"Avalanche" represents how hard and fast this girl, indeed the world, grows up. Life will never again be safe and predictable. Without warning, sex, race, war, crime, and drugs tumble into the culture's consciousness. Nothing will be the same. Survival itself is a challenge.
This is a work of fiction, but it is inspired by a true story, the story of the author's nineteenth year, when everything seemed new to her. It was confusing and exciting - and not just for her, but also for the world. It was 1966, which for many was the year everything changed.
In a way, the story starts when the author was eight years old, when her mother took her to see a big ice show in Washington, D.C. It was very strange, but at that moment, she knew she was meant to be on the ice and not in the audience. It was more than five years before she had the opportunity to put on figure skates and wobble across a real piece of ice, indoors or out. But when she did, she thought to herself, "I'm happy now. I can die happy."
If you are a baby boomer, you will recognize most of this story. A large and powerful group, boomers changed everything by their sheer numbers, creativity and bravery. Many boomers have now breathed their last and are constantly saying goodbye to friends they loved. The newer generations have the attention now. Many of the references in this book will be lost on them, but some will be curious about what the times boomers were coming of age were like. The author hopes all enjoy her memories.
Former professional ice skater Bonnie Atwood is a national award-winning writer of newspaper and magazine articles, and books. At mid-life, she took an interest in the law and served as a lobbyist for such groups as retired teachers, fire marshals, the Girl Scouts, the Red Cross, and more. Today the Virginia resident is a human rights advocate, particularly around the rights of women and those with disabilities. She has been a governmental consultant for the Virginia Retired Teachers Association and Virginia Voice.This book is a semi-autobiographical account of her time performing and traveling with a big ice show. She started out as a newspaper reporter for a daily newspaper, The Journal Messenger in Manassas, Virginia. She is a freelance writer for Tall Poppies Consulting, specializing in legislative communication and advocacy. She has won state and national awards, and she is a past president of Virginia Professional Communicators. She is the author of hundreds of articles, co-author of several books, and is the author of two other books: In the Field of Honor: Interviews with Virginia Veterans (Capitol Connections, 2003) and My Journey Through Eldercare: The Search for Peace and Meaning (PathBinder Publishing, 2020).
