Mercedes is located in Hidalgo County in South Texas in a geographic area called the Lower Rio Grande Valley; which is really a river delta at the mouth of the Rio Grande River first inhabited by Coahuiltecans. Spanish colonists arrived in this area in 1749 to establish ranching communities. In 1905; the American Rio Grande Land and Irrigation Company purchased land in the Llano Grande Spanish land grant; built Mercedes as a showcase headquarters; constructed the largest irrigation system then known; and proceeded to develop the area through commercialized agriculture. Home of notable author Dr. Rolando Hinojosa-Smith; G.I. Forum founder Dr. Hector P. Garciacute;a; Olympic athlete Billy Gene Pemelton; US congressman Rubeacute;n Hinojosa; and the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show; Mercedes continues to attract many visitors who seek the mild climate and warm hospitality of the town.
#295220 in eBooks 2014-08-04 2014-08-04File Name: B00NB5FG8M
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Brave!By darswordsIn the six degree from game; I feel fairly close to Jewel and her family. And since my cruise to Alaska in June over a decade ago I have a sacred place in my heart for that "Last Frontier"; and Kilcher family. So with the above in mind; when I saw this book on sale for $.99; I grabbed it.This is not a fantasy book; this is not an adventure book. It is bits and pieces of someones life. To read that kind of thing I have to be in a certain mood. Having just moved north into the country into a slower lifestyle. I found I could probably enjoy a quieter books. I was not wrong. I dont think Ive read anything else by Jewel. And shes not of my generation of music so I barely listen to her. So it was I found myself wandering in somebody elses life through their writing. Much of it is poetic in nature; a lot of it feels like youre reading her journal. I felt Jewel was very brave; with a lot of what she shared of her life in this book. Maybe she addressed these things in her other books; but as I said this is my first time reading her writing.How could someone be judgmental about a person sharing a piece of their life? So I find giving it any kind of stars difficult. For being brave and being open; I give her five stars for this book. But I think the hard thing for me was how often the book went back and forth in time. And since I was listening on text-to-speech; I found it difficult to know; what part of her life she was speaking of. And though the book is now $3.99; I think it is well worth it. If only to teach the rest of us to start writing our journals.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Perfect graduation gift for the young woman in your life!By T. CruzI didnt know who Jewel was when I first read these poems so experienced them entirely on their own merit. Simple; direct; poignant - it was like an old friends saying allowed they things I already knew in my heart but did not have the words for. Get this book; you will not be disappointed. Makes a great gift; especially for teen girls or young adults just starting to find their own way through life.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An Excellent Collection of Stories written by Jewel while travelling far and wide!By SimonsGirl-ScentMasterGreat stories! (often true ones) Jewel is an amazing storyteller! She tells it like she sees it! Sometimes funny; sometimes sad; sometimes downright hiliarious; sometimes quite mad! Sometimes memories of times gone by; sometimes an observation of something occurring right in that moment; sometimes; sharing honest personal feelings of courage; love and compassion for some people from deep within her heart; sometimes she shares her honest outrage at the audacity and rudeness that dictates the selfish behavior of others. These are Jewels stories. She is an interesting; thoughtful; compassionate; intelligent; clever; honest; and extremely colorful writer... with a GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR!!! Life is both funny and sad. Jewel sees this; and has the perfect way of expressing it! YOU WILL TREASURE THIS BOOK!!!
