Martin Green is a retiree/free-lance writer living in Roseville, California. In 1991, the year after he retired, he started writing articles for a weekly alternative newspaper in Sacramento, Suttertown News.. In the same year, he began free-lancing for the Neighbors section of the Sacramento Bee, contributing over 100 articles until Neighbors was discontinued in 2002.. Since 2000, Hes been writing for a monthly newspaper, the Sun Senior News, which goes to over 10,000 households in two retirement communities, Sun City Roseville (where he lives) and Sun City Lincoln Hills. He currently does two monthly features, Observations and Favorite Restaurants. This book is a collection of all, or almost all, of Martins journalistic pieces. It starts with his first story for Suttertown News, about how a water district was coping with a then years-long drought, and ends with a piece he wrote about his father for the Sun Senior News. The stories include profi les of people such as David Freeman, then head of SMUD; two notable writers in Davis, Kim Stanley Robinson and Karen Joy Fowler; a number of artists, musicians and other writers; many active senior citizens, and survivors of Pearl Harbor. They also cover places such as art galleries, restaurants, museums, coffee houses and swim and tennis clubs, and events such as the Elk Grove Strauss Festival, the Folsom rodeo and the first Saturday Night Art Walk. In addition to his journalism, Martin has had over 200 short stories published in online magazines and has so far self-published three collections of these stories (2006, 2007 and 2008) as well as a longer work, One Year in Retirement (2009) and a collection of his Observations (2010). He has been married to Beverly (a water-color artist) for 46 years, has three sons (David, Michael and Christopher), three grandsons (Mason, Morgan and Logan), one granddaughter (Stephanie) and two cats (Bun-Bun and Shandyman).

Known for their woolly charm, sure-footed strength, and a propensity to spit at you if you bother them too much, llamas have had a rich and diverse history. Since their domestication high in the Andes, they have been farmed, smuggled, sacrificed, and sometimes kept around just to be petted. They have functioned at different times as luxury commodities, literary muses, and national symbols, and they have served by turns as beasts of burden, circus performers, and even golf caddies. In this book, Helen Cowie charts the fascinating history of llamas and their close relatives, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas. Cowie illustrates how deeply the Incas venerated llamas and shows how the animals are still cherished in their native lands in Peru and Bolivia, remaining central to Andean culture. She also tells the story of attempts to introduce llamas and alpacas to Britain, the United States, and Australia, where they are used today for trekking, wool production, and even as therapy animals. Packed with llama drama and alpaca facts, this book will delight animal lovers, fans of natural history, and anyone who just can’t resist these inimitable animals’ off-the-charts cuteness factor.

Describes the physical characteristics, habits, and natural environment of the llama. Also includes information on its history and relationship to people.

Trek Tales will inspire your love for adventure, nature, and llamas. The author describes her longing to be in the wild places and to spend more time in nature. On this journey she adopts two amazing llamas and trains them for backpacking. She also meets a friend on a similar journey with her llamas. Together, for many years, they provide friends and family many wonderful backcountry experiences in the California wilderness. The food, scenery and comradery of these adventures draws people together in community with one another. Some trek tales are harrowing and others humorous, but all of them are true.

Are You an Ostrich or a Llama? Written by one of the world's most published authors in the field of hospitality, this book represents a radical departure from traditional texts in the industry. Targeted at hotel management, this book is intended to serve as a platform for discussion on current issues relating to the performance of hotels and resorts. Through a combination of real life examples and an examination of current challenges facing the hotel industry, the book comprises approximately one hundred individual segments each dedicated to a single thought or concept. These stand alone articles are then combined into ten chapters, each dedicated to a specific topic. The book has been written so that hoteliers of any level, from apprentice to seasoned general manager will be able to gain value from the contents. While the bulk of articles deal with marketing aspects, many of the items relate to core operational issues. A theme common throughout is to recognize the importance of guest service as it relates to the industry. For those who are not involved in the hotel industry, but have careers that involve customer service, s the practical hints provided throughout the text, serve as excellent training pointers. So, why the title? Ostriches are classically known as avoiding conflict by putting their head in the sand. While probably not true, the stigma remains, and those who are considered an ostrich, are living in the past. Llamas, on the other hand, are considered utilitarian, hardworking and reliable. This is what you want to strive for. By reading this book, and digesting the contents, the hope is to move from ostrich to llama.

There has never been a better time to add a few camelid comrades to your camp—and in Llamas and Alpacas, author and expert Sue Weaver shows you just how to make it happen! With color photos, advice from experienced breeders and farmers, and a comprehensive appendix on common maladies, you'll learn the ins and outs of buying and caring for these remarkable creatures—and delight in what they can do for you in returns! The Hobby Farms livestock care manuals will help both experienced and novice hobby farmers realize their own dreams of life on the farm - for pleasure and profit.

Helping animals, having fun! The bestselling Animal Ark series has been reimagined for a new generation of children. Perfect for animal lovers and fans of Holly Webb and Magic Animal Friends. When Amelia and Sam's friend Caleb adopts a new llama, they hope she will become friends with the other two llamas at the petting farm. But the new llama's arrival causes lots of problems as Llarry and LLiam are spitting mad about having to share their pasture with the newcomer! Can Amelia and Sam help sort out the llama drama? A brilliant animal series from multi-million-selling author Lucy Daniels, loved by parents and children alike! "I remember reading these books as a child myself. Now buying them for my own daughter. . . Delightful stories!" "I love this series of books. They made me realise how special animals are!"