Raw Talent (Book) - 4/29/2010 7:03:09 AM
Raw Talent
by D. Kenneth Ross
Have you ever had the enjoyment of seeing raw talent in a young person? Seeing that one special gift that he has been given that may be used, polished and developed? In Raw Talent, D. Kenneth Ross shares the story of such a gem—a young boy named Carlos who had been given the raw talent for playing golf.
Raw Talent opens as Carlos Alvarez awaits the start of his first Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Throughout the novel, golf enthusiasts will have the opportunity to read of this competition between he and another PGA professional who had been invited to play.
Carlos was only thirteen when he began visiting a local driving range to “bang a few balls just for fun.” There was also that “release” that came to set a ball down and “hauling off and smacking it as hard as he could.” (p. 2) Fortunately for Carlos, Pete Sanchez, owner of a driving range, watched as he spent time at his range and, when the opportunity arose, he offered Carlos a job to gather the balls there. And, of course, have the opportunity to use and develop his skills. Pete saw Carlos’ raw talent—and was wise enough to realize that his talent not only surpassed his own, but he had that “sparkle of joy and endless determination” that was so important to polish that talent.
Though big for his age, Carlos was very shy. But he was determined in one major area—to help his Mom and Grammy Cella and, if necessary, to get his Dad out of his family’s life. He had spent too many hours trying to find his father, who most times would be hanging out with his drunken friends, to beg for money for food and expenses before he would drink it away or use it for other pleasures. Both he and his mother found that being beat up was part of the price of living.
Carlos also spent some of his time at the gym. At school, it was his excuse for showing up bruised and battered. Mainly, though, he was getting pretty good at fighting and would some day be able to stop his dad... What he could not understand was why his mother was able to accept his dad’s abuse. His Grammy Celia, who loved her grandson very much, tried in all ways to support him and help him learn about his grandfather who had been a strong, God-fearing man. But all Carlos could think about was “when he could fight better, he’d make sure his dad would never hurt his mom or Grammy Celia again.” (p. 20)
As Carlos spent time on the job, Pete became more and more certain of his initial recognition of Carlos’ raw talent. He began to slowly make suggestions to him and to give him lessons. When Pete learned that his father had taken his son’s salary, it was then that his feelings started to be more personally involved. Even to the extent of working with Grammy Celia to have Carlos’ wages paid in check form rather than cash.
Grammy Celia died when Carlos was fourteen. The loss was traumatic for Carlos but it presented an even greater burden that he must do something to support his family. Pete had shared with Carlos that he had “hustled” some when he was younger and Carlos sought his training in how he could use his golfing talent to earn money. When Pete was hesitant to do this, primarily because he saw that Carlos’ was so talented that he could make money professionally, Carlos was not interested in waiting. Instead he turned to his boxing skills and when the opportunity arose to make money boxing, he took it!
The only problem was that he had to travel into Mexico to fight.
And on the same day he was scheduled to fight, the police found Carlos’ father—murdered!
And his father’s drinking partners claimed that they’d seen Carlos nearby that day.
Ross has created both a heartbreaking and heartwarming story that follows a young man’s life through a bad home environment, trouble with police and into the triumph of not only using his raw talent, but in gaining the protection and love of his personal mentor as well as a new family. Carlos’ story will capture the hearts of readers and keep them enthralled as Raw Talent culminates in a great win! You, too, will win reading the story of Carlos!
G. A. Bixler
Two People Talking - Not a Bad Idea (Short Story) - 5/16/2012 6:31:39 AM
You're correct. It IS common sense. Perhaps common sense is becoming a thing of the past. :(
Donna
You Can't Miss What You Never Had (Short Story) - 2/11/2012 10:46:08 AM
And that’s when Dave realized, Good Lord, what would he do today if none of that stuff had ever happened? My oh my, he’d have a vacuum where his memory now provided such pain, but for damn sure, there was also a goldmine full of the absolute greatest memories one man could possibly remember in a lifetime.
Great attitude shown in this honest autobiographical sharing. Thank you, Dave. Love and peace,
Regis
Skinny's Memoir's (Short Story) - 10/2/2008 7:00:59 AM
Georg, I went to Oceanside High School in California, my dad was a career Marine, we lived off base while he was in Korea, I was six-four-1/2 and I didn't know how to play until a coach took it upon himself to make me learn, those days were some of the toughest days of school for me; going to class, then regular practice, then, coach working me one-on-one with him for another hour or so. I loved it. I never became a star, but I didn't back down from anyone. You were obviously in a tougher situation, but it seems you didn't have 'no backdown neither.' Kids go out for sports and when the motivation and 'honest' coaching is there, men come out of them- just like in the military. Fifty three years ago I married a beautiful woman with four kids, and never went in the service because of that defferment. We are still married and four grew to seven, (great men and women) those fifty three years were the toughest but best years any man can have. No doubt, I have always reflected on if had gone in the Marines instead. My dad didn't forgive until ten years before he died. That was a regret, more his than mine. Respect, Dave R.
Skinny's Memoir's (Short Story) - 10/2/2008 5:44:48 AM
From one skinny kid to another, in the thirties you got no choice, at least not in California where the tough were tougher and Alcatraz whasn't the choice of the day but Oakland or San Diego Naval Bases.
Sport was football, baseball was for New Yorkers ninnies and basketball only for those ten footers, a skinny six foot "atlet" wasn't even considered worth to be picked up.
But I had a wallop on both arms, (the left you never saw coming)and the most proud moment was when I got a snickering six footer carrying thirty pounds over me with a chin made of glass; left, whack, Sandman, and a tongue lashing from the gym instructor telling me we weren't supposed to hurt each other! But it felt good, and he didn't smile anymore with that condescending snickering of his.
Georg
Galen Phraser (Short Story) - 9/29/2008 8:51:04 AM
WHIMSICAL THOUGH THIS MAY BE, I am toying with putting it within an anhology of short stories. Any comments from you, my friends and peers?
Nicolo's Tragedy (Short Story) - 7/21/2008 1:23:09 PM
As you might realize, I did not end this story as I might have. I wanted to leave the actual story unfinished as I believe every story, real or fictional has to be, since few of us are a complete story when we make our final exit. What do you think?
The Legend of Mao Lopez (Short Story) - 7/15/2008 12:15:29 AM
Great story, D. Kenneth; very well written/imaged! BRAVO!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :D
A Debt Of Redemption/Jake's story (Short Story) - 7/13/2008 5:11:26 AM
Great story, D. Kenneth; was drawn in, and it would. not. let. GO. EXCELLENT writing; bravo!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :D
And God bless our military!!!! :)
Vote for Romney/Ryan (Article) - 11/4/2012 10:06:57 PM
It's beginning to look like a Romney Landslide....even the prison convicts in Minn. who elected Al Franken to the Senate are voting for Mitt,
Notes from - Obama Nation - Compiled by D. Kenneth Ross (Article) - 6/14/2012 5:51:46 AM
He ia a self centered pathological liar..plain and simple,Ken. I found out long ago that listening to anything a patholical liar has to say is a total waste of time... everything he says is pure fanastcy. What purpose does it serve to listen to anything he says...you think you're going to catch him A Big Truth? If I wanted to hear lies all of the time, I'd hang out in a used car lot. He and every thing he's says is totally meaningless. Time to send him sent back to the street corner he came from...so he can go back to his street hussler career. You know..."Hey man, Ya wanta buy this Rolex I just found...How much money you got on you?" Yup, there's a sucker born every minute and all of them voted for him last time around.
It's Only Another Empire Falling (Article) - 5/7/2012 5:58:16 AM
Since no one wants to review we'll call this a win socialism, or maybe its a case of another question: If there's no one around to hear it, does the empire make a sound when it falls? Just asking.
This Is What I Want Wk. #7 (Article) - 3/31/2012 7:30:55 AM
In regard to this piece, I think that you've got something here, D Kenneth Ross! Man tried ruin everything that God had set in place for man's own good, but I won't be afraid to sound my trumpet anywhere to tell man that there is a Holy God, who's ruling the entire universe! Blessings!!!
A Doctrine of Fairness (Article) - 2/11/2012 10:21:52 PM
You do provide substance to reflect upon. I have zero faith in all of man's "systems." Thank you. Love and peace to you,
Regis
Yesterday (Article) - 1/29/2012 8:05:26 AM
I thank you all for your prayers, as I know Angie does.
The Value of the Critique (Article) - 1/25/2012 6:53:56 AM
Hello! Anybody out there? My input is your output.
The Free Market Philosophy (Article) - 7/6/2010 5:57:54 PM
Georg, I submit that there is a greater opportunity to allow the market to correct itself by leveling the playing field in a true free market society. What we see now, with powerful money interests manipulating what is essentially a forced socialistic economic system, only proves that social democracies and their leaders are ill equiped to deal with business tactics and continually make the mistake of building monopolies in business that they know will produce untold amounts of money for their pet projects. The citizens do not benefit from this until and when they move to open all markets to competitition. The social-political mindset is to selectively limit competition thereby poluting business. D. Kenneth
The Free Market Philosophy (Article) - 7/3/2010 2:35:33 AM
"...So why is there such an outcry of what’s wrong with the Free Market system?..." Unbridled power, economic or otherwise is no good.
Julius Cesar was a good war general that tried to abolish the democracy of a republic by taking the emperor's throne.
Free marked shouldn't be the license to become an economic black-hole that sucks the economic life of everything for the sake of pursuing that mythical American Dream.
But that's just me.
Georg
Christian Marriage and the fall of Morality And the youthful Revolution (Article) - 6/15/2010 2:48:06 AM
"Progress" first casualty was morality, then, the next one was ethics, and the dominoes started to fall as good sense, family values and self respect followed suit.
The Wall Street "Gekko" are the new gods and the new moral parameters are dictate by degrees of greed.
Georg
Annual Bitch Letter (Article) - 6/2/2010 8:51:24 PM
Georg- Twoshay- and see my last response to letter 2.
Annual Bitch Letter (Article) - 6/2/2010 1:40:21 AM
As well as you ain't mention my Volvo S80 six cylinder turbo charged leather upholstery red-burgundy metallic paint job with telephone/fax/computer de-luxe limo...I can care less! (LOL)
Georg
President letter 2 (Article) - 5/24/2010 2:01:05 AM
Dialog, appeasement, to be sorry, bending over...
A few hundred thousand of dead soldiers bones are spinning in their graves, after they gave their lives to hold America great, not a servile drooling caricature asking for a clap on the shoulder from its executioners.
Georg
Part 2 - Socialism vs Free Market Society (Article) - 5/12/2010 9:27:04 PM
Georg, Glad you commented. In a very subtle way you make my point. The so-called Euro-union of states are right now beginning to feel the weight of their socialistic systems-- Greece is first, Spain, Portugal, maybe France thereafter. Germany is probably last because they are pretty much the bankers of that socialistic system. The same money is being made by the same people who make it here. We are infected by the same socialistic entitlement progressives who Europe as our socialistic model. The difference is we're still a Republican democracy. If intelligence and hard work find their voice before we're totally socialized, we can remain standing to deal with the George Soros's and Clintons and Obamas and William Ayers, etc. who don't seem to think the Free Market works even though their socialism has never worked anywhere. That includes The Nordic nations as well.
Dave R.
Part 2 - Socialism vs Free Market Society (Article) - 5/12/2010 2:09:37 AM
As I see it, after living many years in Europe under different shades of "socialism," it is not that different than free marketing.
The same czars of socialism you will find in capitalism, the same nepotism, the same greed, the same misuse of power.
In paper both are extraordinary good to man, in practice both are a perversion of everything we put in the hands of man.
Georg
Presidential Accountability (Article) - 1/8/2010 11:22:10 AM
Its great to be so good, or so intimidating no one wants to critique you. Or maybe more of you are succumbing to the apathy that comes from a political system that says they're doing one thing when they sre actually doing the exact opposite. Is anybody awake out there?
An Open Letter to the President (Article) - 11/16/2009 10:49:21 AM
Quite frnkly, I am ashamed of the people who call themselves an informed readership right here in Authors Den. I can only assume that you are totaly satisfied with what's going on in this new administration. Please tell me how spending the money this President is spending can possibly do anything but ruin our country financially? Is this what you folks want? How, in God's name, can you justify what is happening in our country? Do you really believe you have no voice in what's going on, or are you simply so busy with everyday living that you are willing to turn over your rights as Americans to this crowd in Washington, DC to further destroy? For everything that's worthy of your precious concern, doesn't your freedom rank near the top? This article has been posted for at least two weeks and there has been no response. Boy, I must be a great writer to have written something that is so true no one has a response, or maybe I'm just so poor of a writer that I fail to cause any thought at all in the minds of my readers, who must think that socialism and giving all of our power and money to the Federal government is an intelligent choice. Tell me where this system has worked before?
Title ...?... (Article) - 9/26/2009 1:31:19 AM
Kenneth, believe me, the solution for us to be free of corrupt politicians lies is to give them a five gallon boiling oil enema!
Now...there...you just ruined my day! :-) pass the guillotine, please?
Georg
Street Talk (Poetry) - 6/26/2010 5:42:26 PM
Telling it like it is expressed and your message is meaningfully received. Thank you DKR. Love and peace to you,
Regis
Street Talk (Poetry) - 10/21/2008 5:06:06 PM
Well,this is very interesting....enjoyed...stay safe and always well...Hugss
Street Talk (Poetry) - 10/21/2008 1:17:05 PM
Very expressively a window into life such as it is. You are right thought, just a change in the brass....
Be always safe,
Karen
Street Talk (Poetry) - 10/21/2008 1:08:29 PM
Comment to Georg: I knew this would get your attention, even at the expense of my scrotum. Dingle Dangles, ain't no Bo Jangles.
Street Talk (Poetry) - 10/21/2008 7:08:43 AM
Like the man said, white honkies can't jump and black dudes can run, one will not get there, the other will just go by.
And our balls will be bouncing there, all over America.
Georg
The Unknown Candidate (Poetry) - 10/5/2008 8:06:15 AM
Comment: Interesting thoughts...probably more informative than most of what we hear or read...
The Unknown Candidate (Poetry) - 10/5/2008 6:46:44 AM
georg, take the h out of right, you got grit, take felt out of left, you got nothing. My wife and I raised six out of seven kids, hers, ours, the seventh one, at 63, has always contributed to the family too. We have eighteen grandchildren, three great grnds, and the only socialism we practice is within our family of Mexican, Filipino, Jamaican, Vietnamese, Jewish, Caucasian, Afro, Iranian, etc, etc. We can all spit, with or without a village to raise us. As a military vet, I had a dad and have two sons who are, I know you saw some heavy duty shit go down, but, brother and friend, to think it was all our fault is a total miscarriage of honesty. You nor anyone will convince me you can remove profits and competition from any society and it will run smoothly, but keep adding social programs and you will fall over. Again, socialism always turns into communism and cannot live with capitalism, the one ingredient that is needed for any society. Socialism and Communism can only be enforced not nurtured.
Love and good thoughts Dave R.
The Unknown Candidate (Poetry) - 10/5/2008 3:08:20 AM
To play tennins one must have one at the right and the other at the left, the one on the right playing alone is called Capital Dictature, the one on the left playing alone is called Communism, a normal everyday guy can't live with any of them, for that Nike has a whole collection of running shoes.
And don go spitting at a cleentone if you don't want to be spitted back, thinking of that, lamas don't need a reason, they just spit!
Georg
The Unknown Candidate (Poetry) - 10/4/2008 12:49:58 PM
eclectic verbal dance! wonderful and unique!
You Should Fear Me (Poetry) - 9/28/2008 10:57:13 AM
Thank those of you who have responded to this effort, your comments are nourishment for thought. We can all pray that the people we lost in 9/11, in Afghanistan, in Iraq, not to mention the chaos of murder and mayhem happening everyday on our borders and our streets, and throughout the world will be suitably remembered; not just in changes in the way we select those who we allow to govern us, but in how we begin to see ourselves and the immense responsibility to those who must come after. There are no political parties capable of managing this.
You Should Fear Me (Poetry) - 9/27/2008 4:48:17 PM
Thank you for sharing your philosophical point of view, Kenneth. You certainly provide substance for thought. Love and peace to you,
Regis
You Should Fear Me (Poetry) - 9/26/2008 7:08:13 AM
Comment:
Indeed, how is it that more do not see what is happening--
the anger, the hate that is seething...
Can it be that only we, who can look back, can see?
Can it be that only we, who look outward, can see?
Can it be that only we, who watch and know, can see?
I applaud what you've said! I hope more shall read...and see!
You Should Fear Me (Poetry) - 9/26/2008 2:07:47 AM
A sobering and thoughtful write. Rebecca
You Should Fear Me (Poetry) - 9/26/2008 1:24:25 AM
Wow. Just plain WOW!!! Unique, powerful, and true message, Kenneth. No wonder Georg messaged a "must read" on this one. Primitive peoples feared God. Modern proactive people fear Wall Street. Sheep only fear their shepherd. God would likely do another Flood if the people were worth the effort. But the children are coming ...
Ted
You Should Fear Me (Poetry) - 9/26/2008 1:04:58 AM
A philosophical and ageless question, yes, he, they, us, should we fear you? ourselves? what we had become? Throughout the poem lies a more deep rebellion trying to surface, a rebellion constricted to the deep dungeons of a subconscious afraid of taking a peek inside that famous Pandora box.
Intriguing and yet asking for more veils to be taken away so we can see the all picture, clear.
Georg
