Just Average

People constantly use the phrase just average. When they refer to other people it sounds derogatory. It really shouldn’t be. We have all heard the phrase “Just an average Joe.” What is wrong with being just average? Average people every day drive to work, or in the Good Gus Series their horses. They are responsible people trying to do the best they can without being labeled just average. A “C: on a report card is just average. Many parents are furious if their child has a “C” and not an “A” or a “B”. The parents whose children are always on the honor roll love to brag.  I see nothing wrong with that as long as its actually said in a way that isn’t insulting to the other parents. I do disagree, however, if the parents expect their child to always have high grades that they shouldn’t be pressured for those high marks. Some children are simply average in book learning but superior in other areas such as the trades. There are many people whom we all went to school with who were deemed just average yet today these just average people may be plumbers, electricians, construction workers, etc. with six figure incomes. The characters in the Good Gus Series are average people. They work at their businesses, except for Sheriff Gus and Miss Patty who are employees of the town. They all go about their daily lives giving excellent service, are kind to others and lend a helping hand the minute a problem arises. When I wrote the various characters in the Good Gus Series, I didn’t think of the people being either average or superior to one another.  It was really more about decent every day people living their lives in the late 180o’s and standing by each other in the small town of Pecos, Texas.  As the characters developed no one stood out as smarter or brighter than anyone else.  The residents of Pecos simply accepted each other for whom they were.  The next time you hear “Just average” remember the characters in Pecos, Texas.  When you choose a book  from the Good Gus Series as a gift for a special child in your life, recognize that you are giving a positive example of what “Just average” really means.