Old Friends: A Collection

From the beloved Houston columnist comes a new collection of his wise, tolerant, funny, and occasionally poignant narratives that appear regularly in the Houston Chronicle.   Also included are a few hard-to-find favorites from the past, including "The Chamber of Commerce Bull" and the unforgettable Christmas story, "Miracles out of a '22 Chevy." All are related in the graceful conversational prose, full of warmth and humor, that has long been Hale's hallmark. Among the many pleasures to be enjoyed here are kibitzing with the Old Codgers, sharing Cousin C. T.'s pranks, visits from My Friend Mel, adventures in rural life at Winedale, and other delightful examples of his warm-hearted wit and wisdom. All display Hale's eye for the telling detail and enlist us in the gentle laughter of self-recognition.