Whoever coined the phrase that blood is thicker than water? The author believes that she has found friends in her life who are thicker than blood and likens finding friends to finding buried gold. A Poke of Goodies shares some of her wonderful memories of treasured friends. Born in Yorkshire, (the author) this book begins with a first-rate depiction of 'Yorkshire Folk', their lives and their high expectations during the mid-20th century. This is an autobiography like no other. It is packed to the rafters with humour, tragedy and fascination, told in good old Yorkshire style. Sharing the most tragic times of the author's life - from the loss of close family members through suicide and other moving events, to hospital spells, being run over by a car and the extreme challenges of living in a tenement house in North Kilburn - is done so with great honesty and authenticity. To counterbalance this, there are so many funny and entertaining anecdotes, too - including goats under the sofa, scary houses, poignant messages from the grave, runaway false teeth and some 'raggle-taggle gypsies'. This eclectic gem of an autobiography is enhanced further with poetry, captivating photographs and beautifully depicted illustrations.