The title of this book is appropriate; the book is exactly what the title states. It is an eclectic collection of nine short stories, several poems, and a collection of original aphorisms. The short stories range in subject matter from a fateful tale of a second generation sailor, to the story of a crusty old fisherman with a very original choice of bait, to a bitter-sweet April-September love affair, a unique surprise during a canoe trip down a wilderness river, and a lot of situations in between. The poems, while not neccessarily earth shaking or profound, all have a bit of undeniable truth at their basis; they are taken from events common to most of us. And the aphorisms? That all started about fifteen years ago when I began making a list of these observations that were always popping into my head, sometimes interrupting actual productive activity, though not often. Jack Dawson, the author, was born in October of 1940, in Bainbridge, Georgia-a still-small town, in the southeastern part of the state, split evenly by the sleepy and serene Flint River-and grew up in Valdosta, Georgia, where he graduated high school in 1958. Being young and without sufficient direction or initiative to pursue an education, he joined the U. S. Navy and enjoyed nearly four years of great adventure at sea. This was in the day when all healthy males did their time in service to their country; sooner or later; by joining voluntarily, through the path to gentleman-hood offered by the ROTC in college, or by draft. After finishing his militarily obligation and being released from active duty, and having gained an immeasurably greater sense of maturity and personal responsibility, he decided to pursue a college education. He studied for a year at a local college, making the dean's list in order to offset his abysmal high school academic record, before he was then accepted at Georgia Tech, in Atlanta, where he majored in aerospace engineering. During his junior year, he, just by chance, took a ride with a friend in a two seat air plane; and his life would never the same. He quit school after finishing his junior year and, after applying was hired by a major airline to work in the engineering department, all the while learning to fly and building hours and, at night, earning a degree in Mathematics. Eventually, he was transferred to Flight Operations where he flew the big jets until retirement in 1999. He then moved to remote region of the West Virginia mountains, where he began to write in earnest. An urge to write had always been in the back of his head, kept there by the many obligations, necessary and otherwise, of day to day living. Soon, through the auspices of a new found friend, a sporting magazine writer, he was writing a weekly column for a local newspaper, and, aside from that, began writing a novel and converting some of his columns into short stories The writing of the short stories, he found, provided an interlude in his writing of the novel which allowed the characters therein to decide what they were going to do. Bits and Pieces of This and That will be his first published book by Jack Dawson, followed shortly, hopefully, by the publication of his novel, Reflections in a Curved Glass.

Palmer Bullock has made a good life for himself. All of his many accomplishments have been based on his very high and rigid principles and his rules of ethical conduct. Some would think such a life grueling and unrewarding, but for Palmer, it is the easy way; rewarding in its certainty and pleasing to his sense of right and wrong. He has a good law practice, a generous gentleman's farm, a pretty wife, a son, and a daughter. Then, one remote act sets in motion a chain of events which, like cascading dominos falling one upon the next, upsets his entire world: his confidence in his rules of life, his confidence in his self-control and self-determination, and his belief in himself as a good man. The story of Palmer's fall includes passion overriding reason, questionable business dealings, a haunting injustice from the distant past, and the friendship of a lifetime. Jack Dawson, the author, was born in October of 1940, in Bainbridge, Georgia-a still-small town, in the southeastern part of the state, split evenly by the sleepy and serene Flint River-and grew up in Valdosta, Georgia, where he graduated high school in 1958. Being young and without sufficient direction or initiative to pursue an education, he joined the U. S. Navy and enjoyed nearly four years of great adventure at sea. This was in the day when all healthy males did their time in service to their country; sooner or later; by joining voluntarily, through the path to gentleman-hood offered by the ROTC in college, or by draft. After finishing his militarily obligation and being released from active duty, and having gained an immeasurably greater sense of maturity and personal responsibility, he decided to pursue a college education. He studied for a year at a local college, making the dean's list in order to offset his abysmal high school academic record, before he was then accepted at Georgia Tech, in Atlanta, where he majored in aerospace engineering. During his junior year, he, just by chance, took a ride with a friend in a two seat air plane; and his life would never the same. He quit school after finishing his junior year and, after applying was hired by a major airline to work in the engineering department, all the while learning to fly and building hours and, at night, earning a degree in Mathematics. Eventually, he was transferred to Flight Operations where he flew the big jets until retirement in 1999. He then moved to remote region of the West Virginia mountains, where he began to write in earnest. An urge to write had always been in the back of his head, kept there by the many obligations, necessary and otherwise, of day to day living. Soon, through the auspices of a new found friend, a sporting magazine writer, he was writing a weekly column for a local newspaper, and, aside from that, began writing a novel and converting some of his columns into short stories The writing of the short stories, he found, provided an interlude in his writing of the novel which allowed the characters therein to decide what they were going to do.

This first book in the House at Bent Creek Series, captures a summer in the life of a turtle named Alfred who lives with his family in a pond behind a country home belonging to a sweet elderly woman. When the woman's grandson comes to visit, Alfred's otherwise peaceful life is turned upside down and he must use all his courage, skill and wit to survive the encounter. This humorous and heart-warming tale is an ideal bedtime storybook that is sure to leave children wanting just one more chapter, eager to find out what will happen next. Along the way, they may learn a few things about turtles and, more importantly, about friendship, family and how to treat others.

Jack E. Dawson has been in the art field since the early 1970's. His experience includes painting in watercolor, oil and acrylics, as well as sculpture. One of his most notable works is "The Praying Hands Statue," a 32-foot tall sculpture located on Highway 71 in Webb City, Missouri. In 1999 he began his "Seek and Find Series;" paintings that contain hidden images built upon the principles and teachings of the Word of God. Just as God's treasures are in plain view for all who seek Christ and believe in His promises, so you will find meaningful images in Dawson's paintings. Each one comes with an explanation of the symbolism. Jack's wife Nancy, along with their children, was instrumental in launching Bittersweet Gallery, which made these works available in prints across the country. Jack's desire is that the art will encourage viewers to seek the Lord with sincerity and commitment.

Most people don't think about death until forced to confront it through the aging process, a terminal disease, or with the death of a loved one. Doctors, however, deal with death on a regular basis, and learn to understand, even appreciate, the complex processes that mark the end of any life. Dr. Jack Dawson, MD, has been cardiologist for forty years, and has seen hundreds of patients and families through this painful time. He's learned a lot about dying, but he's also learned a lot about living. In his new book, Dawson shares his observations about dying-while also giving advice about how to live life to the fullest. By promoting a full understanding of death in both a historical and modern context, he can recommend strategies for everything from managing palliative care to discussing death with loved ones. All the while, Dawson encourages us to think of death as part of the journey of a well-lived life. "Accepting Goodbye" is the perfect read for anyone who faces a life-threatening illness, has lost a loved one, or is simply becoming aware of his or her own mortality.

Sgt. Earnhardt, a police officer on his way to making Detective, discovers his wife, murdered, in downtown Houston. Due to this event, he decides to take it upon himself to become a vigilante and find those responsible for her death.