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Did you know crystal miner, free spirit, and poet

Boots Taylor

Also known as Ruie Willis “Boots” Taylor Jr.

DECEMBER 19, 1944 – OCTOBER 9, 2015

Boots was a free-spirited, sly fox and inspiration to many people. He lived close to the land, travelled the United States and World.
He could be found often in Arkansas, Arizona, New Mexico, California, & Hawaii.

If you met Boots, you know it! Many people have enjoyed his poetry, his wit, humor, and sharing a smoke and a coffee with him while talking story.

Man, could Boots tell some incredible stories!

TELLING STORIES IS WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT

I’m Looking to Gather Boots’ Stories

I would like to help gather together Boots’ stories, poetry, and other ways he touched people’s lives. My goal is to assemble them and likely create a graphic novel. Since Boots isn’t with us any longer to tell us how he wants his biography to be read I’d like to keep it framed around the way other folks saw him and shared time with him or specific stories about his life that he shared.

He had some very wild stories, free man stories, outlaw stories, and living the good life stories, sharing them would be a small way I imagine getting another moment with that sly old fox.

Do you have a good Boots Story?

Did you share an adventure, hear a tale, do something crazy, or just enjoy a moment with him?

If you’re inclined I’d love to hear your story and add it to the catalog of the “Legends of Boots” I am collecting.

Do you have any poems or writings from Boots?

Did he leave you with some of his poetry, notebooks or favorite books as he moved through your life?

I’d welcome the chance to get copies of his writings from you.

Do you have pictures or other items of his?

He was a man of very few photographs as I recall, but I know a few lucky folks have been pictured with the Poet.

If you have one of those elusive pictures of Boots I’d welcome the chance to see them or get a copy.

Do you have any details you think would help?

Sometimes any detail helps, like sharing a smoke, a cup of coffee, remembering a date and time he mentioned.

If you have some detail that has stuck with you feel free to let me know.

HOW I AM THINKING ABOUT CONSTRUCTING HIS STORY

Time, Location, People

Below is a rough outline of places, era, and people I recall Boots visiting and mentioning. The times, places and people are by no means comprehensive. I am certain there is a lot I have probably gotten incorrect as well. Plus, I know Boots had been way more places than my paltry list implies!

Life Milestones

  1. Early life (1944-1958)
  2. Vietnam War (1959-1963)
  3. Return to civilian life (1963-1965)
  4. The University of Oregon (1963-1967)
  5. The Late 60’s antiwar movement (1967-1972)
  6. Mining for crystals and minerals (the 1970s-1980s)
  7. Years in Humboldt County (the 1970s-1980s)
  8. Hawaii life and travels (the 1990s-1998s)
  9. I have no idea where he was (The late 90’s – early 200’s)
  10. Later Life and Passing (2010-2015)

Friends & Family

  1. Louise and Ruie (Parents)
  2. Rachel (Sister)
  3. Gilman (Nephew)
  4. Melody (Life Partner)
  5. Linda (Niece)
  6. Micky (Niece)
  7. Tim (Nephew)
  8. Karen S. (Friend, Mount Ida)
  9. Penny (Friend, Trinidad)
  10. Ron & Donna (Friends, Humboldt)
  11. John (Friend, Mount Ida.)
  12. Malia (Friend, Maui. My friend also, contact me, Sister!)
  13. You ? (Where are you in the world?)

Frequented Locations

  1. Arkansas (Arkadelphia, HotSprings, Mount Ida, Fayetteville)
  2. Arizona (Tuscon)
  3. California (Berkeley, Arcata, Trinidad, Bridgeville, All Over Humboldt County)
  4. Mew Mexico (Taos, Ojo Sarco)
  5. Hawaii (Maui, Big Island)
  6. Oregon (Eugene)
  7. Montana

IF YOU’RE A FRIEND OF BOOTS I’D ENJOY HEARING FROM YOU

Get In Touch

This is still a passion project for me. I’m not sure how long it will take and where this biography will take me. I’m not looking to monetize Boots Taylor’s life but simply start with collecting his stories archivally.

If you have ideas of how I ought to honor his legacy or be charitable with his memory respectfully, I welcome your input.

Contact About Boots' Stories

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I’M STILL TELLING PEOPLE HIS STORIES AND ADVENTURES

About Me

My name is JJ Arsenault. Boots called me Jheri ( jer-ī )

I had the good fortune to meet Boots when I lived in Maui, Hawaii, from around 1995 – 1998. I was a young man, an aspiring poet and Boots and I became friends. He was my writing mentor and a powerfully influential figure in my life. I spent an intrepid summer travelling with Boots in 1997 from Arkansas to Oregon for the National Rainbow Gathering in Ochoco National Forest.

Even though I lost touch with Boots after 1998 and life, family, and work took over, I always looked for and thought about him over the decades. I recently found his obituary from 2015, and this has brought me to realize that I would like to gather stories of his life, writings, pictures and begin working on a biography of his life and poetry.

Web

I’m a web designer and developer

Illustrator

I draw and illustrate graphic novels

Writing

I write poetry & fiction, including comics