Valerie Katz, a native Californian, was transported to Arkansas at age 67. She has 4 children and 6 grandchildren who are still astounded and amused by the move. She blames Eric Estrada.

"The News from Arkansas" presents an honest and humorous outlook on the culture shock that can occur when somebody moves to a different state after living in the same place for decades. And the inevitable problems when she hits the road in a motor-home.

I was a California girl, my children were unofficially forbidden to move more than 1 1/2 hours from their mother. How did I end up in Arkansas? I blame Eric Estrada!

After purchasing our new home in Arkansas, it was a full year before we could actually move there. We endured the commment, "You're moving where?!", and the looks that went with it by our California friends for the entire year. So, this started out as emails to friends and family to let them know all the strange and amusing differences in our new world. Many of them wanted to know if I was saving these tidbits to make into a book. One year, at Christmas, my son Donald, said he only wanted one thing for the following Christmas... a copy of the book. So, here is this book of laughter, and a few tears. I hope you will enjoy the read.