ALWAYS SOMETHING GOING ON

We are starting a new book and doing interviews for it. This book will be about the plight of the Wild Mustang. We are interviewing Mustang owners to learn more about the breed.

So far, we have interviewed 8 Mustang owners. They are very high on their horses. Mustangs are obviously a loyal, one man breed.

This Mustang is being trained to be an Endurance Runner. He is

beautiful. 16 hands high and very gentle. This is Captain Jack and

his owner is Ed Kilpatrick. Ed has had one horse Gorgeous George who competed in the Tevis Cup Endurance Race in California.

PENSACOLA'S 450TH ANNIVERSARY

The 3rd tallest Spanish Sailing Ship in the world, the " Elcano", was docked in Pensacola

for our Fiesta of Flags Celebration. It arrived on Wednesday, June 3, 2009. Our good friends, Joe and Sally Lickar, came from Arizona for the first visit in 6 years on June 6th, 2009. We were fortunate enough to be able to go and see this beautiful ship while they were here.

Great Gatsby Event

On April 14, 2009 we were invited to participate in the University of West Florida Book Clubs Great Gatsby Gala. We were asked to bring our cars and dress in era fashions. It was a gala event with three University Professors giving a critic of F. Scott Fitzgerald's book "The Great Gatsby" and relating it to the economic crisis we are experiencing today. Everyone had a great time. We also had a Model A & T Club from Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. participating.

CONGRATULARY LETTERS

I received a congratulatory letter from Quint Struder of the Struder Group after reading about my book signing in the Pensacola News Journal. Mr. Studer has written a couple of books relating to his business and thinks there is no greater satisfaction than when that final chapter is completed and the book is on its way to the publisher. He feels that senior writers are an inspiration to all other seniors who have stories to tell.

Another letter was received after reading my book, Suwannee River Odyssey, in which Dr. Tom West recalls his father telling him stories about the area in which he was raised along the Suwannee River. This book brought back fond memories of this time in his life. He said he and his children would love to hear more stories of observations in early Suwannee County, Florida.

Thank you to these fine gentlemen who took their valuable time to respond to my efforts.

[Photo]"Backroads of the Mind is my first published book. It is 52 Short Stories (Some fact, some fiction, and some consequences. About gunfighters, cops, and interesting people)It can be purchased from Fortner Publishing Co., rbfortner@cox.net$11.95 ea. + 3.50 shipping and handling

1/30/09
by Ray



"Backroads of the Mind"

EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A FRIEND LIKE

My dear Mary Faith. She is always there to lend a helping hand, give a blessing, a hug, and all the love in the world. Thank you dear heart for being my friend.

Valentine's Day

What a great day. Our Model A Club had a Valentine's get together at the home of a friend who has a beautiful car museum. Our host cooked Barbeque ribs with all the trimmings.

That evening we were invited to a dear friends home for a Greek Dinner. It was superb, but the company was even better.Thanks for making our Valentine's Day a memorable one.

Pictures of the Model A Club.