Pat Ritter. Books

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'Greatest OMR Stories' - Page 36:

The Virgin Father

My mind passes back to a trip my partner and I went on many years ago, ‘Stars, Spars, Outback Tour’. Instead of staying in motel accommodation, we camped on outback sheep and cattle stations.
Shortly after turning twenty-one years old I worked on a sheep and cattle property in far south-west Queensland. This latest adventure became different to anything I ever experienced before.
Country people are always friendly greeting us with warm country hospitality. First property we stayed overnight ‘Nardoo Station’ north of Cunnamulla in south-west Queensland. Not long after arrival our host took us on a tour of the property to familiarise us with this great country.
I’d seen most of this type of country a hundred times over, particularly, mulga scrub, open plains, Mitchell grass, until we came across a nest of Emu eggs in a clearing. Our guide stopped the bus for all to decamp and inspect this wonderland of animal instinct. All my travelling through this country, I never witnessed this sight before. Five large emu eggs in a nest with a giant male Emu standing nearby.
‘Let me explain to you about the Emu.’ The guide started to inform us all. ‘These eggs were laid by the female Emu, she left her nest. The male Emu sits on these eggs for six weeks until the chicks are born.’ I needed to close my mouth before flies entered.
‘A Virgin Father.’ These words I spoke aloud.
‘What do you mean, A Virgin Father’? The guide asked me.
‘Simple, the female Emu lays the eggs. The male Emu takes over making him ‘The Virgin Father’. I said in astonishment. This thought entered my mind when the male Emu stood near the eggs.
‘How do you work out he’s ‘A Virgin Father’? The guide questioned me. Obvious she’d become intrigued with my answer.
‘Okay, I realise they conceived the eggs before laying them. ‘The Virgin Father’ is unique because probably he is the first male I’ve ever seen to sit on eggs to produce his chicks. I’ve never witnessed a man pregnant. Have you?’ I explained in a manner-of-speaking.
‘When you explain how this happened in the way you have done. Yes, I agree, ‘The Virgin Father’ is a male Emu. I’ll need to keep this in mind to tell other guests.’ Our guide answered with a frown on her face.
‘You’re clever to point out this point.’ My partner whispered in my ear.
‘Don’t worry. I only thought of ‘The Virgin Father’ after the guide told us about the male Emu sitting on the eggs. I’m not clever.’ I finished with a smile spread across my face.
‘I think you’re clever.’ My partner replied holding my hand in hers. ‘You are my Virgin Father’.
‘I’m too old to be sitting on your eggs.’ I smiled.
Word count: 474
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'Greatest OMR Stories' - Page 37:

The Year That Never Was

2017. Will this year be any different to 2016? I can’t complain about 2016. Everything I set out to achieve, I achieved. Writing, publishing, marketing books number 19 and 20 to the world. Who would’ve thought in twenty-nine years I would achieve this milestone.
Back in 1988 at the time I wrote and published book number one ‘Closing The Gap’ my mind completely focused on doing my best to achieve this goal of writing and publishing one book. Now in 2017 my goal to write a novel plus publish stories we write at Pomona Writer’s Group is beyond imagination.
To achieve these goals in 2017 I don’t want to think of ‘The Year That Never Was’. I look forward to writing my next novel. A fire burns in my belly. My mind fixed on research I need to undertake before I start. Character conversations are recording in my mind to write this next novel. I’m ready.
How do one write and publish a novel annually you may ask? Dedication, resilience, time management, self-belief plus the need to finish the job. My next novel is a continuation from my previous one set in the period between 1899 to 1902 in Australian history. These times were important for Australia because in 1899 declaration of ‘Boer War’ in South Africa when Australia joined forces with Britain.
1901 became probably most significant period in our nation’s history because we became a Federation. Writing of the constitution, selection of Parliament included our first Prime Minister. Not forgetting between 1897 until 1902 Australia experienced the worst drought in living history especially in outback Australia.
I have much to write about. Once research of these periods has been completed, time to write. At this stage I have no idea of the topic or name of the novel. May name this latest book, ‘The Year That Never Was’. Sounds original. More I think about this title the more appealing to use this title. I will use this title for my next novel. Should fit the requirements plus the storyline.
First to set a goal of finishing the book by November 2017. Write the goal onto ‘To Do List’. Download movie of ‘Breaker Morant’. View movie to incorporate storyline into book. Search Google for information about Boer War plus Australia. Place information into a folder for later reference. Search Google for Federation of Australia. Who became our first Prime Minister? When? Place information into folder for later reference.
Most important to start, write, write and continue to write until the final page. Make the story interesting, characters lift from the pages. Bring tears to my eyes when writing the emotions of what I write, each reader will experience a similar emotion. Write daily even though may only be a few words or as many words as my muse will allow.
Enchant the reader by writing explosive storytelling at best. Make the reader want to turn the next page. Use simple words, meaningful, enlightening. Most important of all, have fun writing this story. If the writer enjoys their story so then will the reader. In November 2017 ‘The Year That Never Was’ will be available for all to read.
Word count: 537
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'Greatest OMR Stories' - Page 38:

They Also Served

My son's words almost made me choke with emotion. 'Dad. I'm pleased you're not a policeman any longer.' Why would he tell me these words? I never understood why he hated me being a serving member of Queensland Police Service.
I asked him to explain. His words cut through me like a hot knife through butter. 'At school the other students called me 'piglet'. They spat on me. I hated you being in the police especially when you sat next to me on the train to school.'
After twenty years continued service in Queensland Police Service I retired on medical grounds at forty-two years old after having a pacemaker implantation. My world changed completely from having a secure career to nothing. Hearing my son say these words I never ever in my career thought me being a police officer affected him so much. They also served.
Thinking back to when I met my wife, I'd been a policeman for nine months. She stood beside me through thick and thin being my sounding board after returning home from a heavy investigation. After my retirement I remember sitting with her on the front veranda of our home, her words clear. 'You should write stories of what you did in the police. Those stories you told me. People would love to read them.' I did write these stories.
Whilst writing my first book 'Closing The Gap' my daughter fell in with the wrong crowd at school. When I confronted her about this discovery her words hurt me more than I ever imagine. 'They are the only ones I can talk with. Others walk away when I try to join them because they think I'll tell you what they said. I'm wrong to mix with this crowd, they cause problems, but they talk with me.' Her words shattered my self-confidence. My daughter also served.
I clearly remember my words to her. 'Are you proud I'm a police officer?' I asked her. She began to cry.
'Yes I am.' She sobbed.
'If you are proud of me being a police officer you should tell these so-called friends you are proud of your father being a police officer.' I explained.
After wrapping my arms around her shoulders, she sobbed until regaining herself. 'What is my punishment?' She asked.
'You decide your own punishment.' I replied.
'A month of not watching 'Home and Away'. She answered. Kaylene's experience became the first chapter of 'Closing The Gap' my first book.
A policeman's life is a hard one serving their community. A common analogy in police circles, 'one day you bow to the Queen of England, the next day you pick a drunk from the gutter.' So much variety of life.
Apart from myself, they also served, my wife, daughter, son through all the ups and downs of everyday life. I remember well the morning I confronted a deranged man holding a rifle to my forehead. I didn't think of my position of a police officer in such danger, I thought of my family.
My daughter's words continue to ring in my ears after we attended the twenty-fifth Anniversary Dinner of Crimestoppers. She said on our journey home, 'Dad, you leave behind a legacy by establishing Crimestoppers for Queensland.' These words from my daughter showed how proud she was of me.
Looking back on my life I'm proud to have served Queensland as a police officer. I never would've done so without the support of my wife, daughter and son. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine how my service affected their own lives. They also served.
Word count: 609
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'Greatest OMR Stories' - Page 39:

Tomorrow and Tomorrow?

Tomorrow never comes. Today is present, yesterday is past whilst tomorrow never comes. Tomorrow the day after the present day. For instance, Tuesday is always followed Monday. Tomorrow is hope for the future.
Speaking of future. I am gravely concerned about my grandchildren's future. Changes in my life have been many from living with no electricity to becoming overpowered with technology we didn't dream of having at their age. From the first sight of television to computers, technology overrides our lives.
My eldest grandson is seventeen years old, completed grade twelve at a private school. Obtained high grades for entrance into any university. Since finishing school he's now suffering from ATWS (Anxiety To Work Syndrome). After leaving school he worked a couple of days installing Foxtel application which he loved. However, this stopped. In fact, he stopped. Since leaving school his motivation to work is zero.
Promoting my books through social media is tough unless one comes up with a great idea. An idea floated through my mind. I wanted to have a presentation to show others my journey of how I became an author. On impulse, I passed the idea to my grandson. 'That's easy Pop.' His comment. 'You write your story. Leave the rest to me.'
After writing the story I wanted others to read, my grandson placed these words with slides together with music made a video to post on YouTube. After watching this video, I couldn't believe how proud of his achievements he made me. He brushed the comment off as nothing.
Each opportunity I link the video to Facebook, LinkedIn, e-mails. Within one week of publication this site recorded more than two hundred and twenty hits. Extraordinary effort. Time to speak with my grandson to explain how proud of what he accomplished. 'Nothing Pop.'
A deep concern worried me. How to motivate my grandson to learn more of this gift to become successful. I strongly suggested he attend university to learn more of his craft. His answer, ' No!' Attempts to make him understand the importance of his future in designing these models to help other author like myself fell on deaf ears. Frustration built inside of me.
My mind screamed how to help him discover his forte. I tried every concealable trick in the book to make him understand how important for him to study this area. To no avail. I wasn't going to give up.
Because he suffers from ATWS (Anxiety To Work Syndrome) I decided to stop pestering him. Allow him to make his own decision. Almost broke my heart a gift going down the drain of hopelessness.
Before I commenced to write this story, my grandson informed me he has accepted my decision and made application to study at university to further his career in the field of technology. My insides almost burst with delight at this news. I kept a straight face; nodded to accept his decision. My only desire is tomorrow and tomorrow he continues to follow his dream.
Word count: 510
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'Greatest OMR Stories' - Page 40:

Well I Never

Growing through my childhood in Roma, during the fifties, my greatest thrill to sit with my elders listen to their stories. Words ‘well I never’ a huge part of their vocabulary. Sixty years later these words resonate in my mind reminding me of these times.
Today our children and grandchildren wouldn’t have a clue how to listen to their elders sponging up information as we did, because no longer do we gather to share our lives unless through social media. How times have changed. Technology has taken over our lives in more ways we can ever imagined. I’d love to share my stories with my grandchildren and children. Each time I try all they comment: ‘you’ve told us those stories before’.
Each year takes us closer to the end of our lives. After my grandmother passed away I tried to keep her memory alive by writing her life story to distribute between her relatives as a keepsake. Some thanked me, only two to my memory, others didn’t reply. Her words ‘well I never’ will never be spoken again. Her person seated on her favourite lounge chair, smoking her pony cigarette, satisfied look on her face, without a care in the world.
If I mention the words ‘well I never’ to my children or grandchildren they’d think, I’d gone bananas. Next, they’d place me into a retirement home for the elderly. Whilst I have my true memory, write and publish my books I want to stay in my own home if possible.
Monthly I speak with my elder aunt, who is eighty-seven years old. Our conversation boarders on realism. She is very good for her age keeping fit and healthy. Our conversations evolve around family. She shares her stories of growing up during World War 11 plus further back to share her memories of those times. After we finish I’m inspired on how when one reaches their twilight years each enjoy what they do to make their lives more liveable.
These words ‘well I never’ repeated a million times during her youth because in those times relatives visited often staying for weeks at a time. Her younger life most precious because of her six sisters, my mother being one, plus warm loving parents. When she had the opportunity to listen to her elders speaking of their daily experiences she sat silent drinking in the flavours of conversation with the words ‘well I never’ used constantly.
Those days are gone forever. Whenever my children visit me, which is often, their only request is to ask me to do something for them. Never wanting to share their day nor their personal experiences. These words ‘well I never’ will die with the people who once spoke these words to share. We will never have these words spoken again in the way they used to be.
Word count: 479
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'Greatest OMR Stories' - Page 41:

What Do You Really Mean

My work as a detective in Queensland Police Service required giving evidence before a Judge and Jury. One investigation happened at Chinchilla, a town west of Dalby on the Darling Downs.
One night a handicapped male person entered the Chinchilla Hotel to have a quiet drink. Two young fellows in the hotel decided to tell this handicapped male they had a girl out the back. One coaxed the handicapped male to the rear of the hotel in the pretence a girl waited for him.
When the two walked to a dark area at the rear of the hotel the other youth in waiting punched the handicapped male to the ground, searched through his pockets, stole his money a total of $7.50c. They left the handicapped male laying on the ground at the rear of the hotel left the scene. My off-sider and I were given the investigation.
Speaking with the complainant, the handicapped male, his story clears of what happened. After recognizing both the assailants we took him to the local hospital for medical examination. Apart from bruising took him home.
Our blood pressure rose to a degree of exploding how any person would commit such an act on a handicapped individual, nor anyone for that matter. After radioing a Be On The Lookout For, a message came through to our police vehicle both males were apprehended at Goomeri. We arranged to meet the Goomeri Police half-way.
After exchanging both offenders to our police vehicle we returned to Dalby to question them. I shall never forget this investigation. I interviewed the first offender who sang like a bird telling the story of how they had been drinking most of the day at the hotel when the complainant entered the hotel.
His friend suggested they tell him a girl waited outside. When the complainant walked outside the other offender punched him, dropping him to the ground, rummaged through his pockets stole $7.50c. They left the complainant lying on the ground, found their vehicle then drove to Gomera when they were caught by the police.
My off-sider interviewed the other offender who didn't want to say anything only placing total blame onto his friend. He didn't sing like a bird but kept mute. Both were arrested and charged with Assault and Robbery.
Six months later both appeared before Honourable Reginald Carter, Judge and selected jury at the Supreme Court in Brisbane. I gave evidence first. One of the questions asked by the Defence Council I answered, 'not really.'
Honourable Judge Reginald Carter butted in and said in an authoritive 'what do you really mean detective?' If looks we daggers I would've been dead in the witness box. My brain froze. I couldn't think of an appropriate answer.
Honourable Judge Reginal Carter repeated the question, 'what do you really mean. Answer the question?' His abruptness from his chair frightened the daylights out of me. I mumbled something.
Finally, I lifted my chin and said, 'I'm sorry Judge Carter. I can't answer the question.' I kept silent.
Although this investigation happened almost forty years ago I still remember Honourable Justice Reginald Carter speak those words toward me, 'what do you really mean?'
Word count: 538
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'Greatest OMR Stories' - Page 45:
You Just Don't Want To Know
Criminal investigation work at times is thankless. When a crime is committed, serious or minor, investigative skills need to be sharp with the investigator alert to solve the crime. Being an investigator for nine years particularly when others wanted to know what happen. You just don’t want to know became the constant reply.
From many investigators with Queensland Police I was luckier than most. My wife became my sounding board after long days investigating some of the most gruesome crimes. She sat patiently listening to my babbling on about how I solved the crime. Never saying a word, just listening. At the time, I never realised how important her silence meant. I didn’t need to be told about how the crime was solved, only, someone who loved me to listen. Many years later she told me to write a book of these events I shared with her.
This morning on television, an aged man, in his eighties, being manhandled from his vehicle by a couple of sixteen-year youths who escaped from a juvenile detention centre in Melbourne. This man appeared helpless. Throwing his keys away didn’t deter these youths who found the keys and stole this aged man’s vehicle. Disgusting. What will happen to these youths when they’re eventually captured? You just don’t want to know.
Thinking about this occurrence brings back a memory of a youth, twelve years old breaking into an elderly woman’s home in search of money. This elderly lady arrived home to find this twelve-year old intruder in her home, came face to face, with him. She held her handbag tight. This youth grabbed the straps of her handbag trying to force the purse loose. To no avail. She held her handbag tighter.
This youth pushed this elderly lady to the floor, forcing her to release her hold breaking the straps of the handbag from the elderly lady’s forearm. The youth quickly left the home taking the elderly lady’s handbag with him.
Shortly after this reported incident I captured this youth still in possession of the lady’s handbag. He admitted everything about breaking into the house together with assaulting and robbing this elderly lady of her handbag.
Being a juvenile, twelve years old, before I officially interviewed him a parent or guardian needed to be present. His father arrived, looked at his son, screamed the words, ‘you tell the police everything. You understand.’ Naturally, the youth admitted his crime, returned to the house to show me what he did. The elderly lady admitted to hospital with shock and injuries.
At the impending court hearing the defence barrister submitted a nolle prosecute, which meant I needed to give evidence before the court proceeded to show the youth didn’t receive a treat, inducement, or promise to admit his guilt.
You just don’t want to know what happened. The Trial Judge discharged the youth because of the treat his father gave him when he entered the office, ‘you tell the police everything. You understand.’ The elderly lady never recovered from her injuries or shock and passed away fifteen months later. Some events in life you just don’t want to know.
Word count: 530
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IMPORTANT NOTICE: THIS IS THE FINAL STORY. I WANT THE MEMBERS TO CHOOSE THE NEXT BOOK TO POST. CLICK ONTO THIS LINK: https://www.amazon.com/Pat-Ritter/e/B008MQASQA TO CHOOSE THE BOOK YOU WANT TO READ DAILY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.

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'Closing The Gap' - Page 1:

Closing The Gap
How Did Closing The Gap Happen?
Thirty years ago, this book ‘Closing The Gap’ was officially launched at Queensland Parliament House, Brisbane. History of ‘Closing The Gap’ came about from an issue I discovered whilst Officer-in-Charge of Juvenile Aid Bureau, Petrie, Brisbane with teenage children running away from home.
My role in the community to protect teenage children; police teenage behaviour. A common occurrence ‘teenage children ran away from home’. Each time a teenager ran away from home my heart swelled hoping the child wouldn’t fall into danger.
This event happened almost daily. Parents reported their teenager ran away from home. Being the Officer-in-charge honestly, I had no answers to this issue. Parents normally waited for their teenager to return home, bought them to the police for a good talking to. In my mind this wasn’t the answer.
I had enough. I wanted to find the answer. Speaking to senior members of Juvenile Aid Bureau they didn’t have any answers. My Inspector at the time Don Braithwaite. His question for me to take on further studies through TAFE. Whether his instructions were a stroke of genius on his behalf or my dealing with fate and destiny.
Returning to the office I decided to call in at the local TAFE to speak with someone. Walking along a corridor a man walked toward me. I stopped. ‘I’m hoping you may be able to help me.’ I said in a concerned voice. Fate led me to meet Bob O’Sullivan, who lectured at the college.
Bob invited me to his office to explain my predicament. Bob’s advice to enrol in his ‘Behaviour’ class. I did. Attending college at night in Bob’s class among different occupations, myself, being the only police officer. Bob’s teaching started me on a journey lasting the remainder of my life.
Instead of attending college at night Bob encouraged his class members to attend a two-day workshop covering all important lessons to learn about ‘Behaviour’. I attended on a Saturday and Sunday sessions.
Finishing at four o’clock in the afternoon I went to work the evening shift. During this shift I answered a query from a concerned mother about her daughter stealing money from home to take to school. Ninety minutes we shared information, particularly, important information concerning communication Bob showed us at the workshop. By the end of the session this mother agreed to speak with her daughter.
No sooner had I arrived at work the following afternoon this mother called. She thanked me for helping her to solve their issue. I couldn’t wait to tell Bob his teachings helped me solve this issue. I wanted to thank Inspector Don Braithwaite for encouraging me to study at TAFE.
Finally, I discovered the holy grail to ‘teenager children running away from home’. Communication became my goal to teach parents how to communicate with their teenage child. After sharing this knowledge with Bob, his words. ‘We’ll write a book. You write each case study. I’ll write theory dovetailing each together.’
At first, I thought Bob lost his mind. Three years of constant writing we finally completed ‘Closing The Gap’. Fate again came to our rescue. How were we going to publish our work? The Australian Lions Drug Awareness Foundation through Lions Clubs Australia agreed to publish ‘Closing The Gap’ for distribution to all Lions Club throughout Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Please enjoy each page of this wonderful book. Tomorrow will be the first page. Enjoy!
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'Closing The Gap' - Page 2:

CHAPTER 1
How To Survive Family Turmoils
‘Before she could utter another word, I exploded. How could my daughter do this to me? I admit I lost my temper, but I just couldn’t control myself. I yelled and screamed at her and couldn’t stop until I had fully blown my top. I felt as if I was in the middle of a raging tornado and couldn’t get out. The hurt, the feeling of anguish, the hatred and disbelief, overcome me. My stomach felt like it had been torn apart. I was caught in an emotional storm. Shock and numbness took over my body.’- Fred.
What catastrophe can cause a mature, sensible adult to experience this emotional turmoil? Let’s learn from Fred’s experience.
Fred’s world started closing in on him when a friend told him he would not allow his children to associate with his daughter (then aged 13) if she continued to be a bad influence. He told Fred that she had been disruptive both within and outside the classroom and that she was encouraging his children to smoke. To say that Fred was surprised at his friend’s comments would be a major understatement. He was shocked. He could not imagine his daughter smoking let alone pressuring others to smoke as well.
Nevertheless, he spoke to her about what his friend had said. She seemed surprised and denied all knowledge of any such activities. That was good enough for Fred because he trusted and loved his daughter. He was, however, determined to say a few things to his friend. Fortunately, before doing so, Fred visited his daughter’s school. Here he learnt that his trusted daughter had lied to him.
When Fred confronted his daughter, she admitted her guilt. Fred went into a rage. Many thoughts raced through his mind, one of which was, that this was not supposed to happen in his family. Part of his job was to counsel families in just this type of situation. He had seen the suffering other families had been through and thought he understood their feelings. However, it wasn’t until he had actually experienced the same anguish himself that he really understood.
Fred was unprepared for such turmoil himself, even though he understood the theory behind these problems and had successfully helped many families in precisely this situation. You see he never expected this to happen to him. Nobody expects it to happen to them, but it does happen. Fred’s experience and his immediate reaction are not uncommon.
It wasn’t until Fred gained control of himself and started to work on the techniques which he had regularly advised other parents to do, that he started to work towards a positive outcome. He remembered that there were four ways in which he could respond to this situation. He immediately began to feel better as he started to work constructively to help his family.
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