What do a giant stuffed polar bear, a tiny fuzzy fake worm, a spotted baby leopard frog, and Jesus Christ Superstar have in common? Well, they just might make you laugh if you’re reading the recently published book The Handbasket Express by Eastland County resident Jennifer Neville Maddle. Maddle is a retired high school English teacher and life-time resident of Eastland County, so naturally, her memoir is a collection of stories about what it was like growing up in a small town in Eastland County, Texas. Without a doubt, Eastland County was anything but dull for resourceful kids. Some of their shenanigans took place at school and at the expense of unsuspecting teachers, and some of the mischiefs took place in fields outside of town, or on a visit to the big city of Dallas.

The Handbasket Express is not all humor, as many serious situations and important lessons are presented in the fifteen stories. The book title is derived from the author’s realization that she may be going to a very warm place in a handbasket for all the things she got away with while pretending to be one of the so-called “good kids.” Who would suspect? Now we know. It’s in black and white and you can find it on Amazon. On July 18, the author will sign book copies at the Ranger Dairy Queen from 6:00—8:00 p.m. as well as deny that she ever took part in any of the things she detailed in her memoir.

By L. Brister