9 Comments
User's avatar
Sean Gorman's avatar

John -- Mike "Mort" Gundersen put me on to your work last summer when I went to the Workcoeman centennial. I don't know if you remember me, but I knew you and your father through Boy Scouts, more than 50 years ago. I've enjoyed your stuff, and have sent your GSP ones to an old friend of mine who is an avid bird hunter and has GSP's of his own. Keep up the good work.

Sean Gorman

Expand full comment
John J OConnell IV's avatar

Of course I remember you Sean! You are one of the better story tellers I’ve ever known. You told the story of The Moose Turd Pie during Christmas at Mort’s house down on the Norfolk road. I don’t think I have ever laughed that hard since.

You were also very kind to me as a kid in Scouts and I’ve never forgotten it.

Im so glad you like the stories!

John

Expand full comment
Lesley Nase's avatar

Funny, as I went to leave a comment on this piece I needed a code so that I could be reauthenticated. Perhaps writing your daily thoughts that form stories which inform, enlighten and inspire is authenticating that we are writers. Each time we put pen to paper or let our fingers fly across the keyboard we are being exactly the who we are meant to be. For myself and the people I coach, the 'why' is the passion that feeds our soul, that gets us up in the morning with a smile on our face ready to start the day, pure joy. Writing is an inside job, writing is that which nothing and no one outside of us can take away unless we choose to let them. Keep Writing my friend.

Expand full comment
larryg's avatar

I love your writing John but I think we should get together and go back into horseshoeing. I shod my first horse 4 months after having a back fusion for sciatica down both legs.

I know this about myself that if I was a horse they would have to "put me in the box" to get shoes on me!

Expand full comment
John J OConnell IV's avatar

I would be happy to hold the horse for you and give sage advice but no. I am done getting under horses. Instead I have a goal to backpack with my boys up to Bridge Lake in 2026 after my knee is replaced.

Expand full comment
Kathy G.'s avatar

Excellent post, John. Thanks for this. A creative writing prof I had in college once said, "Truth is no excuse for fiction." We were talking about what makes a good story. Just becuase it happened doesn't mean it's a life experience that warrants re-telling in your fictional account. Until this moment, though, I've never reversed his comment. What about, "Fiction is no excuse for truth?" Seems obvious, but the bit about putting ourselves in a good light plays into this. Anyway, reallly good post. Keep 'em coming.

Expand full comment
John J OConnell IV's avatar

This means a lot coming from you Kathy!

Expand full comment
Kathy G.'s avatar

Awww. Thanks, John!

Expand full comment
John J OConnell IV's avatar

Well its the truth!

Expand full comment