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by Eleanor Janis Domer (Author)
A patchwork of memories has followed Janis Domer all of her adult life. Trained as an artist, she skillfully brings her eye for detail into painting an intimate portrait of her early years as the child of an alcoholic father. Turnips on the Ceiling-a Memoir is an intense and honest rendering of a family living near the center of Cleveland, Tennessee during the 1950's and 1960's--the family that everyone in town thought they knew. A first generation baby-boomer, Janis was the third of five children born to a bright and hopeful mother and a wounded World War II veteran father. Learning how to cope with his unpredictable rage and outlandish behavior was a task that stole away the joy of their home. Forgetting those formative years of watching and waiting as her father descended into the darkness of alcoholism was never an option for the shy, yet precocious daughter caught in the middle of it all. How was it possible to grow up under such dire circumstances, having to pretend that nothing was ever wrong? Janis took refuge in the faith of her mother and grandmother, in spite of being surrounded by religious people who looked the other way. With fervent prayers she fought the fear, sadness, and loneliness which threatened to overwhelm her. Answers did come in surprising ways that only God could have arranged. At once both humorous and poignant and speaking of the changing times of those years, numerous stories of delights, adversity, and miracles invite us to come along on a journey too hard to forget. This story is an encouraging gift meant to be shared by yesterday's children and younger generations, who like Janis can't go back to make things better. They can though now laugh, cry, and heal together in the light of today and ask the question of everyone-who is your neighbor?
