So, I had my planned summer vacation hiatus from blog writing which then turned into an unplanned hiatus. This can sometimes be the kiss of death for a blog. I am counting on you to simply be glad I am back.
Things have been changing for me this last year. I officially retired from my personal chef work. I have been busy working on my second book. I’m almost finished with the first draft. You can still find information about my first book Through The Fire, cooking our way into a new relationship with food elsewhere on the website.
In a few weeks ,I’ll be heading out on a 2 month long road trip around the country and will be including adventures from the road on the blog. I’m mostly excited but also a little nervous about the whole thing. Lots and lots of friends to see, beautiful places to go, photos to take, good food to eat. And 2 months without my cat or my bed. We shall see.
My new book is a memoir. I’m called it an exaggerated memoir. There might be some parts that have been enhanced, shall we say ? just a bit. You won’t be able to tell. (grin)
For your reading pleasure and to spark your interest, here is the opening, the first section of the prologue. I expect I’ll need another 6 months to re write and edit, then comes looking for a publisher. I will keep you posted and occasionally post other pieces to keep you interested.
THE WOMAN WHO…an exaggerated memoir
by Charity Dasenbrock
first draft
It’s about the woman who is working daily on loving herself and her friends. She is teaching people about body positivity. She continues to move forward from abuse and shitty self esteem, growing older with as much grace as possible. It’s not too late for anything really. Her story has drama, it has humor, it has some swearing, it has tears, it has cats. You might just be able to relate.
PROLOGUE
August, 1960, Sunday afternoon,playing with my dolls
It’s so hot out. I hope Mom doesn’t make me go outside. I don’t like it when she needs her nap time. I want to stay here and play with you. We have to be very quiet. Let’s pretend it’s not hot and we can have tea. and we can eat cookies. Here’s a place for you Ginny. I like your new dress. You look fancy in your ribbons. You might have to stand up though.If you sit down, the ribbons might come undone and your dress would fall off. That would be embarrassing. Betsy Wetsy, did you wet your pants again ?? bad girl. Let’s change you. There. Sit here next to Ginny. Raggedy Ann, you have to sit over here because you are so big. and the babies can be over here with me. Sorry, Mr English guard and Raggedy Andy, no boys allowed this time. I’m putting you away. You girls all look so pretty. Not like me. You should see the ugly clothes I got for school. I can’t show you because they have to be sewed so they fit better. One dress is so long I can’t walk in it. It’s really a dress for a grownup. The lady in the store was so mean. I didn’t like her. I’m too fat, Mom says. I have to try harder, Mom says. I do try. I don’t want to be fat. I don’t want her to be mad at me. I cried because I couldn’t find the dresses I wanted. Mom yelled so then I cried some more. and then she cried. All the long drive home, she looked so mad. She and my dad talked about it at dinner. she said she was sad but she sure looked mad. Last night I stole some cookies. I tried to save some for our party but I ate them all. I’m sorry. All we have are pretend cookies. You always eat too many real ones. These are better anyway. They won’t make us fat and ugly.
