On the Okey Dokey Trail: A Smart-Aleck Perspective on the Give and Take of Life

by I. Leigh Private

On the Okey Dokey Trail is a collection of humorous stories about relationships, work, parenthood, plastic surgery, bad car karma, photography, weed, golf lessons, serendipity, popular culture, plus so much more.

This book WILL NOT help you find or keep a love relationship, grow the perfect rose or child, surmount life’s inexplicable tragedies, reinvent yourself, have a career in Hollywood, or extract the cream filling from a cupcake without it crumbling.

This book WILL make you laugh and offer a perspective on all the above and whatever life serves up.

We are so sure of our ability to entertain you that, in this one-time limited offer, we will guarantee 1-3 LOLs or your money back, no questions asked. Well, we may question if you even have a sense of humor, but it will be rhetorical. We would never post your name anywhere, pinky-swear.

Genres: Nonfiction

234 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2014

Reviews

[Debbie]

Funny, funny, funny, touching, funny, and relatable!

I couldn’t put this book down. It's full of vivid stories about the various times in life--childhood, college, simi-adulthood, work, marriage/parenthood and of the ordinary experiences in everyday life . The authors unique voice shines through and as she captures the humor in all of the times: letting go of our children as they grow up, turning the big 5-0, the dilemma of dealing with your sweet child who desperately wants a dog when you don’t, getting too many traffic tickets, having to “parent” your parent or having to care for a loved one who is sick and disabled to suggest a few. It’s an fun, uplifting and totally enjoyable easy read. You will smile, laugh (and laugh) and may even cry from some of the stories found in this book. Cant wait to see what’s next!

[Kathy]

This is a unique but enjoyable memoir of a life well lived. Whether about the grind of daily life, life’s small (and big) events and pitfalls, raising children or whatever else comes your way, the author has provided meaningful vignettes that describe them well, tough the humorous side of every reader, and keep the reader moving along in anticipation of more. The book moves long at a wonderful pace, keeping the reader enthralled and waiting for what waits around the next “corner”. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this wonderful compilation about the author’s life. It grabbed me from the get-go and kept my interest until the very end. This is the book you will want to read if friends, family and love are important to you, if you ever wonder whether your life with all its bumps and smooth expanses is unlike or like others’. I was and still am amazed at just how the author has managed to weave these tales and stories around events that, for the most part, are really just ordinary day events and occurrences. This is a great book to read while resting or relaxing after a long day or while enjoying a leisurely time off from the everyday things that consume our lives and time. I received this from Library Thing to read and review.

[SamAnnElizabeth]

[FULL REVIEW]

I’m not sure if I got my full three LOLs, but I had one or two. These stories were short and cute. I enjoyed them, but I wish there was more. Some of the stories were three pages. I didn’t feel like I got anything out of them that told me about the ‘give and take.’ The title and synopsis gave me some expectations about the topics and the idea that there would be some kind of moral lesson in these stories. And in the longer ones, I felt there was. But most of these stories were short or moderate in length and it wasn’t enough time for me to get into them. I liked them, I thought they were funny, but I didn’t get anything out of them. I wish the author had gone into them more.

I liked the Lamaze story about picking up her daughter from camp. I thought it showed how quirky she was and how much she loved her children while being both funny and heartfelt. It was the perfect balance that I felt the whole book was aiming for. To me, it was the best-balanced story.

[Christine Quigless]

I meant to read this book over the course of a few days, but I couldn't put it down. I ended up reading it in two sittings only because I couldn't reschedule everything. I don't have children yet, but this book reminds me to have a life before they become a major part of my life. "Okey dokey" includes some parenting lessons as well, lessons that remind me that no one gets it right, but that the way things are is perfect. If you're like me and family sounds wonderful, but adventure calls with a very loud voice, "okey dokey" gives one blueprint of a solution. And the love woven through the whole book, love of immediate family, compassion for those who can't even see that their hurting--it's all here: sections of a real life, in print.

[Megan]

This book is extremely inspirational. It provides valuable insight on the 'give-and-take' of life. It's also a valuable resource for any aspiring authors hoping to write a memoir. It made me really think about the little things and the bigger themes I would write about if I were to write my own memoirs. Most beneficially, it's also a real side of reality. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone going through a rough patch, any aspiring writers, or anyone that wants a good look at reality.

[Diana Kerew-shaw]

I loved this book! Instead of taking us through a step-by-step discussion of her journey through life, the author presents us with a collage of moments that build a vivid picture of a witty, adventurous and deeply loving woman. Whether she is dealing with a misadventure with her children, dire health crises with her twin brother or exploring her mysterious past, she never fails to hold our attention and illuminate her humanity. It's the kind of book that you can dip into, but I gobbled it up in one sitting.

[Susann]

Heartwarming, Lovely and Quirky

What a different kind of memoir. The title doesn't really do it justice. When first starting the book, you think the author is foul mouthed, weird and rebellious. Keep reading. She is also warm, funny, sounds like a wonderful parent, a loving sibling to her twin , interesting, talented and quite soulful. I like where she ended the book and each chapter towards the end had remarkable stories of compassion and serendipity. She sounds like she has achieved some true wisdom in her passage through life. Bless her!

[Audrey]

Great read. Some amusing tales punctuated with both heart warming and heart wrenching. I really appreciated that the short stories were brief enough that I could sneak reading them in between child drama. It gave me a chance to live a little vicariously through someone else's life. This is what I read for. To escape my own personal problems for just a little while. Reading this book definitely succeeded in allowing me to do that.

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Jackie]

"On the Okey Dokey Trail: A Smart-Aleck Perspective on the Give and Take of Life" by a gal named I. Leigh Private. At least that is the name given.

I enjoyed reading this gal's memoir as we are about the same age, lived through the same world events, and her thinking and sense of humor I could so relate to.
The story was broken up into dozens of stories of love, adventure, heart-break, travels all over the world. Loved it.

I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Luisa Romoff]

Love the many reviews about this touching, funny, moving piece about life's journey through childhood, college, marriage, parenting, etc. Ms. Private has a unique voice that I can't wait to experience and you should too!

[Jamie Brooks]

I did an all nighter for On the Okey Dokey Trail and it was well worth it!
I don't remember the last time that an author pulled me into her world so quickly that I just could not leave...
I laughed, I cried and I felt like I made a new best friend!

[Pamwendy]

This book is like spending an afternoon with a friend that you admire but wonder how she does it all..turns out we all fears, some people just plow through them better than others.

[Julie Blackwell]

I loved this book! Very funny short stories we can all relate to and laugh!

[Rachel Hacker]

I. Leigh Private's honesty is refreshing in this fun read about life as a modern working mother. I enjoyed her stories and felt as though I was listening to a friend over a glass of wine.

[Rachel]

This book was delightful discovery! Each story provided witty and snappy prose that was made this a joy to read. It was relatable and inspirational. Don't miss this one.

[Linda]

On the Okey Dokey Trail is a fun to read book. Told with humor, the author tells of memorable life events with short chapters. I enjoyed reading it.

[Sissel Bagge]

I started reading this book after seeing the raving reviews, but try as I might I couldn't face finishing it. Perhaps the culture gap between the target audience and a grumpy middleaged Dane is too big. Too bad.

[Anita McMullen]

Haven't read it yet but will soon!