The Unique Writer

        I recall a TV clip years ago. I believe it was Andy Rooney. He said he believed every human being who ever lived should have at least some small recognition recorded for all time. With the age of computers he thought it wouldn’t be too much to ask that everyone should have at least a one or two line permanent on-line obituary.

        I liked the idea, and didn’t forget it. I believe each of God’s children is unique and special and none of them should be forgotten. Maybe as writers that’s what we do with our blogs. Like it or not, the world has no choice. There’s no way to ignore us. We are bloggers and we aren’t going away!

        I am unique because as far as I know I am the world’s only physician bluegrass fiction writer. I use phrases like ‘ain’t done it,’ but also ‘retroperitoneal  lymphadenopathy.’ I love being a doc but I’ve got to play some bluegrass music to survive the emotional toil medical practice exacts. I think the blues in bluegrass takes the pain away, and if you sing a killing song you can get over the desire to hurt someone who deserves it.

        I came up in a biology and chemistry background. I made an “A” in Organic but preferred Dr. Smiley’s History of the South lectures. I’d turn down golf on a pretty spring day to hear his lectures even after I had long since passed the course. I write because I believe the human truths that endure are found in more often in art than science, but I was quick to sign up for modern cataract surgery.

        I have one green eye and one blue one. I’m skinny and old and gray-haired; I have to fight with ideas instead of fists. I am strong but weak; our strength comes when we understand we all depend on each other. (Try to wrestle an orangutan alone if you don’t believe me)  I like to gamble with the boys in golf, but prefer to have at least one female in the band; it’s just a better sound to me.

        I like Bach, but I dig Monroe. I enjoy my medical colleagues, and respect them, but I love my bluegrass friends like family. I’ll watch the History Channel, but don’t care for ‘rassling or reality shows. (I’ve never seen one from start to finish; too ADD I guess.)

        I find women smarter with words than men. I can pick a pretty girl out of a line-up but I am loyal to and only love one woman.  I like children but I love my own and would fight for them or my wife. My daughter is a black belt in karate and would have to protect me but she’d pretend I saved the day. (She knows old Dad has an ego to protect.) My boy used to drive me to the hospital late at night when I was too tired to go alone.

        I am nice to people and try to be a gentleman, but can be a relentless street fighter with those who treat my people poorly. I try to find beauty with art, but if have to I’ll write words to paint ugly in a corner it can’t escape. I believe to war with a pen yields peace more than to wage it with guns, although I realize there are times we have no choice.

        I believe in the pursuit of excellence, but accept I’m not perfect. I think celebrity is a worthless concept. What good is famous for being famous if you ain’t doing anything for anybody? I respect achievement but don’t understand the worship of any mortal human being; we are all flawed.

        Heck, enough of my someday on-line writer obituary. Tell me about you. What makes you a unique writer? What is your genre? Andy Rooney was right. We all deserve some permanent recognition. What do you want to be remembered for?

Dr. B

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