It was love at first date, but the stars in their eyes didn't fade by morning light. Instead, the love story lasted for nearly 62 years. His journey took him through World War II's Battle of the Bulge, college and career. Hers moved from theory in the halls of learning to life with a family. Together they shared misadventures in the mid-twentieth century years when life was so different from today - a crazy landlady, a falling ceiling, a most unusual mortgage, a variety of interesting neighbors, raising five children together - and "equably shared" retirement years. She said, "I love you so much " He answered, "I love you MORE "

Parades, rodeos, celebrities and an interesting cast of characters are just part of the excitement awaiting 10 year-old Mary when she spends the summer with her grandparents at their hotel in Salinas. She also gets to spend time fishing, swimming and hiking with her cousins at the family-owned Wilderness Ranch in scenic Miller Canyon. Many adventures await Mary during the summer, but something is troubling her. Will she be able to stay with her dad and his new wife and go to her old school, or will she be sent to an uncertain future in boarding school? Go along with Mary and be transported to a simpler, more innocent time, a time of long car trips, comic books, lemon cookies and old-time movie stars.