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A review by donnaeve
Witch Hairs: Mirth, Miracles, Mayhem & Music by Dixie Gamble
5.0
Witch Hairs: Mirth, Miracles, Mayhem and Music by Dixie Gamble uncovers everything one would expect in a melting pot of a memoir, from early childhood and the challenges that can arise within any family, to the chronicling of poignant, stirring experiences that transcend traditional, customary thought. As the title suggests, her story is complex, diverse, and unlike any other.
Gamble’s life began innocuously enough. On family land and in a home built by her grandfather, her childhood originated in Salisbury, North Carolina. It was a typical southern childhood with freedom to roam the rural countryside, surrounded by family. Despite the normalcy, early on, Gamble knew life with her father was challenging for her mother. It uprooted the family, more than once, but young Gamble coped. Even back then, she’d been aware there were life forces outside of those she intimately knew.
Eventually she married, had two sons, dreamed big dreams. Sometimes a restart button has to be hit, and Gamble found herself a young single mother, until she met and married record label exec, Jimmy Bowen. When that turned into The Big Split, as Gamble called it, she was determined to wait for the one she was destined to be with, her true soul mate. Gamble became something of a juggler of life, adept at ensuring her sons needs were met, as she began in earnest to seek this special person.
She had a passion for cognitive and spiritual learnings. Even as a young child, Gamble’s sensitivity to her surroundings existed, and was far beyond her age with regard to what she saw, including the extraordinary. She accepted these experiences, and as she grew older, used them to further her understanding of life on earth as we know it, always seeking and looking for guidance beyond these possibilities. This is most likely what led her into her psychotherapy practice, to study deep meditation, and to hone in on her natural ability toward spiritualistic practices. And likely how she knew when she’d finally met him, the individual she calls My Love.
Gamble’s memoir is full of stories that are vibrant and lively. She is self-aware, with a verve for life and insight. The structure of the book is free flowing, highly captivating, and entertaining. Part Rick Bragg, part Ervin Lazslos, Gamble writes with a style uniquely her own, and shares openly about her life’s challenges, many of which are heartbreaking. She has traveled extensively, and in many parts of the world, she assimilated with nature and humans alike with ease and grace. Daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, music mogul, soul seeker, psychotherapist, adventurer, activist, spiritual sensitive, and savant, Gamble is at once all and more of these identities. She has seen and done more in her time and with her time on earth than most. The book is a wild ride to hitch on to, and one that shouldn’t be missed.
Gamble’s life began innocuously enough. On family land and in a home built by her grandfather, her childhood originated in Salisbury, North Carolina. It was a typical southern childhood with freedom to roam the rural countryside, surrounded by family. Despite the normalcy, early on, Gamble knew life with her father was challenging for her mother. It uprooted the family, more than once, but young Gamble coped. Even back then, she’d been aware there were life forces outside of those she intimately knew.
Eventually she married, had two sons, dreamed big dreams. Sometimes a restart button has to be hit, and Gamble found herself a young single mother, until she met and married record label exec, Jimmy Bowen. When that turned into The Big Split, as Gamble called it, she was determined to wait for the one she was destined to be with, her true soul mate. Gamble became something of a juggler of life, adept at ensuring her sons needs were met, as she began in earnest to seek this special person.
She had a passion for cognitive and spiritual learnings. Even as a young child, Gamble’s sensitivity to her surroundings existed, and was far beyond her age with regard to what she saw, including the extraordinary. She accepted these experiences, and as she grew older, used them to further her understanding of life on earth as we know it, always seeking and looking for guidance beyond these possibilities. This is most likely what led her into her psychotherapy practice, to study deep meditation, and to hone in on her natural ability toward spiritualistic practices. And likely how she knew when she’d finally met him, the individual she calls My Love.
Gamble’s memoir is full of stories that are vibrant and lively. She is self-aware, with a verve for life and insight. The structure of the book is free flowing, highly captivating, and entertaining. Part Rick Bragg, part Ervin Lazslos, Gamble writes with a style uniquely her own, and shares openly about her life’s challenges, many of which are heartbreaking. She has traveled extensively, and in many parts of the world, she assimilated with nature and humans alike with ease and grace. Daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, music mogul, soul seeker, psychotherapist, adventurer, activist, spiritual sensitive, and savant, Gamble is at once all and more of these identities. She has seen and done more in her time and with her time on earth than most. The book is a wild ride to hitch on to, and one that shouldn’t be missed.