Gather Round While I Tell You My Stories, book is made up of stories about raising a family, funny tales and some not so funny stories. The family had lots of pets through the years, and loved them all, cats, dogs, and even a pet raccoon. It's the poignant, personal story of being raised in two homes, where all four parents drank too much. It's a glimpse into a child's world of alcoholism, survival, and God's protection and care when the chips were down. It's the tragic story of mental illness of one parent, and the effect it had on those close to her. It's also about finding God in the midst of bad circumstances, and finding peace. And the last story is of the Hayes, who came out to homestead in Eastern Montana in 1908, and the tragic happenings.

Deanna Hedegaard was born in Sidney Montana, and she still calls that area home, even though she now lives in North Dakota with her husband, Bill, and two Persian cats, Quinn and Quelly. She began writing stories years ago, and wrote for a local newspaper. She and her husband enjoy camping, music, both country and gospel. She paints pictures of people and places, mostly with a western theme. She loves taking old wood furniture like wood chairs, giving them a new paint job, then painting pictures on them. Baking homemade bread, buns and "goodies" is a regular event at her house for family, friends and neighbors.