That Mike Leonard guy

david · Post by **david** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:21 pm

Something happened to me here a week or so ago that made me think about how fragile life is. I might die tomorrow, and if I did, this would be my last chance to say this. I have thought it from time to time but never said it.

That Mike Leonard guy is a heck of a good writer. I started reading here on the old shade tree a few years ago, not sure how long really, and I cant seem to figure it out; maybe three years or so. And that Mike, when he starts writing a story or two, befor long, I am right there with him and can almost feel what he is describing. Now I have heard people put him down. I have not heard as many people put him down as I have heard people put John Wick down, but I have heard a couple three. But I gotta say, Mike, if you ever read this, you need to write, buddy. If you dont have thick enough skin for it, you need to go rent a bear hide and put it on. Doesn't matter what a few folks say. Write! The world is a richer place for it. You need to write a book.

Back when I was a young man in Oregon, there was an old cat hunter, who also became an official in local government. Allen Dunn was his name. By the time I met him, he was 80 or so. We enjoyed each other so I visited him when I could.
He had a collection of old books about hunting and the outdoors. They were very valuable, but he did let me read a few. They are treasures, treasures that would have been lost if those men didnt take the time to write. Mike you write as good or better than any of those authors.
If you dont want to write about your actual experiences, then write a novel or series of books calling on all your knowledge of horses, hounds, bird dogs, rattle snakes, hunters, trappers and woodsmen, coybows and other interesting critters and folks. That would be the kind of book I was dying to find When I was a kid. Books like "Call of the Wild",
"Big Red", "Outlaw Red", "Where the red fern grows", "Old Yeller", "My side of the Mountain". I was on the path of illiteracy as a kid, and if it had not been for books like that, I dont know if I would have had any motivation to read at all.

You can write as good as any of those authors in my opinion. We lost Bruce, and any of us could go just as quick. It would be a shame if you did not leave a little of your writing gift behind for my grandson to tuck inside his history book and read to keep from falling asleep in class.

Cathunter10 · Post by **Cathunter10** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:32 pm

Well said David
Bill

Roy Auwen · Post by **Roy Auwen** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:44 pm

Amen to that, mikes a natural and very knowlegable!

B&T man · Post by **B&T man** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:07 am

I agree even if it's a post I wouldn't normaly read I read it if Mikes name is on it or I see he has posted.

sow flat slim · Post by **sow flat slim** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:47 am

Always thought the same , havent seen Him on here for awhile.

POORBOY · Post by **POORBOY** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 3:29 am

Well Said!

Jerry

Doogie · Post by **Doogie** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 3:54 am

David I think you need to write a book too

Kevin D · Post by **Kevin D** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:21 am

Grzyadms4x4 · Post by **Grzyadms4x4** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:27 pm

What about you Jerry, you could write a kick butt cookbook.

Mike Leonard · Post by **Mike Leonard** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:32 pm

I appreciate all the kind words and encouragement.
I have been contacted recently by a group that is doing a Western Heritage project to write for them and this will be included in a very fine book format with some wonderful photography of some of the oldest and most historic ranches in the west. I have done my pilot for them and it was accepted, however my agent has not accepted or agreed to any terms yet so this is on hold. I found out quickly going into this that an agent is necessary luckily I have a friend who has done a lot of this and he agreed to help me avoid the pitfalls that can happen in any artistic endevour. I also have started recording a series of short stories and this will likely end up in printed format one of these days. Not all of these are hunting our cowboy related but many of them touch on these two very important aspects of my past and present.
I was very lucky as a young person to have an Uncle that was a memeber of the Outdoor Writers of America. He wrote for some of the larger gun and hunting magazines during the 60's before he burned out on it. He use to help me a good deal back when I was writing for Full Cry a good bit. He has since passed on but he was an inspiration.

So who knows what will happen but I do enjoy writing and for some reason my twisted mind seems to remember things in a picture format so it helps to relive many of those hunting experiences over again.

I have an old cowboy buddy that was telling me the other day about all these years he has been building up a huge stockpile of rocking chair memories to enjoy when he couldn't do all those things any more. I said well that's good I guess, but what of you get Alzhiemeners and lose you memory. He just laughed and said I don't worry about that because I am sure their will be plenty of folks around to remind me of all the misgivings and indescretions of my youth. LOL!

kdrchuck · Post by **kdrchuck** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 5:36 pm

I also enjoy reading from you Mike and look forward to your writings.

rich h · Post by **rich h** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:27 pm

Please ad me to the list of folks who enjoy reading about Mike's experiences.

Arkansas Frog · Post by **Arkansas Frog** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:40 pm

Look for them , Love them

Frog

az_gogetem · Post by **az_gogetem** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:56 pm

i also enjoy his writings. he called a few months ago with a pup for sale, sure wish i had the room at the time.

pete richardson · Post by **pete richardson** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 8:30 pm

That Mike Leonard guy is a heck of a good writer.

i agree--- and david - you arent too bad yourself

That Mike Leonard guy

That Mike Leonard guy

amen amigo

Agreed

add me to the list...

mike leonard