Discusses the author's life inside an iron lung for sixty-one years after being diagnosed with polio at ten years old, including her path to a college degree, career as a journalist, and personal life with friends and family.

Originally published in hardcover : Asheboro, N.C. : Down Home Press, c2003.

Living on the edge when you don't know tea from turnips -- My fair helper -- A thin white curtain -- My best friend -- The miracle of the unwrapping -- Rescued by Wonderful Wanda, Prozac, and a dragon -- Christmas Eve, 1945 -- Lattimore in the late forties -- A farm of my own -- Boys -- Pulling another Br'er Rabbit -- A spider's web -- The long yellow barrel -- Mrs. Lee's Pythias -- My hometown collectibles -- From the Order of the Border to the Society of Phi Beta Kappa -- You can go home again -- Mother's merry twilight -- April 15, 1998 -- The old girls try ostrich burgers.