Red Blood Canyon (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781481912983)

I was born in Dayton, Ohio. My parents had moved there in the depression years from rural Alabama. My childhood was spent living part-time in both Ohio and Alabama. In 1952 my Father died. After graduation from high school the military draft found me. It was my duty to spend time with the United States Air Force. After my military hitch was over I returned to Ohio, got a job, saved some money and started College. My first year was at Wilmington College, a fine Quaker based institution run by people of the Quaker faith. The curriculum was focused on religious followings, friendship, learning and peace. The teachings of this faith have become a part of my basic outlook toward life. After the first year I was broke and had to go home and find another job. I had learned the printing trade and ended up working at a printing firm in Columbus, Ohio. My objective was to get back into school and prepare myself for a better life. The Ohio State University was an obvious answer. I finished my education and went out to face the world as a manufacturing engineer. I spent the next 40 plus years of my life working for several major corporations. Long-term employment became a problem when the firms I was working for moved out of the country. The terms "down-sized" and then "plant closing" became all too real. I refused to relocate to some non-USA location. It was obvious that corporate America was being run by people who were focused on making money, not on their personnel. My last meaningful job was in Texas. I moved here in 1979 and I refused to leave. Having been here this long I consider myself a naturalized and fully qualified Texan. Texas quickly became my first choice of the best place to live. Let me explain why....... Native Texas culture is still based on what I call "The Pioneering Spirit." People survived and prospered by the labors of their own hands and the creative powers of their minds. They did not depend on handouts and welfare for basic needs. There was honesty and took pride in what they did and the family was always the focus of their lives. Religion of the Christian faith was a centerpiece in most folk's lives. The legal system was based on Christian teachings and the end result was that prosperity and happiness was commonplace. The same Pioneering Spirit that started in early Texas is still alive and well in much of today's Texas. Living here has been a blessing. There are good people everywhere and a big 'Howdy" to everyone is a common greeting.