Allen Cook is a retired cartographer, arthritic grandfather, and husband to the world's most patient nurse. Prone to wanderlust, introspection, and the occasional pining regret, he balances life with moments of wonder, gratitude, and an incurable fondness for dogs and small children.Raised in a series of small towns in western North Carolina as the son of a Methodist preacher, Allen feels most at home in small-town life-surrounded by loved ones and pacified with generous servings of ice cream.For most of his 65 years, his life has been measured in seasons of college basketball and major league baseball. His carefully plotted athletic career ended early, undone by gravity on the basketball court and an outfield range of only 400 square inches on the baseball diamond.