Braniff Airways Flying Colors by Richard Benjamin Cass - Book Review

Braniff Airways - Flying Colors Images of Modern America takes the reader through a photographic tour of the life and times of Braniff Airways. Beginning in 1928, Tom Braniff and his brother Paul Revere Braniff dedicated their efforts toward bringing affordable air travel to the public.

Inspired by the cross Atlantic flight of Charles Lindberg, these brothers, pioneers in a fledgling aviation industry, took the purchase of one fabric covered, five passenger Stinson airplane and transformed their dream into an empire.

Struggling through the troubled times of the Great Depression, they pulled out of a near bankruptcy by adapting their services to carrying mail for the government before expanding into commuter routes between Dallas and Oklahoma. The fascinating story of how they grew their dream is captured alongside the colorful, ninety-five page photo filled documentary detailing the evolution of the airline.

Inside you'll discover facts about its leaders, employees, series of planes and jets, training facilities, executive offices, designer uniforms, flight hostesses and flight attendants, its amazing in-flight meals, designer fabrics and paint schemes of their fleet, along with the ever evolving changes in passenger transport equipment.

The book takes the reader from the airline's humble beginnings to its eventual demise as an multi-billion dollar entity.

The book is illustrated with a vast collection of Dallas History of Aviation's historic photographs housed at McDermott Library UTD as well as the author's lifelong collection of Braniff Flying Colors photos and memorabilia.

Author Richard Benjamin Cass dedicates this book to the memory of Harding Luther Lawrence, whose leadership role at Braniff spanned the years from 1965 to 1981. He guided the airline through the deregulation of the airline industry in 1978, to expansion internationally, through its years plagued with exponential fuel increases, dynamic drops in passenger air travel, and expanding interest charges on unpaid debt. He speaks about route awards by then President Carter, of revenue increases and route expansions without delving into the whys and intricate details of how these issues were overcome.

Well worth the price, the book will delight any reader who has an interest in aviation history along with those who strive to keep the memory of Braniff alive.

Grilling Hot Dogs Outside

Summer is almost here. Time to bring out the barbecue grill and test your skills at outdoor cooking. Never grilled out? Don't worry. It's easier than you think. Even I can do it.

For a number of years, I left the outdoor cooking to the man of the house. It seemed more of a manly thing to do with the dirty charcoal and the use of liquid fire starter. I never imagined how much fun it would be to build a little fire in our Weber grill, skewer my food and actually cook it over an open flame. The first time I took over the tongs was like a brand new world had opened.

One fourth of July, we invited a few of our friends over to celebrate at our place out in the country. For variety, we decided on hamburgers and hot dogs to go with the extra dishes brought in by our guests.

In the sweltering summer heat someone started a horseshoe game and my hubby, the grill Chef, disappeared.

When the flames on the barbecue pit began to signal a fire hazard, it was too late to rescue the little briquettes that were once juicy hamburgers. They were burnt to a crisp and looked like  hockey pucks.

Luckily, we had more hot dogs and managed to feed the multitude. But that day was the turning point on my view of grilling. From that moment forward, I would be the designated grill chef.

One of the first things I learned is something experienced grill chefs know already: You only need a small pile of charcoal for quick cooking.

When I say a small pile, I mean a pile no larger than a quarter of the size of the kettle. For foods that take a long time, you need a lot more charcoal, but not with hamburgers and hot dogs.

First, pour the charcoal into one area of the lower grill inside the drum. It's important that the old ashes are discarded safely in a fireproof bucket or a trash bag before you begin. 

Never dump out the grill ashes until you're certain that they are cold.

Squirt on a small amount of liquid charcoal lighter.

Use an electric starter or a long wooden match to ignite the pile of charcoal and wait for the edges to turn white.

When the coals start to burn off the charred remains of the last cookout I use my wire brush to vigorously clean the top grill to remove any rust and debris.

Safety Reminders - Keep some water handy to put out smoldering ashes that fly out of the grill and land in the grass. I keep a squirt bottle handy to extinguish any flare ups.

Don't grill out if there is a strong wind. 

Don't overuse the charcoal starter fluid or the chemical taste will transfer to the food along with the chemicals it contains. 

Keep food refrigerated until the last possible moment when it goes on the grill. Promptly refrigerate any cooked food that is left over, especially in the heat of the summer.

Another key is to keep things moving around on the grill. Turn the hot dogs frequently and move them to a cool area when they start cooking too fast or turn too black.

The key to successful grilling is to be prepared for any flame ups from dripping grease. Since the hot dogs are fully cooked to begin with, the timing and amount of grilling is really up to your personal preferences. If you've never grilled out before, don't worry. It's so easy even I can do it, seriously.

The Weber Original 22 inch grill has served us for nearly two decades. 

We've replaced the top grill once due to rust, and with a good cleaning, it's nearly the same as when we got it from Home Depot.

With the barbecue tongs in hand, I rule my smoky domain. All the best in your outdoor cooking. Happy grilling!

How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie 1936 - A Book Review

What ranks at the top of our problems? Some say it's the issue of getting along with people in our everyday business and social life. How do we win an argument? Is this ever possible?

One of the top selling books of all time, translated into virtually every language was written by Dale Carnegie in 1936. Since that time, his homespun philosophy has helped millions in their day to day interactions.

For years, it was the title that put me off reading the book. I thought this was another collection of gimmicks like many other self help books. When I finally did read it my only regret was not having read it much sooner. How many of my past relationships might have been saved? How much further might I have gotten if I had known some of the things written in this classic best seller, How To Win Friends and Influence People? For example, these Five Things to Consider in an Argument:

• You can't win an argument. There is no winner in an argument. Mr. Carnegie explains this in his quote, "You can't because if you lose it, you lose it; and if you win it, you lose it. Why?...If you triumph over the other (hu)man and shoot their argument full of holes and prove that they are non compos mentis₁ then what? You will feel fine. But what about him/her? You have made him/her feel inferior. You have hurt their pride. They will resent your triumph."
• "There is only one way to get the best of an argument - that is to avoid it. Avoid it as you would avoid rattlesnakes and earthquakes. Nine times of ten, an argument ends with each of the contestants more firmly convinced than ever that he/she is absolutely right."
• "Will my reaction drive my opponents further away or draw them closer to me? Will my reaction elevate the estimation good people have of me?...What price will I have to pay if I win?"
• "You will never get into trouble by admitting that you may be wrong. That will stop all argument and inspire your opponent to be just as fair and open and broadminded as you are."
• Begin and end in a friendly way. "Scolding parents and domineering bosses and husbands and nagging wives ought to realize that people don't want to change their minds. They can't be forced or driven to agree with you or me. But they may possibly be led to, if we are gentle and friendly, ever so gentle and ever so friendly."

I'll never forget the conversation I had with my best friend on the elevator heading out for lunch one day. We were engaged in a heated discussion during most of the morning and she, a fiery redhead with a generous sprinkling of freckles, finally had enough and said, "You just can't disagree without being disagreeable." At that moment I was thankful that most of the people on that elevator didn't speak English or I would have been mortified. The fact was, not only was her statement true, she had nailed the root cause of many arguments that plagued my early life. I wish I could say that I changed my ways that moment faced with the truth, but it isn't so. I went about for years believing that confrontation and trying to prove myself right was the way to go.

Carl Rogers, a psychologist, wrote in his book On Becoming a Person, "When someone expresses some feeling, attitude or belief, our tendency is almost immediately to feel 'that's right,' or 'that's stupid,' or 'that's abnormal,' or 'that's incorrect..." He further says it is of "enormous value to permit ourselves to understand the other person" rather than give in to our first reaction which is to evaluate or judge."

Though this may be something that everyone else already knew, it had never occurred to me. The idea of giving in on smaller stuff was a foreign concept to me.To that point, I had traveled through life believing that I must correct wrongs and prove myself right in every instance. The words should and ought to came into my thoughts so often that I lost sight of the forest for the trees.

Sheryl Crow says it well in this song, "The Difficult Kind."

"One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing." Socrates to his followers in Athens

In his youth, Ben Franklin was known for his habit of constant argument. He was once told by a friend, "Your opinions have a slap in them for everyone who differs with you...You know so much that no one can tell you anything".

After hearing this, Ben learned to deny himself the pleasure of contradicting everyone he thought to be in error. He said, "I made it a rule to forbear all direct contradiction to the sentiment of others and all positive assertion of my own." He changed to become one of the most diplomatic men in American history.

"If you will only change, everything will change for you." Jim Rohn

This book provides the guidelines for change that will lead to a happier and more productive life with a whole less conflict; a valuable read.

1 Non compos mentis - when one is in a confused state, intoxicated, or not of sound mind

The Whole Truth, David Baldacci - A Book Review

Can a corporation spin a lie so believable that the public  would be staggered by its implications? In David Baldacci's book, he details a scenario where the entire world believes one thing but the real truth is another matter.

In David Baldacci’s fourteenth bestselling novel, The Whole Truth, perception becomes reality when, motivated by profit in the trillions of dollars, the Ares Corporation, the world’s largest defense contractor, sets the stage for an arms escalation that threatens to return the world to a state of Cold War.

Nicolas Creel, President of Ares, hires public relations firm Pender and Associates to spin a lie so believable that the public consciousness is staggered by its macabre implications. The twisted outcome of this devious lie pits Russia against China engaging each other in open warfare for Creel’s purpose of raising demand for his military products. In doing so, Creel can return his company to profitability and continue living the life to which he is accustomed; sailing around Italy on his enormous yacht and traveling aboard his private jet which has been converted into an airborne block of boardrooms, a movie theater and private suites.

Richard Pender, founder of Pender and Associates, employs perception management in his creation of “facts” sold to the world as truth; a term even the Department of Defense takes seriously enough to be included in one of their manuals. Its usefulness in developing a scenario of untruth is played out in this novel that pits the main character, a secret agent trapped in a job he can’t leave, against the unrelenting resources of the nefarious Mr. Creel. Along the way the protagonist, known only as A. Shaw, joins forces with his employer, Frank, to battle the tide of public fervor and expose the real truth. 

Nestled into the action, Shaw tries to find a way to escape his coerced employment and find a way to marry the love of his life, Anna Fischer. Their love is an arduous affair, plagued by the relentless tactics of Shaw’s employer, Frank, who uses his own form of perception management to separate Anna from her commitment to Shaw. Frank, who will stop at nothing, elicits the hatred of Anna’s parents in Wisbach to taint Anna’s belief in Shaw.

Katie James, the award winning journalist, rises from the pit into which she’s fallen after a lull in her career, to join those few who are trying to expose the real truth. An unlikely pairing, she and Shaw uncover Creel’s corrupt empire, upending the status quo and battling the forces of evil.

Full of twists and turns and unexpected outcomes, the book takes the reader on a journey of outrage and disbelief, stunned by the depths to which certain people can operate with a clear conscience. This novel will keep you awake into the wee hours of the night, turning page after page to get to The Whole Truth.

Quinn Moosebroker Mysteries | A Book Review

Five mysteries fill this volume with twists, turns, danger and a splash of romance. The main character's appeal grows with each story until he becomes like one of the family as he shares adventures and good times. 

Beloved author Michael Friedman, Fiction Award Winner and poet, shares some of his best work in this collection of stories. Ride along with his characters as they uncover clues and solve mysteries. 

Quinn Moosebroker is a faithful, observant, former cop who delves into the mystery of murder and intrigue while venturing into the murky depths of understanding women. In Quinn's case, it's one particular woman, a widow, Betty Atwood, who through the encouragement of his daughter, Quinn finds himself courting. His career as a police officer is in the past, but the call to unravel long-unsolved mysteries remains. Together, he and his new-found companion travel internationally, getting to know one another while chasing down clues.

2nd Street Playhouse Theater

Betty, Quinn's sidekick, is a widow who finds a way to overcome the loss of her mate by falling in love and solving mysteries of blackmail, stolen artwork, precious gems and murder. The unlikely couple turns a friendship into a relationship that grows with adventures of shared danger and good times.

Each story is rich with twists, turns, danger and a splash of romance along with original poetry, artwork, and good old- fashioned values from their creator. His faithful readers that follow his work on the Emerald Wells Café series will discover a new source of entertainment in this book.

Quinn and Betty's first date takes them to the coffee shop near the 2nd Street Playhouse where Quinn sees a man accost a woman, slapping her across the face. His detective brain takes note of the scene before they cross the street to watch the play written by a local bookshop owner and playwright friend of Quinn's. The coffee shop is owned by Millie, who, together with Brad, a photographer, sources the props for the theater at thrift stores in the city. Both Brad and Millie, active in the community, were the featured Key players in tonight's "Thin, Red and Deadly."

Next, the reader meets Mary Helen, who plays Morgan, the art gallery owner and Gladys, the set's hairdresser. The mystery begins with the quiet clicking of a hidden camera as Mary dons her costume and puts on makeup in the dressing room.

There's also Jasmine, the tech, watching from the rafters in the control panel booth above the stage, and Pepper Bishop, Master of Ceremonies of the production.

Soon, a mysterious figure dressed in black, breaks into the business of Brad Jensen, photographer, removing certain files before taking off in a VW bug. The mystery deepens as the reader learns of a blackmail extortion that is being foiled by the intruder.

We see signs of Betty's pluckiness as stirrings of trouble come from backstage. The rest of the audience scrambles toward the exit as sirens begin to wail. Betty refuses to leave the scene.

Blake Knightly is taken aback when he discovers images of scantily clad women he recognizes in copies of "Detective Confidential" magazine. Clear that he could not sell these items in his bookstore, he sets out to find out the source of the photos.

A host of new characters enter the story as a tangled web of intrigue, blackmail and murder come into play. Through the sleuthing efforts of Quinn and Betty, the mystery is unraveled, cementing their new bond of friendship with accomplishment.

Night of the Falling

When Big Jim Brady turns up dead, book collectors are scrambling to grab his collection of one-of-a-kind first editions. One particular piece, "The Night of the Falling," is missing, a desirable manuscript in high demand, likely to bring a price of nearly $30,000 at auction.

Detective DeLaMonte of the Clearview Police Department is stunned at the "crime wave" with two murders occurring in as many weeks in the small town. When he arrives at the scene, he discovers Eleanor Pennyworth, Big Jim Brady's significant other, already there. While packing her things in a rush to beat the arrival of Brady's greedy sons, she finds the contact information for Quinn Moosebroker, with a note "trusted" beside the info. She contacts the Private Detective for his help knowing that DeLaMonte likely would pursue the theft with little enthusiasm.

The siege for the rare books begins with prospective buyers coming out of nowhere like buzzards while the homicide investigation smolders.

He Dreamt of Murder

Quinn and Betty become entangled in a mystery inspired from a ghostly dream that is overheard from a stranger at the barber shop. Later, Betty is haunted by a similar dream that inspires the duo to investigate the origins of the shared murderous images.

As they make the road trip returning from North Carolina, in the "Radio Players Club Mystery" story, an unexpected radio broadcast gives the reader details about the night Quinn was shot and his former partner, Clark, was killed.

"The Case of the Chocolate Girl" takes off following the discovery of an oil painting at a second-hand store. Betty and Quinn seek out the origins of the painting and its value is shared by those who wish to steal it. Their quest to determine the authenticity of the ancient painting leads them into associations with nefarious characters like Major Garrity who shares insight along with a desire to own the treasure. As they track out the painting's origins, they discover that the Major isn't the only one who wants it.

Uncovering clues in the age-old heist sends Betty and Quinn into foreign countries where they mingle with castle dwellers, Lords and Ladies. While attending a costume party, the couple narrowly escapes the nefarious motives of guests at the castle. Their journey takes them down scenic country roads and into the hands of gangsters who attempt to thwart the investigation with kidnapping and thievery. An encounter with the owner of a country school and her dedicated students provides a glimpse into European culture and the ideal venue for a wedding.

• 2nd Street Playhouse Mystery
• The Night of the Falling
• He Dreamt of Murder
• Radio Players Club Mystery
• The Case of the Chocolate Girl

Clowns, vagrants, gangsters, artists, thieves, murderers, actors, playwrights and book store owners number among the memorable characters who bring these stories to life. Peppered with engaging plots and quirky characters, they incorporate life lessons woven between the lines as the protagonist and his woman delve into crime solving while their relationship evolves. As a bonus, there’s even a stray dog rescue.

A mixture of reality and fantasy, the reader will be captivated by the down-to-earth nature of characters who make this book enjoyable and memorable.