Writing this book has helped me psychologically. It was, in part, written to help me deal with the death of my eldest son, Jamie, who was killed at the age of 23, on October 5, 2006, the day before my 59th birthday. The seed for this book was planted in my head while I was practicing my kick with a kickboard at the swimming pool at the gym I go to. For some reason, I had this crazy idea of quitting teaching and becoming a lifeguard. The idea of sitting high up there in a lifeguard stand and thinking great thoughts between heroic rescues of saving people from drowning, really appealed to me. This book is sort of a reverse coming-of-age story; maybe a going-of-age story. In it are a series of essays about my growing up and my growing old, as well as an on-going novella based loosely on my swim clinics.

All the invited animals, from one little mouse to ten little porcupines, busily prepare to attend the Butterfly Ball.

"Use as a companion to the book Boomer volunteer engagement: collaborate today, thrive tomorrow"--Cover.

In this “deeply personal and lyrical book” (Publishers Weekly) from the New York Times bestselling author of The Horse, Wendy Williams explores the lives of one of the world’s most resilient creatures—the butterfly—shedding light on the role that they play in our ecosystem and in our human lives. “[A] glorious and exuberant celebration of these biological flying machines…Williams takes us on a humorous and beautifully crafted journey” (The Washington Post). From butterfly gardens to zoo exhibits, these “flying flowers” are one of the few insects we’ve encouraged to infiltrate our lives. Yet, what has drawn us to these creatures in the first place? And what are their lives really like? In this “entertaining look at ‘the world’s favorite insect’” (Booklist, starred review), New York Times bestselling author and science journalist Wendy Williams reveals the inner lives of these delicate creatures, who are far more intelligent and tougher than we give them credit for. Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles each year from Canada to Mexico. Other species have learned how to fool ants into taking care of them. Butterflies’ scales are inspiring researchers to create new life-saving medical technology. Williams takes readers to butterfly habitats across the globe and introduces us to not only various species, but “digs deeply into the lives of both butterflies and [the] scientists” (Science magazine) who have spent decades studying them. Coupled with years of research and knowledge gained from experts in the field, this accessible “butterfly biography” explores the ancient partnership between these special creatures and humans, and why they continue to fascinate us today. “Informative, thought-provoking,” (BookPage, starred review) and extremely profound, The Language of Butterflies is a “fascinating book [that] will be of interest to anyone who has ever admired a butterfly, and anyone who cares about preserving these stunning creatures” (Library Journal).

During the '50s and into the '60s, Gulfport's booming downtown was unmatched in the state, while its vibrant waterfront nightlife kept the coast rocking long after other small towns were fast asleep. Those who lived in Gulfport during that golden age have warm memories of high school bonfires on the beach, submarine races at the Rock Pile and parties at the Fiesta. After a day splashing in the Gulf, there were Wheel Burgers at Spiders, ice cream cones at Stone's, cold beers at Elsie's and snowballs at the Pop Corn King. This nostalgic look at boomer-era Gulfport is the surest way to step on back to the glory years.

The befuddled and beleaguered dean of a small, struggling law school is confronted by the apparent embezzlement of financial aid funds, the murder of two students under bizarre circumstances, the rape of a young secretary, declining applications for admission (no surprise, under the circumstances) and an unhappy, mutinous faculty. Predictably, his job is in jeopardy. The institution where he works – improbably named Crabshaw School of the Law and located in a renovated brassiere factory – is populated by a quirky, engaging group of professorial misfits with student-conferred nicknames like Boomer, Junker, Mattress Head and Bathroom Bob. The dean must deal with them and also with Allison Fetherheft, a forbidding, immensely obese female Provost, who the students usually refer to as Dean Dreadnaught. The crimes and problems are interrelated, but the clues to their resolution point in different directions – if they point anywhere at all. Twisting and turning, punctuated by bouts of unexpected humor and farce, the story rollicks along to its final resolution.Badger, Boomer and Bathroom Bob is a pacy murder mystery, shot through with satire and humour, that leads to an unanticipated and startling conclusion. Author John Wilson reads widely in a number of genres. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoyed watching Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther, as well as fans of crime and suspense fiction.

Today there are approximately seventy-six million Americans who were born in the years from 1946 to 1965 the baby boomers. In their youth they thrived, voting for a number of entitlements based on assumptions of economic growth that no longer applies. Now, as baby boomers continue aging, they must face a number of potentially disheartening realities. From caring for ailing parents to funding their retirement to facing death, many issues weigh too heavily upon the minds of the baby boomer generation to allow for a peaceful, productive second half of life. What's more, many of the spiritual belief systems passed down for so many generations no longer provide the comfort or support people need in order to face the challenges of the later half of life. The people need something new. In this second edition of Baby Boomer Lamentations, author and self-proclaimed religious philosopher Lewis Tagliaferre explores the concept of Theofatalism and addresses the rising spiritual concerns of the baby boomers, offering a new outlook to help readers make the inevitable transitions through the later years of life.

Growing up in the 1950's and 1960's, Skissley is the oldest child in a Nebraska farm family of modest means. Her possessions are few, but she does possess two rare and priceless gifts: talent to write and remarkable insight. Combined with her keen observations of the people, events, and magnificent nature surrounding her, the results are a unique perspective of life in mid 20th century Middle America, which Skissley captures in the pages of her beloved diaries. But being only twelve as well as inherently honest, she regularly spills the beans on the family secrets. Then too, there is that notorious river town of Rulo nearby, with the majority of its population of hangers-on comprised of eccentric and unsavory misfits. Though these characters with their questionable lifestyles live but a stone's throw from Skissley, they are worlds apart from her. Yet few will escape her scrutiny or the veracity of her pen. While it seems that Skissley is merely divulging colorful tidbits of life within her sphere, it soon becomes obvious that she is really revealing the inner workings of her own soul, because she is in fact, a true Child of the Universe.

It is the best of times, it is the worst of times. Yes, Jerry Zezima swiped that from Dickens, but Dickens is dead and he can't sue. Besides, it perfectly describes the life of a baby boomer who also happens to be a husband and father. In "Leave It to Boomer," Jerry Zezima describes in hilarious detail his life in a household where he is surrounded by women (one wife, two daughters, various animals) and why, as a result, he is the very model of the modern middle-age man. "Leave It to Boomer" is the first book by popular and widely published humorist Jerry Zezima, who sees the lighter side of life and expresses it in a way that readers, especially middle-age parents, can identify with. A lot of people, especially baby boomers, women as well as men, can relate to Jerry Zezima. His unique brand of good-natured, self-deprecating humor makes readers see themselves in funny situations and laugh at the absurdities of modern living.