Book Review- "Run Sheep Run" by Bob and Jan Young

The young adult novel "Run Sheep Run" by Bob and Jan Young was first published in 1959 but still retains a surprising relevance to the present.

Sixteen year old Judy Cannon's life changes drastically when her mother takes ill and Judy is forced to move to an old house on the beach with an uncle she barely knows.

The move away from old friends and habits helps Judy to develop  new interests including: Oceanography, art, and  even business when she helps her Uncle Mort start a bait shop.

 It is a little unusual for a novel written so long ago to encourage young women to pursue interests in science and business.

Christmas Pasts

Like something out of a "Christmas Carol" I have been thinking about past Christmases. The Puget Sound region has an unfortunate habit of raining on Christmas which I always hated when I was growing up in the town of Federal Way, Washington.

Snow usually came later in January. Ours was a middle class family. We were not rich, but I never went without anything growing up and there were always a few toys for Christmas. Around the holidays, I think about those times when the family was all together. Now my parents and most of the older relatives are gone.

There is a feeling of emptiness as I try to recall the memories of those years.

Book Review- "Voyage To Santa Fe" by Janice Holt Giles

For whatever reason, few women write Westerns. Sure there are plenty of women that write romance type books in a Western setting, but almost none write Westerns in the Max Brand mold. Janice Holt Giles is an exception to that unfortunate trend.

"Voyage To Santa Fe" by Ms. Giles is a terrific Western in every sense of the genre.The story takes place in 1823. Young Johnny Fowler along with his bride Judith and twenty or so hired men take a wagon train from Arkansas to the New Mexico territory which at the time was under the control of a newly independent Mexico.

Along the way, there is plenty of action including battles with Indians, wild animals, and among the wagon crew. Judging from Ms. Giles fine writing, more women should give Westerns a try.

Short Story- "The Pet" by Craig Zimmerman

Deena hated job interviews, but they were part of the process of getting employed and she needed money.

Deena's potential employer lived in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. It took Deena hours to find the place as she drove down a dirt road that took her far off the main road.

A magnificent gothic mansion stood at the end of the road. Deena was amazed that someone would build such a structure far out in the wilderness. Deena parked and walked up to a massive wooden door. Ugly gargoyles stared down at her from the roof several stories above. Deena used the old-fashioned knocker and waited. Somehow she expected a butler to answer the door, but it was an ordinary man in in jeans and flannel.

 The man smiled, and held out his hand "I'm Mike Hessler and you must be Deena" Deena shook the man's hand and nodded. "Quite a house you have here" Deena commented. "My Grandfather built it. He wanted it to look like a castle from the old country."Mike said as he ushered her in. The house even more amazing inside. Antiques and old paintings lined the walls. Eventually, Mike led her into an office. Stuffed hunting trophies covered the walls. "Grandfather was quite the hunter as well" he said noticing her stare. "Anyway, enough about the past." Mike said abruptly changing the subject. "I am looking for an office professional that can manage all the paperwork for a modern logging operation."

"I have checked your references, and I am prepared to offer you the job right now." Deena had never expected it to be this easy. "I accept" she said. "When can you move in?" Mike asked "Move in?" Deena said surprised. "Because of the weather, my previous office mangers were often unable to get up here, so the only way this could work is if you lived in the house." Deena wasn't crazy about living in the old, strange house, but there was no other way. "I can move in a few days" she said. "Good, I will show you your room." Mike said.

Deena's room overlooked the forest to the west. It was a beautiful view. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad she thought looking at the silent mountains. A week later she was settled in her room and already performing the day to day tasks of office management. 

One night after work, Deena sat at her window watching the sun set when she heard what sounded like two animals fighting to the death. Eventually, there was silence and Deena was shocked to watch a massive animal emerge from the forest and head towards the house. Deena rushed downstairs and knocked on Mike's bedroom door. A few moments later, Mike answered looking annoyed. "There is some kind of animal outside!" Deena said urgently. "It was probably just a bear." Mike said. Deena wasn't convinced. "No, I have seen bears, this was huge." Deena insisted. "Well, whatever it was, it can't get in the house, so just go back to bed." Mike said as he closed his door.

Deena felt silly as she headed back to her room. Maybe it was just a bear she thought. The next day, Deena went for a walk and in the nearby woods she found the remains of an animal that had been violently killed. Deena realized that this was the loser of last nights battle.  Deena told Mike about what she had found, but he didn't seem terribly concerned about it.



 A few mornings later, at breakfast, Deena was reading the local newspaper when she noticed an article about a missing hiker. The  woman had disappeared not far from the old house. Deena showed Mike the article and all he said was that hikers get lost all the time and the woman would turn up eventually.

Mike's unconcerned attitude made Deena suspicious. She noticed that he spent a great deal of time in the cellar of the old house and one night she followed him down there and after he had gone inside, she listened at the door. Mike was talking to someone, but it was hard to understand the words through the thick door. Suddenly, the door swung open and Mike pulled her inside.

Deena was shocked to see a massive animal inside of a cage that took up most of the room. The beast stood on two legs, was covered by brown hair and must have been seven feet in height. At the bottom of the cage was the bones of several different creatures, including at least one human skull.

Mike pointed to the beast in the cage. "This is William."  Deena laughed at the idea of such a noble sounding name being attached to this monster. The beast growled at her showing inch long fangs. "You probably have a few questions." Mike stated blandly. "I found William in the forest, when he was just a baby and he has been with me ever since."

Deena pointed at the massive animal. "That thing is a killer. You can't just keep him here like a pet dog." "William has a right to live and he needs to hunt to survive." Mike said calmly. "You are insane, and I am calling the police." Deena said as she ran out the cellar door. 

Behind her, she heard something huge pursuing her. Deena ran out the front door and to her car, but by the time she got her key out, William was there. Deena looked into the animal's eyes and saw no pity.

Book Review-" Heart of the Wilderness" by Janette Oke

Janette Oke  is known for her "Love Comes Softly" series of novels, but she has other works including "Heart of the Wilderness." The story begins with young Kendra being orphaned when her parents are killed in an accident. Kendra goes to live with her Grandfather "Papa Mac" who makes his living as a trapper in the Canadian wilderness.

Kendra is also raised by Papa Mac's native friend Nonie. Janette Oke is a fine writer and in the context of the story she skillfully explores weighty themes such as mythology, prejudice, death, and the ways of nature and man. There is also a little romance thrown in.

All of the characters in the novel resemble real people  complete with  weaknesses and strengths. Heart of the Wilderness is well worth reading.

Short Story- The Zoo

Bobby was so excited when the instructor told the class that they were going to the zoo, he couldn't think of anything else.

Bobby had never seen a real live animal before. He had learned that there were once creatures called birds that could actually fly in the air. More than anything, Bobby hoped there were birds at the zoo.

The next day, the school's vehicle took the class to the main city. Bobby had never seen so many different types of independents. Some were doing heavy labor while others worked in offices in some of the tall buildings.

Eventually, they passed through a gate and stopped. The instructor told the class that they must all be very quiet so that they don't scare any of the animals. A curator met them as the class stepped off the vehicle.

"My name is  Michael" said the tall, rugged-looking independent."Once the earth was home to millions of different life-forms, but most are extinct now as a result of human wars and pollution. When the independents took over, we tried to save what was left, but only a few species remain."

The curator led them to the first cage. A  small creature with brown fur looked at them through the bars. The curator pointed to the animal. "This is called a dog. Once wild, they were domesticated and kept as pets by the humans." Bobby felt sorry for the dog. He seemed so sad and alone.

 The next cage contained a brightly colored animal that was perched on a tree branch. "This is a bird" the curator said. "The skies were once filled with birds, now only a few remain" Bobby was hoping the bird would fly, but it remained on the branch.

The next cage was filled with a very old creature that stared at the ground. The curator spoke: "This is a human. Humans dominated the earth for thousands of years, but were quickly rendered obsolete by the first independents." Bobby looked away from the human and hoped there was enough time to go back to the bird.