other people's stuff writing

Nature Reclaims Its Own

10 Comments on Nature Reclaims Its Own

Here’s a special treat from our Flyover Friend in Indianapolis, native Kansan Ray Randolph.

Something about Dave’s photographs, Overgrown Tractor and Farm Truck Near Cedar Point, inspired the writer in Ray and he composed a short piece of fiction about the old farmhouse, the tractor and the residents he imagined to have lived there.

Here’s Ray’s short story: Nature Reclaims Its Own.

Ray Randolph also writes novels. He’s published five, I think. I’ve only read one (so far), but really enjoyed Once a Cop, Always A Cop.

10 Comments

  1. I enjoyed your story, Ray. It reminds me of some of the family stories in Northeast Kansas. My maternal grandfather lost his farm in the 1930s. He retired from share-cropping soon after I was born. For years after he kept his farm records from the years he lost the farm in a small secretary desk and would, from time to time, pull out documents comparing prices for livestock and grain.

  3. Soooooooooooooooooooooooo much better that the “real story” behind the tractor & truck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂

  4. Such a good story! And so very true too. The photos are wonderful and sad. Is there a “real story” to this place?

  5. Yes———but it would be hurtful to tooo many people to tell it–so I think it is best to just read the story written by Ray!!!!!! I lived in that community for over 10 years———-& I could tell you about the places the truck & tractor & the people–& their families–but —it isn’t necessary to do so———–some people have just lived very hard lives filled with alcohol & grief & are now gone—–& their families are not living there either now——enough said!!!!!!!!!

  6. Well, I’m very sorry to hear about that. God bless those that were involved. You’re right – the fiction story is better.

  7. I went to Admire every Thursday last year and I never did see that side of the school building! That must be the north side? No, it can’t be……there’s small buildings there–is this the west side? I did drive downtown one time, but I usually drive to the school, meet with the teacher, and on to my next school. I should pay more attention! (I wish they would take away that old dilapidated trailer house that sits east of the school.)

  8. That was a neat story. I have sat with people in nursing homes, or their own homes, and heard their stories. And it’s always a wonderful thing to sit and listen to someone relive parts of their lives in words.

    Goes without saying that we all have stories we would rather not tell, so don’t. None of us is free of stuff like that. But for that lady to be able to tell her own sweet story was good for her. I’m glad Ray wrote that and we got to read it.

  9. Thank you for all your comments. I knew the photos had to have some kind of sad “real” story, but as I said in the author’s note, I had no knowledge of it. The photos just pulled and tugged at me, so I wrote what I wrote.
    Ray

  10. As I said— Ray your story is sooooooooooooo much better than the “real one”———–Your TOTAL fiction story was much better than the ” real life story”!!!!!! Thanks for writting us a story to go with the pictures!!!!!!!!!

    I sent the pictures & story to a friend in SC/ who knows the real story also——–he said———wow——–wish that could have been how it really was!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂

    We did enjoy your story!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Ray!!!!!!!

    Sometimes Fiction is soooooooo much better!!!!!!!!!! 🙂

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