Gert, a wisecracking neighbor, amuses George with her offbeat humor. However, it is Catherine, her refined and disillusioned mother, who awes him. Before long George and Catherine are inseparable. With their relationship blossoming, George realizes he must make a difficult decision. In order to fully love Catherine he must give up his attachment to his deceased wife's memory. Eventually this happens, and he asks Catherine to marry him. However, serious health problems postpone the ceremony until George recovers.
    
Ultimately, Anne and her husband go to China and adopt a little girl, Jill remarries a man with two teen-age boys and Catherine's other daughter adds her two children to George's growing brood. When George feels awash with grandchildren, Anne tells him she's pregnant with his grandson.    
    
Cabbage Requiem captures the indomitable spirit of George Konert. He is alternately irascible and considerate, grumpy and lighthearted but always a man fully alive. Whether bickering with his neighbors, learning from a twelve-year-old how to play games on a computer or recovering from a knee replacement, his experiences and small victories will touch the hearts of the reader.

Cabbage Requiem, ISBN: 0-9723011-9-4, $16.95, is R.L Paul’s first book, and is available through Helm Publishing, 815-398-4660, on Helm Publishing’s website at http://www.publishersdrive.com