An excerpt from North Carolina author Robert Ruark’s best known novel reads: “If a man does away with his traditional way of living and throws away his good customs, he had better first make certain that he has something of value to replace them.”
Ruark grew up in Wilmington where he learned to hunt and fish with his grandfathers in the 1920s.
He entered the Chapel Hill campus of the University of North Carolina (UNC) in 1931 at age fifteen.
Ancestors on both sides of his family were Confederate soldiers. This week the university threw away a part of its tradition when it defied a 2015 state law and banished the Silent Sam Confederate statue from any of the fourteen North Carolina counties that have a UNC campus.
More @ The Abbeville Institute
Hi Brock,
ReplyDelete'Back in the early 50's when I was a kid, I'd go to Louis' Barber shop in town for hair cuts. While waiting my turn, I'd read thru "Field & Stream" and "Sports A'Field" magazines from the rack... Robert Ruark had a column... his "Tales of the Old Man and the Boy" pieces from his book.... Oh how I longed to be "That Boy!!!"
My Paternal Grandfather passed away 6 years before I was born and my Maternal Grandfather wasn't into "Huntin' and Fishin'. As I grew up my older brother took over in their place!! We'd go fishing and when I was old enough to go hunting with him, my paternal Grandmother gave me my Grandfather's Parker Bros. 12 ga. double barreled Shotgun!!!! Both my brother and I used it!! HOOOODogies!! What a Shotgun!!!!
Some years later when I was in the NAVY I found a paperback copy of Robert's book in the pile of books the Chaplain provided for us to read!!!! From remembering the various columns in the "F&S" mags. to the whole book!! YES!!!!
Today I have a copy of "Tales..." on my Bookshelf! I Highly recommend the book to anyone!!... especially any youngster, boy or girl, in grade school!! Sadly with today's Liberal takeover of our Education system I'm sure it would be "Trashed" by the "Powers that be!!!"
'Guess we'll have to do it ourselves to Educate our offspring!!! It's up to us now!!!!! I'll definitely put in a recommendation for all of Robert's works especially "Tales of the Old Man and the Boy!!" Our current Education system won't!!!
Blue skies!!!,
skybill
PS Dad was there too... but being the "Chief Engineer" on a Steam Ship his time home was limited... thankfully he was there for me when he could!!
Thank you for your childhood stories. The barber shop in Tarboro looks just like you mentioned and still has the magazines. Come on down and I'll pay for your haircut! :)
DeleteHi Brock!!,
Delete'Will be headin' yer' way for "St. Pat's Day" my annual trek to NC!! This year I will take some extra time to come visit!!!!!! I will keep you posted!!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch..... Christmas is just around the corner... then "Carnival!!!!" terminating in "Mardi Gras" following with "St. Pats!!! HOOOOdogies!!
stand by!!!
skybill
That's great but I may be in Vietnam then so we'll keep in touch. Thanks.
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Deleteskybill
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