This is the author's unique slant on life via various humorous stories, life essays, short sketches, tales of past and present, and more, all with a southern flair to them. She asks at her first official meeting at a "lose the weight" club. "Is this like Alcoholics Anonymous? Do I have to stand up in front of everyone and say something like, 'I'm Stella and I'm a fat person?'" There are nostalgic, touching and personal stories from the past. There is the tale of The Best Gift Ever, where a mother's love comes through when her sacrifice allows her son, for one day, not to be the poorest kid in class. There is the story of "Grandma's Beads." Grandma, despite her merits, was, overall, a stringy, hard-bitten and mean woman who thought a little "rough discipline," even when undeserved, never did a child any harm. She rarely had a nice word to say about anybody. If a neighbor got sick she was fond of claiming it was retribution from God, payment exacted for some unknown sin. She was quick to condemn and slow to praise. In fact, the only time she ever seemed even remotely happy was when she indulged in what she called "making my beads." "Fetch the cornstarch, child," she would say at unexpected intervals, "so's I kin make my beads." There are funny stories, touching tales, a present day account of a long visit to the doctor in "Mrs. Portabella Fears the Flu," life essays, even a piece titled "In Praise of Adopted Dogs" and more, much more. This is a book meant for the family, with entertaining tales and clean humor with a southern angle to it. Some stories will make you laugh out. Other tales may cause you to wipe away a tear or two, while others could have you nodding your head while muttering agreement under your breath.