IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award GOLD Winner in Humor Crowded in the Middle of Nowhere: Tales of Humor and Healing from Rural America is a collection of humorous and poignant stories from a veterinarian in a small, dusty farming and ranching community in rural West Texas. Dr. Brock gives you an intimate look into his small-town and big-hearted perspective on life, animals, and their owners. His unique perspective and tales of doctoring beloved pets, cantankerous livestock, and occasionally their owners will make you smile, laugh, cry, and evoke every other emotion under the sun.

Crowded the Crowds By: Helen June White AKA Jasmine Inkwell Crowded the Crowds is a real-life horror story, one that Helen June White AKA Jasmine Inkwell has had to live for the last nine years of her life, as told in the first book, The Crowds, a book of encouragement, one that will inspire you to always reach for the stars, never giving up no matter the opposition, the wall that’s in front of you, and if you find that you’re just too weak from the battle, from crying all night long and you just can’t make it over that brick wall, find a way around it, even if you have to blow it up. Sometimes it’s hard to fight to breathe, but we must never give up. We are all fighting dragons and monsters, but with our faith, our God is bigger than any dragon, any monster, and any Goliath. Just hold and keep the faith.

What do you do when you have a goat in your kitchen in the middle of the night? Why should you never put a pig in your mouth? With humor and heart, seasoned Texas veterinarian Bo Brock answers these questions and many more in his lighthearted collection of autobiographical essays, "crowded in the middle of nowhere." Drawing from decades of work with every imaginable animal, as well as from his time off with his friends and family, Brock admits that this book is void of literary terms such as rising action or plot, but after reading this book, you feel like you know the characters well enough to sit down and have a cup coffee with them. Together, these quick, grin-worthy writings promise a smile a day for months to come. Whether learning to rope a sick calf or learning the ropes at a fancy French restaurant, each essay goes down easy, while also reminding us all how great common life can be. From the wisdom of elders to the mouths of babes, "crowded in the middle of nowhere" shares stolen moments from family and community that are frequently funny and contagiously happy. Anyone looking for plenty of reasons to smile at everyday life will enjoy every moment of this crowd-pleasing, easy-reading collection.

Whether he's escaping the personal vendetta of a bull named Killer (I was a matador without a cape), entangled with a rabid cow, chasing a stallion (well, not quite, anymore...) through downtown Bangor, performing heart surgery in an arena, or having a close encounter?while airborne?with a B-52 bomber, this vet regards it all as part of a (long) working day.

Blindsided by two teenage boys occupying a monstrous Dodge Ram while they were fantasizing about their intentions to commit a homicidal blunt force tragedy, this information, in addition to my learning of the instrumental betrayals by multitudes of their mentors, which was a plethora of principals, educators, proclaimed community leaders, their associates, parents and friends of friends, reminded me sternly of the psalmist's words inspired by the Holy Spirit: "Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings who cannot save." Accountable to God, religiously donning my fitness attire, I am continually reminding myself that my health and well-being are disciplines that the Holy Spirit dwells within this temple and that I was subject to God's authority and must maintain this temple for his presence, a temple acceptable and inhabitable by the Holy Spirit. I was eager to ensue upon the beautiful evening jaunt. I was aware that the battlefield continually looms with darkness, but what I also knew for certain on that particular evening was that I was a child of God and I was going to live my life-long desires to share and promote God's love. What I didn't know was that my continual attempts to preserve this temple he resides in was becoming savagely under attack by the evil one. This spiritual attack, turned physical, was in a boldly mounting progression for years. The evil one worked through the hearts, minds, and spirits of these two teenage boys in addition to those they were emulating day after day, their multitude of mentors, their earthly rulers who made decisions and judgments erringly and unjustly, all critically immorally coexisting still.

Using Humor to Maximize Living affirms, sustains, and encourages people in the practice of humor, not only as a personal tool to optimize a healthy life style, but also to maximize the benefits of humor in everyday life. Check out the research that includes a review on the use...

John and Laura Leita delve in to the oddities that make Long Island unique and it may be more odd than you thought possible! Long Island's history is well known, but often overlooked are the island's unique and bizarre stories and treasures--the most interesting locations and darkest legends. From hidden haunts and legends like the Indian Princess of Lake Ronkonkoma to well-known events like the Amityville Horror House murders, this collection chronicles the tales of restless spirits, unrequited loves and otherworldly visits that riddle the island. There is much to be seen along the roadside, too, including the beloved Big Duck, the Riverhead Indian and even the grave site of Nixon's dog, Checkers. Through history, pictures and the personal experiences of a ten-year endeavor, authors John and Laura Leita brings to life Long Island's abandoned structures, including psychiatric hospitals and other ruins waiting to be rediscovered. Join the Leitas as they go in search of the delightfully quirky side of Long Island.