Downhill Turtles

These ninety-nine brief stories, reflections, and vignettes relate to varied experiences and interests. Originally written as weekly posts to Facebook, they deal with agrarian life and poverty in the early 1900s, baby boomers' upbringing and family life in small-town Northeast Texas, and pastoral and hospice ministry in the 1980s and 1990s. Many posts retain their devotional, inspirational character; and stories of rural pastoral care and hospice work may be helpful to others who have experienced loss and grief, as well as to pastors, social workers, and healthcare professionals. As posted to Facebook, these episodes were written as if to be read aloud among friends; a reader may find it hard to resist doing just that.