Nutshell / Testimonials
“Kiss Your Elbow – A Kentucky Memoir”
The title “Kiss Your Elbow” refers to an old southern saying for making the impossible happen. As the oldest child in a large baby-boomer family, Deanna wanted to be a boy, so she could escape from the house and enjoy the freedoms her brothers had. Wonderful memories of the mid-20th century, allow the reader to re-experience the wonderful peaceful period of prosperity for the middle class. Deanna takes us to the fun days of Fountain Ferry Park, the glamour of shopping in the glorious department stores on 4th Street, Louisville’s major shopping area and gives many other charming memories. She re-visits the beautiful theaters and hotel lobbies located in our glamorous downtown, as well. “It was so special to go downtown that nobody went there without fully dressing up with gloves, hats and heels.” She describes a morning of busy activity at Union Station Train Depot when Louisville was known, as the “Gateway to the South.”
This pleasant chronicle tells of the good old days when people not only knew their neighbors, they depended on them. Also, it was a time when children were given responsible chores in the running of the family and were expected to do them. You’ll want to spend every minute of your time with the delightful O’Daniel Family, experiencing their simple adventures in a way that only an oldest daughter can weave them.
Written with a sense of hope and an amazing capture of mid-twentieth century detail, you will enjoy the opportunity to:
Testimonials on the back of the book:
O’Daniel, a gifted writer who tightly weaves her life’s journey through stories that makes growing up on a farm sound like sunshine. She shares the daily toil, angst and rivalry associated with a large family in a humorous, but realistic way – tugging at your heart for a piece of those bygone days. Corrider Jones, A Backward Glance
Deanna O’Daniel’s story sets the tone of her life – dedicated parents and eventually 11 siblings who migrate near Louisville, Kentucky when Deanna was five. Her stories paint a portrait in glowing colors, depicting struggles and love that endures. You will love Deanna and her story. Terry Cummins, Feed My Sheep
Only a few can tell their story coherently like Deanna does with this touching memoir. A chronicle of many customs and places that are fast slipping away from our collective memories, such as her description of the country store in Nelson County, Kentucky. A book you will tell others, “I’m so fond of this one.” John Allen Boyd, Emerson Avery, That Latin Teacher
Nutshell – Changing the Sheets – A Kentucky Memoir”
Deanna’s second book, “Changing the Sheets – A Kentucky Memoir,” tells how women of the ‘Silent Generation’ found their voice. “We were forced to stop being the gentile ladies we had been trained to be, in order to handle a world that suddenly changed!” The young people that followed the Silent Generation were fueled by anger at the Vietnam War and liberated by the birth control pill. This huge group, later to be called “Baby Boomers,” created major revolutions on the American scene. “Changing the Sheets,” tells how the Silent Generation woman found her independence amidst the wildness of the 1960’s, including the sudden freedom woman gained by the ‘sexual revolution.’
It was the Silent Generation who began the change for the role of women, taking them from the home and into the workplace. Many refused these changes: this generation lacked the inner skills of being able to take up for themselves and/or set boundaries. This situation was later termed, “Co-dependent.” Lessons the parents of the Silent Generation had given their daughters were, “It’s not Lady-like, to speak ‘out of turn.” These old beliefs were hard, but necessary to remove. However, like other millions of my age group, I persevered. Also written in a spirit of nostalgia and humor, Deanna says, “I hope this remembrance will be fun for you and that you will find a few chuckles along the way.”
See how many of these 1960’s/`70s events you remember:
Deanna O’Daniel’s, Changing the Sheets speaks for women in the turbulent times of our country as they advocated for racial equality, the end of the Vietnam War, and began a tsunami wave of feminism. The author speaks to these issues as she lived through them: raising children, teaching, and attempting to be a model wife. Her story resonates with readers who see her move into self-sufficiency. This book written in nostalgic humor is a welcome testament of a difficult struggle for women of her era. Mary Popham, Back Home in Landing Run
Deanna O’Daniel’s writing instantly draws in the reader. I loved Kiss Your Elbow- A Kentucky Memoir, Deanna’s memoir about growing up as the oldest in a family of 13. This 2nd book shares stories of her Silent Generation life during her young adult years as a 1960s/70s housewife. Deanna’s writing contains humor and descriptions that bring the reader right into each scene and adventure. Nancy Gall-Clayton, Playwright
Nutshell - “Opening New Window – A Kentucky Memoir”
Deanna’s third book was also written with the intention of bringing back memories for the women of the Silent Generation,” (1939-1945). “In effort to achieve the freedom we wanted from the Woman’s Movement, many of us tried this new thing called ‘therapy,’ and soon found ourselves divorced,” Deanna says. With the passage of “Roe V/S Wade” for woman’s freedom of choice and the workplace gender-equity laws passed in the ‘60s, women expected that ERA – Equal Rights Amendment, was soon to follow. However, once divorced, these women found the protections for single women were not as real as they had hoped. “In this third book, our generation had to learn how to ‘face the music,” Deanna admits. The role identity of men had also changed. “No longer treating us like the ‘gentleman’ they used to be, we gals had to tread the waters differently.” Deanna was mostly disappointed when she was put in her place by the ‘old guard,’ of women that did not want society to change and worked against it. But, being determined and eager for change, we persevered. Nostalgia is powerful – enjoy it!
While “The Times They Are A-Changin” played on the radio, the upheaval of the sixties and seventies proved exhilarating though chaotic. In her latest memoir, Opening A New Window, Deanna O’Daniel speaks honestly about the demise of her traditional button-down marriage. With a secure teaching position, home ownership, and like-minded activist friends, she created a satisfying life for herself and her two children. In this book, you will applaud her courage on every page. A must-read. Mary Popham, Back Home in Landing Run
Deanna O'Daniel has blossomed as an accomplished, first class writer in her latest book, Opening a New Window - A Kentucky Memoir. Divorce is challenging for anyone, but it's especially challenging for an untested, self-confessed "naive woman," unaccustomed to standing up for herself. Deanna's experiences go way beyond the mundane. Indeed, her encounter with a brazen peeping Tom who invades her home is harrowing, but pales in significance when compared to her riveting story of the white knight who turns out to be a menacing stalker. The old saying, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," applies perfectly to Deanna as she evolves, providing her with meaty subject matter that will keep you turning the pages. Bryant Stamford, Sneakin' Deacon - from Secret Service to Sacred Service.
The title “Kiss Your Elbow” refers to an old southern saying for making the impossible happen. As the oldest child in a large baby-boomer family, Deanna wanted to be a boy, so she could escape from the house and enjoy the freedoms her brothers had. Wonderful memories of the mid-20th century, allow the reader to re-experience the wonderful peaceful period of prosperity for the middle class. Deanna takes us to the fun days of Fountain Ferry Park, the glamour of shopping in the glorious department stores on 4th Street, Louisville’s major shopping area and gives many other charming memories. She re-visits the beautiful theaters and hotel lobbies located in our glamorous downtown, as well. “It was so special to go downtown that nobody went there without fully dressing up with gloves, hats and heels.” She describes a morning of busy activity at Union Station Train Depot when Louisville was known, as the “Gateway to the South.”
This pleasant chronicle tells of the good old days when people not only knew their neighbors, they depended on them. Also, it was a time when children were given responsible chores in the running of the family and were expected to do them. You’ll want to spend every minute of your time with the delightful O’Daniel Family, experiencing their simple adventures in a way that only an oldest daughter can weave them.
Written with a sense of hope and an amazing capture of mid-twentieth century detail, you will enjoy the opportunity to:
- Revisit big department stores again, when Louisville’s, only place to shop was downtown
- Spend a delightful day at Fontaine Ferry, Louisville’s famous amusement park
- Experience farm life in the suburbs. Deanna’s classmates jumped rope in subdivisions while the O’Daniel children slopped hogs, killed chickens, and hoped they went to school without smelling like the animals they tended.
Testimonials on the back of the book:
O’Daniel, a gifted writer who tightly weaves her life’s journey through stories that makes growing up on a farm sound like sunshine. She shares the daily toil, angst and rivalry associated with a large family in a humorous, but realistic way – tugging at your heart for a piece of those bygone days. Corrider Jones, A Backward Glance
Deanna O’Daniel’s story sets the tone of her life – dedicated parents and eventually 11 siblings who migrate near Louisville, Kentucky when Deanna was five. Her stories paint a portrait in glowing colors, depicting struggles and love that endures. You will love Deanna and her story. Terry Cummins, Feed My Sheep
Only a few can tell their story coherently like Deanna does with this touching memoir. A chronicle of many customs and places that are fast slipping away from our collective memories, such as her description of the country store in Nelson County, Kentucky. A book you will tell others, “I’m so fond of this one.” John Allen Boyd, Emerson Avery, That Latin Teacher
Nutshell – Changing the Sheets – A Kentucky Memoir”
Deanna’s second book, “Changing the Sheets – A Kentucky Memoir,” tells how women of the ‘Silent Generation’ found their voice. “We were forced to stop being the gentile ladies we had been trained to be, in order to handle a world that suddenly changed!” The young people that followed the Silent Generation were fueled by anger at the Vietnam War and liberated by the birth control pill. This huge group, later to be called “Baby Boomers,” created major revolutions on the American scene. “Changing the Sheets,” tells how the Silent Generation woman found her independence amidst the wildness of the 1960’s, including the sudden freedom woman gained by the ‘sexual revolution.’
It was the Silent Generation who began the change for the role of women, taking them from the home and into the workplace. Many refused these changes: this generation lacked the inner skills of being able to take up for themselves and/or set boundaries. This situation was later termed, “Co-dependent.” Lessons the parents of the Silent Generation had given their daughters were, “It’s not Lady-like, to speak ‘out of turn.” These old beliefs were hard, but necessary to remove. However, like other millions of my age group, I persevered. Also written in a spirit of nostalgia and humor, Deanna says, “I hope this remembrance will be fun for you and that you will find a few chuckles along the way.”
See how many of these 1960’s/`70s events you remember:
- (SNCC) Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
- (SDS) students for Democratic Society, the Weathermen
- Racial riots in the cities, college demonstrations for freedom of speech
- Protests over the Vietnam War, burning of draft cards
- The Hippies, ‘Flower Children,’ the Hara Krishnas, Yippies
- War on Poverty, LBJ
- the March to Selma, the Freedom Riders
- Tim Leary and LSD
- Martin Luther King’s, “I’ve Got a Dream” Speech, the bodies of the three civil rights workers found in 1964
- Rise of the Black Panthers
- Richard Spec, Charles Whitman
- Charles Mansion and his ‘Family,’ the Sharon Tate and the La Bianca Murders
- Streakers
- Patti Hearst and the (SLA) Symbionese Liberation Army
- hot pants, paper dresses, go-go boots, Nehru jackets, mutton chops-sideburns, foo man chu moustaches
- psychedelic patterns and colors on furniture and clothing,
- Movies of Rosemary’s Baby, Bob, Ted Carol and Alice, Annie Hall, Woody Allen/Diane Keaton movies
- Singers: Janice Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix and Jim Morrison
- The sudden rush to therapy: Primal Scream, Sensitivity Training, ‘Trust Falls
- Watergate, Nixon’s Impeachment – many more!
Deanna O’Daniel’s, Changing the Sheets speaks for women in the turbulent times of our country as they advocated for racial equality, the end of the Vietnam War, and began a tsunami wave of feminism. The author speaks to these issues as she lived through them: raising children, teaching, and attempting to be a model wife. Her story resonates with readers who see her move into self-sufficiency. This book written in nostalgic humor is a welcome testament of a difficult struggle for women of her era. Mary Popham, Back Home in Landing Run
Deanna O’Daniel’s writing instantly draws in the reader. I loved Kiss Your Elbow- A Kentucky Memoir, Deanna’s memoir about growing up as the oldest in a family of 13. This 2nd book shares stories of her Silent Generation life during her young adult years as a 1960s/70s housewife. Deanna’s writing contains humor and descriptions that bring the reader right into each scene and adventure. Nancy Gall-Clayton, Playwright
Nutshell - “Opening New Window – A Kentucky Memoir”
Deanna’s third book was also written with the intention of bringing back memories for the women of the Silent Generation,” (1939-1945). “In effort to achieve the freedom we wanted from the Woman’s Movement, many of us tried this new thing called ‘therapy,’ and soon found ourselves divorced,” Deanna says. With the passage of “Roe V/S Wade” for woman’s freedom of choice and the workplace gender-equity laws passed in the ‘60s, women expected that ERA – Equal Rights Amendment, was soon to follow. However, once divorced, these women found the protections for single women were not as real as they had hoped. “In this third book, our generation had to learn how to ‘face the music,” Deanna admits. The role identity of men had also changed. “No longer treating us like the ‘gentleman’ they used to be, we gals had to tread the waters differently.” Deanna was mostly disappointed when she was put in her place by the ‘old guard,’ of women that did not want society to change and worked against it. But, being determined and eager for change, we persevered. Nostalgia is powerful – enjoy it!
While “The Times They Are A-Changin” played on the radio, the upheaval of the sixties and seventies proved exhilarating though chaotic. In her latest memoir, Opening A New Window, Deanna O’Daniel speaks honestly about the demise of her traditional button-down marriage. With a secure teaching position, home ownership, and like-minded activist friends, she created a satisfying life for herself and her two children. In this book, you will applaud her courage on every page. A must-read. Mary Popham, Back Home in Landing Run
Deanna O'Daniel has blossomed as an accomplished, first class writer in her latest book, Opening a New Window - A Kentucky Memoir. Divorce is challenging for anyone, but it's especially challenging for an untested, self-confessed "naive woman," unaccustomed to standing up for herself. Deanna's experiences go way beyond the mundane. Indeed, her encounter with a brazen peeping Tom who invades her home is harrowing, but pales in significance when compared to her riveting story of the white knight who turns out to be a menacing stalker. The old saying, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," applies perfectly to Deanna as she evolves, providing her with meaty subject matter that will keep you turning the pages. Bryant Stamford, Sneakin' Deacon - from Secret Service to Sacred Service.