Seashells, Gator Bones, and the Church of Everlasting Liability

When DeLoyd Stroudamore discovers a cedar chest filled with handwritten stories from 1930s Toad Springs, Florida, he uncovers a world of three-legged gators with Jesus's face, preachers with prison pasts, and beauty shop disasters. Through authentic voices in genuine dialect, these interconnected tales reveal how ordinary people survived the Depression with humor, faith, and resilience. From family secrets to church scandals, from failed farms to successful gator ranches, Susan Adger weaves an unforgettable portrait of Old Florida that will make you laugh, cry, and feel you've found a community of friends.