Pat Ritter. Books

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To purchase ‘Awesome OMR Stories’: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/120881. Amazon.com: Awesome Stories OMR One Minute Read eBook : Ritter, Pat: Kindle Store.

To purchase ‘Brilliant OMR Stories’: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/270499. Amazon.com: Brilliant Stories - One Minute Reads - OMR eBook : Ritter, Pat: Books.

To purchase ‘Captivating OMR Stories’: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/392151. Amazon.com: Captivating - OMR (One Minute Read) - Stories eBook : Ritter, Pat: Books.

To purchase ‘Dynamic OMR Stories’: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/501597. Amazon.com: Dynamic - One Minute Read - OMR - Stories eBook : Ritter, Pat: Kindle Store.

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'Confessions of an alcoholic' - Pages 1-4:

CHAPTER 1

Bundy is retired and lives on his farm where he sits on the front veranda to ponder his past and think about his future. Only recently he lost the one and only person he has ever loved, his wife Ada who died peacefully after losing her battle with cancer.
If Bundy ever again had the desire or temptation to drink alcohol it was now. It wouldn’t take much to lift the glass to his lips and gulp down its contents and taste the same bitter ale, which was so common to him, and return him onto that journey of destruction, which he so often travelled.
He remembered the promise he’d made to Ada some twenty-seven years ago ‘HE WOULD NEVER DRINK ALCOHOL AGAIN!’ He must keep to that promise.
Ada and Bundy were married for over thirty-one years. They had two children: daughter Nicole and son Neil. Bundy stopped drinking alcohol when Nicole was three years old and Neil one year old. He was immensely proud they had never witnessed his drinking.
It was partly what Nicole had said to him on the morning of the thirteenth of January 1977, when he laid on the lounge, which was a catalyst in causing Bundy to take a deep look at him.
Nicole stood in front of him dressed in her pyjamas with her long blonde hair falling around her face and shoulders. She was like a tigress ready to pounce. Nicole shrugged her shoulders and looked at Bundy with her piecing blue eyes at the same time shook her head from side to side and said, ‘If you come home sober tonight Daddy you might be able to sleep with Mum.’
Those words cut through his heart like a sharp hot knife. On hearing those words from his daughter his memory flashed immediately to when he was Nicole’s age to wonder why he didn’t have the courage or guts to tell the people he loved the same message as Nicole had told him.
It was all part of growing up in those days. This was different. His three-year-old daughter told her father what she felt and saw for herself. His head was in a spin. In his day he would never have had the nerve to speak to his father the way Nicole had spoken to him. In those days it was – children should be seen and not heard.
Bundy had been celebrating the night before with his workmates on passing his examinations. They all celebrated.
He arrived home sometime during the night; he knew it was late because it was dark when he drove his Hillman Minx into the driveway. He was lucky this time to drive his car home; often he had forgotten where he had parked it after leaving the hotel.
Many a time, he’d arrived home somehow to discover the following morning he’d left his car somewhere after he forget where he had parked it the night before. Ada, drove him around town, eventually finding the little blue car, Bundy was so fond of. It was his drinking car. This time he had driven it home, or it may have driven itself home. After a hard night’s drinking Bundy couldn’t remember anything he had done while he was drunk.
One of the many problems he experienced when he was at the pub drinking with his workmates, was they’d drink with him for about an hour, and then decide to go home. Bundy stayed. He’d look at his watch at eight o’clock and say to himself, ‘I’ve got a little while yet before I’ll go home. I may as well have a few more drinks because I’ll get into the same trouble for having one as if I’ve had a dozen’.
Next minute, Bundy heard the barman call out, ‘Last drinks gentlemen’. He’d look at his watch to see it was ten o’clock. He could never remember that last two hours. It was, as if he had had a blackout and couldn’t remember the time going so fast. It was as if time had stood still for two hours. He had no idea of where that last two hours had vanished.
It didn’t matter what time Bundy arrived home, whether it was at mealtime or later, Ada always left his dinner in the oven to keep it warm. He always came home to a hot dinner – a little crunchy from overheating in the oven – nevertheless a hot meal was always there for him. He was an incredibly lucky person although he didn’t realise it at the time. It wasn’t like this all the time, only over the past few months he’d been drinking more alcohol and couldn’t stop.
Only two nights before he arrived home early from work after he had a couple of beers at the hotel. When he walked into the kitchen Ada said, ‘Bundy did you remember to get the milk and bread on your way home?’ He’d forgotten.
‘I’ll go in now and get it and take Nicole for a drive.’
Nicole was excited to go with her father; she quickly jumped into the front seat of the car to wait for her Dad to drive them to the shop. Bundy was certain he could drive safely because he’d only had a couple of beers after work before he arrived home.
When they arrived at the shop Bundy purchased the milk and bread. Nicole selected from the lolly counter a lolly wrapped in paper. After gathering the milk and bread they returned to the car for their trip home.
On their journey home Bundy experienced something he didn’t want ever to happen. He had an accident and caused Nicole to fall from the front passenger’s seat onto the floor hitting her head against the firewall on the inside of the car.
Nicole was excited her father bought her a lolly with paper wrapping around it. On their journey home she tried to take the paper from the lolly. When she removed the paper from around the lolly, she handed the paper to her father.
He was not thinking about any consequences and took the lolly paper from Nicole with his right hand, at the same time wound down his driver’s side window. When he was about to throw the lolly paper out of the window, somehow, he lost control of the vehicle and caused the car to swerve from one side of the road to the other.
At the same time, Nicole fell from the passenger’s front seat onto the floor of the car striking her head against the firewall of the car. Bundy tried in vane to correct the car but struck a guidepost, and stopped at an abrupt hold, in the table drain beside the roadway...

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'Click Go The Shears'-
TO DOWNLOAD Click Go The Shears. $3.99 USD then Click: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/497192.

Page 1:
"Click Go the Shears" is a traditional Australian folk song. The song details a day's work for a sheep shearer in the days before machine shears. The enduring popularity of this song reflects the traditional role that the wool industry has played in Australian life. The song describes the various roles in the shearing shed, including the "ringer", the "boss of the board", the "colonial experience man" and the "tar boy". After the day's shearing, the "old shearer" takes his cheque and heads to the local pub for a drinking session.
The tune is an adaptation of the American Civil War song "Ring The Bell, Watchman" by Henry Clay Work and the first verse follows closely, in parody, Work's lyrics as well.
The second verse in the original 19th century song is as follows:
Click goes his shears; click, click, click.
Wide are the blows, and his hand is moving quick,
The ringer looks round, for he lost it by a blow,
And he curses that old shearer with the bare belled ewe.
The usual chorus of the song is as follows:
Click go the shears boys, click, click, click,
Wide is his blow and his hands move quick,
The ringer looks around and is beaten by a blow,
And curses the old snagger with the bare-bellied yoe
In June 2013 it was discovered that a version of the song was first published in 1891 in the regional Victorian newspaper the Bacchus Marsh Express under the title "The Bare Belled Ewe" and the tune given as "Ring the Bell Watchman." It was next published in 1946 as a traditional song "collected and arranged" by Reverend Dr. Percy Jones, a professor of music. The lyrics vary widely; "bare-bellied yoe" (yoe is a dialect word for ewe) is often "bare-bellied joe" or even "blue-bellied ewe". The last line in the verse about the "colonial experience" man "smelling like a whore" is often bowdlerised to "smelling like a sewer" or completely rewritten. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia).
This book is a continuation from ‘The Shearer’ published by this author 2014.
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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 2:

Chapter 1

‘What have you done?’ Hannah shouted when Joe told his story. He’d changed identity to now become Joe Gibson instead of Joe Ryan as she’d known him. The real Joe Gibson changed clothes with him to take his place when police came to arrest him for inciting the shearers to go on strike. The real Joe Gibson arrested as Joe Ryan and the real Joe Ryan changed his identity to now become Joe Gibson. Hannah couldn't believe his words.
‘This may sound confusing to both of you but I’m now Joe Gibson. Not Joe Ryan. We changed clothes and he took my place. They were going to arrest me. I’d never see you again if I went to prison.’ Joe pleaded.
‘What happened to Joe. The other Joe – I mean.’ Hannah asked, confused, her temper slowly subsided, breathing slower to try and understand his story.
‘Constable Fitzgerald arrested him.’ Joe explained.
‘You can’t change your name. Just like that!’ Ma shocked to hear what Joe had done.
‘Do you want me to go to prison? He gave me his papers and everything I need to change to his name.’ His voice raised. He reached inside his coat, extracted papers and placed them on the kitchen table.
‘He’s a brave man to go in your place. A brave man indeed.’ Ma quoted. ‘This is not right. You can’t be someone you’re not. What happens if something goes wrong? You can’t stay here. I don’t want police coming around here. I can’t lie to them or anyone else.’ She answered sternly. Her face set in stone.
‘I’ll go then. What about you Hannah. Do you want me to go?’
‘I still love you. It’s not your ring any longer. Is it? You’ve changed Joe! I tried to see you at the camp when you were on strike and each time turned away not knowing how you were or if still alive. Honestly Joe, I don’t know!’ She sobbed.
Joe moved to her and placed his arm around her shoulders. ‘Don’t worry. I will not bother either of you again. You keep the ring as a token of our love. I’ll move on.’...
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‘Build An Empire’ is the eighth book in ‘Outback Australia’ series. Set in 1909. Sidney Kidman wanted to expand his cattle empire by purchasing ‘Tilbaroo Station’ from Joe and Hannah Gibson. First motor vehicles imported to Australia. First thoroughbred race meeting held in Cunnamulla.
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'Build An Empire' -
Chapter 1

Nat Young sat on the front swing at their home in Cunnamulla with his son-in-law Joe Gibson happily chatting about what they intend to accomplish in 1909. A smile came to Joe Gibson’s face.
‘How long have Hannah and I owned ‘Tilbaroo Station’?’
‘As long as you’ve been married. Should remember. Gifted you the property as a wedding present.’ Nat explained puffed on his pipe. ‘Why should you ask?’
‘Do you know Sidney Kidman?’ Joe asked taking a sip from his tumbler of beer.
‘Why yes, I do know Sidney Kidman. Not personally. He’s known as Cattle King. Owns more properties throughout Queensland than anyone else. Is there a reason you ask me this Joe?’
‘Have a meeting with him next month.’
‘Why?’
‘He wants to purchase ‘Tilbaroo Station’.
‘What! Sidney Kidman wants to purchase ‘Tilbaroo Station’? Nat replied astonished.
‘Yeah. ‘Tilbaroo Station’ will add to his other properties to expand his empire.’ Joe sipped another drink.
‘Joe. This is your decision to make. Remember when I wanted to purchase properties, around this area thinking Founding Fathers would decide to have Treasure House of Nation’s Heart. Instead, they chose Yass/Canberra. Mate, you do what you think is right for you, Hannah, and the girls. What would you do if you sold ‘Tilbaroo Station’?’ ...

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'Dream Angel'
- Page 1: Chapter One

Dad sat in his lounge chair and stared at me. His eyes rolled back and forth. The whites shined against the contrast of brown pupils. Foam formed on his lips and seeped. Spittle flowed like a waterfall. Wrinkles changed to rage. I honestly thought he was going to have a heart attack. His mouth opened in one movement, ‘No son of mine is going to be a copper.’ He screamed.
Judgement day arrived; I wanted to join the Queensland Police Force as a police cadet. My boyhood dream was to become a real-life detective. Was I any different to anyone else to want to fulfil his or her dream? There must be a reason why Dad didn’t want me to become a policeman? Over and over he said, once a policeman, never a man. You’ve got to swear to arrest your own mother or father.

Cunnamulla, aboriginal meaning ‘long stretch of water’, is a small country town which lies on the Warrego River in south-west Queensland, 206 kilometres south of Charleville, and 950 kilometres west of Brisbane.
Dad’s father, my grandpa, moved to Cunnamulla in 1896 to work as a shearing contractor, his name Peter Ritter.

'Dream Angel' - Page 2:
Dad’s mother’s family settled in Cunnamulla from England, her name Daisy Sharpe. Grandpa and Momma Ritter (that’s the name we’d known her by since I can remember as a child) married in Cunnamulla and had eleven children, seven boys and four girls. My father Frank is the second eldest.
On my mother’s side, her mother, Hannah Ryan (we’d known her by the name Mam), was born in Cunnamulla in 1903. Mam attended Cunnamulla State School. Mum’s father, Grandfather Wilson moved to Cunnamulla before World War 1. He fought in the Great War and served in France. It’s fascinating how both of my grandparents, on each side of the family met and fell in love and married in Cunnamulla? My parents were born in Cunnamulla six months apart.
Grandfather Wilson and Mam had seven daughters, my mother being the second eldest. When I was growing up, I remember Mam told me stories of the early days of Cunnamulla when she rode in Cobb & Co coaches; and battled the heat and flies. Her storytelling filled my mind with visions of how people lived and worked in Cunnamulla. I devoured each word to instil into the library of my mind and never forgot them.
Mam’s father, Joe Ryan, my great grandfather worked as a shearer in the town. In 1891 the shearers in Cunnamulla took part in the Great Shearer’s Strike, which lasted five months. Great grandfather, Joe Ryan joined 500 other shearers to fight for better wages and conditions.
Mam’s childhood was tough and lonely. When she was ten years old, her mother died while giving birth. Great grandfather Joe Ryan couldn’t cope with the loss of his wife and gave his children away to different families in Cunnamulla like a ‘litter of pups’. Mam went with a family who owned the drapery store. Two of her sisters went to other families in the town and her youngest sister went to live in Warwick with relatives...

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'The Proposition' - Page 1:
Chapter 1

Bundy Quicksilver is an alcoholic. His final drink on 13th January 1977, reminded him never to allow alcohol to pass his lips again. If it did – one drink was too many and a thousand not enough. His wife Ada threatened to leave with their two children if he didn’t do something about his drinking. His promise, he would never drink again, he kept.
After this declaration he never again allowed alcohol to pass his lips. After another twenty years, he understood why he was an alcoholic. Ada helped him rediscover a new life. With her help he changed from being a dry drunk to live an enriched life.
Sadly, after thirty-one years of marriage he lost the love of his life to cancer and retired on a farm in the beautiful Mary Valley north of Brisbane. Until one day a visit to his local post office changed his life forever.

‘You have a parcel you’re to sign for.’ She pushed a sheet of paper toward him, ‘sign here,’ pointed to a spot beneath his name. Bundy signed and was handed the parcel.
On the rear were the words - Commissioner of Police. His eyebrows lifted not knowing what to expect - twenty years since he retired from Queensland Police Service. Tearing the paper, he discovered a blue coloured metal case with the words POLICE SERVICE MEDAL clearly embroidered on the front.
‘After twenty years, the Commissioner decided to send me a medal.’ Stunned and excited, he shared his latest discovery with the Post Mistress. ‘I suppose, being the Post Mistress, you could do the honour on behalf of the Commissioner to present me with this medal. Would you do me this honour?’ Bundy asked in a soft and sincere voice....
The Proposition' - Page 2:
‘I’d love to,’ she replied - poked her chest out, a broad smile spread across her moon shaped face. Bundy handed her the case. She opened the lid, a large medal with the words DILIGENT AND ETHICAL SERVICE fastened with coloured stripped two-tone blue ribbon and a bar with the figure ‘20’ pinned across the centre of the ribbon, held her attention. ‘Do I take them out and pin them on you?’ She asked in a concerned voice. A look of seriousness covered her face.
‘I suppose you should. What’s the other medal?’ Bundy asked when he saw two in the case.
‘A smaller version of the larger one, I suppose you wear them to show you served twenty years in the police service. I’m privileged to do this, a proud and honoured moment.’ She said as she unclipped both medals from inside of the case quickly fastening them to Bundy’s shirt, ‘do I salute or stand at attention?’ She asked nervously.
‘No, I don’t think so – I’m overwhelmed to get them. I never believed I’d ever hear from the police again. I’m grateful to be remembered.’ A tear welled in his eyes; memories flooded back of twenty years he served his community as a law enforcement officer.

After he returned home, he wrote a personal letter to the Commissioner to express his appreciation and gratitude on receiving the medals. Words flooded his mind. Actual right words were difficult to find. He wrote from his heart.

‘Is that you Bundy?’ The voice didn’t sound familiar when Bundy answered the telephone.
‘Bundy Quicksilver here, who’s speaking,’ he answered the caller, only thinking might be another pest call from a call centre.
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'The Year That Never Was' - extract ...page 4:

Nat and Martha agreed to Joe’s idea to travel with them to Brisbane after shearing completed. Joe worked from daylight until dark through the shearing period. This time taking half the time to shear the sheep because of overhead shearing equipment with machine driven hand pieces instead of hand shearing. Hannah arranged tickets for travel on the train from Cunnamulla to Brisbane.
Beginning first week in June they boarded the steam train at Cunnamulla Railway Station. A board smile spread across her face. She leaned over kissed Joe on the lips, ‘I love you.’ Joe smiled, returned the kiss.
Pulling out of Cunnamulla Railway Station Hannah said to Joe, ‘I’ve never travelled by train this far west. When I was eighteen years old, went to Brisbane to school was the last time I travelled by train. Such a long time ago.’ She pondered. ‘Do you think we’ll stop at Coongoola Railway Siding to catch up with Daisy, Desi, Keith and Little Daisy?’ She asked.
‘I hope so. I think the train stops for water to keep the steam going.’ Joe answered.
Martha and Nat sat across from Joe and Hannah in their carriage. Most of the train filled with passengers excited to be journeying from the final stop west to the first stop in Brisbane. A loud whistle sounded indicating the train about to start their journey. A journey for the next couple of days stopping at Railway Stations with Refreshment Rooms for passengers to partake of refreshments on their journey east.
Leaving Cunnamulla Railway Station they commenced their journey. After about twenty minutes Hannah said to Joe. ‘Look Joe. The place Billy Wells held the stagecoach up the morning I returned to school. How life has changed. If Mr Shirley hadn’t been a passenger on the stagecoach.’ Hannah stopped to reflect about this life changing event. Mr Shirley started her career as a school teacher in Cunnamulla. ‘My life would’ve been different. I’d never have found you.’ Her eyes sparkled with joy...

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'Greatest OMR Stories

Don't Stop Me Now

When Noel gave us this topic, my mind went directly to a song Elvis Presley sang 'Don't Stop Me Now.' Elvis's voice echoed in my mind listening to the words.
Or I might be wrong about the title. May have been 'Don't Leave Me Now.' Anyway, whatever the song title Elvis Presley sang the song.
Growing up in the 50's Elvis Presley became 'King Of Rock & Roll'. I remember aged eight-year-old my mother taking me to the movie theatre at Roma for the movie 'Love Me Tender'.
Being his first movie left an impression on an eight-year-old when he sang the title of the movie to his mother. If only I could've possessed a similar voice to Elvis to sing the same song to my mother.
Venturing into my teenage years Elvis Presley created more 'Rock & Roll' music plus acted in the many movies. Elvis never gave up instead changed his act to include a more mature kind of music. After acting in over thirty-six movies Elvis loved touring especially playing Las Vegas International Hotel.
His marriage to Pricilla Presley became the highlight of Elvis's life until the arrival of his only child Lisa Maree Presley, became the apple of his eye. Life went along smooth for Elvis until his desire to entertain his fans took over his life. His love of music grew wide throughout the world placing him 'King Of Rock & Roll'.
Unfortunately, his life with Pricilla ended in divorce. His music never stopped with nightly shows at Las Vegas International Hotel for his audience to enjoy. These shows kept Elvis alive until 1977 when he collapsed and passed away at his home in Graceland’s.
'Don't Leave Me Now' echoed throughout the many radio stations across the world. Fans gathered, most crying to witness the passing of an American Icon.
No one believed Elvis was dead. Many have tried to swing their hips, sing songs like Elvis, no one can replace the 'King Of Rock & Roll'.
This year marks forty years since the death of Elvis Presley. Many sightings have been reported across the world. Elvis Presley is dead.
His music never died with him. Even after forty years from his death Elvis's music lives on in the soul of his fans.
How can one individual after forty years since he left this world live on in his music.
His music should be 'Don't Stop Me Now' which Elvis Presley has proven to the world he continues to sit on his throne as 'King Of Rock & Roll'.
Word count: 435

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'Brilliant OMR Stories' -

Then There Were Three
Fairy tales have been with us since childhood. Remember those three little pigs whose house was going to be blown down
by the big bad wolf.
This version is a little different. In this fairy tale there are five little pigs.
It’s a game I normally play with my grandson who is fifteen months old.
He holds his little hand out; I hold it in the palm of my left hand and with my right fingers touch his index finger and say, ‘this little piggy went to market’. His smile and 'laughter almost takes my breath away.
With the next finger I say, ‘this little piggy stayed home.’ And continue onto the next finger I say, ‘this little piggy had bread and butter,’ and the next, ‘this little piggy had none.’ For the final finger I say, ‘and this little piggy went way, way, way up here,’ travelling my finger along his arm and tickling him on his neck underneath his ear.
His giggle is infectious and I hug him with delight.
When we play this game my mind wonders back to the nursery rhyme ‘three little pigs’. The first pig wanted to build his house of stray and it was blown down by the big bad wolf. The second wanted to build his house of wood and it also got blown down by the big bad wolf. Whilst the third pig built his house of bricks which the wolf huffed and puffed and couldn’t blow his house down.
After the battle of not destroying the third pigs house, the big bad wolf left, then there were three pigs left to live together in the brick house without worrying about the big bad wolf huffing and puffing and blowing their house down.
They all lived in harmony safe and secure from the big bad wolf. Is there a lesson to be learnt from this nursery rhyme?
CLICK LINK: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/66114 (PROGRAMME workbook for young people to help & assist in achieving their ambitions .)...