In this stunning debut story collection, everyone's got the blues but nobody is willing to sing it. Evelyn Smith, Candace Lambert, and Dorene Wahrmund chafe against rigid small-town expectations. Others in hardscrabble Nopalito find themselves fenced in--an aging gay liquor store owner estranged among his neighbors, a mother and son bound by mutual resentment, two neighboring farm boys attracted to each other. Their stories are driven by desperation, rarely spoken, that troubles the community's inhabitants as it nudges them toward connection, toward moments of hope. Meischen draws these characters with a tenderness that belies the hardness of their lives.

A Southwest Book of the Year * 2005 Southwest Book Award "[A] monumental study." --Review of Texas Books "A reliable and handy general reference for those with an interest in cacti inside and outside this region. Recommended." --Choice "These authors have . . . provided the world with the much needed scientific clarification on this family of succulent plants that humans have loved and hated for thousands of years." --Sida "Information: Wow! . . . For both lay readers and for researchers looking for lots of data about the cacti of this rich flora, this book offers fascinating details presented in a very readable fashion." --Cactus and Succulents Journal "This will be the standard reference for decades to come."--Southwest Books of the Year Of the 132 species and varieties of cacti in Texas, about 104 of them occur in the fifteen counties of the Trans-Pecos region. This volume includes full descriptions of those many genera, species, and varieties of cacti, with sixty-four maps showing the distribution of each species in the region. The descriptions follow the latest findings of cactus researchers worldwide and include scientific names; common names; identifying characters based on vegetative habit, flowers, fruit, and seeds; identification of flowerless specimens; and phenology and biosystematics. The introduction--full of details about the biology and morphology of the family Cactaceae, the uses of cacti, and the horticulture and conservation of cacti--is an important reference for general readers. More than three hundred beautiful full-color photographs of the cacti in flower and in fruit, all cross-referenced to their description in the text, highlight the book. A glossary of cactus terms, an exhaustive list of literature, and a thorough index complete the book.

Enchiladas: Aztec to Tex-Mex is an in-depth exploration of one of Mexico’s most historic and popular foods. Illustrated with sumptuous photography, the book showcases more than sixty traditional and contemporary recipes for enchiladas, as well as recipes for the salsas, salads, and sides that accompany them. The enchilada is more than an everyday Mexican food. It is the history of a people--rolled, folded, and flat--that embodies thousands of years of Mexican life. The evolving ingredients in enchiladas from pre-Columbian to modern times reveal the internal and external forces that have shaped the cuisine and culture of a nation. In this definitive cookbook, you’ll explore every aspect of this iconic food, as well as gain insights into many popular Mexican ingredients, including herbs, spices, cheeses, and chiles. You’ll learn the basic techniques for making many staples of the Mexican cocina, such as homemade tortillas, queso fresco, crema Mexicana, and chorizo. With Enchiladas: Aztec to Tex-Mex, you can prepare enchiladas in the traditional Mexican way--with loving hands. With this book, you'll learn to make corn tortillas from scratch, including colorful flavor-infused versions; fire roast fresh chiles and prepare dried chiles for enchilada sauces and moles; dry roast tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chiles using a traditional comal (griddle); make your own homemade queso fresco, crema Mexicana, and chorizo; prepare tender pot beans and savory refried beans Cook perfect Mexican rice--six ways; prepare chicken, pork, beef, seafood, and vegetables for fillings. Enchiladas: Aztec to Tex-Mex is also packed with information about many other key ingredients of Mexican cuisine, including avocados, tomatoes, tomatillos, and nopales (cactus). A section on Mexican cheeses describes their flavors, textures, melting properties, and possible substitutes. Fresh and dried chiles used in enchilada cookery are presented, along with a description of their flavor profiles, heat levels, and specific uses. Experience the history of Mexico through its most delicious ambassador, the enchilada!

“Reflects the great ethnic diversity of the contemporary Texas table, offering everything from Sauerbraten . . . to Crawfish Etouffee.” —The Austin Chronicle Whether you’re hungry for down-home barbecue and Tex-Mex, or you want to try more exotic dishes such as Paella Valenciana and Thai Pesto, Texas Highways has long been a trusted source for delicious recipes that reflect wide-ranging Lone Star tastes. The state’s official travel magazine published its first Texas Highways Cookbook in 1986. Responding to the public’s demand for a new collection of the magazine’s recipes, the editors compiled Cooking with Texas Highways, a collection of more than 250 recipes that are as richly diverse and flavorful as Texas itself. Cooking with Texas Highways samples all the major ethnic cuisines of the state with recipes from home cooks, well-known chefs, and popular restaurants. It offers a varied and intriguing selection of snacks and beverages, breads, soups and salads, main dishes, vegetables and sides, sauces and spreads, desserts, and more. A special feature of this cookbook is a chapter on Dutch-oven cooking, which covers all the basics for cooking outdoors with live coals, including seventeen mouthwatering recipes. In addition, you’ll find dozens of the lovely color photographs that have long made Texas Highways such a feast for the eyes, along with tips on cooking techniques and sources for ingredients and stories about some of the folks who created the recipes. If you want to sample all the tastes of Texas, there’s no better place to start than Cooking with Texas Highways. “Texas culture in all its multi-ethnic variety is well represented.” —Texas Cooking

The 'WILD WEST Boxed Set: 150+ Western Classics in One Volume' is an expansive anthology that brings together a diverse array of literature encapsulating the essence and mythos of the American West. This collection spans a broad range of literary styles, from the gritty realism of frontier life to romanticized tales of adventure and conflict, offering readers an unparalleled exploration of the genre. Within its pages, iconic narratives coalesce with lesser-known gems, providing a rich tapestry of the cultural, moral, and existential themes that have shaped the American identity. The inclusion of seminal works by this esteemed cohort highlights the anthology's significance as an encompassing repository of Western literary tradition. The contributing authors and editors of this anthology are titans of American literature and art, each bringing their unique perspective and voice to the theme of the Western frontier. From Twain's keen wit to London's raw depiction of nature and human endurance, the collection is a cross-section of American literary greatness. These authors collectively represent a wide array of historical, cultural, and literary movements, from the romanticism of the early 19th century to the realism and naturalism that followed. Their contributions illuminate the complexities of frontier life, reflecting both the brutality and the beauty of the Wild West, thereby enriching readers understanding of this pivotal era in American history. This anthology is a must-read for anyone with an interest in American literature, history, or culture. It offers readers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the variegated narratives that have shaped the mythos of the American West. Through its comprehensive scope and the multitude of voices it encompasses, the collection succeeds in fostering a dialogue between different epochs, perspectives, and literary styles. For scholars, enthusiasts, and casual readers alike, this boxed set is an invaluable resource for understanding the evolution of Western literature and its enduring influence on the American imagination.

This carefully edited collection has been designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Contents: Introduction The Last American Frontier – History of the 'Far West', of the Pioneers & Trailblazers Story of the Cowboy Story of the Outlaw Novels & Stories Riders of the Purple Sage Saga (Zane Grey) Ohio River Trilogy Dan Barry Series (Max Brand) The Virginian (Owen Wister) Lin McLean Leatherstocking Series (James F. Cooper) Flying U Series (B. M. Bower) Cabin Fever Rimrock Trail (J. Allan Dunn) Bucky O'Connor (William M. Raine) Breckinridge Elkins Series (Robert E. Howard) In a Hollow of the Hills (Bret Harte) Wolf Hunters (James Oliver Curwood) Gold Hunters Last of the Plainsmen Border Legion Smoke Bellew Country Beyond Lone Star Ranger Ronicky Doone Trilogy Riders of the Silences Three Partners Man of the Forest Lure of the Dim Trails Tennessee's Partner Covered Wagon (Emerson Hough) Luck of Roaring Camp Rustlers of Pecos County Pike Bearfield Series Hopalong Cassidy (Clarence E. Mulford) O Pioneers! (Willa Cather) My Ántonia Roughing It (Mark Twain) Outcasts of Poker Flat Call of the Wild (Jack London) Heart of the West (O. Henry) White Fang Log of a Cowboy (Andy Adams) Two-Gun Man (Charles Alden Seltzer) Short Cut (Jackson Gregory) Astoria (Washington Irving) Ungava (R.M. Ballantyne) Valley of Silent Men Black Jack Bull Hunter "Drag" Harlan (Charles Alden Seltzer) Wyoming: A Story of the Outdoor West Sheriff's Son Whispering Smith (Frank H. Spearman) A Texas Cow Boy (Charles Siringo) Boss of the Lazy Y Trail Horde Rider of Golden Bar (William P. White) Buck Peters, Ranchman Tangled Trail Golden Dream (Ballantyne) Gun-Brand (James B. Hendryx) Blue Hotel (Stephen Crane) Long Shadow Girl from Montana (Grace Livingston Hill) Hidden Children (Robert W. Chambers) Where the Trail Divides Iron Trail (Rex Beach) Desert Trail (Dane Coolidge)...