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Country Byways with Mike Johnson
Spinaweb in Historic Occoquan
is Right for the Holidays (December issue)
Just Do It, About Author of A Thousand Holes

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Country Byways with Mike Johnson

By Floyd Harrison

Roger Miller once sang about “King of the Road” but we right here in Lorton have a King of the byways in Mike Johnson. Artist, writer, composer, singer, musician, trucker, photographer, publisher and not the least country’s number one black yodeler, Mike is familiar with all the highways and paved his own byways.

Perhaps the music world’s single highest accolade is that he is in the Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame. It’s not that he’s old but that he actively preserves the Old Time County Music and helps make it available to this generation. That music is American heartland culture which is being swamped by the massive volume of high-tech modern pop music. It’s a simple honest and true music that doesn’t want electronic effects to muddy the musicality. But, just as jazz is preserved by a culture of aficionados after being swamped by rock & roll, Old Time Music is practiced and preserved by enthusiasts such as Mike Johnson.

Mike brings to bear experiences of World travel with the U.S. Navy as well as experiences and social connections with music greats as he drove his rig through the 48 mainland states. He’s performed on country music stages at shows and conventions all over as he could travel easily. While doing so, he published Top-Rail Chatter Country Music magazine, started Roughshod Records country music publishing company, and wrote over 1500 songs in the country genre.
Mike is a master of self promotion, not relying on others but take every opportunity to get the music out there. If the music isn’t high tech, his methods certainly are. He’s been making his own videos and CDs for years and has a web site and has published hundreds of videos on You Tube where you’ll see anything from a simple open mic. night at the Coffee House of Occoquan to Country Music jamborees with other recognized Old Time Country music greats.

What we like about Mike Johnson is that he’s a friend to all musicians. He plays with the best and will take a floundering fledgling under his wing generously giving direction. Also, that he is not a bit pretentious and genuinely enjoys performing and makes his audience comfortable. Oh, he knows lots of traditional country covers but is about writing and producing his own songs some of them are humorous.
Before you go looking, an internet search on “Mike Johnson” reveals a host of guys, some sports stars, who are not OUR all in one, multi-talented one. Ours is found under BY1NO1 on YouTube or at the web site http://www.freewebs.com/blackyodelno1

More recently, though retired from long haul driving, he has turned to self publishing some of his writing with his own illustrations. The most recent release is “The Leopard’s Cub”. Actually, writing and painting are his first loves. Several books, videos and CD’s are available through the web site.

Spinaweb in Historic Occoquan
is Right for the Holidays

A little cottage in Historic Occoquan makes available beautiful handwoven things for your life as well as providing meaningful industry for some very special people. It’s Spinaweb on Commerce Street. You should discover it this season; Here’s why.

You may likely enjoy the warm cozy feeling of these individually hand made woven crafts and be proud to give items with an artisans name rather than an import sticker. The icing is the story that goes with them. There’s no place like Spinaweb.

This cottage industry is the creation and byway path of Erna Gilker who has at once reclaimed the elsewhere dying art of hand weaving as an industry and provided a living for this little group who could not hold many other kinds of jobs. Too often, the only job an intellectually challenged person can hold is in a service industry like cleaning where there is no artistic result. Weaving rare yarns into rugs and fabrics is their career livelihood of the special crafts people at Spinaweb.

The diligent weavers labor six hours a day turning out fabrics with professional consistency wielding shuttlecocks with master deftness on looms small and large. Every pass is the same tightness and the edges are straight. They are duly proud of their work and happy for their jobs. They like having something to do. They hate leaving but they must catch the transportation provided. They are paid hourly.
Erna is the creative design genius. Much of the yarn is donated and may be unmatchable. She has to plan using limited quantities of some things. Nothing is wasted. Donations are appreciated. It’s unlikely that two items from the little shop are the same though there are sets of things like place mats.

You’d enjoying having a look around colorful Spinaweb. The displays are just as creative with a storybook sort of appeal. Of course they have the obvious scarves and those beanie hats that went from nerdy to cool but also sweaters, baby outfits, rugs, pillows and blankets. There’s an assortment of ladies shoulder shrugs excellent for holiday dress accessories.

Turning a little business to Spinaweb would also, in effect, be a vote to maintain county funding which was almost withdrawn because of the economic slowdown but that would be a false economy because everyone needs a place to be productive and earn a living.

Erna Gilker, was a nurse in Austria and one of the first teachers with ARC of PW County before starting this business thirty years ago to give these people satisfying jobs like the rest of us so they can earn respect. It’s a byway few would take on.

Join Erna and Debra for a Holiday Open House, Sunday, December 5, from Noon to 4:00 and enjoy some refreshments or drop in week days at 305 Commerce Street in the Historic downtown district of Occoquan. CFC 8033

Just Do It, About Author of A Thousand Holes

Lorton resident Wes Andrues has one thing in common with the main character in “A Thousand Holes”; It was a dream. Their dreams were very personal and had nothing to do with training or planned career or encouragement from other people but the dreams had to be followed.

That’s the way it is sometimes with people on life’s byways, dreams become goals. Jordan Swain the main character’s dream that became a driving force, was to be a donut mogul in the face of Tip Top Donuts. Although Wes Andrues likes donuts, his dream was not to make donuts but to become a writer. To become a writer, he had to complete a first book. Well, Wes now has a hole in one.

By, worldly measures, Wes had a successful career in the Army. Then he retired and continued working for the Army as a civilian. By his own accounting the Army gave him much in the way of creative opportunities. Another man would have been happy at that. Sure, he had written for the Army, but, becoming a book writer was a more personal goal than that which emerged out of thin air and had to be followed. Could he do it? He had to prove it.

Unlike many authors who start writing about their own family with names changed Wes, instead, creates his characters but imbues them with personality types, distinguishing traits, and a way to illuminate a philosophy or ‘take’ on the world. That’s what his first book “A Thousand Holes” is about: philosophies for navigating the way people treat each other. The donut is his metaphor for life. Jordan most represents Wes Andrues philosophy but is definitely not at all the same person.

Meeting Wes Andrues you get in impression of a wholly normal guy who would not know or invent such radical characters. Wes has demonstrated great creativity in his characters and scenarios. The book has many fast and furious twists.

It’s a lesson about how not to start a donut business but moreover, that going through the rigors of following a dream completes us. Doubt stifles dreams. Ultimately it’s a message about faith and following through seasoned with encouragement that when the going gets tough the tough get going. There’s the unstated moral that the measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him no good.

Did Jordan succeed? Wes Andrues did. You’ll see if you read “A Thousand Holes”. It’s available at the Coffee House of Occoquan and online for about $15.

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Critics Are Overrated

by Floyd Harrison, The Old Grouse

Constructive criticism has its place but mostly, what we hear is destructive criticism which has limited value. We hear derogatory comments more than positive because that’s easier and because negativity is a tool of the defeated, the self appointed and insecure. Criticism is overrated.

The most important thing to learn and know about criticism is to not let it affect your self-esteem and guide your life. You are what YOU believe you are not what someone else wants you to believe. Did you ever get a bad grade? Suffer insults? You are only diminished by criticism if you believe negativity.

Albert Einstein is famous as a genius in Physics. His Catholic school teacher told his father “It doesn’t matter what he does, he will never amount to anything.” What if little Albert had been broken by this denunciation? By the way, we can’t find this teacher’s name who was herself defeated by the young rogue.

Thomas Edison, known for inventing the light bulb and a thousand other patents relative to electrical devices, was likewise denounced by his teacher who requested to keep him away from school as “he was most annoying, hopelessly stupid and wouldn’t learn a thing” she said. He was home schooled and obviously taught us all plenty. What if young Tom had languished with the label of retarded? Again, the student overcame the failure of public school formality.

I take two lessons from these examples: First, don’t believe criticism. In these examples the criticism was not an accurate assessment and not an accurate prognosticator of the future. Second, don’t be a critic because you may either crush a life or be condemned by the error yourself.

It should have occurred to these pedagogues that the difficult personality and impatience with school is a sign of genius. You have to be intelligent to be a free thinker and clash with the rule of the crowd.

Consider the business owner hiring a production worker wants the person who is proud to do exactly what is instructed perfectly, consistently without question because that is an easy person to manage. However, mold breakers, engineers, scientists, designers, corporate leaders, are harder to manage but necessary for progress.

Having drawn criticism may likely indicate that you are already better than your critic. You are what you are, we need all kinds, believe in yourself, be the best you can be ignoring criticism. However, don’t try to elevate yourself by criticizing others. It won’t work. Criticism is overrated. It makes you the fool and may actually challenge your target.

Constructive criticism is positive and much harder to practice and to find. Constructive criticism is first and foremost given in a spirit of love and generosity. It is helpful and not competitive. It comes from a position of true expertise and is usually invited. A secure mentor expects a productive result. An insecure critic somehow expects to discard the victim. A brighter world begins with you. Check yourself according to these qualifications whether invited or not to be sure that you and your criticism are not overrated.

Now that you have my opinion, check out the thoughts of little Albert, the genius himself:

Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. And: Most teachers waste their time by asking questions which are intended to discover what a pupil does not know, whereas the true art of questioning has for its purpose to discover what the pupil knows or is capable of knowing. One more: Humiliation and mental oppression by ignorant and selfish teachers wreak havoc in the youthful mind that can never be undone and often exert a baleful influence in later life.