There's a banjo making background music for the audio edition of The Case of the Measled Cowboy. Sally May Loper doesn't want to miss her parents' 40th anniversary, but she thinks five-year-old Alfred (pronounced 'Alferd') is coming down with the measles. High Loper has already been stuffing suitcases and baby things in Sally May's car. He doesn't want that to be for nothing. Sally May doesn't want to expose her family to Alfred, but expresses no worry about baby Molly, so I hope that means that Molly has had her MMR vaccination. (Back when I was in high school I volunteered at a home for developmentally disabled girls. One of those girls was my age, but had the mind of a three-year-old because that was when her measles attacked her brain. I've had a very healthy respect for the potential dangers of measles ever since.)

Slim Chance assures Sally May that he'll take good care of her son. What a pity for the Lopers that they were already out of earshot when Slim comments that he never had the measles. Worse, Slim is under the false assumption that measles is a disease only children can get. EEK!

At first things seem to be going well. Hank boasts to Drover about what he did to Pete the Barncat now that Sally May isn't around to keep the dogs out of her yard. Those dogs weren't supposed to be allowed into the house, either, but Alfred doesn't care. Slim has already caught Alfred's measles and he's sicker than -- if you'll pardon the expression -- a dog.

With the best of intentions, the little boy tries to help out. He's so intent on fixing cowboy hash for Slim's lunch that he doesn't notice what a mess he's making. Hank is doing his loyal cowdog best to lick up the evidence, but it's too much for him. Well, at least Slim pronounces it the best cowboy hash he's ever eaten.

There's a blizzard outside when Slim's lady, the dog-loving Miss Viola, calls. Slim denies that he has anything worse than a bad cold, but Miss Viola intends to come over anyway. He keeps falling asleep, so it's up to Alfred and Hank to bring in wood for the stove when the power goes out. We don't have a wood-burning stove, but we do have a fireplace. What I thought might happen happened. At least Slim didn't blame the kid.

Alfred is so worried when Miss Viola doesn't show up that he attempts to drive his Daddy's pickup truck to the rescue. Yes, feel free to cringe.

The two big questions here are: 1. Will Miss Viola be rescued and 2. Will Hank, Alfred, and Slim survive Sally May's homecoming?

Never mind what the back cover says, I didn't hear any voice but Hank singing 'We'll Never Pull This Stunt Again'. I certainly hope not. Was this book funny? You bet! ( )