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Full Circle: A Life Story
Full Circle has all the pathos and sorrow of a John Steinbeck novel surrounded by the full fury of an Oklahoma tornado. Out of the conflagration, the Miller family finds their way through more than fifty years of dust and dirt and an uncertain future.
Mae Miller, suffering an aneurysm-induced coma, lies in a hospital bed. Clarence, her husband of fifty-four years, is at her side.
For Mae, this is only one of many times she has had to battle death, beginning with the loss of her mother and infant brother to a tornado that tore their small tenant farmhouse apart. The tornado ripped seven-year-old Mae's infant brother from her arms and ripped a hole in her heart. Years later, drought devastates the family farm and drives a wedge between a teen-aged Mae and her dad. Mae moves west to live with her grown sister.
Clarence, a sharecropper's son, is driven to not be a hard, cruel man like his dad. Again and again, life throws obstacles his way that test his resolve. Clarence, faced with the choice of moving back to the hated family farm and his cruel father or finding work elsewhere, migrates west to work under the desert sun.
Mae and Clarence meet in the cotton fields of Arizona in 1938 and marry soon after. Together they raise a family while tackling life's obstacles head-on.
Mae Miller, suffering an aneurysm-induced coma, lies in a hospital bed. Clarence, her husband of fifty-four years, is at her side.
For Mae, this is only one of many times she has had to battle death, beginning with the loss of her mother and infant brother to a tornado that tore their small tenant farmhouse apart. The tornado ripped seven-year-old Mae's infant brother from her arms and ripped a hole in her heart. Years later, drought devastates the family farm and drives a wedge between a teen-aged Mae and her dad. Mae moves west to live with her grown sister.
Clarence, a sharecropper's son, is driven to not be a hard, cruel man like his dad. Again and again, life throws obstacles his way that test his resolve. Clarence, faced with the choice of moving back to the hated family farm and his cruel father or finding work elsewhere, migrates west to work under the desert sun.
Mae and Clarence meet in the cotton fields of Arizona in 1938 and marry soon after. Together they raise a family while tackling life's obstacles head-on.
248 pages, Paperback
Published October 11, 2015
289 people want to read
About the author
Ronnie L. Richards
4 books82 followersI grew up in the wilds of rural Oklahoma, where the biggest thrill was watching grass grow—seriously, it was like watching paint dry, but with more chlorophyll. As a kid, I fell head over heels for reading, using books as my personal teleportation device to escape the less-than-thrilling reality of my childhood. I am an equal-opportunity reader, diving into any book that drags me into the characters' lives and takes me with them. By the ripe old age of thirteen, I had read almost every book in the Kingfisher library, leaving the shelves practically empty. I guess the library fines are more than the national debt by now. So, please, don't tell the Kingfisher Library where I can be found.
My resume reads like a game of career bingo. At first glance, or second, or third, it paints a picture of a man constantly moving from job to job. Let me break it down for you:
I've been a farm/ranch hand, short order cooked, waited tables, pumped gas at a full-service station, clerked at a convenience store, wired things as an electrician, plumbed pipes as a plumber, hammered away in construction, operated a crane, bulldozer and backhoe, fought fires as a Fireman and saved lives as an EMT. Let me hesitate while I catch my breath and allow you a chance to absorb the first thirteen jobs listed.
I spent 22 years in Oil & Gas operations climbing from roughneck to the big boss overseeing operations in fourteen states, bounced troublemakers out of the largest Gentlemen's club in Oklahoma, hauled freight in an 18-wheeler, and even dabbled in Information Technology for 29 years. I snagged my BSB; MIS from Oklahoma City University in 1993, graduating magna cum laude, because, why not?
I sprinkle my vast life experiences into my writing to give it that extra dash of believability. I either knew I would one day be a writer and, since someone once told me write what you know, decided to have a vast array of work experience. Or, I became a writer because when I heard that good writers write what they know, I had one of those lightbulb moments that said, "you know a little bit of everything. You, my friend, thanks to not being able to hold a job for more than twenty-two years (my Oil and Gas experience), have the foundation of a great writer. I will let you decide which is the case that lead me to become a writer of books and short stories.
These days, I am kicking back in Enid, Oklahoma living the retired life with my wife Michelle and our dog Koda, who runs the show.
My resume reads like a game of career bingo. At first glance, or second, or third, it paints a picture of a man constantly moving from job to job. Let me break it down for you:
I've been a farm/ranch hand, short order cooked, waited tables, pumped gas at a full-service station, clerked at a convenience store, wired things as an electrician, plumbed pipes as a plumber, hammered away in construction, operated a crane, bulldozer and backhoe, fought fires as a Fireman and saved lives as an EMT. Let me hesitate while I catch my breath and allow you a chance to absorb the first thirteen jobs listed.
I spent 22 years in Oil & Gas operations climbing from roughneck to the big boss overseeing operations in fourteen states, bounced troublemakers out of the largest Gentlemen's club in Oklahoma, hauled freight in an 18-wheeler, and even dabbled in Information Technology for 29 years. I snagged my BSB; MIS from Oklahoma City University in 1993, graduating magna cum laude, because, why not?
I sprinkle my vast life experiences into my writing to give it that extra dash of believability. I either knew I would one day be a writer and, since someone once told me write what you know, decided to have a vast array of work experience. Or, I became a writer because when I heard that good writers write what they know, I had one of those lightbulb moments that said, "you know a little bit of everything. You, my friend, thanks to not being able to hold a job for more than twenty-two years (my Oil and Gas experience), have the foundation of a great writer. I will let you decide which is the case that lead me to become a writer of books and short stories.
These days, I am kicking back in Enid, Oklahoma living the retired life with my wife Michelle and our dog Koda, who runs the show.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 5, 2016
Timeline 1922-1956. Oklahoma City, OK.
The life/times & tribulations of Clarence Coon Miller (grandmother, husband/father) & Cindy Ella May Miller (grandmother, wife/mother, terminal illness, died).
1929, Hackett, AK. A tornado had been sighted & just as Ben (husband/father), Bertha (wife/mother), Jim (son), Frank (son), Harrison (son) & Ellen (daughter) were taking cover Mae (daughter) had Lauren (7, brother) in her arms & the next thing she knew the tornado whisk him away.
In 1930, the family moved from Hackett AK., to Ft. Smith, AK. The other family members who came are Lizzy (daughter), Gladys (daughter), Ethel (daughter), & Jim (son).
Lauren (TBI) was taken to Harbor View Mercy Psychiatric Hospital & put under the care of Dr. Highsmith.
Where will the family journey take them to next?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well memoir or historical biography written book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great historical biography movie, college PP presentation, mini TV series or documentary (A & E, History channel. 1 book you won’t want to put down. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Autographed; paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
The life/times & tribulations of Clarence Coon Miller (grandmother, husband/father) & Cindy Ella May Miller (grandmother, wife/mother, terminal illness, died).
1929, Hackett, AK. A tornado had been sighted & just as Ben (husband/father), Bertha (wife/mother), Jim (son), Frank (son), Harrison (son) & Ellen (daughter) were taking cover Mae (daughter) had Lauren (7, brother) in her arms & the next thing she knew the tornado whisk him away.
In 1930, the family moved from Hackett AK., to Ft. Smith, AK. The other family members who came are Lizzy (daughter), Gladys (daughter), Ethel (daughter), & Jim (son).
Lauren (TBI) was taken to Harbor View Mercy Psychiatric Hospital & put under the care of Dr. Highsmith.
Where will the family journey take them to next?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well memoir or historical biography written book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great historical biography movie, college PP presentation, mini TV series or documentary (A & E, History channel. 1 book you won’t want to put down. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Autographed; paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
February 18, 2016
I am so glad Ronnie L. Richards decided to write Full Circle A Life Story and share the life of his grandparents with his readers. It is such a blessing to be close to family members and learn about their lives and stories. Mae and Clarence had remarkable stories to tell and Ronnie Richards made me feel like I really knew them by the end of their story. Although they led a difficult and challenging life at times the love they felt for each other was so inspiring. I truly enjoyed reading this book and hope perhaps there are other stories Mr. Richards will want to share.
May 9, 2016
In the tradition of "The Notebook", this book tells the story of what it was like to meet the love of your life, work hard, and overcome obstacles that come with the times in which they were born. Follow this couple as their story comes to life in your mind from when they were born to their deaths. I loved this book and am so thankful I was born in 1962 instead of earlier. Thank you Ronnie for your wonderful insight and story of your grandparents lives.
June 17, 2016
I received this book from goodreads for an honest review. I just could not get into it. I tryed to read it a few times but never could finish it myself. Im sure there is alot of people who would enjoy it. My husband didn't think it was that bad but its not really for him either.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews