The author spent 41 years as a scientist in the field of microbiology publishing a number of peer reviewed research papers; after retiring he wrote a series of essays based on his life experiences and thoughts. Ruminations is a combinations of three books: The first covers the experiences of the author during the Great Depression from March 30, 1927, the birth date of the author, to 1943. This was the pivotal period that developed a person's character and world view; it was a time of great hardship and travail. The second book covers essays depicting thoughts and adventures of the author during the next 5 decades. This book includes the author's views of religious dogma and politics. The third book is about the transition from traditional publishing to the electronic digital book; thus was born the "Indie" publisher who no longer had an established publishing company to buy and sell his prose.