“It takes a whole village to raise a child,” as some wise person observed, and the same dictum is applicable to the creation of a book.  And, according to my figgerin’ it is not only necessary to devote time that would be more beneficial to the human race if the author spent his time watching Oprah or a reality production on the imbecile instrument of CNN or MSNBC.  Or putting out tomato plants during the months of March and April.  Studies in futility await the activities of such masochists’.  The chances of success are most likely about the same for such pursuits as for the Japanese Kamikaze zealots who took off on missions, leaving their wheels on the runway for use by the next patriot.

Harry Truman, our thirty-third President, advised staying out of the kitchen if the temperature ain’t to your liking.  He, of course, was a carrier of the Democratic gene, and a hat maker by trade, from the “Show Me” state of Missouri.  He inherited the original gig and came back for seconds.  He called a spade a shovel unless he happened to stumble over it in the dark.

I tried raising young’uns back in my prime, and final results of my abilities are still pending.  So far I feel that I came out with a good mark in that venture, but my tomato raising ventures have not been so successful, but hope springs eternal and I’ve got a batch here in the kitchen, the ides of March are past and only time will tell the fate what awaits them.  Á l'improviste, as the French like to put it.

My third frailty has been exercised again with the launching of “Frankly Speaking…” subtitled “Of Texas in 1940 & one”.  That title will be announced and inflicted upon unwary book buyers via the World Wide Web around the middle of July.  It will be my sixth, but I’ve put out tomato plants for the past sixty-five years, so you may surmise that I have the grit of an acre of sandpaper.  And apparently, about the same intelligence.

At a date during the Peach and Melon Festival, and at a site yet to be named, my book will be premiered in De Leon Texas.  And, if things go right, I may have tomatoes for exhibit and sale at that same location.  A couple of years ago I peddled “Coffee at La Don’s” at the ex-student’s association gathering and was joined by Ben Barnes.  He was pushing his “Barn Burning – Barn Building” but I ain’t heered from him since, so I may be traveling light in 2008, but me and old Ben will both outlast our disappointment if he don’t show.

Just keep us in mind—we ain’t to the quittin’ place.

Let me hear from you.

My phone number is 254-893-5063.

My postal address is 333 W. Ayers, De Leon TX 76444.

You can e-mail me at Charles@CharlesChupp.com.

By Charles Chupp, Copyright ©2008 Charles Chupp