Here you’ll meet a lonely traveler on the road with his wealthy drug-addicted pal, a highway worker whose job is to remove trees, a toaster who needs some lessons in manners, and two gold mining partners who might be at odds.

There are dark tales such as the teen who faces his evil uncle in a violent showdown, the woman who crafts a new life after her husband becomes an admired outlaw, and the man who awaits the birth of his still-born daughter.

You’ll also discover happy endings, such as the story about a house-bound woman befriended by an unusual city worker, a middle-aged woman who takes ballet lessons from a teen, and another woman who discovers joy in her country lifestyle.

Included, are also an essay about Ukraine, three about school choice, and a ridiculously long holiday letter that covered two harrowing Christmases and a car in a pond.