Hello, I’m John DeLap, an author, a Hoosier and self-described nature nut.
Nature has been my companion since I was a child. Whether it was my grandfather taking me on frequent trips into the country, my experiences in Boy Scouts, the countless hiking trips, or everyday observations, nature and I have been inseparable. It has always been my balm for a weary soul. It is the bright sunshine on an otherwise dreary day. It is the reason I created this website.
I want to share those things that have meant so much to me through my years and my belief that we all live upon common ground. Here I share my thoughts and observations of my life and experiences in nature.
In addition to using this page to promote my published works, I invite you to subscribe to my blog, “Upon Common Ground” to get some insights into me. Your comments are welcome.
You can also follow my author adventures on Goodreads and Bookbub, where I’ll occasionally be sharing snippets of upcoming works and news on how you can read and purchase them.
“We need the tonic of wildness…we can never have enough nature.” – Thoreau
John B. DeLap 
John, you help me feel and see. Your journey guides mine, makes me mindful of the pure need to step out into the day. Time is what we have, it is all we have until we don’t. You help me understand the necessity, the urgency for every living thing to use the time that we have here to live gratefully, respectfully, purposefully, mindfully. Thank you.
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Hello – I appreciate your words and thoughts about nature that you can convey so well. I’m sending this to also let you know that your piece “My Grandfather was a Carpenter” literally ‘hit home’ – as my grandmother (Reba) was your grandfather’s sister. She is also buried at Ebenezer cemetery in Norris City. I happen to have many original writings and pictures of our Great Grandfather, Darius, and the family, that I found when going through some boxes from my Grandmother, including a document written by Darius establishing the ‘family cemetery’ – interesting stuff, and you may have gotten some talent from him as he was a pretty good writer considering circumstances back then. One part of it states “In the year 1935, I, D.A. DeLap, and my son, Russell Stewart DeLap, built a good wire and concrete post fence around the family burying ground…”.
Also, I have hand written letters by Great Grandma Elizabeth Zuck during their courtship providing lots of incite to that time (1885). Happy to share if you would like more depth to your continued understanding of where you came from… Best, David (named after one of your Grandfather’s brothers – David DeLap)
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Hi, David. Thank you so much for your response to my posts. Gosh, your words stirred up a lot of memories. Ironically, my parents said they almost named me David. I obviously never met my Grandfather but his homemade toolbox and a few of his things have an honored place in my library. It has been years since I have been back to Norris City and I keep telling myself to make the pilgrimage. I still have cousins in Marion, IL (Rusty (Russel) and Terry. I would dearly love to see the letters you reference. Perhaps we should connect by email. My regular address is johndelap10@gmail.com. I think this makes us cousins, just a couple removed!
My Kindest Regards, John
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