I hope the poems in this book bring smile, a thought, or an understanding about life in more ways than one. My third book will be a novel and is already in the making and, hopefully, will be out sometime in 2018. The title is complete but will not be revealed until a later time. If you like reading trilogies, I truly hope you enjoy reading this book of poems. My wife, Orelia (Cookie), is, and will always be, my inspiration. And I know that she will be forever grateful for many of the poems included in this book. I also hope you will enjoy reading this book of poems.
This is a story based on the life of a very humble family that had their roots set in Mexico in the midforties before heading north and setting foot in America. The family grew in a matter of years. Texas became their home. Raising six boys and one girl brought along many pranks and so many hardships. Lack of education, low wages, and a large family took a toll on the head of the family. But there was always the laughter and optimism of a better tomorrow that kept the family together. Believing in Jesus Christ and having a strong faith helped the family take one day at a time. And then came the Vietnam War. In time, marriages, prosperity, and new families gave new life to the grandparents who finally had it all, in that little town called New Deal.
Would you want to go back in time? If your answer is yes, what would you give to go back in time and be able to re-live something from history’s past or re-live something from “your” own past. Have you ever asked yourself the question, “Could there a hidden portal somewhere on this earth where one can enter it in order to take a trip into a forgotten place and time? And, if you do find that hidden portal, would you be brave enough to enter it, not knowing if you will be able to return? Would you be brave enough to see where it takes you? Would you be able to find it back in order to get back to the present? What if it is not there anymore? What if you only had a certain amount of time to get back? What would happen if you missed that window of opportunity? What then? And, what if you decided to stay and not go back to the present? Could you do it?” Cotton accidentally stumbles into a portal during a freak lightning strike close to the North Fork Double Mountain Brazos River. The year is 1965. When Cotton wakes up, he finds himself in the year 1865, right at the end of the Civil War. Stonewall’s wolf, Thunder, is with him. He has gone through the portal right behind Cotton. Cotton realizes that he is about to be shot by a Union soldier. Cotton and Thunder are not in Texas anymore. They are in Louisiana, just east of the Sabine River. Cotton and Thunder must now figure out how to get back to Texas before his mom misses him. In their efforts to get back home, Cotton slowly begins meeting some very important people that will end up being a part of his past. Follow the dangers and miscalculations Cotton must now face. What dangers will Cotton and Thunder, along with his friends, will now have to face in order to survive the wilderness that existed at the end of the Civil War when there were no trail or very few trails to follow in order to get from location to another. Will Cotton and Thunder be able to get back to Texas? Will they be able find the portal in time to get back to the present? Will they stay in 1865? Who will the strangers be and how will they be able to help Cotton? Who will end up saving who? Will Cotton and his new friends stay together and make their way back to the Brazos?
What is it that makes a person dream and come up with some of the wildest stories one can dare tell to a husband, wife, friend, or stranger? First of all, are they funny stories or scary stories? Are they stories anyone would dare to believe? Are they stories that ordinary people would really like to hear about or read about? And what in the world created such funny or unbelievable stories? Was it stress, or was it insomnia? Or are we just natural dreamers? My stories probably come to me from having too much time in my hands and thinking too much. The following stories probably came to me as dreams when I was doing a lot of daydreaming back in the seventies. At the time, I was pulling my weight while working at White’s Auto Store warehouse in the small town of Shallowater, Texas. I was a certified forklift driver pulling orders, license, and all. I worked in what was called Area 8. I pulled the big boxed toys, bicycles, and lawn mowers. I also pulled the fertilizer bag orders. Working inside a warehouse had many disadvantages. There was always dust all over the place. The warehouse was always hot in summer and pretty cold in winter. Many times when it was slow, I would let my mind just wander off into oblivion. That’s when my stories were born and began to take shape. Characters and names of characters would pop into my mind out of nowhere.
Hilaire Belloc was a poet, polemicist, and prose stylist without peer, but above all, an entire generation's mighty champion for the Catholic faith. He was a prolific historian who authored many important works such as How the Reformation Happened, Europe and the Faith, and The Crusades. The Essential Belloc, a timely new compilation of his insights on religion, politics, Western history and culture, is perfect for Catholics struggling against secularism. Included are his lighter musings on the particular charms of towns and peoples throughout the world, the love of good food and drink, and the songs of camaraderie that go with them. This is the perfect book for those who know and love Belloc and for those not yet familiar with the brilliance and humor found in his prose. "His range of brilliance as a writer have been matched by very few moderns. The Essential Belloc is an invaluable resource and hugely enjoyable reading. " - Charles J Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Denver "Belloc believed that party and state are not all powerful, that the Church and Family have a primary place... We need him now more than ever." - Senator Rick Santorum, author of It Takes A Family "History, politics, sailing, religion, taverns, economics - his pen, like his sardonic wit and melancholy wisdom, never fails." - David Whalen, Associate Provost, Hillsdale College "An affectionate and appreciative study of Hilaire Belloc, that splendid writer, modern prophet, and morally courageous defender of the Faith." - Patrick J Buchanan
The Complete Works of George MacDonald: Novels, Short Stories, Poetry, Theological Writings & Essays (Illustrated) is a masterful collection showcasing the diverse talents of the renowned author. MacDonald's literary style is marked by profound spiritual insights, moral depth, and vivid imagery that captivate readers across generations. This comprehensive volume includes a wide range of genres, from fantasy novels like 'Phantastes' to thought-provoking theological essays, all enriched with MacDonald's distinctive blend of imagination and wisdom. His works, encompassing themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the power of love, continue to resonate with readers today. George MacDonald's influence on authors like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien is evident in the timeless quality of his writing. His profound understanding of human nature and spirituality is reflected in the depth of his narratives, making this collection a must-read for those seeking literature that both entertains and enlightens.
