"Enjoyable anecdotes about ranch life, fishing and hunting, and the nostalgia of growing up during the 1940s and 1950s. . . . Charlena Chandler has produced an enjoyable book that takes us back to the fondly remembered mid-century in small-town West Texas." Southwestern Historical Quarterly Charlena Chandler s work is about the dreams and hard work of her grandfather, Charles Chandler, the vision and tenacity of her father, Joe Chandler, and the ebb and flow of life along Independence Creek. . . . You might not know the characters in the book, but if you have ties to West Texas, you ve known...

"Always a delight." "Charming and witty." "This column is always my favorite. Wish it appeared more often." Charlena Chandler has received positive feedback since her first opinion column appeared almost 20 years ago. Her topics range far and wide. Ranch life provides a background for subjects such as growing up on the Pecos River, of eating goat meat in Peru, of hanging clothes on the line to dry, and of remembering her grandmother's macaroni and cheese. Reading and writing, two favorite activities, offer a look into rejection letters, shaking hands with Walter Cronkite, and winning the...