The Ranch That Was Us

Patterson pieces together stories and lessons from her ancestral home, Stieler Hill Ranch outside San Antonio, Texas. Through first person accounts and historical narratives she shares the hardships and joys of her descendants, including the larger-than-life Grandfather Adolf Stieler, known for his equal love of goats and a good time. With the aid of the remarkable memories of her mother Shatzie and former ranch foreman Raymond Kuhlmann, Patterson recounts bits of wisdom and humor from the farm. Hard work, perseverance, and tenacity were everyday survival skills for the early occupants of Stieler Hill Ranch, who "ran more goats from the 1930s to the 1950s than anyone else since Angoras were brought to the United States." Tales of suffering and love are accompanied by the author's personal illustrations throughout. Patterson bares her soul by telling of her struggles overcoming the loss of her son Ren and brother Kerry before finding love again with second husband, Oscar Barrales. The spirit of each generation and the love of Stieler Ranch and its history goes on to the present day. This book will have every readerus all wanting to connect with herour own ancestral "home ranch". (Oct)