What is it that makes Kate Nicolaisen's life history so interesting? One of the answers is the way she tells it. Despite often having lived a hard life, particularly during her childhood, Kate Nicolaisen has never lost her optimism. Despite being wounded deeply by her nearest and dearest, she has herself been able to heal the wounds. Kate Nicolaisen's flair for storytelling rests on a solid foundation of socio-political understanding, great humanity, and a sharp sense...

Over the "canal" was a bridge. When I sat on the bridge, I could reach the water with my feet. It felt like soft caressing when the water glided past. Here I could sit with my own thoughts . . . melancholy thoughts. I could see my own mirror image. My tattered dress, my thin fair hair, my eyes, by skinny arms - at the bottom of the stream. It all seemed to move in the rushing water. If I lay down at the bottom! Then I would feel the water caressing my entire body. Then ...