Dave Barry Is Not Making This Up -- by Dave Barry

 

A Dave Barry break is good for the psyche, soul, and endorphins. This one lasted a little over a week.

His quick wit, and out-of-bounds humor kept me going, and ready to explode. But, that would've been rude with others trying to sleep. I especially appreciated his insight into parenting and relationships. Sometimes, I need all the help available out there.

It's a shame that some books have to end. This was no exception. I really should make an effort to read all his works. It might be good for me.

All of his content has merit, but I especially enjoyed the story about the boating trip to Bimini. This is one that helps bring his various skills together. Most, or all, chapters are taken from his columns, and stories for the Miami Herald.

It was good for me and probably would be for any reader.

Doctors and Distillers -- by Camper English

Topic selection is often the true key to success in an article, book, or screenplay, and Camper English hit the bull's eye in this one.

Liqueurs, drinks, booze, hooch, and such often had their beginnings intended as medicine by someone a long time ago. Healers, medicine people, and the various makers of these solutions came from way back in our DNA before doctors, nurses, the American Medical Association, or any other bureaucracy got started. As the book explains, the healers and their liquid cures came along at a time when doctors and medicine were too far away, and expensive. Sound familiar?

Doctors and Distillers put other ideas into play. How about lagging attendance at the Oakland A's games? What if a fan, or their bored spouse, could get a shot to try and fix whatever ails them between innings? With or without the alcohol in the drink? Maybe it's time to think beyond the beer stand or just expand its offerings.

I think I counted 85 pages marked for further study in a book that kept my sticky tabs at arm's reach. My only disappointment in this book was a lack of focus on the liqueurs of Europe that I knew intimately at one time, some 30 years ago. My favorite was Pacharan, made from the sloe berry, usually found in the Spanish Basque Country. It did wonders for my newspaper deadline blood pressure by just sipping a full shot glass -- once a month! I also discovered Liqueur de Yierbas from up in La Coruna, but it never lasted. Some thirsty friends liked it too much.

Farther travels led to even more finds. I was introduced to more local liqueurs in the little islands near Gothenburg, Sweden. I was tempted by a small private collection of 4 varieties that caught my attention, but time and social protocol didn't allow for sampling.

Camper English's D&D didn't delve far enough into such liqueurs, but I wouldn't be surprised if he came up with a separate book for that.

Doctors and Distillers is likely to spark parts of your imagination, too. I'll let you decide for yourself. There are also a lot of mixed-drink recipes here.