gathered thoughts:

collections, cookbooks,anthologies, stories, Humor,essays

Insightful, hilarious, provocative

the most beloved authors of every age are those whose wit, provocative comments, irreverent insights and wisdom come through in their writing in a variety of ways. Here are gathered thoughts, beautifully shared.

noah baird

Noah Baird, author of Donations to Clarity, wanted to attend the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, but his grades weren't good enough (who knew?). However, his grades were good enough to fly for the U.S. Navy (again, who knew?), where he spent 14 years until the government figured out surfers don't make the best military aviators. He has also tried to be a stand-up comedian in Hawaii for Japanese tourists, where the language barrier really screwed up some great jokes. On the bright side, a sailboat was named after the punchline of one of his jokes.

donations to clarity

The plan was simple: hoax bigfoot, then sell tours to bigfoot enthusiasts. The plan wasn’t brilliant, and neither were Harry, Earl, and Patch. The three chemical-abusing friends only wanted to avoid the 9 to 5 rat race, but their antics attract the attention of a real bigfoot. When the misogynistic Earl is mistaken for a female bigfoot by the nearsighted creature and captured; it is just the beginning of their problems.  

Now available at $14.95 plus tax.

ann chandonnet

Ann Chandonnet is a prize-winning food historian, poet and former journalist. After growing up on a farm in New England and spending more than 30 years in Alaska, she retired with her husband to Vale, North Carolina. Her hobbies include gardening and quilting. Previous titles include Gold Rush Grub (University of Alaska Press), Colonial Food (Shire) and "Write Quick": War & a Woman's Life in Letters, 1835-1867.

Barn raisings and cemetery cleanings

Revisit delicious holidays and celebrations typical of America's storied past: Learn how to bake a Groaning Cake or Lovefeast Buns. Read about the heyday of the Mandolin Club and the Rent Party. Giggle over anecdotes of Muster Day and Barn Raising. And then serve up a steaming Yard of Flannel or some cool Strawberry Water. It's all good. This cookbook is full of delights for the palate and the heart.

Now available at $14.95 plus tax.

susan emmerich

Approaching her daughter’s high school graduation, Susan Emmerich told friends she was eager to begin a new chapter in her life. She envisioned more time, more freedom and more gas in her car. After 18 years of parenting, Ms. Emmerich was excited at the prospect of being able to put her own needs first. She lied. Recently divorced, coping with her father’s illness and dealing with ever-fluctuating mid-life hormones, the author did two things: bought a bike and picked up a pen. Through riding and writing, she found her voice and retained her spirit.

a girl on a bike

Sometimes serious, other times humorous, Ms. Emmerich invites the reader to ride along on a journey that includes adjusting to an empty nest, aging parents, divorce and again seeking love. This collection of essays encourages everyone to recognize their inner voice and follow where it leads.

Now available at $11.95 plus tax.

tony lindsay

Tony R. Lindsay lives in Winston-Salem, NC with his lovely wife and aristocratic cat. He tools around in a 1966 pickup and likes to boast that his wife and TV both work. Tony is an avid storyteller at civic events and Open Mic. His five grandchildren will tell you that Grandpa never lets the truth get in his way of a good story.

tattletale roadhouse and social club

Tony Lindsay's first venture into social commentary and rural humor is a riotous collection of vignettes rooted in the Deep South and skewering preachers, salesmen, marriage, big shots and especially the downhome, hard-drinking, overly affectionate redneck folks who are his heroes. 

Now available at $10.95 plus tax.

DANNY ROBERTS

At Least This Week I’m on Vacation is a collection of humorous stories about everyday occurrences as seen through the slightly off-kilter mind of author Danny Roberts. Danny lives in Thomasville, North Carolina, with his beautiful wife, Denise, and his mystified dog, Alex.

at least next week i'm on vacation

"At Least this week I'm on vacation" is a collection of humorous stories about every-day occurrences as seen through the slightly off-kilter mind of author Danny Roberts. 

Now available at $9.95 plus tax.

CHuck THURSTON

Chuck Thurston is one of five boys raised on a small farm in Pennsylvania.  He served in the United States Coast Guard, and flew in search and rescue seaplanes.  He spent over 30 years at IBM, with many assignments from electronics technician to programmer to manager.  In earlier days, in between times, and in later years he has been: a turret lathe operator in a factory; a newspaper reporter and columnist; a pick and shovel grunt for a landscaping company; an instructor for North Carolina State University in their Industrial Extension Service.  He has a BS from Elmira (NY) College, and graduate degrees from SUNY Geneseo and Appalachian State University.  He is married to Heidi Wibroe Thurston and lives in Kannapolis, North Carolina. His triple collection of essays, observations and insights offer a great delights to Gathered Thoughts readers.

Coming soon, Senior Scribble, Bathroom Reader

Senior Scribbles, bathroom reader

Now available for presale, the moving, concluding inevitable ending of Chuck Thurston's trilogy of insight. 

senior scribbles, unearthed

They started out as series of “tall tales” shared with a co-worker. These vignettes proved so engaging, enjoyable and insightful that their author was encouraged to find a place to publish them. Soon afterward a newspaper in the mountains of North Carolina began to beguile its readers with the Senior Scribbles of Chuck Thurston. Intended first simply for senior adults in the region, the appeal of the stories spread across the state and among many generations of readers.

Now available at $9.95 plus tax.

senior scribbles, second dose

In this series of insightful, humorous essays, Chuck Thurston delights, informs and inspires his readers. This second in a series of wide-ranging vignettes is full of misdirection, nostalgia, personal insight, warmth and beautiful writing.  

Now Available at $9.95 plus tax.