Fannie Flagg has a way of making her readers laugh out loud one minute and cry the next. It's all because of the wonderful, slightly quirky characters she creates for the mythical town of Elmwood Springs, Missouri. In this book Elner Shimfissle takes center stage as the nature-loving lady who often does kind deeds for others. One of those kind deeds gets her in trouble when she climbs a ladder and encounters wasps in her fig tree. The plot defies description, but suffice it to say that Elner begins a memorable journey which will have long-lasting effects on her hypochondriacle niece, Norma, her granddaughter Linda, and several of her friends and neighbors. Among the laughter and the gentle spoofs on doctors and hospitals, there are some questions posed on the meaning of life and the hereafter. Read and enjoy!