Texas Tech University Press has come out with the fourth edition of Winning 42: Strategy and Lore of the National Game of Texas, first published in 1997.
Written by Dennis Roberson of Fort Worth, a 42 champion himself, the award-winning paperback book ($15.95) offers useful information for the beginner and the veteran 42 player alike.
The new edition is updated with more stories, more strategies, and clearer illustrations and type.
If you don’t know what 42 is, then you must not have lived in Texas very long. It’s a game played with dominoes by two teams of two players each. The teams bid against each other, and the team members work together to try to reach their bid or keep the other team from reaching its bid.
The name “42” reflects the fact that there are 35 points (“count”) in even fives, plus seven hands of four dominoes per hand or “trick.” The 35 points are the six-four, the five-five, the four-one, the three-two, and the five-oh.
In an interview on the Texas Tech Press web site, Roberson says the purpose of his book is to keep the game of 42 alive, and that seems to be happening, given that it is now into its fourth edition.
The game, he says, “was invented by two Texas teenagers in the late 1880s and passed down orally for generations, spreading across Texas like wildfire. It is truly a Texas cultural phenomenon.”
That may well be true, but one of the best 42 players I ever encountered was from Arkansas. We played some wild 42 games at Texas A&M back in the day, and Bill from Arkansas was the most daring bidder I ever played against. He was fun to play with, much more so than the stoic West Texan I was often paired with who wouldn’t offer a bid unless he had a “lay-down” hand. Even then, he would rarely bid more than 30 – the minimum opening bid.
Roberson says 42 “has been played by presidents, governors, singers, writers and astronauts. Once people learn it, they can’t seem to get enough of it.”
I haven’t played in years myself, but it’s good to see that the author is helping to introduce a great game to a new generation of players.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Ann Whitaker Book Signing
Former Abilene High School English teacher Ann Whitaker will sign copies of her first novel, Dog Nanny, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 13) at Texas Star Trading Company, 174 Cypress Street in downtown Abilene.
Her story, about a woman who seems to be much better at relationships with dogs than with men, fits in with Thursday night's ArtWalk theme, the Dog Days of Summer.
Whitaker and her husband, former Abilene Reporter-News columnist Bill Whitaker, moved to Waco several years ago. The novel is set in Abilene and Waco.
For more details, call 325-672-9696.
Her story, about a woman who seems to be much better at relationships with dogs than with men, fits in with Thursday night's ArtWalk theme, the Dog Days of Summer.
Whitaker and her husband, former Abilene Reporter-News columnist Bill Whitaker, moved to Waco several years ago. The novel is set in Abilene and Waco.
For more details, call 325-672-9696.
New Biographies Teach Children About Texas Heroes
Two new series of biographies for children about Texas heroes have been launched by Bright Sky Press, formerly of Albany, now of Houston.
One series is for children in the primary grades, ages 5-7. The other series is intended for elementary students ages 8-11.
Veteran children’s author Mary Dodson Wade, a former teacher and librarian, has written all but one of the first seven books in the two series – two for younger readers and five for the older ones.
Sam Houston: Standing Firm and Jane Long: Choosing Texas, both by Wade, lead off the series for the primary grades.
For an example of the easy-reading writing style, the Sam Houston book begins like this: “Sam Houston was a big man. He did big things. He did not always do what other people thought he should. He did what he thought was right. Even when people said he was a bad leader, he did not listen.”
Joy Fisher Hein illustrated the Sam Houston book, Virginia Marsh Roeder the Jane Long book. Each book is $16.95.
The series for older readers is written in a more narrative style, with 10-12 chapters. Most chapters are just three or four pages long and include black and white illustrations.
The first five books in that series are: Stephen F. Austin: The Son Becomes Father of Texas, Jane Long: Texas Journey, David Crockett: Hero and Legend, Gregorio Esparza: Alamo Defender, and Sam Houston: I Am Houston.
Wade is the author of all but the Esparza biography which was written by William R. Chemerka. Don Collins, Pat Finney and Roeder provide the illustrations. Books in this series are also $16.95.
Upcoming volumes in the primary series will focus on Crockett and Austin. Coming soon in the elementary series are biographies of Henrietta King and Juan Seguin.
One series is for children in the primary grades, ages 5-7. The other series is intended for elementary students ages 8-11.
Veteran children’s author Mary Dodson Wade, a former teacher and librarian, has written all but one of the first seven books in the two series – two for younger readers and five for the older ones.
Sam Houston: Standing Firm and Jane Long: Choosing Texas, both by Wade, lead off the series for the primary grades.
For an example of the easy-reading writing style, the Sam Houston book begins like this: “Sam Houston was a big man. He did big things. He did not always do what other people thought he should. He did what he thought was right. Even when people said he was a bad leader, he did not listen.”
Joy Fisher Hein illustrated the Sam Houston book, Virginia Marsh Roeder the Jane Long book. Each book is $16.95.
The series for older readers is written in a more narrative style, with 10-12 chapters. Most chapters are just three or four pages long and include black and white illustrations.
The first five books in that series are: Stephen F. Austin: The Son Becomes Father of Texas, Jane Long: Texas Journey, David Crockett: Hero and Legend, Gregorio Esparza: Alamo Defender, and Sam Houston: I Am Houston.
Wade is the author of all but the Esparza biography which was written by William R. Chemerka. Don Collins, Pat Finney and Roeder provide the illustrations. Books in this series are also $16.95.
Upcoming volumes in the primary series will focus on Crockett and Austin. Coming soon in the elementary series are biographies of Henrietta King and Juan Seguin.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Dixie Cash Book Signing at Texas Star on Saturday, August 8
Two West Texas sisters who write under the pen name Dixie Cash will be in Abilene Saturday, Aug. 8, to sign copies of their fifth novel, Curing the Blues With a New Pair of Shoes.
The sisters, Pam Cumbie and Jeffery McClanahan, grew up in rural West Texas. Cumbie, a former resident of Abilene, now lives in Arlington. McClanahan, who also writes romance novels under several pen names, lives in Granbury.
Several years ago they started writing romantic suspense novels with humorous titles. Their first book was Since You’re Leaving Anyway, Take Out the Trash, followed by My Heart May Be Broken, But My Hair Still Looks Great; I Gave You My Heart, But You Sold It Online, and Don’t Make Me Choose Between You and My Shoes.
The novels feature two West Texas hairstylists who double as detectives, Debbie Sue Overstreet and Edwina Perkins Martin, in the fictional town of Salt Lick. The new book includes Edwina’s husband’s recipe for “Flaming-Hot Armadillo Eggs.”
McClanahan and Cumbie will sign books from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Texas Star Trading Company, 174 Cypress Street. For more information or to reserve copies of the book, call 325-672-9696.
The sisters, Pam Cumbie and Jeffery McClanahan, grew up in rural West Texas. Cumbie, a former resident of Abilene, now lives in Arlington. McClanahan, who also writes romance novels under several pen names, lives in Granbury.
Several years ago they started writing romantic suspense novels with humorous titles. Their first book was Since You’re Leaving Anyway, Take Out the Trash, followed by My Heart May Be Broken, But My Hair Still Looks Great; I Gave You My Heart, But You Sold It Online, and Don’t Make Me Choose Between You and My Shoes.
The novels feature two West Texas hairstylists who double as detectives, Debbie Sue Overstreet and Edwina Perkins Martin, in the fictional town of Salt Lick. The new book includes Edwina’s husband’s recipe for “Flaming-Hot Armadillo Eggs.”
McClanahan and Cumbie will sign books from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Texas Star Trading Company, 174 Cypress Street. For more information or to reserve copies of the book, call 325-672-9696.
Four Texas Novelists Spin Readable Tales
Texas is full of great stories, and fortunately we have some terrific story-tellers to tell them. Here are four you might want to check out:
The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles (William Morrow, $25.99 hardcover).
Jiles has written two best-selling novels,Stormy Weather and Enemy Women. Her latest novel is based on the true story of ex-slave Britt Johnson, who settles in Comanche territory in West Texas in the 1860s.
While the Civil War rages, Johnson faces his own trials as his family is attacked by Comanches while Britt is away on business. He vows to bring his family back together again, and that is the principal plotline of this fast-paced historical novel.
Blood Lines by Kathryn Casey (St. Martin’s, $24.99 hardcover).
Casey has written several true crime books, and last year she penned her first novel,
Singularity, starring a new heroine, Sarah Armstrong, a criminal profiler with the Texas Rangers and a single mom.
Casey and Armstrong are back for a sequel in Blood Lines. The story follows two cases Armstrong is tracking – the apparent (maybe too apparent) suicide of oil businesswoman Billie Cox and the threatening e-mails sent by a stalker to teen pop star Cassidy Collins in advance of her upcoming Texas concerts.
Casey knows how to keep readers turning the pages to get to the stirring conclusion.
Don’t Let It Be True by Jo Barrett (Avon, $13.99 paperback).
The third novel from Texas author Jo Barrett is a fun read and offers plenty of over-the-top Texas stereotypes.
Don't Let It Be True is the tale of Houston socialite Kathleen King, who has a dirty little secret -- she's flat broke.
Kathleen manages to put up a good front, with her boyfriend footing the bill for her fancy apartment inside the loop, and her stylish wardrobe coming from vintage clothing stores.
However, everything falls apart when her boyfriend's oil fortune is lost, and Kathleen must still manage to put on her famous King Foundation annual dinner, lavishly done with all the bells and whistles expected by creme de la creme of Houston society.
Although predictable, this novel is a relaxing summer read -- perfect for an afternoon by the pool.
The Summer Kitchen by Lisa Wingate (New American Library, $15 paperback).
Wingate, the popular and prolific author from Clifton, has a new novel just released in July.
The Summer Kitchen is the second book in the Blue Sky Hill Series, which began last year with A Month of Summer. Set in a transitional Dallas neighborhood, this story is told in alternating chapters in the voices of two very different characters.
SandraKaye Darden is a suburban mom whose comfortable life is coming unraveled. Cass Blue is a runaway from foster care with her older brother Rusty, trying to make it on their own in Dallas.
Soon their lives intersect and are changed in profound ways. As always, Wingate’s stories are uplifting and wholesome, dealing with matters like friendship, grace, and the power to make a difference in other’s lives.
The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles (William Morrow, $25.99 hardcover).
Jiles has written two best-selling novels,Stormy Weather and Enemy Women. Her latest novel is based on the true story of ex-slave Britt Johnson, who settles in Comanche territory in West Texas in the 1860s.
While the Civil War rages, Johnson faces his own trials as his family is attacked by Comanches while Britt is away on business. He vows to bring his family back together again, and that is the principal plotline of this fast-paced historical novel.
Blood Lines by Kathryn Casey (St. Martin’s, $24.99 hardcover).
Casey has written several true crime books, and last year she penned her first novel,
Singularity, starring a new heroine, Sarah Armstrong, a criminal profiler with the Texas Rangers and a single mom.
Casey and Armstrong are back for a sequel in Blood Lines. The story follows two cases Armstrong is tracking – the apparent (maybe too apparent) suicide of oil businesswoman Billie Cox and the threatening e-mails sent by a stalker to teen pop star Cassidy Collins in advance of her upcoming Texas concerts.
Casey knows how to keep readers turning the pages to get to the stirring conclusion.
Don’t Let It Be True by Jo Barrett (Avon, $13.99 paperback).
The third novel from Texas author Jo Barrett is a fun read and offers plenty of over-the-top Texas stereotypes.
Don't Let It Be True is the tale of Houston socialite Kathleen King, who has a dirty little secret -- she's flat broke.
Kathleen manages to put up a good front, with her boyfriend footing the bill for her fancy apartment inside the loop, and her stylish wardrobe coming from vintage clothing stores.
However, everything falls apart when her boyfriend's oil fortune is lost, and Kathleen must still manage to put on her famous King Foundation annual dinner, lavishly done with all the bells and whistles expected by creme de la creme of Houston society.
Although predictable, this novel is a relaxing summer read -- perfect for an afternoon by the pool.
The Summer Kitchen by Lisa Wingate (New American Library, $15 paperback).
Wingate, the popular and prolific author from Clifton, has a new novel just released in July.
The Summer Kitchen is the second book in the Blue Sky Hill Series, which began last year with A Month of Summer. Set in a transitional Dallas neighborhood, this story is told in alternating chapters in the voices of two very different characters.
SandraKaye Darden is a suburban mom whose comfortable life is coming unraveled. Cass Blue is a runaway from foster care with her older brother Rusty, trying to make it on their own in Dallas.
Soon their lives intersect and are changed in profound ways. As always, Wingate’s stories are uplifting and wholesome, dealing with matters like friendship, grace, and the power to make a difference in other’s lives.
Jenkins Collection Recaps 60 Years of Golf Writing
Dan Jenkins has covered professional golf as a newspaper and magazine writer for nearly six full decades, beginning in 1951 when Ben Hogan won the U.S. Open.
At last count, he had been there for 58 Masters Tournaments, 55 U.S. Opens, 44 PGAs, and 40 British Opens – 197 majors in all, and still going.
He has collected edited versions of 94 of his favorite stories, columns, and feature articles into Jenkins at the Majors: Sixty Years of the World’s Best Golf Writing, from Hogan to Tiger (Doubleday, $26.95).
Jenkins wrote for the Fort Worth Press and Dallas Times Herald before moving onto the national sports stage at Sports Illustrated and Golf Digest. He’s had the privilege of knowing personally all of the major golf stars in his lifetime, including Byron Nelson, who actually had retired from the game before Jenkins came along.
Nelson, he writes, “was as lovely a gentleman and as great a champion as ever played the game.”
About Ben Hogan, Jenkins says, “I suppose earning Ben Hogan’s friendship, coooperation, and, to some degree, his respect has been the greatest treasure of this journey.” He has high marks for other superstars like Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
He pays special tribute to Nicklaus, calling him “the most interesting,, cooperative, and informative athlete I’ve ever interviewed in any sport, ever.”
At last count, he had been there for 58 Masters Tournaments, 55 U.S. Opens, 44 PGAs, and 40 British Opens – 197 majors in all, and still going.
He has collected edited versions of 94 of his favorite stories, columns, and feature articles into Jenkins at the Majors: Sixty Years of the World’s Best Golf Writing, from Hogan to Tiger (Doubleday, $26.95).
Jenkins wrote for the Fort Worth Press and Dallas Times Herald before moving onto the national sports stage at Sports Illustrated and Golf Digest. He’s had the privilege of knowing personally all of the major golf stars in his lifetime, including Byron Nelson, who actually had retired from the game before Jenkins came along.
Nelson, he writes, “was as lovely a gentleman and as great a champion as ever played the game.”
About Ben Hogan, Jenkins says, “I suppose earning Ben Hogan’s friendship, coooperation, and, to some degree, his respect has been the greatest treasure of this journey.” He has high marks for other superstars like Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
He pays special tribute to Nicklaus, calling him “the most interesting,, cooperative, and informative athlete I’ve ever interviewed in any sport, ever.”
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Five Years at Texas Star
Five years ago today, we opened Texas Star Trading Company as a Texas book, gift and music store. Today we are celebrating our fifth birthday with cake, balloons, a ribbon cutting and free gifts from 10-2.
If you haven't checked out our web site, it is www.texasstartrading.com.
We opened in a small 750-square-foot space in the restored Wooten Hotel next to the Paramount Theatre. Two years ago we moved up the street to 174 Cypress, a space almost four times the size of our original store.
When we started, we filled the room with books and some Texas gifts. Since then, we've added T-shirts, souvenirs, gourmet, jewelry, and most recently party items such as cocktail napkins, plates, cups, wine bags -- many of them with humorous sayings.
Books continue to be an important part of our store. Tom Perini's cookbook -- Texas Cowboy Cooking -- has been our best-selling book of any genre all five years that we've been open.
We reserve some shelves for Elmer Kelton's western novels, and Elmer has been so kind to do numerous book signings at Texas Star. He always draws a crowd.
Kinky Friedman drew huge crowds all three times he signed books at Texas Star. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has had two very good book signings at our store. And so many other authors have sat and signed books during ArtWalk, Downtown Dayz and other events.
We have a guest book, and over the years we have had visitors from all 50 states and, at last count, about 50 foreign countries. Right here in Abilene!
To all who have shopped with us these past five years, thank you. If you haven't had a chance to come by, we're at 174 Cypress St. at the corner of N. 2nd and Cypress. You'll see the Texas flags flying. Or check us out on the web.
Thanks.
Glenn and Carol Dromgoole
If you haven't checked out our web site, it is www.texasstartrading.com.
We opened in a small 750-square-foot space in the restored Wooten Hotel next to the Paramount Theatre. Two years ago we moved up the street to 174 Cypress, a space almost four times the size of our original store.
When we started, we filled the room with books and some Texas gifts. Since then, we've added T-shirts, souvenirs, gourmet, jewelry, and most recently party items such as cocktail napkins, plates, cups, wine bags -- many of them with humorous sayings.
Books continue to be an important part of our store. Tom Perini's cookbook -- Texas Cowboy Cooking -- has been our best-selling book of any genre all five years that we've been open.
We reserve some shelves for Elmer Kelton's western novels, and Elmer has been so kind to do numerous book signings at Texas Star. He always draws a crowd.
Kinky Friedman drew huge crowds all three times he signed books at Texas Star. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has had two very good book signings at our store. And so many other authors have sat and signed books during ArtWalk, Downtown Dayz and other events.
We have a guest book, and over the years we have had visitors from all 50 states and, at last count, about 50 foreign countries. Right here in Abilene!
To all who have shopped with us these past five years, thank you. If you haven't had a chance to come by, we're at 174 Cypress St. at the corner of N. 2nd and Cypress. You'll see the Texas flags flying. Or check us out on the web.
Thanks.
Glenn and Carol Dromgoole
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Texas Brags, Buried Treasure, War Memorials
Sherrie S. McLeRoy has collected about 50 true Texas tales in her book, “Braggin’ on Texas” (TCU Press, $9.95 hardcover, part of the press’s Texas Small Books series).
Among them:
Mollie Bailey was the first woman to own and run a circus in the United States. Mollie lived in Texas at the time and flew the Texas flag over her circus tent wherever she went.
Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana, for better or worse, is the largest producer of fruitcake in the world.
Daisy Dean Doolin of San Antonio invented the Frito pie.
Vern Dalhart, born Marion Slaughter in the Texas town of Jefferson, had the first country music hit to sell a million copies – “The Wreck of the Old ’97.
Cindy Walker of Mexia, who died in 2006, is the only American songwriter to make the Top Ten list in five successive decades.
The statue of Sam Houston outside Huntsville is the tallest statue of an American hero at 67 feet tall (77 feet counting the 10-foot base).
In 1929 a Texan, Bill Williams, became the first person to push a peanut up Pike’s Peak – with his nose. It took him 20 days and he wore out 170 pair of pants.
The Tyler Civitan Club was the first organization, in Texas and the U.S., to adopt a highway, and that was just 25 years ago.
Buried Treasure: Another book in the TCU Press Small Book Series is Patrick Dearen’s “Lone Star Lost: Buried Treasures in Texas” ($9.95 hardcover).
Dearen relates stories about a gold-laden wagon supposedly hidden in a lost cave, buried outlaw gold, Comanche jewels, and seven other tales of alleged wealth lost but not forgotten.
War Memorials: The Texas State Historical Association continues its series of small, informative paperback books on Texas history with Kelly McMichael’s “Sacred Memories: The Civil War Monument Movement in Texas” ($9.95).
McMichael tells the stories behind the various Civil War monuments in 60 Texas communities. Most pay respects to fallen Confederate soldiers, but a few also honor Union troops as well.
The book is divided into six sections geographically – East Texas, North Texas, Central Texas, the Panhandle and West Texas, South Texas, and Southeast Texas.
Taken together, the monuments relate the history of Texas and the Civil War. And you can take the tour without leaving home.
Among them:
Mollie Bailey was the first woman to own and run a circus in the United States. Mollie lived in Texas at the time and flew the Texas flag over her circus tent wherever she went.
Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana, for better or worse, is the largest producer of fruitcake in the world.
Daisy Dean Doolin of San Antonio invented the Frito pie.
Vern Dalhart, born Marion Slaughter in the Texas town of Jefferson, had the first country music hit to sell a million copies – “The Wreck of the Old ’97.
Cindy Walker of Mexia, who died in 2006, is the only American songwriter to make the Top Ten list in five successive decades.
The statue of Sam Houston outside Huntsville is the tallest statue of an American hero at 67 feet tall (77 feet counting the 10-foot base).
In 1929 a Texan, Bill Williams, became the first person to push a peanut up Pike’s Peak – with his nose. It took him 20 days and he wore out 170 pair of pants.
The Tyler Civitan Club was the first organization, in Texas and the U.S., to adopt a highway, and that was just 25 years ago.
Buried Treasure: Another book in the TCU Press Small Book Series is Patrick Dearen’s “Lone Star Lost: Buried Treasures in Texas” ($9.95 hardcover).
Dearen relates stories about a gold-laden wagon supposedly hidden in a lost cave, buried outlaw gold, Comanche jewels, and seven other tales of alleged wealth lost but not forgotten.
War Memorials: The Texas State Historical Association continues its series of small, informative paperback books on Texas history with Kelly McMichael’s “Sacred Memories: The Civil War Monument Movement in Texas” ($9.95).
McMichael tells the stories behind the various Civil War monuments in 60 Texas communities. Most pay respects to fallen Confederate soldiers, but a few also honor Union troops as well.
The book is divided into six sections geographically – East Texas, North Texas, Central Texas, the Panhandle and West Texas, South Texas, and Southeast Texas.
Taken together, the monuments relate the history of Texas and the Civil War. And you can take the tour without leaving home.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Local History in Plain Sight
Abilene High social studies teacher Jay Moore has created a new TV series on Abilene's cable channel 7 called "History in Plain Sight." The first episode aired on Tuesday and will be replayed several times in the next couple of weeks.
Through the generosity of the Dian Graves Owen Foundation and the sponsorship of the Abilene Preservation League, Jay is funded for five programs and hopes to do many more.
Basically, what he hopes to do is take elements from Abilene's past that are still visible today and tell the history of what they stood for and what they say about our heritage and our city today.
His first program focused on the Bankhead Highway, which ran right through the middle of Abilene. It was the first paved transcontinental highway in the U.S. There are still segments of the old highway visible today as well as motels and other business establishments that owe their founding to Bankhead travelers.
My friend Joe Specht, retired librarian at McMurry who has a keen -- some might say fanatical -- interest in the Bankhead, was one of the experts interviewed on camera. Jay Moore narrated the program himself and did a beautiful job. The camera work, the story line, everything about it was first rate. The program ran about 40 minutes.
Probably not too many people saw it because it hasn't received any kind of media attention yet, as far as I know, though surely that will change. I knew about it because Bill Minter of the Abilene Preservation League sent out an e-mail.
Anyway, it will be shown again aat 4 p.m. Saturday, , July 18; 8 p.m. Sunday, July 26; 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, and 8 p.m. Saturday, August 1.
DVD copies are available from Jay Moore for $10 ($11.60 with postage). Contact him at jay.moore@abileneisd.org.
The second program will focus on the people behind Abilene street names. Stay tuned for air times.
Through the generosity of the Dian Graves Owen Foundation and the sponsorship of the Abilene Preservation League, Jay is funded for five programs and hopes to do many more.
Basically, what he hopes to do is take elements from Abilene's past that are still visible today and tell the history of what they stood for and what they say about our heritage and our city today.
His first program focused on the Bankhead Highway, which ran right through the middle of Abilene. It was the first paved transcontinental highway in the U.S. There are still segments of the old highway visible today as well as motels and other business establishments that owe their founding to Bankhead travelers.
My friend Joe Specht, retired librarian at McMurry who has a keen -- some might say fanatical -- interest in the Bankhead, was one of the experts interviewed on camera. Jay Moore narrated the program himself and did a beautiful job. The camera work, the story line, everything about it was first rate. The program ran about 40 minutes.
Probably not too many people saw it because it hasn't received any kind of media attention yet, as far as I know, though surely that will change. I knew about it because Bill Minter of the Abilene Preservation League sent out an e-mail.
Anyway, it will be shown again aat 4 p.m. Saturday, , July 18; 8 p.m. Sunday, July 26; 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, and 8 p.m. Saturday, August 1.
DVD copies are available from Jay Moore for $10 ($11.60 with postage). Contact him at jay.moore@abileneisd.org.
The second program will focus on the people behind Abilene street names. Stay tuned for air times.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
So Many Beach Books, So Little Beach Time
So you’re looking for a good beach, mountain or poolside read?
Well, here are three to consider:
Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo (St. Martin’s, $24.95 hardcover) is more than fast-paced enough for men or women readers.
Although Castillo is known as a romantic mystery writer, there isn’t a lot of romance in this one, but there is plenty of suspense.
The principal character is Kate Burkholder, police chief in a small town with a dominant Amish influence. Kate herself was Amish before she strayed from the fold after the violent assault that has remained a family secret all these years.
Now that assault figures prominently in a series of murders that rocks Burkholder’s small town, threatens to reveal her family’s secret, and puts her life in danger.
Unidentified Texas Objects: Tales from the Weird, Wild West is Carol Walt’s latest book (AuthorHouse, $16, softcover).
The novel is a collection of short stories and a novella set in the fictional town of Brangus, Texas, which has certain similarities to the West Texas town of Cross Plains.
“The stories are meant to be amusing, perhaps thought provoking, and some of them have a little surprise for the reader,” she writes.
This is Walt’s fifth novel, and if you read one of her books you will probably go back for more. She is that good.
Carol is autographing books Thursday night (July 9) from 6-7:30 at Texas Star Trading Company. E-mail Texas Star at info.texasstar@yahoo.com if you would like a signed copy.
Unidentified Texas Objects begins with a story set at an Abilene Air Force base (called Dugeness instead of Dyess). Tillie, from Brangus, has an appointment with a general to tell him about these weird sightings she has witnessed.
He seems to take her seriously, and in fact he takes her more seriously than she is led to believe. Meanwhile, all evidence of her visit to the base is obliterated.
“Buck and Sissy” is a tale of two lovers who turn out to be – well, let’s not spoil the story.
Walt even features herself as the main character in one story, “Stranger Than Fiction,” that involves investigators from the Department of Public Safety and the federal Homeland Security office.
Dog Nanny by Ann Whitaker (Wild Rose Press, $14.99 softcover) is the first novel by a Waco (formerly Abilene) author and teacher.
Whitaker combines her love of dogs, romance and mystery to weave a tale revolving around Julie Shields, a vet tech at an Abilene veterinary clinic who is called to Waco to help save a marriage.
Huh? Well, the wife in the marriage is so attached to her poodles that she gives them the total run of her mansion, including the bedroom. Her macho husband gives her an ultimatum: get the dogs under control or he will leave her.
Julie is called in to train the dogs, but the wife places unreasonable restrictions on how she can do that. Meanwhile, there is this very charming pilot who flies Julie to the mansion and takes an obvious interest in her. He is not what she is looking for in a husband, but, oh, how the sparks fly.
The sparks almost ignite a blaze during a passionate bedroom scene until, well, you might say there is doggus interruptus.
Whitaker will sign books from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, during the Dog Days ArtWalk downtown at Texas Star Trading Company.
Well, here are three to consider:
Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo (St. Martin’s, $24.95 hardcover) is more than fast-paced enough for men or women readers.
Although Castillo is known as a romantic mystery writer, there isn’t a lot of romance in this one, but there is plenty of suspense.
The principal character is Kate Burkholder, police chief in a small town with a dominant Amish influence. Kate herself was Amish before she strayed from the fold after the violent assault that has remained a family secret all these years.
Now that assault figures prominently in a series of murders that rocks Burkholder’s small town, threatens to reveal her family’s secret, and puts her life in danger.
Unidentified Texas Objects: Tales from the Weird, Wild West is Carol Walt’s latest book (AuthorHouse, $16, softcover).
The novel is a collection of short stories and a novella set in the fictional town of Brangus, Texas, which has certain similarities to the West Texas town of Cross Plains.
“The stories are meant to be amusing, perhaps thought provoking, and some of them have a little surprise for the reader,” she writes.
This is Walt’s fifth novel, and if you read one of her books you will probably go back for more. She is that good.
Carol is autographing books Thursday night (July 9) from 6-7:30 at Texas Star Trading Company. E-mail Texas Star at info.texasstar@yahoo.com if you would like a signed copy.
Unidentified Texas Objects begins with a story set at an Abilene Air Force base (called Dugeness instead of Dyess). Tillie, from Brangus, has an appointment with a general to tell him about these weird sightings she has witnessed.
He seems to take her seriously, and in fact he takes her more seriously than she is led to believe. Meanwhile, all evidence of her visit to the base is obliterated.
“Buck and Sissy” is a tale of two lovers who turn out to be – well, let’s not spoil the story.
Walt even features herself as the main character in one story, “Stranger Than Fiction,” that involves investigators from the Department of Public Safety and the federal Homeland Security office.
Dog Nanny by Ann Whitaker (Wild Rose Press, $14.99 softcover) is the first novel by a Waco (formerly Abilene) author and teacher.
Whitaker combines her love of dogs, romance and mystery to weave a tale revolving around Julie Shields, a vet tech at an Abilene veterinary clinic who is called to Waco to help save a marriage.
Huh? Well, the wife in the marriage is so attached to her poodles that she gives them the total run of her mansion, including the bedroom. Her macho husband gives her an ultimatum: get the dogs under control or he will leave her.
Julie is called in to train the dogs, but the wife places unreasonable restrictions on how she can do that. Meanwhile, there is this very charming pilot who flies Julie to the mansion and takes an obvious interest in her. He is not what she is looking for in a husband, but, oh, how the sparks fly.
The sparks almost ignite a blaze during a passionate bedroom scene until, well, you might say there is doggus interruptus.
Whitaker will sign books from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, during the Dog Days ArtWalk downtown at Texas Star Trading Company.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Beautiful New Texas Cookbook
I got a sneak peek and an advance copy of a sensational new Texas cookbook by noted Fort Worth chef Jon Bonnell. The book is Fine Texas Cuisine and it's due out in August from Gibbs Smith Publishing for $30.
It's a gorgeous full-color book with enticing recpies for such things as:
-- Rack of Blackbuck Antelope with Wild Mushroom and Dijon Mustard Sauce.
-- Rocky Mountain Elk Tacos
-- Texas Ostrich Fan Fillet with Sherry-Laced Mushrooms
-- Pheasant Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Herbs in Phyllo
You know, the kind of meals you whip out when you get home from work. Just the other night we were debating whether to have Duck Meatballs Marinara, Quail Raviolis, or Seared Duck Breast with Wild Mushroom and Cabernet Demiglace. Maybe with a side order of Jalapeno Parmesan Creamed Spinach or an appetizer of Buffalo-Style Frog Legs with Gorgonzola Dippping Sauce, followed by Dublin Dr Pepper Float with Cinnamon Buneulo Cookies for dessert. Or perhaps Blueberry and Peach Beggar's Purse with Orange and Ginger Sauce.
The cookbook cover has a mouth-watering photo of Grass-Fed Texas Rib-Eye with Three-Pepper Compound Butter. And it only gets better!
If you would like to invite me over for Wild Boar Chops with Peach Barbeque Sauce, just say when.
It's a gorgeous full-color book with enticing recpies for such things as:
-- Rack of Blackbuck Antelope with Wild Mushroom and Dijon Mustard Sauce.
-- Rocky Mountain Elk Tacos
-- Texas Ostrich Fan Fillet with Sherry-Laced Mushrooms
-- Pheasant Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Herbs in Phyllo
You know, the kind of meals you whip out when you get home from work. Just the other night we were debating whether to have Duck Meatballs Marinara, Quail Raviolis, or Seared Duck Breast with Wild Mushroom and Cabernet Demiglace. Maybe with a side order of Jalapeno Parmesan Creamed Spinach or an appetizer of Buffalo-Style Frog Legs with Gorgonzola Dippping Sauce, followed by Dublin Dr Pepper Float with Cinnamon Buneulo Cookies for dessert. Or perhaps Blueberry and Peach Beggar's Purse with Orange and Ginger Sauce.
The cookbook cover has a mouth-watering photo of Grass-Fed Texas Rib-Eye with Three-Pepper Compound Butter. And it only gets better!
If you would like to invite me over for Wild Boar Chops with Peach Barbeque Sauce, just say when.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Best Fried Chicken
We were in Dallas last weekend and decided to eat at a fried chicken place recommended by Texas Monthly -- Bubba's. It's in Highland Park. on Hillcrest between Lover's Lane and Mockingbird.
Carol and I each ordered the two-piece dinner (leg and breast). She had mashed potatoes and green beans; I had mashed potatoes and okra & tomatoes. It was a good dinner, but we both came to the same conclusion: it wasn't anywhere close to the best fried chicken we had eaten.
The best would have to be Ellen Webb's, which is featured in her cookbook, You'll Be Going Back for Seconds. Ellen is my mother-in-law, so I'm sure I am biased, but I'll put her chicken up against anyone's. I also included a chapter about Ellen's fried chicken in my book, A Small Town in Texas.
A close second would be the The Judge's fried chicken served at Perini's Steakhouse as part of its Sunday-only buffet. Tom Perini is also a cookbook author. His book, Texas Cowboy Cooking, is on my list of 10 Great Books for Your Texas Library and has been the best-selling book, of any genre, at Texas Star Trading Company all five years that we have been open.
Ellen's and Tom's chicken is not over-battered like so much commercial fried chicken you find these days. And Ellen and Tom both cut up their chicken so that there is a pulley bone. or wishbone, which is becoming a lost art, I'm afraid.
Back to Bubba's. We filled up on just one piece (the breast) and the veggies and the excellent yeast rolls, so we took our leftover pieces back and put them in the fridge in our hotel room. I'm pleased to report that Bubba's passes one important test of good fried chicken: it is as good, if not better, cold as hot.
By the way, you can get autographed copies of Ellen's and Tom's cookbooks, as well as A Small Town in Texas, from www.TexasStarTrading.com.
Carol and I each ordered the two-piece dinner (leg and breast). She had mashed potatoes and green beans; I had mashed potatoes and okra & tomatoes. It was a good dinner, but we both came to the same conclusion: it wasn't anywhere close to the best fried chicken we had eaten.
The best would have to be Ellen Webb's, which is featured in her cookbook, You'll Be Going Back for Seconds. Ellen is my mother-in-law, so I'm sure I am biased, but I'll put her chicken up against anyone's. I also included a chapter about Ellen's fried chicken in my book, A Small Town in Texas.
A close second would be the The Judge's fried chicken served at Perini's Steakhouse as part of its Sunday-only buffet. Tom Perini is also a cookbook author. His book, Texas Cowboy Cooking, is on my list of 10 Great Books for Your Texas Library and has been the best-selling book, of any genre, at Texas Star Trading Company all five years that we have been open.
Ellen's and Tom's chicken is not over-battered like so much commercial fried chicken you find these days. And Ellen and Tom both cut up their chicken so that there is a pulley bone. or wishbone, which is becoming a lost art, I'm afraid.
Back to Bubba's. We filled up on just one piece (the breast) and the veggies and the excellent yeast rolls, so we took our leftover pieces back and put them in the fridge in our hotel room. I'm pleased to report that Bubba's passes one important test of good fried chicken: it is as good, if not better, cold as hot.
By the way, you can get autographed copies of Ellen's and Tom's cookbooks, as well as A Small Town in Texas, from www.TexasStarTrading.com.
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