Book Review- "Starvation Heights" by Gregg Olsen

"Starvation Heights" by Gregg Olsen is a fascinating piece of history from the tiny town of Olalla, Washington  which is across the Puget Sound from Seattle.

Doctor Linda Burfield Hazzard created the Wilderness Heights Sanitarium in Olalla in the early 1900s. Doctor Hazzard believed that extreme fasting was the cure to most if not all ailments. 

After Dr. Hazzard's fasting treatment led to the death of one her patients, she was charged with murder. Starvation Heights is a well-written and well-researched account of  what was a nearly forgotten piece of Washington State history.

Book Review- "Eve" by Anna Carey

"Eve"  by Anna Carey is another dystopian teen romance  similar to The Hunger Games novels.


The first Eve novel takes place several years after a terrible plague has wiped out most of humanity. The title character is an orphan in an all girls school who believes that she and her classmates are being prepared to help re-build civilization.

Just before graduation, Eve learns the truth. Instead of going to the new "City of Sand" Eve and the other girls are going to be used as forced breeders apparently for the rest of their lives.

After escaping the school, Eve finds out that the new King had chosen her to bear his children. In the untamed wilderness outside of the school, Eve becomes friends with Caleb a boy living in a type of tribe with other boys his age.

A romance with Caleb soon develops, but as with all love there are complications.

I really enjoyed the first book of the Eve trilogy. The story is exciting. and there are plenty of good heroes and nasty villains.

Short Story- "Sand Trap"

Bill was working outside his cabin when the object came down about 50 feet away. Bill walked over to investigate. Whatever it was landed with such force that it left a small crater.

Bill looked at the bottom of the hole. An object about the size of a softball lay at the bottom. Bill reached down and picked it up. The object was metallic and looked manufactured. Possibly from an airplane or a satellite he thought.

Bill left the thing on his porch and went to bed. Sometime during the night he was awakened by an extremely bright light. Bill put on some clothes ad walked outside. An immense craft of some kind hovered over his cabin.

As he was watching, a creature descended from the craft and walked up to him. The creature was somewhat humanoid in appearance but was dressed in a wild assortment of colors. Somehow the creature began to communicate to him.

The creature pointed at himself and said something that must have been a name. Bill pointed at himself and said his name. For some reason Bill was not at all afraid. Maybe it was shock taking over he thought.

The creature began talking about a game. The rules of the game   made no sense at all until the alien pointed to the ground and said "sand trap". Bill began to understand. The creature was playing a cosmic version of golf and Earth was some kind of obstacle.

Bill retrieved the object that had fallen earlier and gave it to the alien. The creature bowed and smacked the ball with some type of high-tech club. The ball sailed into the sky and presumably out of the atmosphere.

Before leaving, the alien handed Bill something and then ascended to his ship. The next morning, Bill decided the whole incident must have been a wild dream until he noticed the hundred dollar bill still in his hand.

Book Review- "Comes The Hunter" by George W. Proctor

Sometime after the Civil War, Clay Thorton is a rancher in South Texas.When Clay's wife and children are slaughtered by a renegade Indian, he goes on a two year quest to find and kill the Indian.

Unfortunately, Clay never even gets close to the renegade and realizes that his thirst for vengeance has been a futile waste of time and a betrayal of the dreams he and his wife had for their ranch.

"Comes The Hunter" is not only a trip back to the frontier, but also a fascinating examination of the prominent, Native American, Mexican, and White settlers culture of the time. Mr. Proctor also gives a detailed description of the unique geology and landscape of Texas and surrounding regions.

Comes The Hunter is a better than average Western that fans of the genre will very much enjoy.

Love's Endless Ecstasy

Julia was in love.The object of her affection was
"Ted" the local mail man. Ted was so handsome in his post office uniform that Julia often waited by her mail box just so she could talk to him when he delivered her mail.

Julia had a feeling that Ted liked her too. Sometimes, he even asked to use her bathroom. Like most men, Ted made a horrific mess, but Julia didn't mind.

One day, Ted ran over her flower bed with his cute little mail truck. Julia was sure it was because he was looking at her instead of the road.

One day, Ted asked Julia out for a date. Julia spent hours getting ready and bounced up when Ted honked from outside. After Ted finished delivering the mail. They went to a terrific biker bar a few miles out of town.

After a delicious dinner of buffalo wings and beer. Ted took Julia to a local scenic area. Kissing Ted was everything Julia dreamed of even though he smelled a little like onions and she had to recline on a mail bag.

After several months, Julia found out she was expecting. Ted was so happy when he heard that he offered to pay for a DNA test.

When the baby was born, Ted announced that he was transferring to the east coast and would send for her when he could. Julia could hardly wait. She knew that they were going to have a long, happy life together.

Book Review- "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens

First published in 1843, "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens is one of the great works in the history of literature. A Christmas Carol has been made into theatrical plays, musicals, and numerous films.

 The characters of A Christmas Carol have become embedded into our culture. Everyone knows what a "Scrooge" is. In addition to Mr. Scrooge, there are plenty of other unforgettable people in the book, including, deceased Jacob Marley who spends eternity lamenting his life on earth, Mr. Fezziwig ( love that name) who throws a great Christmas party, Bob Cratchit, and of course Tiny Tim.

A Christmas Carol is easily read in a day and is a good reminder that Christmas and life is about helping others and not spending all of our moments accumulating stuff.

               "God Bless Us, Every One"- Tiny Tim