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H.T. Hardy, left, with the help of his wife of 63 years, Doris, recently completed his autobiography. Published by Dundon Press on White Oak, it is filled with his memories of growing up in the Rice Station-Winston area, his family and friends he has made along the way. |
| A life remembered - H.T. Hardy writes book about growing up in Estill County by Rhonda Smyth, CV&T News Editor The sparkle in his blue eyes belies H.T. Hardy’s 85 years and reveals that the mischievous side of his youth is still within him. And even though most people who know him think he doesn’t have a serious side, he has written his life’s story and titled it “ On the Serious Side of ... Me!” “I never in this world thought I would write a book but about a year ago, Abie, (his wife of 63 years, Doris) went shopping. When she came back she had this big notebook and she said she wanted me to do her a favor, write down everything I can remember about my life,” H.T. said. “So I did it because she asked me to, for my grandchildren and great-grandchildren so they would know how we lived a long time ago.” H.T. said he did most of his writing in the mornings because he thought his mind was clearer and he remembered better then. He began with his birth and every page reveals more and more about his character and how his life was shaped by Christian values and hard work. “I know I got some things out of order but I just wrote as I remembered and I wrote the way I talk,” he said. “Sometimes I might have used me when I should have used I and things like that.” Scattered throughout the book are pictures that help tell the tale of H.T.’s growing up, his years as a businessman, husband and father. He operated Hardy Brothers at the “Y” in Irvine with his brother Ray and customers generally thought of H.T. as the comic and Ray as the serious one. But H.T. has his serious side and it shows in his descriptions of his 50 years of service on the 4-H council, his relationships with all the people he has known over the years and his love for his family. H.T. said his decision to marry his “Abie” was the greatest and most important decision he ever made. He said it took “high-class talk and some persuasion” but she accepted an engagement ring from him. Their love for each other is woven throughout the book. He describes her as “the most caring, sincere, loveable person” he has ever met. H.T. relates the births of his two sons, Butch and Pepper, and tells of their boyhood pranks, writing, “It’s no wonder my hair is gray.” It took H.T. about ten months to complete his writings and his granddaughters Jennifer Hall and Michelle Hardy as well as his wife helped him a lot. “My granddaughters arranged it and typed it for me,” he said. They also did research in old newspapers. Doris said she helped him with dates of the many trips they took together over the years, but most of their research for the book came from H.T.’s memories. Everybody who has come in contact with H.T. over the years remembers him and will be enthralled by his writings. But he only had copies of his book made for his family and some friends and has no plans to sell any. “I think it would take some nerve to sit and write down all about yourself and ask somebody to actually pay money for it. I can’t do that,” H.T. said. But H.T. gave permission to Dundon’s Press, the publisher, to sell them. “He (Bob Dundon) asked me if I cared if he sold them and I said that would be all right,” H.T. explained. He also said he was just amazed to learn of Dundon’s publishing operation being right here in Estill County. It is a beautifully made book and reading it is just like talking to the man. Readers can’t help but chuckle as they read and some of his remembrances bring tears, but it is a joyful tribute to a life lived well filled with love of church and family. H.T. said he might write another book, a joke book. He is well-known for his joke-telling abilities and never fails to get a laugh. “I am asked to speak at events sometimes and I like to tell a joke or two, so if I put all my jokes in a book, I couldn’t speak anywhere again because they would already know my jokes,” H.T. said, laughing. H.T. ends his book with these simple words “so this has been the story of my life, the serious side of me. I have been so blessed.” And that blessing is passed on to those who read his words. (Editor’s note: Copies of the book may be obtained by calling Dundon’s Press at 723-0833.) |
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| This article appeared in the Citizen Voice and Times, Irvine, Kentucky, on February 9 2006, written by Rhonda Smyth. Article and photos copyright Hatfield Newspapers, 108 Court Street, P.O. Box 660, Irvine, Kentucky 40336. Used by permission. | |