West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

 Leslie Polson surprised me by mailing me this book. She thought I would enjoy it, because she did, although she mentioned she got a little bit tired of the long trip along the road. I did enjoy it, and never once thought it was too long along the road! Every challenge that met this amazing transport seemed insurmountable, but somehow, they made it through.

The main character, Woody Nickel, tells the story from his point of view. It's really interesting to read his thoughts as an orphan, a criminal, a juvenile, later an adult of 18, a dustbowl victim, a child abuse survivor, and a growing young man. We get to see his skewed thinking processes, relate to his temptations, and always want him to catch a break. His Old Man, the zoo guy who accompanies the giraffes and eventually hires Woody to drive them is a colorful and unpredictable character, as is Red, the "reporter" who comes in and out of the story. 

It's an amazing peek into this period of American history; post dustbowl, and to read about all of the itinerant people who try to steal the giraffes, bribe Woody, and otherwise create mayhem. The writing is so descriptive and, at times, stunning. It was a great book to retreat to near the end of this very hot summer. I really looked forward to reading it when it was too hot to go outside, and when I was ready to do nothing but VEGE out. The writing is so good though, it never felt like I was avoiding life or wasting my time, which I sometimes do when I'm on a reading binge. This was a very, very good book!

It has also given me something to talk about with Linda Terry and some of the other women in our ward because they read it for their book club recently--before I joined. They all liked it too, and were also amazed by the story and how it unfolded. In some ways it's like a mystery as we learn about Woody's and Red's pasts. It also inspired me to learn more about this "Grapes of Wrath" period...such a despressing time. I've always been captivated by the old black and white photos of this era, and now I'm curious to learn more. I read the Grapes in eighth grade, I think, and I'm sure I've seen the movie, but sure don't remember when. Henry Fonda... Maybe it's time to see it again. 

The Last Cowboys - A Pioneer Family in the New West by John Branch

 Donna Winget in St. George recommended this book to me over lunch one day. She raved about what it reveals about rodeo life and life in the more rural parts of southern Utah. She was right; not only is it good reading about fascinating characters, it's also about a way of life that is foreign to me and unique. And I probably understand more about horses and cowboys and ranch life than the average person, but still, I learned a lot. I really enjoyed the intimate look into this family's life. 

I took the book along with me to Napa this week because I figured my dad would enjoy hearing excerpts of it. Unfortunately, he was too close to death to be able to want to have anything read to him. He would have loved it, though! And I smiled every time I spied his lariat in his closet...

There were some very poignant lines and a lot of wisdom along the way. These cowboys were very stoic about their injuries and humble about their winning. I kept wondering about who was paying for the doctor bills and surgeries. I also wondered about the physical pain that had to be overcome to continue, and the price each would pay as their bodies aged.

I recommended this book to Glen Whipple, and he agreed it was good and well-written. One thing I'd like to talk to him about is how a writer like this one was able to become intimate with the family and capture all of the moments and insights he did. It makes me wonder, how did he become invisible? Or, more realistically, what impact did his presence have on the family? And how long did it take for him to get close and for them to get comfortable sharing. The family members' humility is such an endearing quality. They also seem unassuming and kind of private, so it's even more astounding that they would allow this level of exposure. 

Another theme was the encroaching public from Zion National Park on their cattle operations. Branch did a good job of depicting the opposing forces at work as this lifestyle struggles to remain viable. I really liked the seeming win-win solution described at the end of the book where the generational land is being converted into a place for limited numbers of tourists to experience ranch life. I would like to go see how that's going now. 

October 2025

I took this book along to Granger, Indiana, when a drunk driver hit Sierra and I needed a book to read on the plane and after I got there. I knew I liked this book, and it had gotten me through Daddy's passing, and I was ready for something completely different from what I was reading. It did not disappoint! Still an amazing family and I'm still amazed by their willingness to lead such a painful and exhausting lifestyle.

In talking with Carol Ann Gardner on our temple shift one day, I learned that she is a big fan of Ststson Wright, and so I have lent the book to her. I'n excited to hear how much she enjoys it! She watches the Cowboy Channel (which I didn't know existed), so she can fill me in on how the Wright boys are doing nowadays in their rodeo careers.