John Robert Frates was born in Yakima, Washington in 1947. After seven months in the state, his family returned to Brule, Nebraska where his father was employed as a barber and his mother a school teacher. He went to elementary and high school in Brule and later returned as a science teacher, coach, bus driver, counselor, principal, and superintendent. He stayed in the Brule school system for forty years. After retiring, John wrote his first book, "Goose Pit Hash", and self-published it for local residents. A few years later, he added additional stories to the book and published "Goose Pit Hash, Second Helping". The book contains a myriad of short stories about John, his friends, and some characters he associated with during his life. The stories contain threads of truth and should provide you with a wealth of impertinent information and indefinite laughs.