I can always trust my brothers

My three brothers, F.J. (Jim), Ernie Jr., and Ron can be trusted to look out for their sister (me)!  They played important roles in my childhood development.  Ernie, Ron and I fought over the television jumping up to turn the channel while the other was enjoying some program like Howdy Doody, American Bandstand, or Leave It To Beaver.  They tormented me over my weight gain during puberty; laughed at me when I strapped myself into the exercise belt machine that guaranteed to shimmy away hip fat; punched and bruised my arms fighting over the tether ball in the back yard; and challenged me to bike ride races, leaving me in the dust. They always seemed to make sure I remained "human," bringing me back to earth and mortality each time they caught me in lofty musings. My oldest brother, Jim, moved out of the house when I was in elementary school so my memories of him during that time are more limited than the vivid memories of Ernie and Ron.

Little has changed over the years. My three brothers are still active in my life. I love them very much. So... when they collectively let me know today that as children we did NOT catch fireflies in mason jars in Redwood Valley but rather back East during family reunions with our cousins... I can but smile and thank God they still love me enough to correct me.  That's a good thing.

It's a Memoir

Dear  Mom and Dad, Please Send Money, is a memoir based on events in my life from early years to May, 1976.  Mentioned in the book are my parents, Veda and Ernie Cassells, my 5 siblings, Jim, Marsha, Veda, Ernie Jr, and Ron, along with my niece Ruthie, and nephews Ron and Don.  My brother-in-law Paul is there, along with my baby nephew (at the time) Damian.

My girlfriends Debi and Karen played a part in my growing up so they are of course included.  And I mention the Redwood Valley Community Church and give an explanation of Jim Jones and The People's Temple, that was built in my home town, Redwood Valley.

Life was awesome in Redwood Valley. At age 16,  Debi and I went to work a summer in Lake Tahoe, where we met a couple of cute guys and fell in love.  A few months later, back home in the Valley, two FBI agents were standing at my front door.

Welcome

Welcome to Dear Mom and Dad, Please Send Money.  I was halfway through writing the manuscript and struggling for a title. I had at first thought to call this memoir just, "Dear Mom and Dad."  However friends and loved ones felt it needed something else attached to that title.  One day Hank (my very significant other) and I were driving down Hwy. 80 discussing different book titles when I noticed a country song on the radio. "Listen!" said I, turning up the volume.  Sugarland was singing their song, Baby Girl, which includes the lyrics "Dear Mom and Dad, Please Send Money." 
"That's it!" I said. "That's perfect for my book title." And here we are.  I am not an author. I am a woman with a story to tell, and I welcome you.