Joe Spiller

What Wind Did You Ride In On Joe Spiller

The original publication of 'WHAT WIND DID YOU RIDE IN ON' was a short story version. Readers intrigued by the storyline between neighboring ranchers, 78-year-old South Dakota born and raised Carson Leiferson and 53-year-old Bodie Harris, a transplant from Tennessee asked for more. The bond of kinship between the two ranchers was stronger than bloodline connection between many fathers and sons. It has been that way since the first day they met 27 years ago. One year, to the day, after Carson's wife Trudy died, Bodie goes looking for his friend. He finds him exactly where he knew his dear old friend would be. Sitting in the shade of a Linden Tree, with Miss Trudy's headstone only feet away, Carson addresses Bodie. "Several Years have passed by since you arrived out here in West River. You have never told me; what wind you rode in on." Bodie replied, "You never asked." Talks between the two men were usually long, as for as time goes, but short on words. Bodie, eventually patronized Carson. His lengthy answer opens doors to a past, never discussed by either wrangler in almost three decades of friendship. Two stories emerge, each one, one-half of a lifetime in the making, unraveling stunning revelations for both men. Now, the expanded story continues with the winds of fate, faith, and family blowing each man toward end of life dramas and new beginnings. Some of the winds are refreshing breezes while others bring raging torment.