When is a kidnap not a kidnap or a train robbery not a train robbery? How does one prove paternity when conception occurred sixty years earlier on an Indian reservation with limited written records? How nearly can the human mind produce total recall if carefully questioned? How does one dispose of unwanted ill-gotten gains and remain under the radar of the IRS? Dr. Thomas McDuff has to untangle each of these puzzles. A retired physician and widowed he is the Certified Grouch of this series. Since his wife passed away he doesn't really care about anything very much. He actively dislikes other...

Adobe days in the 30's, Navy days in the 40's, medical days of the 40's to 90's, writing days in the 2000's and a summation make up this offering. Adam Dumphy has sorted through these times and brought out what he feels is the spirit of his past in these little stories. Experiences unknown to others, especially those members of the present generation, seem important now and worth remembering and broadcasting. They represent the Sturm and Drang that complete the cycle of one man's life.

"Fact is stranger than fiction" is a common American maxim. It ought to be true as it has been repeated innumerable times for at least six generations. As with so many things written down, Adam Dumphy does not agree. He feels that if this is true writers of fiction should be ashamed. They are not doing their job. Adam much prefers Mark Twain's "First get the facts then you can scramble them any way you like." Mark was probably talking about politics but it could be applied to writers also. Best of all Adam prefers a scramble of fact by fiction. That is what he does. And after thirty years of...