Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Book Review - Growing Up Proctor: Life on the Gallo by Alma Proctor Hobbs (2020).

 Growing Up Proctor:Life on the Gallo by Alma Proctor Hobbs (2020).

There it was. Another person wanted me to read, and hopefully review, their book. Sure, it was a Proctor from the Corona area, but I was having health problems, computer problems, handicapped van breakdowns, plumbing problems, etc. I was barely keeping The Westerner, my monthly column, and the Linebery Facebook page going.

So I put it off. 

The big loser in all this...was me.

This is a wonderful book. Full of history, daily livin’, love, hard times and humor.

Alma Proctor Hobbs was raised down the Gallo Canyon in Lincoln County by two tough, creative and industrious parents, along with seven brothers and sisters. These are their stories as seen through Alma’s eyes. Thank goodness those eyes were so observant.

The book is 216 pages and has 125 chapters/stories. Open the book to any page and you will find something delightful. Things like how a mama buzzard protects her young and how to treat a snakebite by slaughtering chickens. One raised on a ranch or in a working-class family will notice things other authors might miss. Hands for instance, and there are chapters of her Father and her mother’s hands. And oh my, where else would an old Prince Albert can bring a tear to your eye?

Look there, on page 192 is a nice chapter on my aunt Geraldine.

If you weren’t raised on a ranch or rural area during this time period, this book will let you experience what it was like. If you were, then you will get a double pleasure out of these tales. First is the wonderful words of Alma Proctor Hobbs and her description of the people, places and events. Second will be the folks and happenings these stories remind you of in your own life experience. Two stories for one.

Hurry up and you have an excellent Christmas gift. Whether for yourself or others, don’t make my mistake of delaying this luscious read. There is a chapter about how her Dad would insist folks read a book he liked, and it was passed up and down the Gallo. My advice to you is the same as he gave, “read this book!”

No comments: