That makes 37 folks!

Thirty seven years ago the snow and cold set in and the water pipes in the upstairs bathroom of a house on Sycamore street burst, just as the water in a pregnant young mother burst in a hospital room of a nearby hospital.

Thus begins the narrative biography of Clayton Broyles on his 37th birthday, the famous prolific writer of the turn of the century. Born of humble beginnings in humble Humboldt, Kansas, he humbly toiled as a humble carpenter, then later as a humble teacher, in order to humbly pursue his true passion: writing.

Unbelievably, he became rich and famous for his major enduring works of fiction, poetry, plays and songs, rather than his long and distinguished resume' of roles he played in major Broadway plays, his extensive radio acting career, stirring roles in major motion pictures.

His works are considered modern day classics and have been anthologized many times over for the literature student in universities all over the world. Though his fiction by and large occurs in a fictionalized small southeast Kansas town, the insight he provides into relationships and human nature plumb the depths of truth for all people of all cultures.

Broyles' parents were devoted, working-class people,evangelicals who instilled in him faith, a strong work-ethic and their belief that he was the master of his own destiny, and that, quite literally, anything was possible. They worked long hours at the business they owned involving petroleum marketing equipment, in order to provide for Clayton the education and freedom he needed to pursue his art.

He met his wife Marian Daniels, while an English student of creative writing at Pittsburg State University. They were married and had three children. Broyles credited his wife with being the better, hidden part of his success.

Broyles and his wife Marian liked camping all over the National Parks, long distance bicycle camping, and canoeing the rivers of the United States.