ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS A PLANET FAR, FAR AWAY... The planet was called Kateraan. All of its inhabitants were cats- incredibly smart, genius cats! Kateraan was a world of vast scientific achievement. Everyone on this planet was a genius at something. Everyon, except for El Gato, so they thought. And the big discovery in the life of the average Kateraanian was that of determining what he/she was brilliant at. To ease each Kateraanian along the path to discovery of his or her brilliance, huge institutions of higher learning had been established. They contained their computer data banks vast storehouses of all the accumulated knowledge of hundreds of years brilliant work by Kateraanian scientists, historians, mathematicians, sociologists, etc. And, these institutions were staffed by a faculty of the most brilliant minds available to the Kateraanian populace, at large. To be a teacher in Kateraan was an honor bestowed only upon the best and the brightest of an already stellar pool of talent. It was the highest position anybody could achieve in society short of being a world leader. There is no such thing as dance music on planet Kateraan. The Kateraanians believe that any kind of music other than drone sounds or classical music is the work of the Devil, because it promotes hatred, violence, discrimination and domination. Thus, at times, life can be a bit boring, hearing the same old drone sounds and/or classical music over and over again. In brief, El Gato's goal is to prove the Kateraanian's that not all music can be healing voice of the universe. El Gato further believes that non-toxic music promotes self-respect, as well as respect for others. Moreover, good music promotes fun, togetherness and a sense of hope when things aren't going well. The bottom line according to El Gato, "Life ain't fun until the music plays."

FieldWorking is a fun and practical guide to research and writing. This acclaimed text incorporates examples by professional writers such as Peter Elbow, Joan Didion, Oliver Sacks, and Jamaica Kincaid, as well as student research projects on communities as diverse a truck stop, sports bar, homeless shelter, and horse sales barn, to help students identify and define their own subcultures and communities. In unique activities and comprehensive instruction, FieldWorking presents an ethnographic approach that empowers students to observe, listen, interpret, analyze, and write about the people and artifacts around them, while learning the essentials of college writing and research. FieldWorking is suitable for courses in English, anthropology, cultural studies, journalism — or in any discipline where research is required.

"I know a lot of people swear by the mysterious healing power of chicken soup. But I think they are mainly Yankees. Here in the South, a mess of butter beans is what we look to for physical and spiritual rejuvenation. They're a sure cure for the blues." Joe Adams is a columnist for the prestigious North Carolina newspaper, The Gaston Gazette. Butter Beans for the Soul is a collection of his hilarious editorials for people with small-town hearts. A sampling of butter bean substitutes for the weary spirit include: RC Cola and Moonpies Singing, even if you stink Touring families of midgets And, especially for fans of Dr. Atkins, the pig-eating diet. Butter Beans for the Soul also clears up some of life's most problematical questions. Wondering how to fast from fast food? Concerned about growing hair like a man? What dogs are best for the deaf? Joe Adams has the answers in one convenient location.

A Fred Will Reader samples the writings of Frederic Will, compiling excerpts of his poetry, travel work, agricultural sociology, short stories and novels, speculative philosophy, and cultural history. Naming the world, Will says, is at least half of world, the half that gives in to us. The other half, the world that reading invents, is supplied by the reader. By reading each other globally, Will argues that we should learn to share ways of reconstructing the often broken totality of the human condition.

A former City of Milwaukee firefighter, the author writes his memoir with candor, depth, spice and emotional insight. He lays out the tumultuous events that led him as a youth into the profession, and the wealth of eye-opening experiences along the way. He plumbs the character of the firefighters and paramedics who answer the call for rescue--but also the character of those who make the call, the rescuer and the rescued. The author keeps the reader close with vivid details of fighting fire and dealing with the anguish of loss and destruction. He pulls no punches; he also describes the promotion process, the politics in stations and in the service as a whole, the struggle of teaching young firefighters, and the heavy price of dedication. The book fully displays the humanity of members of the fire service and the flavor of fire service tradition.

The Anchored Soul is a 30 day devotional, designed to assist in laying a sure foundation for your Christian walk. It is also a great book to read if you are in leadership of any sort, it helps in guiding you through the basic steps of issues new Christians, may have questions about, that are not directly addressed in the Bible. After reading,one should have experienced one or more of the following: challenges, confirmation, conviction,cleansing, corrections, clarity, conversion, and most of all a CLOSER walk with CHRIST. For anyone deciding to read this book they will find it an enjoyable journey, even the most mature Christian will find something in it for them, and I am sure something they want someone else to read, but have always been afraid to tell them.