Don’t Trample on Me (Or esp my People)
As my book gets closer, I have had a lot of people ask why I was so driven to write it. Even if the free world gets together and tries to figure out a way to stop me they will fail.
Along the way I saw a lot of things I didn’t like. My biggest pet peeve was when rich and powerful people tried to take advantage of the less fortunate. That never failed to get my blood up.
When I was young the resolution of such issues presented a dilemma. I saw how the wicked handled things. It was easy to be mean and not get taken advantage of. All you had to do was fire some innocents, hire some bad a^^ lawyers, or even worse resort to physical violence. As best I could tell it didn’t take much of a brain to do it that way either. Any fool could do it.
What I wanted to figure out was how to be a decent person and still not get trampled on. That required some creativity that bordered on art, but I found some key strategies to see me through. That is what I want to share and I am going to do so. In fact, I have a series of three books planned. The entire plan will take that many pages to show.
I had several people try to take advantage of me along the way, but I dodged them as sure as a matador who waves a cape in front of one of those pea brained bullies. And if they tried to get after my family or my people I was even more tenacious. But I am proud to say I was able to deal with them but not give up the sense of grace and dignity my wife and I sought out years ago. I had to write to show other good people how it happened, that they might find the path easier for my experience.
Oh, you might wonder what happened to the bad guys. They are still out there. In the end, I always let ’em go. I was like a fisherman with a catch on the hook. I’d let them jump back in the water and watch them swim away. I know they’re gonna come back. When they do, I’ll catch ’em again. It’s easy ’cause they are so dim-witted and predictable they always try the same things. I can deal them while I play my mandolin. I can only smile as I watch them sweat and scheme and worry over just what they are gonna do, ’cause I know where it’s gonna go.
I am the nice man I seem. I try to treat everyone with respect. But to anyone out there with a notion they are gonna take advantage of my people; oh well…
Dr. B
Tags: outwit the evil
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Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 
February 17, 2010 at 9:40 am
I like your assessment of dealing with the un-pleasant people… let them go about their business in a way that keeps you unattached to their ‘mess’.
I have no doubt that you are truly one of the good guys. I look forward to your book.
February 17, 2010 at 11:00 am
Laura,
Yep, old Doc found a way to deal with them. Usually they had so much greed in ’em it was pretty easy to figure out what would trip them up.
Dr. B
February 17, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Like Laura, I’m looking forward to your book. Seen some pretty nasty people in my time, including some who’ve trampled on my neighbours and friends and caused them a lot of grief. I suspect I might be on their target list at some point in the future, because I joined in with others in protesting about what was happening to my friends, and these people don’t forget! But as I suggested in a response to another of your posts, there’s always Psalm 37 – “Fret not yourself …” – very wise advice.
February 17, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Martin,
I always told my agent I was not concerned if my book was not a best seller. I wanted to find the tens of thousands of people who searched for good. I’m not worried about the large numbers who had no concerns about the issues that move me or a man like you.
Dr. B
February 17, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Dr B, I believe diplomacy goes a long way, even when dealing with the bullies and unreasonable people of the world. I admire that you keep your dignity, while maintaining your tenacity. You live like every minute counts, they live like every dollar counts. It’s not hard to see who has the better quality of life.
February 17, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Sharon,
Wow, that is true. Diplomacy got me a lot further than force would have every time. I turned down a lot of dollars when it was gonna take away dignity, but still did okay. I paid for our home, we educated our children, and we’re not gonna miss any meals. That was enough for me.
Dr. B
February 18, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Doc,
I am sure you know that if you give someone enough line, they usually end up hanging themselves. Just have to make sure you don’t get caught in the rope. As long as you don’t lower yourself to their level and are “right” with the Big Guy upstairs….well, you might get out just right. I know it for a fact!
February 18, 2010 at 7:09 pm
Cindy,
That is 100% precisely what happened in The Mandolin Case. Indie saw it coming, and was very wise. I was naive and not so sure it’d all work out. I learned a lot from Indie and that is why I had to write the story.
One way or another I’m gonna have that thing ready by fall for the IBMA convention or either I’ll dictate it and make a CD out of it and tell the story on my own. It must be told. There are some powerful people who would prefer I did not but I am undeterred.
Dr. B
February 19, 2010 at 11:46 am
Dr. B, as always when you write about what drove you towards writing your book… you leave me hanging! I so want to know the full story, and I’m impatient to have the Mandolin Case in my hands so that I can see where you’re coming from on this through the words of your true fiction.
You’re a good guy, Dr. B. I can’t imagine your family would have anything to fear from any bullies, not when you’re there to trick the bullies away.
February 19, 2010 at 5:43 pm
slightly,
I hope to have the Mandolin Case out soon, and I have a couple more to follow over the next few years.
Some people just ain’t got no give up in ’em and I’m one of them.
Dr. B