Handpumps & Hailstorms

This collection of short stories about a pioneering family spans the history of Alberta, from the displacement of the native people and the hardships of the early settlers, to the prosperity of the oil boom. With a blend of humor and insight, the author tells of adventures, challenges and tragedies while pioneering in the bush of Alberta. He provides a first-hand account of early rural life in western Canada, describing their struggle to survive and prosper without electricity, indoor plumbing or modern farm equipment. Rich with original photographs, the anecdotes include childhood memories of eccentric neighbors, school adventures, hailstorms and hard work. Practical hints are shared on how to skin a squirrel, build a rubber-band gun and hypnotize a chicken. Equally intriguing is the final chapter in which the author describes the challenges of providing compassionate care for an elderly parent, the discovery of a family secret, and the gradual acceptance of our inevitable mortality.