Reading Recommendations: Made from Scratch, Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life, Jenna Woginrich "Point is, it feels good to get dirty, work hard, and slow down."

In a world of mass produced food, factory stitched clothing, 300-channel cable television, and computer-centric desk jobs, its easy to overlook the simple pleasures of eating home grown vegetables, raising animals naturally and humanely, wearing hand sewn clothing, or simply enjoying an evening of unplugged entertainment.

Inspired by her growing admiration for small farmers and her equally strong distaste for out-of-control consumerism, Jenna Woginrich decided to take greater control of her life, what she ate, what she wore, and how she spent her spare time. Learn a few basic skills, she reasoned, and she would be able to produce at least some of the food and resources she used every day.

Goodbye, fast food and Wonder Bread: hello, homesteading. With enthusiasm and joy for the tasks at hand. Woginrich embarked on a journey that has been sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking and always soul satisfying. What an honest satisfaction of doing for oneself, as well as bringing to the reader a deep appreciation for the value of simple skills performed well.

I loved this little book! Plenty of humor to get the reader toward a more self sufficient lifestyle.

And, See No Evil, Speak No Evil, A History of Mob Violence in the Texas Heartland 1869-1904 with a foreword by Elmer Kelton, Ross McSwain "A story well done. Lots of historical detail without bogging down in extra neons material. The writing is easy to read and each of the episodes stands on its own. A good job describing the horrific conditions on the frontier before law enforcement gained a foothold. People living in fear are capable of committing awful acts against their neighbors."

Perry Flippin, Editor Emeritus (retired). San Angelo Standard Times, San Angelo, Texas. Residents of San Saba and surrounding counties will find See No Evil, Speak No Evil a read of much interest.

And, The Gates of The Alamo, A Novel, Stephen Harrigan

The time is 1835. At the center of a canvas crowded with Mexicans and Americans, with Karankawa and Comanche Indians, with settlers of many nationalities, stand three people whose fortunes quickly become our concern: Edmund McGowan, a naturalist of towering courage and intellect, whose life work is threatened by the war against Mexico and whose character is tested by his own dangerous pride; Mary Mott, a widowed inn keeper on the Texas coast, a determined and resourceful woman; and her sixteen year old son, Terrell, whose first shattering experience with love leads him instead to war, and into the crucible of the Alamo.

As Edmund McGowan and Mary Mott take off in pursuit of Terrell and follow him into the fortress, the powerful but wary attraction between them deepens. And the reader is drawn with them into the harrowing days of the battle itself.

Filled with dramatic scenes, abounding with fictional and historical personalities among them James Bowie, David Crockett and William Travis, The Gates of the Alamo enfold us in history, and through its passionate storytelling allows as to participate at last in an American legend.

-From the Texas Bookshelves

I'm trying to select from time to time some of our older books. Our shelves are filled with both older and more current books. I've said it before and I'll say again-We are so blessed with good reading newspapers, magazines and of course, books. And I needn't have to mention electronics. Don't forget the Art Show, Nov. 6th and 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; and of course, Lisa Wingate's coming to us, Nov. 16th, 2 p.m.

See you there!