By Rachel Galvin

On Jan. 18, Lisa Eva Gold gave a talk about Chronic Fatigue at the Deerfield Beach Woman’s Club. This author of A Will to Survive ~ A Women’s Journey Through Chronic Fatigue, inspired guests by talking about how she was able to overcome the Chronic Fatigue diagnosis and go on to become the author of eight books, an actress, hairstylist, piano teacher, mother and more.

When asked how she first became diagnosed, she said, “I had been diagnosed in 2004/2005 with Mono. Because I had been in my 30s, the medical field states that Mononucleosis after 20 is considered Chronic Fatigue.”

She feels that the disease came on due to stress.

She explained, “I sort of gave up on life, attitude wise. I was worn down by my husband’s addictions to alcohol and his physical ailments. When we are surrounded by toxic people in our lives, they wear us down. It is much harder to stay happy and positive when the people around you are not happy and positive.”

She added, “I am completely cured of this disease. I refused to take medications and healed myself by making different choices in my life, in my lifestyle and in my work. I think everything is connected. You or I could make ourselves sick just by harping on the idea of being sick. We can also make ourselves well. It’s all in the attitude we keep. Positive love and happiness is a state of being. It is easier to be this than to be unhappy and unwell.”

She has another book she is currently working on getting published with Hay House. It deals with her life going back to the 1980s and depression and is titled Ms. Understood. It was originally supposed to be published last year, but she has taken extra time to do additional research. She plans to release it sometime this year.

Asked what advice she would give for people diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue, she said, “Take the quiet time to reconnect with yourself. Tap into who you are. Connect with that passionate side of yourself. We are all trees with many branches. Having hobbies and fun activities outside of the mundane work schedule is not only healthy but a necessity to remind yourself of who you are and what you love. No matter what your age, or where or how you live. Always remember that YOU come first. Your happiness comes from within. You create your own reality.”

For more information on Lisa, visit http://justplayproductions.org.

By Rachel Galvin

Although the Butler House’s book event on Sept. 25 was cut short by the morning downpour, authors had the chance to mingle with each other, and trade books and stories. The Woman’s Club and Deerfield Historical Society volunteers sold hot dogs and hamburgers, and tours of the Butler House were given.

Delores M. Walters had the chance to chat with some of those who had gathered about her book Gendered Resistance: Women, Slavery and the Legacy of Margaret Garner, which follows the life of Margaret Garner, a pre-Civil War slave who killed her 2-year-old daughter rather than having her subjected to slavery. Her story was turned into an opera and also a novel called Beloved by Toni Morrison, and later a film by the same name starring Oprah Winfrey. www.deloresmwalters.net.

M.C.V. Egan spent 20 years researching for her book Bridge of Deaths (www.thebridgeofdeaths.com) about a 1939 plane crash before Hitler invaded Poland. She has a personal connection to the story. Her grandfather was on that plane. Besides historical details, she obtained insight through a seemingly accurate psychic and the story is told from 2010 looking back at details through past-life regression. This was just one book she had available.

“I wrote the book in 2011,” said Egan. “I have been writing since I was a kid. I am originally from Mexico City, Mexico and wrote to my friends from Mexico about the United States. I honed my letter writing skills [which later led to writing the book]. I also studied in France and wrote letters from there.”

Carol White showed off certificates of various awards she has received, as well as her three books of contemporary fiction.

Like the other mentioned authors, she also traveled from Delray Beach www.AlexandraGoodwin.com. She sat with Alexandra Goodwin, who penned Exchange at the Boarder and another title. Both women are members of the National League of American Pen Women.

Deerfield Beach resident Andrew Jennings Dickerson was here for his third year. Besides his book Magnificent Questions, he is still looking for a producer for his Broadway musical www.TheMagnificentCompany.com.

Lisa Eva Gold came all the way from Palm Beach Gardens with a diverse array of books, including one on a teenager aging out of foster care, which focuses on mentorship and the importance of healthy relationships, books about chronic fatigue and mental breakdown, and books about learning to play the piano. www.justplayproduction.org.

She said of the event, “This is a wonderful approach to welcoming in the fall season in historical Deerfield Beach, and it brings together a collective diverse group of local Florida authors. ”

These are just a few of the authors at this event. There was also a used book sale and many people came inside the Kester Cottage to escape the rain and look at the historical items, or went into the Butler House for a tour.

Since it rained, the Historical Society is offering a chance for authors to get exposure by scheduling a time to be at the house during one of their Saturday Butler House tours, with two to three authors in each time slot. Look for those to be advertised before each event.

For more on the Butler House and its events, visit www.deerfieldbeachhistoricalsociety.com.