and we could pull a string and a light would come on. Hallelujah!
In the book, you’ll read about how I learned to hunt by following my dad to the squirrel woods and my introduction to deer and turkey hunting. I tell about hog killing day, how the grown ups processed and cured the meat without having electric freezers. One chapter I think you’ll find interesting and has the chance to bring a chuckle is entitled Church House.”
A writer friend, Keith Sutton, reviewed a first copy of the book and endorsing it, he wrote, “Bamboozled by a Bobcat takes the reader on a heartfelt journey through a life richly lived… these recollections are woven together with a tapestry of outdoor adventures, hunting escapades and the evolution of a budding writer.”
This gives you a snapshot about what you’ll read when you order your copy of “Bamboozled by a Bobcat.” I’ll hopefully get set up soon for a book signing or two but in the meantime, go to Amazon.com and search for the book. I think you’ll like it and with Christmas just around the corner, getting copies for friends and kin might make your shopping for gifts a bit easier.
Thank you, Morgan Tarpley Smith for getting me off high center; we got ‘er done!
FISHING REPORT
BUSSEY BRAKE – Crappie fishing has improved around deep brush on shiners or jigs. Some good bass are still hitting on top early with spinners and jigs working best later. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – Crappie have been best fishing jigs or shiners around submerged tops in the river with good catches made in the channels up the bayou. Bass are best in the cuts fishing shad imitation lures. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 3238707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – With cooler weather dropping water temperatures, crappie fishing has been quite good in the channel fishing jigs or shiners 8 feet deep in 14 foot water. Bass are moving to the secondary points and swim baits and soft plastics are picking up some nice fish. Catfish continue to be caught fishing cold worms and night crawlers off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 3689669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 3238707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – The lake is down some seven feet as the result of the drawdown. Crappie are moving to deep water out from the dam with shiners taking the most fish while jigs are working fairly well. Bass fishing has fair this week as they too are starting to move deep. Catfishing has been good late afternoon tight-lining shiners. Boats can still be launched at the State Park launch.. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 2784498.
CANEY LAKE – Bass are moving to deeper water with best catches made on jigs, spoons and soft plastics. Crappie have been best around the deeper tops on shiners or jigs and they will also be headed for deeper water out from the dam as temperatures drop. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfishing has been good. Crappie fishing has improved on the south end of the lake with some big ones caught; fair around the boat slips. Bass are slow to fair. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101.
