This memoir is a rollicking, exciting and often poignant tale of how the author hitchhiked and worked his way around the world, through the Iranian revolution, Mother Teresa's convent, a Malaysian opium den and the camps of the Khmer Rouge. It is about the outrageous characters he befriended along the way, the reasons they were on the road. And, ultimately, why he was on the road. A website about the book, including an interactive map and photos, can be found at https://threecentsamile.weebly.com/ .

Volume 1 

Half Empty, Half Full

White Lightning the dog and Bob Bob the cat are friends with opposite views of the world. As their shared daily lives unfold, Bob Bob sees endless possibilities. White Lightning sees only limitations.

This is a story about different ways of looking at the same situation. One way might make you sad or angry. Another way might make you happy or satisfied. In this tale of true friendship, a loving perspective helps a misguided dog realize that her half-empty life may actually be half full.

Different

Different celebrates the wonders that new neighbors bring with their various cultures, from food to music to just plain fun.

A confused dog named White Lightning is reminded by a wise cat named Bob Bob that differences can lead to new discoveries and sometimes even to friendship. This is a story about how fear of the unknown can be transformed into expanding your own world.

Volume 2

MINE!

MINE! is the story of Axel the puppy joining the family of White Lightning the dog and Bob Bob the cat. Axel now is the baby of the family and he is handed down toys, snugglies and bottles once used by White Lightning and Bob Bob. Sibling jealousy and rivalry rock the household.

In the end, sisterly love wins. White Lightning watches quietly as Bob Bob happily gathers items from her Memory Box to share with her little brother Axel. White Lightning suddenly realizes that a growing family means she is growing too - into a proud big sister.

Missing Rusty

Rusty the bird brings joy into the lives of his friends Bob Bob the cat and White Lightning the dog. When Rusty dies, White Lightning is overwhelmingly sad and demands that Bob Bob feel the same way. But Bob Bob has other ideas.

This is a story of friends with very different memories of a loved one, and how it's O.K. to mourn a loved one in our own, very different way.

Volume 3

Stuff!

Stuff! is a story about the joy of sharing.

A blundering dog named White Lightning likes to gather and hoard stuff, sometimes mountains of stuff. No giving, just taking.

After her towering collection of objects begins to trap her, White Lightning seeks help from her friend, a thoughtful cat named Bob Bob. She works to free White Lightning from all of her stuff, and shows her pal the trick to turning that trap back into treasure: sharing.

Choices

An insecure dog named White Lightning is in new surroundings and refuses to try new things. Instead, she spends her days tucked securely into her bed, alone. She is bored. So bored.

Her friend, an outgoing cat named Bob Bob, assures her that all beginners stumble and that laughter gets them back on their feet. Sometimes trying a new challenge can even lead to beginner's luck, perhaps not just learning a new skill but also making a friend.

Choices is a story about how we may steer our lives with the decisions we make.