A half-breed of the Sycuan Tribe of the Kumeyaay Nation, guru mountain man McKinley Clearwater stands a giant
of a man, wisdom and humor his calling, the repartee of "Yours and Mine" a favorite pastime.
YOURS AND MINE
SHOWING his newly court-appointed young ward, runaway Shyler Lanier, around his ranch--the grounds, the small stable, the training corral, the feed barn--Kumeyaay Indian McKinley Clearwater introduced Shy to the horses in residence. "These two Appaloosas over there are Mine and Yours," he said. "We'll go riding this afternoon, if you like." Patting one fine horse on the rump, he said, "This is Yours." Pointing to its stall mate, he added, "And this is Mine." He paused to let his comments register. "When we go for our ride, I'll ride Yours and you'll ride Mine."
Shy's eyes widened in puzzlement. "Okay. But is there some reason I'll be riding yours instead of mine?"
"No, no. You don't understand. You won't ride Yours, you'll ride Mine."
"Now, I'm all mixed up. You just told me you'll be riding mine."
"No, I didn't. I said I'll be riding Yours."
"Right. So how come you'll be riding mine instead of your own?"
"Your Own? We don't have a horse here named Your Own."
There followed a long moment of silence as young Shy looked at Mac, totally confused. "Are you puttin' me on?"
"Names are somethin' we've got in common, young man. You're Shy, but you're not always shy. Okay? Well, this horse with the big brown blotch on her rump I named Mine. The other horse with the brown and white I named Yours." He rubbed his nose with a huge hand to hide the snicker on his face. "So," he said, pointing with a cigar-sized finger, "this horse is Yours and this horse is Mine. But, of course, when we go for a ride, I'll ride Yours so you can ride Mine."
McKinley Clearwater flashed a wide-mouthed grin and waited.
Young Shy Lanier erupted in hysterical laughter, giggling long and loud but still drowned out by the booming howls of the baritone tower next to him.
Outside, the Great Horned Owl perched in the craggy old oak tree turned his feathered head to listen. A new sound had been added to his Laguna wilderness, the sound of two human hearts overflowing with the joy of life, bonding in shared humor with trust and mutual respect.
A pastiche from the psychological drama novel
The Paradise of Revenge
Richard Lee Orey
Copyright 2006
TO OPEN A PERSONAL AUTHOR'S MESSAGE FROM RICHARD LEE OREY, Click Here: www.richardleeorey.com
Thanks for this laugh. I love your writing. I have had a very hard week. it is important to remember to laugh. The smile from this will last a while.
Kathy
Reviewed by Monica Lebo
10/29/2008
That was great! This guy (Clearwater) reminds me a little of my dad, his inner strength and his sense of humour. What a wonderful character and so well written. :)
How wonderful for Shy! To be given a guardian like McKinley Clearwater! Again, tears of joy for Shy. No wonder his excitement when he realized that McKinley was looking at him. His beginning so horribly and then to have someone who loves him as McKinley does. I must buy "The Paradise of Revenge". Thank you Richard, for another story that brings tears both of joy and sadness. Love the Abbott and Costello nod.
I clearly recall this excerpt from your book, "The Paradise of Revenge" and thought it was a very cleverly done little puzzle of fascinating interest.
When I read the book, your characterization of McKinley Clearwater was so well written that I could easily picture a giant of a man standing tall, his head always reaching toward the sky--a man of principle, decency and moral strength. Now I have a face for him.
Pulling an excerpt from your book and treating it as a short-story is an excellent way to present a pastiche of a more important written work.
Isn't it any wonder he was a half-breed, for a full pedigree would have had five names for his horse! LOL! and he wouldn't have come within ten feet of a horses' ass...still rolling~
I love this!
...anything to make me think!
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~
Clearwater reminds me of a dear friend of mine, also my drama coach for over two years. Ruben has that same wicked sense of humor and is such a joy to know. I must look up your book now!
ROFL, still. You are so right...(the sound of two human hearts overflowing with the joy of life, bonding in shared humor with trust and mutual respect.)
This one is a keeper for when I need a bit of humor in my day.
“Being a couple yet free is our next challenge on the evolutionary ladder. This book successfully helps us unravel the myths that block that achievement. It does it with warmth, with readability, and with balance. It recreates everyday problems and
“Being a couple yet free is our next challenge on the evolutionary ladder. This book successfully helps us unravel the myths that block that achievement. It does it with warmth, with readability, and with balance. It recreates everyday problems and
