Friends of Fremont County Libraries Book Review: Cowboys, Yogis and One-legged Ski Bums By Don Morreale

Gerrie Colette

No doubt you have read about the cowboys, the warring Indians, the silver and gold rush, the stagecoaches and the pony express of the Wild West that occurred during the 19th and 20th centuries. Now fast forward to the life and times of Coloradoans in the 21st century.

Don Morreale writes about 170 everyday folks who form a rich cultural tapestry of those who do what they can to survive in the Rocky Mountain areas of the West. The author’s essays cover numerous stories found in the popularly read news of the Denver Post/Your Hub and Examiner. He interviewed these people, finding that difficult and/or traumatic events make people do what they do and think what they think.

If you read this book you will find out why Keli Rae opened the Coffee Nook in Glendale and only staffs it with single moms.

I had never thought of how a gender reassignment necessitates relearning acceptable social behaviors as experienced by Jennifer Kailey who became Matt Kailey.

Did you know there is a yo-yo competition? Contestants need to demonstrate a mastery of 30 complicated tricks. Jon Gates teaches the physics of yo-yo to kids in the public schools.

Dennis James climbs a 130 foot ladder to his “office in the sky.” What he does, other crane operators have been killed doing. Do you know why he has the American flag flying over his cab?

Not everybody can stomach the guts and gore that Nick Hodgdon cleans up after suicides, homicides and accidental deaths for Crime Scene Cleaners.

Can you explain why a child born eight pounds and one ounce only grew up to become a dwarf? What kind of bullying and teasing by other kids takes place? Who helps these little people develop self-confidence and self-esteem? “Bite Size” Carter tells his story.

How good are you at switching a British accent from Liverpool to Cockney to upper-class without missing a beat? Tom Fry can easily change his voice from East Indian or African American to Ronald Reagan. His “voiceover” is often heard on TV, movie-trailers and documentary films.

David Sharp tap dances his service in the ministry. Is spirituality confined or can it be unique?

This is just a sampling of the fascinating true stories of humble humans encountering unexplainable circumstances and experiences that have a lasting effect on them, therefore causing a “personal transformation.” Perhaps you know someone whose story should be included in a book such as this!


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