Abbie Joules is familiar with her older brother's earthy high jinks, but she is shocked to learn that he would share one of his strange ideas for a good time with his high society date. A night at the town dump on a double date, in his best friend's mother's pink Imperial, does not end well as the boys entertain their dates with The Rat Stomp.The eighth in a series of fourteen books by Abbie Joules about her brother, Bendigo, as they grew up on their hard-scrabble farm in east Texas. In this episode, Ben's girlfriend, Corrinth, recounts to Abbie her experience on a double date with Ben, his best friend Billy and his date. Abbie listens wide-eyed with growing apprehension and humor as Corrinth paints a vivid tale of unlikely adventure, suspense and near disaster at the town dump involving a new pink Imperial, mounds of smokey garbage, hordes of rats, and a 'dance' Abbie is familiar with called, The Rat Stomp.

The 1st in a collection of 14 short stories by Abbie Joules about her brother, Bendigo, as they grew up on an east Texas Farm. Ben's life ended tragically in Abbie's company at the age of eighteen, and she is determined that his memory not vanish forever. She as sculpted an image of a bygone era in which her brother stars in riveting tales, filled with humor, adventure and love.Bendigo Joules, raised on a small farm in east Texas in the 40's and 50's, scratched out a life filled with the joys, surprises, trials and love that only an adventurous and giving spirit could produce. His life ended tragically in his sister's company at the age of eighteen, and Abbie Joules is determined that his memory not vanish forever. Fortunately 'words work' is her specialty, and she has sculpted an image of a bygone era in which her brother stars in riveting tales filled with humor, adventure, and the full warmth and foibles that humanity has to offer. You will not soon forget the life of Bendigo or his loving sister, Abbie, nor the many characters she paints with both sensitivity and vivid colors: Price and Pleasure Walker, Booptriska Kazmierski, Ziggy Pugh, Cat-Fish and Fish-Cat, and many others. It is a book for readers of any age who want their day to feel warm, bright and friendly."I figured I was a goner," Corrinth said. "That car was going over the edge of the dump, right down into that filth and--BLEWY! I was going to cook, right along with the rats. Can you imagine? On my first date with Ben?" (from The Rat Stomp)Dirk Palowski snatched up Ziggy and chucked him under his arm like a wiener pig, then ran around the track like a tramp hauling a stolen ham, with all the boys in hot pursuit. For the first time in his life, Ziggy was in demand. (from Five Seconds For A Winner)

Abbie and Bendigo Joules, teenagers on a farm in east Texas, share three days canoeing down a creek in the Big Thicket. For Ben, it involves a high school project on memory. For Abbie, it's a chance to spend time with her older brother, doing what she loves the most--canoeing. For both of them, it's a lesson on wilderness living and their connection with the animals that live there.The seventh in a series of fourteen books by Abbie Joules about her brother, Bendigo, as they grew up on their hard-scrabble farm in east Texas. In this episode, Ben uses the excuse of a high school psychology project on memory to justify a three day canoe paddle down Big Sandy Creek in the Big Thicket wilderness. Abbie, who loves to canoe and adores her older brother, needs no excuse. Together they test themselves as they attempt to remember everything they see, and as the days go by the wilderness tests their ability to live off the land. In the end, they learn more about themselves than they ever thought they would, and gain a new appreciation for the creatures they share the world with.

Join Abbie and Bendigo Joules as they explore beyond their own east Texas farm, uncovering a hidden wonder in the neighbors living next door. Price and Pleasure Walker fascinate and beguile the youngsters with sculpture, hospitality and family history, enriching their lives and opening their eyes to a world they've never known.The fifth in a series of fourteen short stories by Abbie Joules, as she chronicles the lives of herself and her deceased brother, Bendigo, growing up on their family farm in east Texas during the 1940's and 1950's. Abbie and Ben set off on a short canoe trip down their local creek, seeing adventure. What they find is a new appreciation for their neighbors, Price and Pleasure Walker, an old black couple who open their eyes to a hidden world on their doorstep. Price's gift of sculptural art fascinates them, and the old couple's personal history introduces them to a world they've never known. Abbie and Ben can never look on their neighbors the same old way again.

In this fourth in a collection of fourteen short stories by Abbie Joules, her brother Bendigo is befriended by a young calico cat on their east Texas farm. Together they explore an unlikely friendship with a farm pond catfish, a relationship of discovery that enriches and changes Ben's life.The fourth in a series of fourteen short stories by Abbie Joules, chronicling the young lives of her and her brother, Ben Joules, as they grow up on a dairy farm in east Texas during the 1940's and 1950's. In this story, a barnyard calico cat befriends Ben, and together they embark on a journey of discovery about unlikely friendships and deep, unrealized emotions. The cat, which becomes known as Fish-Cat, chooses a farm pond catfish as a companion, and the relationship changes the way Ben views the world.

The 3d in a series of 14 short stories by Abbie Joules as she recounts the exploits of her and her brother, Bendigo, growing up on a farm in east Texas in the early 50's. The story sees Abbie seeking status in her father's eyes, and a pet in the form of a baby raccoon. A cow goes missing, leading to a wild cry in a tree, and Abbie finds herself in deep trouble. See what it takes to get her out!The 3d in a series of 14 short stories by Abbie Joules as she recounts the exploits of her and her brother, Bendigo, growing up on a farm in east Texas in the late 40's. A cow called Two-Banger goes missing, again, and this time it is young Abbie who is sent to retrieve her. Along the way Abbie discovers a nest of baby raccoons in a hollow tree, and unable to resist, she climbs into the tree only to find herself ensnared as the night comes on. Finally discovered by her brother, he and his father go to great and heroic lengths to free her. What would you have done?

In this sixth of fourteen short stories that Abbie Joules has written about her deceased Brother, Ben, the small farming community of Peach Creek comes together in a contest of marksmanship to help raise money for a meeting hall--and a pool table. The contest, conceived by Ben (who is a crack shot), doesn't end the way he envisions it.In this sixth of fourteen short stories that Abbie Joules has written about her deceased brother, Ben, the small farming community of Peach Creek comes together in a contest of marksmanship to help raise money for a meeting hall--and a pool table. The contest, conceived by Ben (who is a crack shot) raises the funds needed for the hall, but the event doesn't end the way he envisions it. Ben thinks he's holding all the cards, but he doesn't reckon on Mr. Moore who has donated the land for the hall.

The 2nd in a series of 14 short stories by Abbie Joules as she recounts the exploits of her and her brother, Bendigo, growing up on a farm in east Texas. This story reveals the unraveling of a practical prank played on Abbie by Ben, involving their prize sow, Matilda,. Learn what happens when sourdough starter is used in an attempt to bring new pigs into the world.The 2nd in a series of 14 short stories by Abbie Joules as she recounts the exploits of her brother, Bendigo, and herself, growing up on a farm in east Texas in the late 40's and early 50's. Hard financial times prompt Ben to encourage Abbie to augment the families meager income by helping their prize sow, Matilda, to produce a litter of piglets, with the use of sourdough starter. It's really just a prank, but Abbie takes it to heart and the results are not what either of them expect. Learn what happens when two kids, looking for a laugh or a solution to a real problem, try to change Mother Nature's timetable.