Herman the Male Cow

By Ray Steelman

This book pertains to Herman, the Male Cow, and his relationship with young Franklin Bryant. These short stories are true and tell of the Bryant family who lived near the Alabama state line on a small rocky farm in the tiny Tennessee community of Corders Crossroads. The stories center around the author's grandparents and the author's uncle in particular. These stories were passed down on crude notes, a kind of diary, left by young Franklin Bryant. Each of the narratives are heart warming stories pertaining to Frank and Herman, and the relationship and love that developed during the formative years of Frank's life. When Frank left to fight in World War II, his whole life changed. Things would never be the same. When he returned home, his best friend, Herman, and the link to his childhood was gone. Although Frank swore never to forget Herman and the location of his grave, in a few years Herman’s grave could not be found. Life moves on. These stories have been published by three magazines with national circulation and resulted in the author being name "Writer of the Year" by one of them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ray Steelman
• Release date: Jul 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370343683

Ray Steelman

The AuthorsSharon and Ray SteelmanDuring the past forty years, Sharon and Ray Steelman have started and run six successful businesses. Their most recent accomplishment is Bama Jammer TM Promotions. Beginning from scratch, with no money, no equipment, and no office, in seven years they transitioned a modest business into an advertising specialty and Identity- clothing company with markets stretching across the US and abroad. After trial and error, long hours and lots of sweat equity, the pieces finally began to fit.It is amazing enough to build six successful businesses, but to do so completely debt-free is even more amazing. By applying Biblical principles, frugal business practices and good work ethics, Sharon and Ray have proven that anyone can realize the “American Dream!”Ray's Abbreviated Bio:Born in Fayetteville, TN .. Lincoln Co. Schools .. MTSU (MA & BS) .. Post graduate studies.. HS Teacher/Coach/Administrator .. Runner/Walker .. Entrepreneur .. Many businesses .. Avid harmonica player .. Some banjo .. 400+ recordings .. General aviation pilot .... Kentucky Colonel .. Retired .. Writer .. Author .. Poet .. Hobby songwriter .. Hobby historian .. Storyteller .. Aviation videographer .. Diet and workout nut .. Saw Bigfoot .. Hit 400’ HR .. Former garbageman .. Sings like Alfafa .. 4 simultaneous state harmonica championships...100s of YouTube videos .. E-Books .. Audio artist.. Married the homecoming queen.. Trophy husband.. Wrote 13 books.. TV personality for four years (NBC Affiliate).. 15 appearances at Opryland.. Owned 8 airplanes.. 7 grandkids.. National and regional business awards.Sharon’s Abbreviated Bio:Born in Ft. Ord, CA .. Lived in Panama... Huntsville City Schools .. Homecoming queen.. University of Alabama Huntsville .. Runner/Walker .. Life-long entrepreneur .. Many businesses .. Married her HS vice-principal .. Speaks Chinese.. Great cook and homemaker.. Retired .. Gardener.. Author ... Makes the world’s best homemade ice cream.. Trophy wife .... A great listener.. A tireless worker.. Diet and workout nut .. E-Books .. Ray’s best friend.. Professional shopper.. A good conversationalist.. Co-wrote 13 books.. A visionary.. Scholarship benefactor.... Humanitarian.. Taught Sunday school.. Lifelong Biblical student.. Co-owned 8 airplanes.. 7 grandkids... Everyone’s best friend.. National, local and regional business awards.. Doubts Bigfoot exists.. Didn’t see Ray hit that 400’ home run either.Our autobiography:We reached down to pull ourselves up by our boot straps. We realized that we had no boots. We improvised.

Book preview

Herman the Male Cow

by

Ray Steelman

Published on Smashwords

International Standard Book Number: 978-0-9853931-1-3

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: pending

Copyright Registration Number TXu 1-790-847

Copyright 1996 / 2012 by Sharon Steelman and Ray Steelman,

17 Stockton Street, Huntsville, Alabama 35806

* * *

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any mechanical or electronic means whatsoever, including any retrieval systems or information storage systems, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in an article, without prior permission in writing from Sharon or Ray Steelman

Smashwords Edition

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

* * *

Contents

Preface

Reflections of Life's Journey

Introduction

Herman, the Male Cow Arrives

The Bullfight

Herman the Male Cow Stops the Railroad

Uncle Will

Herman the Male Cow Comes Home

The Preacher

The Goat Herd

The Cussing Fit

Lulubelle

Herman the Male Cow – Goodbye

Epilogue

More Epilogue

The Origins of the Bryant Family

My Inheritance

About The Authors

* * *

Preface

These stories pertain to Herman, the Male Cow, and his relationship with Franklin Bryant, my uncle. The Bryant family lived near the Alabama state line on a small rocky farm in the tiny Tennessee community of Corders Crossroads. These stories were relayed to me by written correspondence and by word of mouth from Uncle Frank. Each of the narratives are heart warming stories pertaining to young Frank and Herman, and the relationship and love that developed during the formative years of Frank's life. When Uncle Frank left to fight in World War II, his whole life changed. Things would never be the same. When he returned home, his friend, Herman, and the link to his childhood was gone. Although Frank swore never to forget Herman and the location of his grave, in a few years Herman’s grave could not be located.

So it is with all of us. We sprout, bloom and flourish and love and are loved by all who enter in and out of our lives. Then, in time, all things pass away and we also are too soon forgotten. As we journey through life, we are each a part of every person that we have met and our personality and character is molded by the experiences of our lives. In reflection, we can recall the smiling eyes of the warm faces as well as the cold stares of the not so friendly that taught us to sort out our moves like a sieve in the hands of the wisest of sages. Our memories, both good and bad, are a part of us and assist each of us to take from our past experiences insight that serves us in the present hour. We each are often in such a hurry to get to the good life that most of us rush right past it. That is the reason God, the great creator, gives us memories. It is so that we each can smell the blooms of roses in the midst of the coldest of Decembers.

Time teaches each of us that we are all fellow travelers along the highway of life and co-authors of the Declaration of Inter-dependence. We should never forget the importance of love and relationships nor should we forget the value and exactitude of time and its swiftness to evade us. We all understand that the rapid disappearance of time is Satan's greatest work. We also should understand that change is inevitable and we should welcome it as a friend. We should always visualize new possibilities and opportunities but never should we resist a backward glance at all of the places that life has taken us.

We each sacredly preserve the privacies of our own mind. To share the precious jewels of life's experiences is a person's greatest contribution into the collection plate at the grand assembly of the divine fellowship of mankind. That is what my Uncle Frank Bryant did when he shared these precious stories of his childhood. Uncle Frank is gone now, but I am sure that he would be pleased at any smile that these stories might bring to your face.

We hope that you enjoy them.

Ray Steelman

* * *

Reflections of Life's Journey

I'm much farther now...on down the road

From where I started out.

The walk was tough and mostly uphill,

The nights were cold as the wind blew about.

Many are the times I sat myself down

To weather out the storms.

My shoes were battered by the hike,

My clothes grew old and worn.

Most of my walk is behind me now,

My body and spirit will mend.

But I can not resist a backward glance,

At all of the places I've been.

Ray Steelman

10-27-82

* * *

Introduction

This is a brief introduction to the Bryant family. The