Herein, a diverse collection of short stories grouped under three general headings. I could offer the conceit: what do crows, wild strawberries, and a mud puddle in a farm lane have in common? Crows in my home town, where, once or twice a year they swarm in some area of town or on the wooded heights above. For days they swarm and then, suddenly they're gone. Wild strawberries? They're gone too. Where once they grew in profusion, today none are to be found. And mud puddles? I've seen plenty of them. But each of these images triggered a story. Stories of the human condition, as lamentable, laughable, and loveable as that can be. There are, of course, more images, more stories. I could say I wrote these stories just for you. But that would be a falsehood because they just popped up in my head. Still, now that they're written, perhaps they are for you. I didn't understand all the stories, but - what, me worry? Alfred E. Neuman A gourmet collection of savory stories crafted and cooked to perfection - well done! Bret Talbert To see one's name in print! - some people commit a crime for no other reason. Gustave Flaubert