This is a true story of a young girl growing up in a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania in the 1940's. She describes humorous and heartfelt events, some tragic, that impacted the lives of her family and their neighbors. Her dream to live in New York City came true at the age of 17. The story describes life in the Big City, as well as a scintillating adventure in Cuba and a harrowing episode being marooned in a snowstorm. The author's tenacity, coupled with a love of music and art, led to an interesting and lucrative career while meeting and drawing famous people as a professional caricaturist.