Pecos Enterprise
Bookstore

Home

Reviews by staff writer Peggy McCracken

Critic’s Corner

Walking Across America in my 90th Year

Granny D, aka Doris Haddock, walked through Toyah and Pecos on her way from California to Washington, D.C. in the summer of 1999, when she was 90 years old. I interviewed her at the Buck Jackson Rodeo Arena, where she spoke at the American Cancer Society’s fund raiser, “Relay for Life,” and found her intriguing, to say the least.

Berta, the engaging Postmaster at Saragosa, provided food and shelter for Granny D while she was in this area. Her chapter is titled “Purple Glass,” and it describes the antique bottles on display in Berta’s guest house, a little yellow bungalow near the railroad tracks in Toyah.

“When Berta stands and talks, her very dignified posture and great smile are powerfully charismatic,” Granny says of her host, describing Berta to a T.

Pecos comes off as the “Center of the World,” where Granny met with Tom Rivera at the chamber office and joined the lunch crowd at the museum courtyard.

From the Mojave Desert to the Union Station in Washington, D.C., Granny meets colorful characters and patriotic Americans at every stop. Some walk alongside her, and others cheer her on from the roadside.

Flashbacks to her own experiences add zest to a zippy narrative of her trek. And the underlying theme of love for her country is a shot in the arm we all need.

I bought my copy from amazon.com for under $20. The hardback, 285-page book, titled “Granny D: Walking Across America in My 90th Year,” is available in bookstores for $21.95.

-Peggy McCracken

Critic’s Corner

Christmas Tails

Not just any dog. Snuggles volunteers to pull Santa’s sleigh when all the reindeer come down with a virus on Christmas Eve. Taking his lead, Santa enlists hundreds of dogs from a pet motel to help deliver toys to children all over the world.

Childlren will learn a lesson about respect for all living things through this allegorical narrative.

Author Robert X. Leeds’ choice of pet motel clients is understandable, because Leeds operated a pet motel for 27 years. He has written another book, “Love is a Four Legged Word,” about that experience.

Christmas Tails is a hardback book suitable for the coffee table and for reading to grandchildren Published by Epic Publishing Company Inc., it is available in stores at $24.95. ISBN 0-9674025-2-2.

-Peggy McCracken

Critic’s Corner

Cattus Petasatus Cat in the Hat

Dr. Seuss intrigues us all with his rhyming silliness. Now Latin lovers can read it in the language of their hearts, thanks to a translation by Guenevera and Terentio Tunberg.

They didn’t teach Latin at Flomot, so I will have to take the Tunbergs’ word for it that their version resembles the original Cat in the Hat. In fact, it’s been so long since I read the original, I don’t remember how it goes.

Imber totum diem fluit
Urceatim semper pluit.
Taedet intus nos manere:
Numquam potest sol splendere…

Even I can tell the Latin rhymes. And the “vocabulary” section explains what each word means. So anyone with a yen to pick up some Latin expertise may want to check the nearest bookstore for a copy. Or go to the publisher’s website at http://www.bolchazy.com.

ISBN 086516472-X, Published by Bolchazy-Carducci, Wauconda, Il.

-Peggy McCracken

Critic’s Corner

Journey with the Lord

Del Sylver Bates found it hard to believe that God could love her until she read in His word that he loves everyone in spite of their sin.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God,” she read in Romans 3:23. Then she found in John 3:16 that “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son” to save everyone who believes.

“Tantalized by this unbelievable news, my life began to grow in leaps and bounds,” she said. Wanting to share her new-found joy with others, she began writing poems that express her relationship with God. The result is a slim, hard-back volume of poetry titled “Journey with the Lord.” Look for it in your bookstore or at http://www.amazon.com.

ISBN 0-7880-1643-1, Published by Express Press

-Peggy McCracken

Critic's Corner

Country Woman Christmas

Painted Holiday Delights are too pretty to eat, but just looking at the photograph makes my mouth water. They are included among scores of Christmas goodies, decorations, craft ideas and family traditions pictured and described in the hardback book, "Country Woman Christmas 2001."

Appetizers, breakfast treats, Christmas breads, cookies, candies, special-occasion desserts, brunch, Christmas dinner and gifts from the kitchen crowd the recipe section. Original crafts include ways to trim the tree, deck the halls and make unique holiday gifts.

You will find designs for an appliqued tree skirt, an evergreen sweatshirt, nifty knit stocking, whimsical tea cozy and clever felt Nativity. Creative country women who gave us these ideas are profiled in the book, which highlights their hobbies or businesses and tells through story and poem how kindness, joy and spirituality bind families, friends and communities during the season.

I'm not the least big crafty, and I can hardly even boil water in the microwave. But I enjoy reading about how others do it. Just thinking of painting red, yellow and green candles, wreaths, snowflakes and other Christmasy scenes on 200 cookies covered with white icing gives me the willies, but an artist probably would enjoy taking brush in hand and dipping into food color "paint."

Here's how: Combine 2 cups flour, half cup sugar, half cup powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, three-fourths tsp. baking powder, fourth cup salt. Cut in half cup cold butter until mixture resembles course crumbs. Combine one egg and fourth cup orange juice; stir into crumb mixture just until moistened. Shape into a ball; cover and chill for 1-2 hours or until easy to handle.

Roll out dough on a floured surface to one-eighth inch thickness, cut with 2-inch round cookie cutter. Place one inch apart on ungreased backing sheets, bake 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes, cool.

For filling, combine 8 ounces cream cheese, softened, 3 tb. powdered sugar, 3 tb. strawberry preserves. Spread on half the cookies. Top with remaining cookies.

For glaze, combine 1 cup powdered sugar, fourth tsp. vanilla extract, 1-2 tb. milk to achieve desired consistency. Spread over tops of cookies; dry.

Using a small new paintbrush and food coloring, paint holiday designs on cookie tops. Store in refrigerator. Yield: about 2 dozen.

Sounds easy, doesn't it? That would be a good rainy-day project for Mom and kids. On second thought, maybe we'd better not wait for rain, or Christmas might catch us empty handed.

Country Woman Christmas 2001 is available for $21.99 plus $3.95 shipping from: Country Store, Ste. 4620, PO Box 990, Greendale WI 53129. Specify item number 31100. Credit card holders may telephone 1-800-558-1013 to order.

- Peggy McCracken

CRITIC’S CORNER

Love is a 4 legged word

In Leed’s American Pet Motels, dogs slept on brass beds and talked to their owners on Snoopy telephones. They had midday cookie breaks and listened to piped-in music. Pets at the same food at the motel that they were used to at home, even if it was a half glass of beer at bedtime or eggs and bacon for breakfast.

Leeds gave up a career as an engineer with General Motors to launch his pet motel in Illinois, after four years of research and a disappointing hunt for financing. MacDonald’s owner Ray Croc of McDonald’s invested over $1 million in Leed’s dream.

Photos of clients through the years enhance the 286-page text, published in hardback by EpicPublishing Co. Available in bookstores at $24.95. ISBN 0-9674025-2-2

-Peggy McCracken

Critics corner

Around the World in the Middle Seat

In her book, “Around the World in the Middle Seat,” Brooks tells how she saw the world (and survived) as a group travel leader. She takes the middle seat because her husband likes the window seat, Brooks explains in the prologue to the 266-page paperback.

During the 25 years they led group tours, Brooks said the flight to and from the destination was the only unpleasant and bad part of a trip. “But it was certainly worth every inconvenience and all the dreadful food to see and to do everything that I have experienced,” she said.

Photos accompanying the riveting text range from near-naked natives of Indonesia to unformed waiters holding aloft dishes of Baked Alaska.

Anyone who has dreamed of seeing the Taj Majal or strolling the streets of Paris in the spring should read this travelogue, which sells in bookstores for $17.95. ISBN 1-887140-39-5.

-Peggy McCracken

Master your panic, take back your life

The 14 chapters and six appendices range from first aid for panic to everyday anxieties. She gives relaxation techniques, controlled breathing and how to deal with unsatisfying outcomes.

The physical symptoms of a panic attack can include shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, a pounding heart, numbness in the hands and feet, even severe headaches, Beckfield says. And as many as one in 10 Americans may suffer from panic disorder.

Beckfield is a veteran clinical specialist in this field.

"Panic disorder is more distressing than you might imagine," she said. "It restricts people from enjoying day-to-day activities and can lead to substance abuse, relationship troubles and depression."

To order, click Master Your Panic

--Peggy McCracken

Caught in the Path

At a time when communication between hospital emergency systems was still developing, the chaos of evacuation intensified as most injured were brought to the nearest hospital while other emergency rooms stood in wait.

Many former GIs called on their war training as they rescued and tended injured. At the scene and cut off from medical personnel, these recent soldiers were the only hope for many of the injured.

Nothing defines a community more than its reaction to disaster. "Caught in the Path, A Tornado's Fury, A Community's Rebirth," is a story of fear and courage, suffering and resiliency.

The hardest hit area, 4-year-old Ruskin Heights, was the first post-war tract housing development in the Kansas City area.

Like so many of their generation, its residents, mostly first-time home buyers in their 20s and 30s, came to Ruskin to raise their baby-boom families with the optimism of the '50s. When the tornado scattered their dreams along its path, they came back and changed a housing development into a community.

Without the instant weather information the media provides today, the storm's victims relied on scattered, often delayed, radio reports, and a few impromptu television announcements interrupting "I Love Lucy." All too often the only warning was a hellish roar and a last-minute look at the sky.

"Caught in the Path" serves to remind us how far we've come in weather forecasting and how dangerous it is to be compacent about severe weather.

Written by Carolyn Glenn Brewer, the paperback is available at a discount. Click here to order. Caught in the Path

Peggy McCracken

Spinach is good in veggie dessert

Lemons complement spinach, and in "Vegetable Desserts: Beyond Carrot Cake and Pumpkin Pie," authors Elizabeth Schafer and Jeannette L. Miller, RD, recommend a lemon pie and cake that will melt in your mouth.

Ingredients follow standard recipes, except for the addition of greens (turnip or spinach) to the mix. They give nutrition facts with each delicious recipe, so you will know how each will fit into your overall diet plan.

I'm not a cook, but I couldn't resist these recipes. I tried Peter Pumpkin Squares (heavy but good), Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies (my favorite), Cookie Jar Cookies (with jicama - I forgot the raisins and they were bland), Zucchini Brownies (luscious), and Soft Spaghetti Cookies (with spaghetti squash).

Twenty-four different vegetables are used in the 125 recipes that not only add fiber, vitamins and minerals, but watch the fat and calories.

Some I didn't try are Sliced Green Tomato Pie, Potato Fudge, Honey Garlic Ice Cream, Celery Doodles, Cocoa Zucchini Cake and Sweet Pea Bars.

"Vegetable Desserts" gives a complete overview of featured vegetables, including history, seasonality and tips on selecting and storing them.

Vegetable Desserts is available at a discount from the $16.95 price in bookstores.

---Peggy McCracken

Heart attack can save your life

In "Let My Heart Attack Save Your Life," Mason explains in great detail about cholesterol and what makes it; elements of a healthy diet; and exercises to keep the body fit.

Charts make the numbers easy to read and understand, but the 195-page paperback is still a little tedious.

Click here to order at a discount from the $14.95 list price: Heart attack

--Peggy McCracken

Classical music for everybody

Sethna leads beginners who don't know where to start and
music lovers who want to deepen their understanding through
piece after piece of classical music. He not only explains
the piece, but gives lessons in music construction and
instrumentation as he goes along.

He introduces non-musicians to the vocabulary of music, such
as a fugue or the sonata form, and explains the timetables
of music and varieties of musical experience through
specific compositions.

By obtaining the music and using the more than 90 listening
notes, anyone can learn to enjoy classical music.

Published by Fitzwilliam Press the $16.96 trade paperback
is available at a discount through amazon.com.
-Peggy McCracken

Art Marketing 101: A Handbook for the Fine Artist

An artist must be educated in the art of business, says the author, who has worked as a curator, writer, lecturer and artist's representative.

"Artists have the right to survive in this society while practicing their endeavors," she said."To survive requires knowledge and creativity."

Beginning with psychological roadblocks and continuing through business basics, legal protection, pricing, shipping and display, Smith details how to create an image, choose a gallery, sell at shows and fairs, locate new markets, seek grants and endowments and market through the print media.

Pricing is an art in itself, Smith believes. She recommends setting the price on one piece twice as high as the next highest piece. Create large pieces if you don't want to sell miniatures for small prices, which the customer expects.

As you sell more, your prices will rise, but keep your work affordable to all your previous clients, Smith advises.

Click on title to purchase at a discount.

Art Marketing 101: A Handbook for the Fine Artist

--Peggy McCracken

Select your first horse with care

Ever since I left my country home for the city, I have wanted another horse of my own. Reading Jacqueline Dwelle's new book, "Your First Horse," I have learned there's more to buying a horse than just finding one that looks pretty or has a star on her forehead.

First you decide what you will use the horse for, what breed you prefer, conformation, age, temperament, size, price and resale value. Study horses that interest you, then get someone who knows horses to evaluate your choice.

Dwelle was fascinated with horses and began raiding at age 8. She has worked for top riders, managed barns and produces show horses. She takes you through the method of horse shopping, describes how to assess conformation, then gives guidelines for feeding, grooming, pasturing, stabling and caring for your horse's health.

"Your First Horse" is published by Hoofbeat Publications, PO Box 2133, Southern Pines NC 28388, phone 910-695-1644, Paperback, $17.95. ISBN 0-9655048-6-7.

May be purchased online through the Enterprise bookstore. Click on link below.

--Peggy McCracken