Positive Talk with Kevin McDonald and J. Everett Prewitt

0:00There is a moment in every life when you decide to rise, to stand taller than your fear, to speak louder than your doubt, to chase the vision that sets your soul on fire. This is that moment and here. We walk it together with stories that awaken voices that inspire and truce that set you free. This is positive talk with Kevin MacDonald where hope has a voice, and that voice is yours. And welcome to the show, everybody. My name is Kevin MacDonald, Michelle is right there. Michelle, we've been looking forward to this interview, haven't we? Yes, we have. Do you want to tell us why? Oh, no, I don't you go ahead and tell us why. Our next guest is a speaker, an author of note, his four books, and a website, eproit.com. He also served, and so we want to thank him for his service, and welcome

1:01him in Everett Pruitt to be here with us today. How are you, Everett? I'm fine. Thank you, Michelle. Yes indeed. So, so Everett, you were in the Vietnam War. Do you remember when you enlisted, what year that was? Actually, I was drafted, and that was in 66. And for those of you who have no idea what we're talking about, because if you're younger, because the draft was eliminated in 1975, there are people who there was a draft board, and you had a draft number, and you were a part of the lottery. Tell me if I got this right, Everett, you were a part of the lottery, and depending on the number that you had, and whether or not you were planning on going to college, or there were some other issues there, or if in some cases like you had bone spurs, which the president apparently had, and so he didn't serve, but then you would get

2:09called in and called up, and then you didn't really have a choice. Well, you had two choices. One was leave the country, or go and serve your country. Would that be correct, sir? Yes, correct. All right, I have to say that I was drafted after I finished college. Oh my. So what was the draft age? Was it up till 35 or something at that point? I'm not sure. I know that there were a few people there that were drafted in the 30s, but I'm not sure. Actually, one guy, I do know he was 30 and was drafted, but I'm not sure how far I'll further up it went. Wow. And the sad thing about the draft, and we can talk about this a little bit, the sad thing about the draft is if you did not have means, and we're not in going to college a lot of times, then you ended up getting drafted where some people that

3:09had means were able to avoid it. Am I correct in that? You are correct. And so that is that is so sad, but I'm glad you made it through your service, and how long were you and me and I in four? I was in Vietnam 15 months. It's typically a 12 months period, but I ended up, I started out in Kucy, and I ended up in Camron Bay for my last three months, and Camron Bay was like Miami Beach. So I said, I might as well stay here and write out my additional three months. So that's how I came in the 15 months in over there. How did you feel when you were drafted and you went through basic and they said, you're going to know that must have been because that was pre-1968. So they were just ramping up at the time, weren't they? Yep. Yep.

4:14You know, I didn't have any feelings for it. I just said to myself, I'll do the best I can, and not worry about the rest of it, things I can't control, I'm not going to worry about. So And when you said that you finished college and then got drafted, when you came back and were in civilian life, did you use what you had accomplished after that in college? Yes, I got a master's degree after I came back courtesy of local sound. Everett, I want to make sure that the audio is real clear and clean. Is there something moving around in your, in where you are? No. Yeah, so that's better. Okay, so good. And so you got your master's degree, what'd you get your master's degree in? Urban studies and a minor in economics. Oh, very good. And then, did you start writing right away or was it a little while before you started writing? Well, you know,

5:18I came out of the army, I wanted to write, but I was so militant, I knew nobody would pick up my story. So after I calmed down a little bit, you know, and matured, I started again. So basically, I think I really got serious in the early 2000s because I had, I had video tape my mother and father their video tape in their history. And so they told me things that I had not known. And I said, you know, it sounds like a story. So yeah, one of the issues, one of the impetus for it was something my father told me about my uncle, Dee, who knocked this deputy sheriff into the mud and they just gave him a tongue lashing and sent him home. And I said, Dad, why is Uncle Dee still with

6:23us? And he said, they didn't bother us ever. We all had guns. We had cousins that had guns. He said, so they don't, you know, I don't like Negroes with guns. And so I said, that would be a story. Suppose they did come after Uncle Dee, what would happen? So you know, a lot of stories start off with a what if. So that was my what if. And that was snake walkers. That was my first book. And let me review this real quick. There are four books of note, snake walkers, something about Anne, which is the novel and a long way back and life in the sunshine, which is your autobiography, correct? Yes. And you know, the interesting thing is all four of these books are award winning. Not life in the sunshine yet. Well, we'll be soon. When did that when did that book come

7:29out? It just came out this year. Yeah. So see, you've got you've got a lot of time. Yeah. I got some good reviews. So what was your favorite story about your autobiography about your life? Is it is there just one or was it just like a bunch of stuff? Well, my life was a bunch of stuff. But I think I tell people that one of the characteristics that psychologists say is the strongest characteristic is persistence. So I tell a story about this guy that apartment I was young and he was bigger. Actually, he became the center for a football team after he grew up. But we would always fight. I don't know why. But anyway, I would always get to shorter under the stick. And that took place over a years period of time.

8:33And so one Saturday, I started throwing blows again and he fell on one knee and he started crying. And of course, this was new territory for me. I didn't know what to do, but the kids big me up and carried me home. So I talk about that in terms of persistence. That was that was my example. Well, you were persistent. Did you ever talk to this guy about why you fought all the time or did it just kind of was it just one of those things? Well, you know, what's funny. I did. I tried to find him because remember when sugar ray went to visit Roberto DeRan, I was going to fight. Great fight. That was good. So I was going to do one of those numbers. I looked him up, but I found out he had passed. So I hope it wasn't from some of those blows I gave him on. Well, you know, weird sort of way. You won. Yeah. There you go.

9:34Because you're still here. Yep. Yep. I'm still standing. And congratulations on that for everything. Now, I got to ask you because you went into the military. So you were, what were you? 22, 23 when you went in? No, I was 24. So you were 24 years of age in 1966. I can do the math, Everett. So you were born in the late 40s, early 50s. Right. In 1942. Oh, that's not even the late 40s. That's the you were born in the middle of World War Two. Yep. That's true. And where did you grow up? I grew up in the glimpsial area in Cleveland, Ohio. Oh, very good. And you went to high school in college there and all that stuff? I went to a glimpsial high. I went to Ohio University, punched out and

10:37graduated from Lincoln University in Prince Vania, which was an HBCU. Yeah. I think that's cool. I have family over in Pennsylvania. But did you did you go there for college? And then that's where you were residing when you were drafted? Or did you go back home before that? I went back home. I got a job in Detroit with this company called Bud, which had with the government. And so if your papers were in Detroit at the draft, or you could get an exemption, which is why I went to Detroit to take this job. But my papers weren't in Detroit. They were in Cleveland. And so after I wrote this nice letter to the Cleveland board to send my papers to Detroit and their effinent wisdom, they figured that maybe I should just come back and serve. So I know for the younger people among us,

11:39I have to ask you, when you received your draft notice? Now at the time, a lot of kids were getting their draft notice. But you were 24. So you'd been in college. I would have thought that that would have been kind of an exemption. That dad, ah, no, we got younger kids that will take. But did they ever explain why at 24 and you they took you? Or was that just kind of the way it was back then? No, they don't explain. They just tell you to where to go when to get there. And do your duty. And if you don't do your duty, they're going to do you and do you. Good. That's correct. Yeah, I avoided a few of those. You know, by the way, and for those of you who don't know, there's a guy by the name of Ken, Michelle, I've got to ask you this guy by the name of Cassius Clay. Do you know who

12:40Cassius Clay was? Kind of rings the bell. He changed his name to Muhammad Ali. And he was a conscientious objector and I know Everett knows this story. And so he refused to go into the military. And so he was heavyweight champion of the world at the time. He'd beat Sonny Liston to a pulp several years before. And so he was then they stripped him of his title. And he ended up, he didn't go to jail. I don't think. Did he ever it? No, I don't think so. No, they just... Oh, I know what it was. They were going to convict him and send him to jail, but he was appealing it. And it was during the appeals process where he was given a pass. And that's when he came back to boxing.

13:40Yeah, that was right in the middle of his career. I mean, he was he was rolling in. So I think he lost about three years. He did. He did. But what he did do was he spent that time talking at universities and talking to end speaking and speaking out about the fact that he didn't, he didn't want to go fight a war and to kill people that he didn't even know. Yeah, I had the same synonyms. Yeah. And so they were they were tough times back then because there were and then there was the anti-war protests and then 68 came along and that was a lot of stuff. So Everett, you have your life in total is in my opinion and I'd love yours is one of the most consequential times in human history. Do you agree with that? Yes, I do. You know, starting with World War Two being born into it and Vietnam war and

14:46there was segregation and then desegregation. So yeah, I was going on during that time. Of course, we had the protests against racism. So that that was a high topic then too. We all got involved in. Oh, yes. And it was something. So you were in now, did you serve two years total or four? I served three and a half. It's a three year period, but I went to Officer Kennedy School. And so yeah, I have to extend my time. So that's awesome. By the way, Everett, there's a gentleman who reaches out to us all the time and he is well, I'll have Michelle read this to you so that and because he is one of our favorite people that visits the show and he listens to us every day. And so Michelle, I am explained why we're doing why we're bringing

15:51up Sam Wells information. Yes. Hi, Sam. Well, he is in Kenya feeding 370 kids and their parents on Saturdays and providing education where they don't have it in the slums. So he's reaching out to say greetings, brother Kevin, sister, Michelle and guest Jay Everett, Priwitt. Thanks for hosting this favorite program. Positive talk radio show, Kibery's Story Restoring Hook Center. We are watching you live. God bless you team for highlighting our weekly feeding program to the world and how the positive impact has brought in Kibery's slums, Nairobi, Kenya. God bless you. And God bless you, Sam. Well, we love you. And this Saturday was beautiful. And we're going to keep doing some more stuff with him. So we love to have that reach and touch people all over so they can hear your story as well, Everett. That's great. And he, they are in the slums of Kenya. And it's the largest slum in the world. I think there are 1.5 million people. Can you imagine? So in any event. But when you were in Vietnam, it was a tough time for the Vietnamese people,

16:56and too. Oh, and tell me about it. I really, I really didn't, you know, that was the time where families were being broken up because of the war. Children were dying. The whole lifestyle of the Vietnamese was disrupted. But, you know, I look at that country now and they've got to be one of the most resilient people in the world, you know, after all that bombing and, and I don't know how many wars they've been and I know they fought China. They fought French and they've never been conquered. They've never been defeated. So, you know, I give them all the props in the world. There they are. They are tough people. By the way, Amber Shower reminded me whenever we have a good time like this, we tend to blow the break and I did. So we need to get to it and we will be right back. After this, Michelle, would you like to take us to break? Yes, we are talking with Everett Peruit. Go visit his website, which is eferuit.com that has all of his books and all his

18:02information and we'll dig a little deeper when we come back. So stay with us. Here's another point to ponder from positive talk radio. What is the easiest thing to justify? It is a small transgression. The one no one will ever see. No one will ever know. The tiny exaggeration on the expense report. The extra minute you took on your lunch break, the packaging you tossed in the wrong recycle bin because it was closer. In those moments, a question isn't, will I get caught? The question is, will I know? It isn't about avoiding punishment. It's a silent agreement you make with yourself when you choose to do the right thing, to return the wallet, to fix the mistake, to respect the empty space you aren't impressing the world, your earning, your own respect. That small choice made entirely in private is how you build a life you never have to look away from.

19:03The only audience that matters is you. And Michelle, let's bring us back. We welcome back to positive talk radio, everyone. It's myself and Kevin. We have our guest, Everett Pnerwitt here with us today and Kevin, I believe you had a question right before the break. Well, and then I did and Everett, I just got to notice here and I wanted to mention this to you. Do you remember the Tulsa race riots in 1921? Absolutely. To matter of fact, I spoke at a book club, a national book club in Tulsa. Oh, wow. Well, and I have sad news to report that, um, Biola Ford Fletcher died today. Mm-hmm. She's one of the last survivors. She was 111 years old. Oh, bless her. Oh, my goodness. It's amazing.

20:06Yeah. Yeah. That was, and for those of you that don't remember the, uh, that Tulsa riots, um, and, you know, Everett, I'd never learned about it in school. They never talked about that. And it wasn't until, I don't know, five or 10 years ago that, that it became actually common knowledge. Uh, I didn't either, but you know, when I was researching, um, um, because, you know, and fixing the, the story might be fixed, you know, but the settings have to be real. And so, uh, one part of my research was looking at different cities and, and towns that had been burnt to the ground or, you know, uh, invaded. Uh, and so that's when I came across, uh, Tulsa, because they didn't teach that in my school either, not even in the HVCU. No, and now, and that was considered the Wall Street of, of, uh, because it was a whole town. Yeah. And the whole town got, but it got, um, destroyed.

21:10And many people killed. Well, they had airports, um, trains, I mean, they built sufficient. And, and in the research that you've done, you've done quite a lot of research in the, in the books that you've, you've written in, including, uh, um, well, all four of them, including your autobiography. Did you have to do research on that? Or did you remember all of it? Yeah. Uh, that's a good question. Um, a lot of stuff I did remember. Actually, I was a little surprised by the editor too. She said, boy, you remember this stuff? And, you know, my memory is not the best. I had a book signing. Couldn't even remember some of my friends' names when they came up. So I guess that's the beginning of all the time. They say, you can remember in the past, but you can't remember the most recent stuff that happened. But, um, yes. And what I didn't remember, I would call some friends and say, you remember this happening? Did we really do that? We, we do that crazy stuff. I just said,

22:14yeah, we did. Yeah. Well, and, and the, the fact that you don't remember names, I've never been able to remember names or save them properly my whole life. So. Yeah. Yeah. Well, we're in the same boat. Yes. Indeed. So you started writing them early. Now, what did you do after you got out of Vietnam after, and you got your master's degree? How did you apply it? I worked for corporate America for a few years until I found out that that environment wasn't conducive to my growth. And so I took some real estate courses. My father had a real estate firm. And I took real estate courses. I actually took them to tell my father that, well, because he wanted me to come into the business. And so I initially took those courses just to say, Dad, I took these courses, but, you know, I'm not interested. But I took a course in commercial and industrial praising and the teacher, George Miller, older white guy, white elder said, every, you know,

23:21you're only one in this class that understands what I'm talking about. And you need to consider going into this business right now, which are all white men. And we need some, I guess you think that's what he said. He said, we need some in the business. Yeah. So I, he said, and if you need any help, you know, I'll be there for you. So I went back to my father. I said, Dad, if we concentrate on the praising, I will join you. And, you know, we can build this appraisal business. So he said, okay, fine. And so that's how I got into the business that I've been in for like 49 years. I, you know, let's see, it's been about six years since I retire from it. I got to tell you, because you were born in 44, that makes you, you had quite a lifespan of doing, I've doing all kinds of interesting things. Do you think that

24:24that paid a major factor in your writing skills and your development of the novels? I just think my experience period. I mean, you know, that, for instance, I was before I even got into the army, I'd been shot at, you know, because I hustle pool. And people were mad when I took their money. And so, you know, I've, as a matter of fact, somebody said, your book should describe your book as from the pool room to the boardroom, because that was my journey, you know, I was in the streets for a little while, went in the corporate American and went into my own business. My father and I worked together for 10 years, and then I created my own business because he was satisfied with, you know, not having a computer and staying in the same location, which was going down. But, you know, he became vice president of my firm and I stayed vice president of the years. And we had a great relationship. That's

25:30one of the things I always point out with, you know, that I really look back and love the time that I had with my father because we were best friends. And by the way, I have a challenge for you. Okay. I think that Michelle is a bit of a pool player herself. Oh, okay. Yes, I'm, I'm surprisingly good. I don't know all the rules yet, but I don't know where it comes from. It's just in me. So I spend a lot of time doing that. That innate ability, huh? Yeah. I don't know. And it's, it's one of those things where your experiences kind of ties you into all those things. You know, maybe there's reasons you're good at some things and reasons why you're not good at some things. But ever I have to ask you, did going into the army change the way you perceived life and what was meaningful to you when you came out rather than before? Yes. When I came out, I promised myself three things. The first and the most important was

26:34I was going to achieve peace of mind. The second was I was going to watch what I put into my body so that I would remain healthy. I was going to work out. And I was going to strengthen my spirit, which every way, you know, I could. So those are the things that when I was in my early 30s that I said, I would focus on. They weren't that important prior to that, but peace of mind was certainly the one thing that I wanted to achieve. And peace of mind is an important factor. By the way, we're talking with ever pro attend, we need to take our halftime break. And when we come back, Michelle's going to tell you all about all about the books and and how you can get them. And all of that because these are novels and not a lot, but they are based in fact of the times that he lived in. Would that be true, Everett? Absolutely. So they are a really good read for, so it's

27:43almost like a biopic. And that is important. So we'll take this break and we'll be right back more with Everett Pratt and Michelle right here on Positive Talk. You were listening to Brushwood Media Network the best and syndicated talk news and entertainment shows. Are you looking for your daily dose of inspiration? They connected to all your favorite shows, music and news with a brushwood media network app from positive talk radio to greatest vibes unplugged and so many more uplifting voices around the world. Everything you need is right in one place. It's easy to use too. Always available and designed to keep you inspired 24 hours a day. Go to brushwoodmedianetwork.com and download the app and you will always have brushwood media available on your smartphone. Download it now and make inspiration and music and conversation

28:50part of your every day. Welcome back to Positive Talk. My name is Kevin McDonald and Michelle's right there. Michelle, can you say inspiration? Inspiration. And Everett Pratt is the inspiring person that we're talking to today. Would you say that's true? Yes, 100% and Everett I'm wondering, did you happen to have, was one of those books your favorite to write and why? Snake walkers because it portrays a family that we don't hear a lot about that is a stable deal has some roots to its African ancestry, close knit, intelligent. We'll kill you if you mess with your kids. I like that. I can roll with that one.

29:50Yeah, so snake walkers was that story. I remember and to make this point, I was talking to a group of all white listeners at college. One of the elderly white men said, well Mr. Pratt, that really not families like the one you portrayed and snake walkers are there. I said, my family was like that. And I said, my cousins families were like that. And I had friends families like that. So to answer your question, yes, there are a lot of families like that that you'll never read about. You'll never hear about because that's no news. These kids are just growing up and become productive citizens. You don't hear about that. But there was a close knitness at the time, wasn't there? And everybody had each other's back. Absolutely, absolutely. Well, it was still segregation. So we all lived in the same community. Our doctors, our lawyers,

30:52our teachers, the police, and the thugs. We were all there together. And we all kept our distance. You know, we had groups of, you know, that we had three clubs, you know, that made sure that conduct on the street was above board. So yeah, yeah, very close knit. I would love for you because of the history that you have, especially Black History, from that time period, because people like, well, I read a book about Roy Campanella. And he was a baseball player. And he came right on the heels of Jackie Robinson. And there were for younger people. And I, this bears, you know, something that we need to talk about because I think this is a stain upon our country. There was a time. And during your lifetime,

31:52when there were bathrooms that you could not go to, there were drinking fountains that you could not drink out of. You know, there were counters that you could not go sit at in a diner. And there were places on the bus that you weren't allowed to be at. And all of that was during your lifetime. So we're not that far removed from any of that kind of ball lonely, if you ask me. And so, and those are things that we dare not forget, last we repeat them. Do you agree with that? Oh, absolutely. And don't forget the hangings. The lynchings. Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah, all that. But, you know, our parents kept us kind of safe. You know, they washed over us like hawks. And so, even though we did get into a little school, doubtfully, most, you know, you're a kid. Of course you did. Yeah, right. Yeah. But, but they kept us within rails for the most part.

33:00There were, do you remember the guy that his name is Michael? I forget his last name, that he was in the Green Mile. Big, big guy. Yeah. And he told the story of his mom when he joined a gang. And he came home and they had this little thing that they put in his hair like a red dye or something. And his mom, and I think that this is indicative of how the family structure worked. And he came home and she said, what is that in your head? And he said, mom, I'm part of a gang. That's when the flying frying pan hit him on the side of the face. I had a similar experience, but I didn't get to my mother because, you know, that's the last place. I was, I didn't get to get to the flying pan, but probably been flying in my house too. But

34:01I was recruited. And so I said, no, you know, and so people said, well, you know, if you turn down the recruitment, they're going to jump you. And I said, you know what, I take that, I'll take that fight any time versus fighting my mother, okay? Because I might have a chance with the gang. And actually what happened was the one of the elders in the gang did bring the guy on my street to beat me up because I didn't join. And years later, when I saw this same guy, I said, remember when you brought that guy over to beat me up? I don't remember that prove it. I said, that's okay, man. It's something, you know, it's all right. I said, but you know, he shouldn't have been in the gang either. And that's what he said. He said, I wanted to join the gang. And so part of the initiation is they beat you up. Yeah. And so they beat me up. And they put this red dye in my hair. And then I went home and then my mom beat me up worse. I went back into resign from the gang

35:08and they beat me up again. Yeah. Yeah. That's a no win situation. But in the long run, it's a win. So ever did you happen to make friends with anybody in the service that you kept close with throughout the rest of your life? No, I didn't. There were a couple that we stayed in contact. Well, you know, quite a few that we stayed in contact, but they were all from out of town. And so eventually kind of tailed off. And so I got some friends right now that serve and Vietnam that we're still and we've been knowing each other like for 40, 50 years, but we didn't serve together. Well, that's cool. You guys stayed in touch. And they were and free. And again, going back in history a little bit. There are a lot of people that don't that have either never known or it hasn't been brought to their attention. But when you guys came back from Vietnam and there were

36:10war protests going on. And there were people that were there was a point in time when you in the military, you couldn't even wear your uniform going through the airport because of the backlash that you would get from people. Did you experience any of that? No, because I changed into my cities. You were smart. But, but you know, I didn't I didn't dislike those people. You know, as a matter of fact, I agreed with them. You know, there was a lot of horrific stuff that went on over in Vietnam, you know, but people have taken orders and you have to do what they say. But I actually I rebelled against a lot of the stuff that was taking place in Vietnam. I wasn't mad at the protesters. No, I understand. Because the Vietnam was a very weird police action is what they call it.

37:11Yeah, you know, we from what I can tell, you know, it was more ego than anything else. Like, we're going to go over and beat up this little country. Just like Reagan went over, I forgot what country he invades. Grenada. Yeah. So, you know, these politicians, you know, they pick a war. And some of them have no, I mean, there's no, no rhyme or reason for us to be in certain places that we've gone. And, you know, so you're going to get the protest and rightfully so. And as well, you should because they, you know, that for those of you that don't remember, Vietnam was based upon a false premise. And the false premise was its communism. And communism is going to take over the world. That was never going to happen. Right. Right. There's a book called a bright shining lie. I can't think of the author right now, but he puts it all together.

38:13You know, the stupidity of the war, false reasoning for even going over there. That domino theory was BS. And the domino theory basically was that if they take, because if they take South Korea, which was the Korean War from 50 to 53, and if they take South Korea and now it's Vietnam, they're going to do that. Then they're going to domino. And the next one would be like the Philippines. And then perhaps Australia and stuff. And none of that was ever going to happen. And then that was all fear mongering that they used to create. And that was, I think that was part of the industrial, the military industrial complex. Absolutely. Absolutely. A lot of money was made on that war. Oh, yeah. And a lot of 56,000 Americans died and hundreds of thousands were wounded and were affected negatively by the war. Almost everybody was affected. I would say almost 100 percent.

39:16There was some effect. It was physical or mental, spiritually. Now they were affected. We were affected. And even with the drug addiction and with the, and the things that we're going on. And you know, in my land, and there, there was just so much. And if you're not a student of history, it's kind of weird, isn't it? That it's all kind of a lot of it has been lost to history, hasn't it? Yeah. Well, you know, they don't teach it. So how do you learn it? I mean, a lot of what I've learned about my history, or the history of the United States, or et cetera, was conducting my own studies. Oh, exactly. Exactly. And so that's, that's why the books that you've written, I'm glad that you've done the work that you've done the research that you have, but a lot of it you lived. So you knew what we end and to write about these in a meaningful way and to get three award-winning

40:21books. And this one hasn't been out long enough to be award-winning, but it will be. I'm convinced of that. And that is a life in the sunshine. And it is your autobiography. And which is really great. And I recommend, well, you tell me, I recommend that snake walkers, you get with that book first, and then something about Anne, which is a collection of stories, and then a long way back, and then life in the sunshine. Do you? I think you should get all four, do you think? Oh, yeah, yeah. I would, I would put a long way back second to snake walkers because something about Anne follows these same guys from a long way back after they come back from the war. Did you follow these guys, or were these all the members or the people in the original snake walkers? No, there are a few characters from snake walkers, the reporter. He's in a long way back,

41:31and he's also in something about Anne. Gotcha. Yeah. Now, I got to ask you because when you were younger and you were graduating from college and then you had your Vietnam experiences stuff, did you think you'd end up being a writer? No, I tell you why, because I, well, no, until I took this course at Ohio University and had to write my roommate paid me to write his papers. And I got a C's and he was getting B's and A's. So I said, okay, all right, I'm pissed, you know, that this professor didn't think much of my personal work, but he thought much more of my roommates were. But you did them both. Yeah. Yeah. But congratulations on being a great

42:34ghost writer, apparently. Yeah, better to him than I was to myself. Yeah, well, you know, that's it. So other than writing, what are you doing today? You're still playing golf, you're still playing pool, you're still doing those things? I'm playing golf. You know, I don't play a lot of pool now because I'm not at the peak that I was when I was hustling. And I love the game. I played until I was like in my 70s. I played in a league and so I've got trophies all over the place. But golf is my game now. That game is killing me, but I'm doing okay, but it's you know, golf is a strange game because you spend a lot of time. My dad was a scratch golfer. And if you don't know what that term means, it means you don't have a handicap. Right. That you you are par for you as par. Well, as he got older and he couldn't hit the ball as far

43:41and and stuff. And it it it ceased to be fun for him. Have you kind of conquered that so it's fun for you still? Oh, yeah. Yeah. It's it's fun. It's a challenge, but it's fun. And yeah, I love challenges. I always love challenges since I was a kid. I love to compete. So I've gone from like a 30 plus handicap to 16. Oh, that's good. Yeah. And my seven few and I've won some tournaments. Actually never broke 80 yet, but I've shouted 80 and 81. So I'm getting there so much to learn though, man, so much. Well, have you have you done what I'm I'm sure that if you haven't, you will, which is shoot your age. Yeah, I did. When I shout to 80. See? So that and that is a that's a big deal. That's not very many people have ever been able to shoot their age. Yeah, yeah, well, I'll tell you, man. Yeah, just you shoot your age one day and then you shoot at one

44:4320 the next day. It's a very humbling game. Yes, it is. And it's one of those games where you can hit the ball at time, but if you can't put, you're still going to suck. Yep, yep. Got to have that short game. Yes, yes, indeed. So, well, congratulations. Then do you play a lot? Yes. I play about at least a couple of times a week. And then I practice once or twice a week if I can, if I can. But, you know, I'm still learning stuff. And so I go play. I'm still okay. I didn't do well with this. Let me go out to the range and hit some balls and see if I can correct whatever it is I was not doing right. So it's just it's a vicious circle. It is. But if you don't take it too seriously and you accept the, because I always love the great shot. And I would maybe have two or three around, but it was enough to sustain me.

45:44Right, right, right. Well, you know, it's always going to be enjoyable to me. I'm not going to be on TV, you know, so yeah, and I'll be playing this for the rest of my life. Well, good for you. It's a great way to get out and enjoy the fresh air and get out into nature and and stuff. A real quick story. Did have you ever played golf in Louisiana? No, no, I played in Florida, I played in Phoenix, I played in California, I played in a few other places. I don't kind of think, but anyway, I played in Pennsylvania. So I played around. Well, I was Vegas, Las Vegas. I played there quite a few times. Oh, that's, that's very cool. But I played in, I was traveling salesman at the time and I had to stay over the weekend and I had my golf clubs with me. So I played, I met a couple of local guys. This is in Louisiana near Shreveport.

46:45And the golf course was was carved out of the jungle, basically. So there were swamp land and stuff that was off to both sides and stuff. But the fairways and the greens and stuff were very nice. And, but me coming from the Pacific Northwest, where if you hit the ball and it goes into the woods, you can go get your ball in the woods. And I had a tendency to to to shank the ball occasionally and I went into the woods. And so me, I was playing with a couple of local guys and I wasn't thinking anything of it. So I started taking, I was walking my cart and started going towards where the woods were and stuff. And the guy said, scams me and I said, yeah, I wouldn't go in there. Pies you. What do you mean? He said, there's things that gonna eat you up in there.

47:49So I got another ball out of my bag. Well, that happens in Florida too. You know, those gators waiting for you to reach in the water and then and get your ball out of there. I tell you, that's why I play in there. You need to come up here and play around and I can't play anymore. But it's a golf is a fun game. In any event, you've got four books out. Is there another book that's kind of wandering around there somewhere? Well, actually, I have a book that I'm three quarters finished with. But I've been wrestling with it for maybe 10 years, you know, it's supposed to be in the sequel to Snakewalk. It's called Two Wolves. But then I got pulled off of it because I had one of my readers asked if I would write something about my army experience. So I came up with that. We had a riot when I was in Vietnam. And so the basis of the story is the Colonel telling these guys that were a part of the riot,

48:58that if they like to fight so much, he was going to send them to the front line. So that's that's a long way back. The problem is that they were not combat soldiers. You know, they were like supply crooks, etc. And so they had to learn how to survive because they were dropped off in Campbell, you know, they didn't even know where they were. Oh my gosh. Yeah. So that's you know, I talk to a gal recently that was in Cambodia when the Comma Rouge was there. And so many people died. Yes. You know, there's a lot of stuff and I would really love for you ever to write a history book about the time from 1942 to present because there's a lot of stuff that is not in the history books that are available to the kids in school anymore. Yeah. Yeah. Well, you know, in each of my

49:58stories, I incorporate a little of real life situations. Because like I said before, you know, even though a story is fictional, there has to be some some truths there. Oh yeah. So and I was telling another, a lot of my daughter, she interviewed me on podcasts and I was telling her that I'm in all of my books in some kind of way. Yeah. Some of my experiences are some of my characters are. But yeah, yeah, yeah. I think it's like it would be my last book though. And why would that be young man? Well, you know, there's no ideas popping up in my head like they did when I was right. I understand. Yeah. I have to get that inspiration, you know, that push. So if it comes, I'll, I'll, if it calls, I'll come, you know, and and it will. I'm pretty sure.

51:03Um, so again, we'll see. But by the way, we've been talking with ever pro it, go to his website, which is e pre and it's P R E W I T T dot com. And there are four books there. You can find it all about him. Um, and all of his work and what he does. And I, are you still doing speaking events? Yes. Yes. Yeah. In fact, I just, I do a lot with book clubs too. And I just spoke to wrong. I think probably 30 member book club. Yeah. I just had a book signing. I had about 80 people come to the book signing. Wow. That's, that's outstanding. Um, so if, and so you can, they go, they can go to your website and find out all about your, the things that you're doing and events and the podcast you've been on and all that kind of stuff, right? Yes. And which is great. And you can pick up the books at, uh, at, uh, Amazon or any of the other places that sell these books and

52:13stuff. And, and I want to thank you, Jay, I mean, Jay Everett, um, Jay Everett is and approved is his full name that is what's on the book. So, um, don't forget the Jay, um, before ever. And then you'll be able to find him. Right. Right. And I almost, I'm going to add that I, all my books are audio too. Oh, cool. Then, have you ever thought about doing an audio book? Yeah. And doing, uh, and voicing it yourself? Well, actually, I did. I got, you know, there's a, AI that will take your voice and clone it. And, and it sounds like you're talking to yourself. And so that's what I use for, um, three of my books, um, was my own voice. And then something about Ann, I had two other characters. Oh, that's awesome. So, uh, Jay Everett, thank you so much for being here. Is there anything else you'd like to add before we go, sir? No, no. Um, be peaceful. Yes, and, yes, indeed. And we can, I'm hopeful and I, and I think you'll share this with me. I'm

53:17hopeful that we can figure out how to get rid of the hate division and fear that we are dealing with these days and all, uh, live life together in peace and kindness. Would that be good? Yes, yes, sir. And if we can get that done, then we will all and more importantly, you and I don't have a long time left. But a lot of kids, you know, if they could grow up in, in kindness and, and love and, uh, charity for all and peace, um, that would, that would be a much better legacy for us to leave. It'd be ideal. So thank you very much, Mr. Jay Pruitt, or Jay Everett Pruitt, and again, go to his website, which is again, um, uh, hold on, is ePruitt, p-r-e-w-i-t-t.com and find out all about him. You're, you're, it's my honor to, to interview you and I want to thank

54:17you so much for being here, sir. Oh, thank you for giving me, uh, well, you are, and you can come back anytime you want to. I love talking about history and you've been living in the most historically relevant time ever. And thank you, thank you again for being here, young man. Okay, my pleasure. Thank you for being part of Positive Tonk with Kevin McDonald, where stories inspire and voices remind us of what truly matters. May today's conversation give you hope, courage, and a reason to keep moving forward. And just remember, tell next time, be kind to one another because each other's all we've got.