Here's an intro excerpt from the title poem, "The Great Buck Ride":

It's never made a lot of sense
But Mother Nature has her reason
Why we always gather cattle
In the middle of buck season.

I was high up in the mountains
Lots of hunters up there too
I had my saddle horse
And my faithful dog, Ol' Blue.

...

The book is 7"×7", perfect-bound (with a squared-off spine), 40 pages and available in both softbound and hardbound versions. The high-quality pages are glossy and rendered in beautiful full color. View a preview of the first 15 pages of the book.

The book sales are part of an ongoing fundraising effort to help cover medical bills incurred when my dad was unexpectedly struck ill by an E-Coli infection this past summer and spent weeks and weeks in the hospital recovering. He's on the road to recovery now, and we're hoping to help him out as much as possible in the process.

So, what are you waiting for?

And while you're at it, tell everyone you know about www.roysmithpoetry.com!

Have a look!

Some new photos as well...

As of now, he is much improved but still in serious condition and still in the hospital. They still don't know what caused the infection, but they are trying to determine so that they can address and correct the problem.

We want to thank everyone for all of their love and support and good thoughts. We believe it is helping dad get better, a little bit at a time.

Update: Saturday, August 18th, 3pm

Things are looking up! Dad's been discharged from Rogue Valley Medical Center and is now at Providence Physical Rehabilitation Center, where, if everything goes well, he is expected to receive intensive physical therapy for a period of roughly two weeks prior to being sent home.

His overall health is much improved, and we are all very pleased at these most recent developments.

It was a happy (and successful) conspiracy; I had no clue.

Earl took many fine photos of the event with his new, fancy camera. I was happy to see everyone and enjoyed it very much.

Thanks to all who helped make it happen (and keep it a secret)!

The Colors of Consciousness

A Joy of Life is to Behold:
A Perfect Point of Sunrise Gold.
Where follows that a Pallid Hue,
Of calming mid-day Brilliant Blue.
And after noon we find instead--
A Softly Setting Sunset Red...

The Light entreats that you should stay
Tomorrow brings a Brighter Day.

Written by a young Tyler Smith in March of 1997

Looking dazed, Isaac listens to a few spare notes on the piano.

For those of you who missed this great photo of a very happy Isaac the first go-round, here it is again! (Originally taken January 31st, 2007)