I began to write about my Red River experiences soon after I began building dogwood hoop furniture. Gathering material required that I go to Red River at least once a week and I usually came home with a story. Getting anything published was farther from my mind than it is to the moon.
I needed to sell my furniture; so in 1987 I published a story book catalogue. It contained pictures of furniture and stories about my experiences and my country upbringing. My stories, as well as my furniture, caught the attention of, The Texas Country Reporter, Bob Phillips and before you know it they were here filming a show.
The second edition of my catalogue came out in 1992 to which I added more stories. It came with a notice that is as fresh on my mind as the day I wrote it. On the first page I wrote: In succeeding publications watch for continuing stories about my country upbringing and about my boat trips on Red River in search of dogwood and nature's art.
Little did I realize at the time. My yearning for learning all there was to know about Red River — its history, its nature, and its people — would eventually earn me the title of Red River Scholar and I would become a published writer.