I was born on Barkwill Street in St. Marys to Gene and Margaret Wilson Ruckman, both of whom gave me a love for West Virginia and its beauty, people, and history. For me, St Marys and Pleasants County have always had a special place in my mind and spirit, so I reckon I simply like talking and writing about them. Several years ago, I came across some of my mother's papers which showed her family genealogy going back to the mid 1700's. Later on, through a stroke of good fortune and my younger sister Becky Boggs, I found documents which have helped determine my father's blood line. In this regard, I am reminded of Emerson's words: "Man is but the sum of his Ancestors."

     Since my life has been so full and I am fortunate to have been born in Pleasants County, I just like to share what I've seen and heard with others who share the same interests. Naturally, there has been and continues to be many things I personally do not like, so I'll probably write about those too. And then there are the times when I feel just plain ornery, and will also write about them.