A picturesque glimpse into the real-life adventures my sister, Ruth, and I shared while growing up in rural Iowa during the 1940s, A KID'S LIFE is about my childhood. Living on the farm was exciting. You will learn why Gussie Goose followed me around while terrorizing Ruth, and how Ruth saved me from being trampled by our mother sow protecting her piglets. You can hunt crayfish with me and tip-toe past a sleeping bull snake. I'll tell you how we built and stocked our playhouse with "food" and dishes and I sun-baked a real marble cake. I'll share the story about the time I got lost in a...

Conquistador General Don Diego de Vargas led hundreds of Spanish pioneers to resettle New Mexico after the 1680 Indian Revolt. This little-known colonial period brought peace and prosperity to settlers and Native Americans in what later became northern New Mexico and parts of surrounding states. Spanish Royalty awarded many faithful soldiers and settlers with grants of land to establish farms, ranches, and ultimately to populate villas that became cities such as Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos.

U.S. Navy Master Chief of 30 years, Elmer Eugene Maestas set sail on a serious study of...

During the Vietnam War John J. Candelaria served as Executive Officer of the 45th Surgical Hospital. The poems and photographs in this collection reflect the anguish resulting from soldiers wounded and killed in the line of duty. John's tribute poems to the 45th Surgical Hospital are expressions that embrace in words the courage, duty, and valor of those who served with distinction at the 45th MASH.