Fred L. Cook

I was born and raised in a small community near Olive Hill, Kentucky. I'm the youngest and the only son in the family. I have three older sisters, with whom I argued and teased, as all kids do. However, I could always retreat to the hills and creeks around our home. There I experienced many strange happenings. I enjoy telling of my adventures and the encounters of others.

The inspiration for A Taut Rope came from an occurrence I had while attempting to train a couple of dogs a friend and I owned. This particular time I was in the head of a hollow when the dogs picked up a scent of something and began to run. This bit of excitement only lasted a few minutes before they began to whine, back track and hide behind me. A dog peeped around each leg peering at something I couldn't see. The hair raised on the back of my neck as I realized nothing alive was in there except me and the dogs. No birds were singing and nothing was scampering or slithering through the brush. The place was deathly quiet. My mother's great grandpa was hung in this same hollow over a property line dispute.

I hope folks will enjoy my story. After all, that's what it's all about, to entertain someone, bring a smile and make a person remember a better time, a time when things weren't so hectic. Perhaps I'll be able to stir up memories that have long been forgotten or introduce someone new to the Appalachian way of life. Together we can walk through these hills and swim in these creeks I so dearly love. Come alone and join me.