To my readers:

Ollie, otherwise known as The Old Man, who I have recently introduced on two recent blog pieces, has some news that I need to share with you.  Originally, I took on the “Navy Seal” writers challenge by tackling the last writing prompt—You are walking down the beach, and coming towards you in another direction is an old man, wearing a t-shirt that says, “Been there, done that, don’t mess with me.”

After I took this writing challenge that is self-created, by the way, I have become aware that Ollie has grown in the imaginations of my readers to such an extent that he now requires protection, maybe not just for his physical safety, but for the emotional safety of well, you readers.  Of course, I know what you are wondering, but then, how do you know he doesn’t exist? 

I know, that’s a difficult one to swallow, but it is easy to become attached to Ollie, even though he is at times, difficult to understand, or more specifically, it is difficult to break through the protective shell he built around his soul.

I know Ollie.  The truth is he certainly does not need protection.  He can take care of himself, even though he is an Einstein-esque centenarian with a bad – ass attitude on the outside, but a soft heart on the inside.

The truth is Ollie is in fact, a national treasure.  National treasures must be protected, whether he wants it or not.

He is now under the protective custody of a security detail around his house, and also an electronic surveillance security net as well.  I figured it would happen someday, and so, it has.  No question, he won’t like it at all, and he may try to escape, and he has escaped from worse situations before, but if he does escape, you will hear about it, then, we will catch him again and coax him back to his place of safety. Thankfully, it has become more obvious now, that he is slightly easier to coax if we offer him some beer at the local bar.  In the meantime, if he escapes, please don’t panic. And also, for God’s sake, don’t call the police. It will just piss him off. After all, he is easy to spot with that blowing white hair, but then, that’s only if he allows himself to be spotted. He is just a centenarian who walks with a cane that some observers are not sure he needs, and he won’t hurt you.  That is, unless you deserve it.

I must now find a way to accomplish the daunting task he has assigned to me.  I hope I make him proud.  More specifically, I hope I publish the work he assigned to me, before he passes. You know, he told us about the minutes being a gift.  I mention this because I had a patient some years ago, who knew about my latest thriller manuscript I was writing, and he said, “Carson, damn it, I hope you publish this damn book before I pass.”  Sadly, he passed and that thriller is not published yet. Sorry General Bill, but I miss you. I am doing this one for Ollie.

We must “endeavor to persevere.”  Chief Dan George, in The Outlaw Josey Wales.

© SRCarson Publications, 2022