When the name "Big Thicket" is mentioned to about anyone in East Texas, huge trees with dew-dripping moss and dense underbrush come to mind. But after reading Wanda Landrey's BOARDIN' IN THE THICKET, all I can think of are good country recipes and amusing homespun stories.

Boardin in The Thicket is a "must have" for anyone wanting to put the country back in cooking.

In todays fast-paced world, it's refreshing to read a book such as Wanda Landrey's "Boardin' In the Thicket". In her book, Landrey recreates the ambiance of a time when people would sit on their porches and rock and weave a tale or two.

Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by lifelong naturalists Campbell and Lynn Loughmiller, Big Thicket Legacy is a compendium of engaging and informative anecdotes about life and living in the Big Thicket country, which is a nearly impassable area of Texas territory that only a few pioneers dared to brave. In those days, only the heartiest of individuals and families could call a place within the heart of the Big Thicket home; their tales have become a part of Texas folklore, and in Big Thicket Legacy are preserved to available to the general reading public, thereby recounting a very special experienced wisdom for new generations of Texans.

A study of Texas women and the conflicting images and myths that have grown up about them. Texas women were activists. They ran ranches, branded cattle, lobbied the halls of the Texas Legislature, led strikes, ran hospitals, preached the gospel, got elected to public office and built major institutions. Women brought civilized life to hundreds of Texas towns by organizing libraries, museums, parks, symphony orchestras, Sunday schools, literary clubs and charitable organizations.

The stunning beauty of Texas caves can be seen in the book's many photographs (both color and black & white). The first part of the book gives a brief overview of the geology of Texas caves and cave biology. It provides descriptions of the seven largest "show caves" in the state (including directions, length of tour, camping, facilities, nearby motels, etc). State speleological parks which offer wild cave tours (through undeveloped caves) are also mentioned. The second part of the book includes chapters contributed by well-known Texas cavers. As a Texas caver myself, I was really happy to see a section on "Guide to Caving Etiquette," which can be useful to any reader who wants to know more about cave safety, Texas caving organizations, and establishing landowner relations. Another bonus is a chapter that includes tips for cave photography. This is a good companion book to "The Caves and Karst of Texas" which was put out by the National Speleological Society (1994).

Nowhere can you gain a better understanding of the real Texas than in the recurring publications of the Texas Folklore Society. These short works were compiled by Francis Edward Abernethy from the TFS holdings and share with the reader the wide diversity of culture in that great State. From stories about hunting in the Big Bend area to catching gar on the rivers of East Texas there's a true Bounty for everyone. J. Frank Dobie figures in several of the stories (as well he should...see my other reviews including "Longhorns") authoring one about the curiosity of deer. You also learn about Dobie's interest in collecting various types of grass seed to capture some that have since disappeared from the landscape. Another story shares the finer points of still making and yet another shares the lexicon of prisoners at Huntsville.

But of all the stories the only place I keep marked in the book is about the old minister in Chillicothe who had married folks for years. An always with notes of the bride and grooms name. But this one time was his nemesis:

Brother Patrick began a halting homily on the sacredness of marriage, hoping the names would come to him. He knew the bride was from the Beach family but couldn't recall her first name and he couldn't remember the grooms name at all. So he figures a way to ask them from the alter. Turning to the groom, he asked, "In what name do you come to be married?" The groom was dumbfounded for he didn't recall this being part of the ceremony. Finally he says, "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." To which Brother Patrick says, "What does your mother call you?"

"Puffen," said the groom.

"Puffen," Brother Patrick said, "do you take -" The bride's first name still hadn't come to him. "Do you take this Beach to be your wife?"

If you can find it, you'll love this great book about the real Texas.

Although a decent book to include in your library on folk art, the buyer/reader should be aware that this book is not strictly about folk art in the manner of most visual art books, but more about the folk "arts" found in Texas. It includes an interview with John Milkovisch, the creator of the famed Beer Can House in Houston, a segment on Jeff McKissack's Orange Show environment in Houston, and "articles" on tattooing, quiltmaking, Low Rider art, cemteries, and cowboy hats among other traditional craft activities under the rubric of "folk." The Milkovisch interview was very enlightening as was the artcile on the extremely important Orange Show. The book ends with articles on visual artists Johnny Banks, Alice Montemayor, and Eddie Arning. The printing and some reproductions are less than desirable by today's standards, but don't let that put you off as this is overall still a very good resource.