You know something?  There are very few things you can count on--absolutely, all the time, no change, world without end, Amen!--except on the old French saying that translates, "The more things change, the more they remain the same." There are subjects that we'd like to know more about, for instance, such as why does our spouse never seem to pick the right seats for a concert " or how much the Governor makes in salary (it's listed) or even how to tell a dedicated golfer from the slackers (talk to Mike Okane, who'll tell you that "it's Summer, warm weather, and it's the perfect time to play golf!"--this, while we were standing at the end of his drive, prior to his going out and playing a tournament in winds of up to 46 mph on a course that doesn't have "roughs" anymore 'cause the whole Country Club course looks like it has Mange and if it were a dog and I was the owner,  Brett Jones would be handing many tubes of ointment to put on the poor creature!  Somebody tell the"important officials" . that it's a disgrace to a city to have a golf course where anyone could view it, looking like it belongs in a poor, Third World country!)

So, some things we'd like to know and the subject of being in touch with departed loved ones have always been one that intrigues a lot of people--of course, there's always the question of whether they'd want to be in touch with you!  So, remember this, as you get older and older, mend fences. Well, the book, "Ghosts Among Us; Uncovering the Truth ABout the Other Side", by James Van Praagh, co-creator and producer of "The Ghost Whisperer" on CBS, attempts to give some answers to people's honest inquiries and searching. This author discovered, in his early teens, a dimension that most of us cannot see or know how to deal with and it has to do with solving one of our great mysteries, "What happens to us after we die?"

In this book, he shares  his knowledge with the reader, as an experienced guides, about how to understand and be inspired by the "other side"--and, yes Virginia, he shares actual episodes in communicating with the ghosts.  I've heard about this man and read parts of this book and I can honestly say it would be of interest to all of us! I  just wonder if you could finally get  the last word in an argument with your Aunt Luise or whomever?

Okay, pick up your nearest wine glass, hold it in your left hand, open up this next book, with your right hand, and not only learn from but enjoy " Wine for Dummies; The Fun and Easy Way to Become a Savvy Drinker and How to Read a Wine List--Explained in Plain English", by Ed McCarthy and Mary Ewing-Mulligan--the last named author being the only--only--American woman who is a Master of Wine and there's only 12 Wine Masters in the United States of America, friends! 

Francis Ford Coppola, a terrific movie director and winery owner (2 of his are carried here in Liberal at about 15 to 20 dollars each and very good!)says, "Too many people are worried about choosing exactly the right wine that they forget it's meant to be enjoyed--I hope more people will relax and simply enjoy wine after reading this book." Yes, I know that none of us likes being caught "off guard" such as when the waiter hands you (if you're the one who's ordered the wine) the cork, what's this nonsense of what does red wine "go with" (certainly not your white tablecloth!) and why do you chill white wine (drink a glass right from the bottle and you'll know!). 

This large softcover is in the Non-Fiction shelves, with 641.22 on its spine label, not on the new books double rack.  I'll close with this one observation, wherein I, Constance Cooper, agree with the authors, to wit; " There are two types of wine lovers in the world, the hedonists, who just want to enjoy wine and find more and more wines to enjoy and the thinkers who are fascinated by how a particular wine happens--the first group calls the second group wine nerds which seems a little harsh!  Fun book--learn how to read a wine label, be aware of why there are different shapes in wine glasses (and a couple of suggestions of companies to use on page87), and the pluses and minuses, terrain, and representative wines in both Napa and Sonoma wine countries--total opposites, at least for awhile. Come in and get this book and enjoy!

Most of us enjoy plays on words--or ideas--and Carl Hiaasen's new funny book, "Downhill Lie; a Hacker's Return to a Ruinous Sport", takes on the game of golf and his return to it after a 32 year absence and he didn't do terribly well when he did play it!  So, he takes on the frustration of titanium technology, being in awe of Tiger Woods and Phil M., and a truly outstanding talent for hooks and slices--and then agrees to be in a tournament"against players who can actually hit the ball!" 

A fun book and the game keeps calling him onward, even as he knows his scores are sliding backwards--except! except!--for those really excellent drives and putts--"That's the secret of the sport's infernal seduction.  It surrenders just enough good shots to let you talk yourself out of quitting." I might say the same of Tennis or competing in Swimming--unless, of course, you are a great-grandmother and one's reflexes and speed are not as available to draw upon. Thank goodness, it won't happen to me!  You'll like this book whether you are a golfer, know one, or have a husband or wife who's taking lessons (or even taking it back up) so, drop in and look it over! 

Remember, we have a lot of new Non-Fiction books that may not be on New York Times Bookseller list but are new books, however, let me mention a NYT book for you to consider "The Post-American World", by Fareed Zakaria--but not if you're in the mood for a laugh!  Take care in this tough heat, make sure your pets have water--as well as yourself!--get a pedicure so your toes look good in sandals (this last might be directed at the ladies, although men's feet are usually ugly!)--cook fruit, veggies, and dessert on the bar-b as well as meat, and come in the air conditioned library and collapse in a chair and read!  Take care, thanks for reading, and I'll see you next time.  Bye!