The Coast is Clear

About the Book

Dorsetta Hale: • Enjoys the outdoors and once camped on the streets of Los Angeles to see Mel Gibson. • Spent a romantic weekend with her husband at the city dump. • Composed a lovely poem for her 25th wedding anniversary invitations three years ago that have yet to be sent. • Went to a rock concert on a prison island. • Loves Christmas but not in September. • Is not a cat person. As a child, Dorsetta Hale had 36 first cousins. She was the oldest of three sisters at the time, a rarity in her huge extended family in which males dominated the sibling order. Needless to say, she grew up feeling warm and protected. Her parents were raised in segregation and saw the world in black and white. She saw the world in shades of gray. Her children see the world in color. The Coast Is Clear is her collection of first person essays that touch on issues of marriage, parenting, family, work, health, government and much more. The book is a celebration of life. Praise for essays in The Coast Is Clear - “My Husband, The Neighborhood Cup Of Sugar” - “I love your voice!” – Firoozeh Dumas, author of Funny In Farsi - “Hot Fun In The Mean Time” - “Sometimes it’s enough to just tell a story we’ve never heard before. Thus, the story about buying bathing suits with your son and daughter is well-told and original.” – Dave Eggers, author, editor and founder of McSweeney’s and 826 Valencia - “A New Development” - “This is so taut, vivid and good!” Adair Lara, author and reporter, San Francisco Chronicle - “You Can’t Judge A House By Its Paint” – “What a story! Your tale of deciding on a paint color for your home is something we can all relate to. I hope you are enjoying the blue trim.” Lacey N. Howard, assistant homes editor, Coastal Living Magazine - “My Brush With A Celebrity Crush” – “I feel the same way about J. Lo as you do about Mel. If only I could get that close for a picture. You are a very good writer. Keep it up.” Shawn Miyaki, 911 Public Safety Communications Dispatcher

About the Author

Praise for essays in The Coast Is Clear “My Husband, The Neighborhood Cup Of Sugar” - “I love your voice!” – Firoozeh Dumas, author of Funny In Farsi “Hot Fun In The Mean Time” - “Sometimes it’s enough to just tell a story we’ve never heard before. Thus, the story about buying bathing suits with your son and daughter is well-told and original.” – Dave Eggers, author, editor and founder of McSweeney’s and 826 Valencia “A New Development” - “This is so taut, vivid and good!” Adair Lara, author and reporter, San Francisco Chronicle “You Can’t Judge A House By Its’ Paint” – “What a story! Your tale of deciding on a paint color for your home is something we can all relate to. I hope you are enjoying the blue trim.” Lacey N. Howard, assistant homes editor, Coastal Living Magazine “My Brush With A Celebrity Crush” – “I feel the same way about J. Lo as you do about Mel. If only I could get that close for a picture. You are a very good writer. Keep it up.” Shawn Miyaki, 911 Public Safety Communications Dispatcher