Children were born, grew up, and moved away. When they returned to visit, they often exclaimed how the old man had not seemed to age since their long-ago childhoods. One morning, some early risers, out for a walk, discovered him lying in his front yard. Soon the police arrived, and we watched as they carried…

Yes, I know about the podcast Tanis, and no, I do not know what it is about and nor do I intend to listen to find out. Because of the podcast, I had to double-check whether Where is Tanis? was written by someone else or not. So far, Jack Parson does appear to be the author.…

My Cousin Elmo says, “I jus’ figured out that ghosts are people who died while trying to fold a fitted sheet.”

Finn and I were celebrating our final night of summer freedom at the line shack. Earlier in the day, we had helped count and load all the cattle the two of us had gathered over the last two and a half months. “George,” Finn said, “I’m glad you held back on the good stuff.” He…

My Cousin Elmo says, “Before sitting on the floor, have a plan on how to get off the floor.”

Their day began as it always had, sunny and bright. By late noon though, that brightness had given way to a heavy gloom, dark clouds, thundershowers, and cold. As few had paid note to its beginning, fewer paid heed to its ending. The Morning God has passed away, and now general darkness set in. Still,…

Usually, when researching, one tends to narrow down sources. However, I found two more persons of interest and must cover each as each relates to Tanis. I’m starting with John T. Reid. Reid was a mining engineer who grew up in Lovelock, Nevada. Not only did he find the petrified shoe print, but he also…

After speaking with a Shoshoni elder about Tanis, she talked with a Paiute elder. Together, they put me on to the name Dr. W.H. Ballou. According to The Journal of Wild Mushrooms, William Hosea Ballou was no stranger to incorrect opinions. In his 2007 article, Leon Shernoff further writes: “Of his cockamamie opinions that made…

My Cousin Elmo says, “I used to talk to myself all the time, but we had a fight, so we hardly speak anymore.”

A friend, who knows I enjoy pulp literature and history, sent me this short story, “Where is Tanis?” by Jack Parsons. She also knows that my Uncle Orville Harrison worked on the Saturn V rocket project and knew Parsons. Uncle Orville worked in the Spanish Springs area of Nevada during the rocket testing phase. I…