"Bad decisions make good stories" gives a little glimpse into Darrell J. Pedersen's life - childhood through retirement. His love of life - the amazing people who surround us, and the amazing creation we live in - is evident within every page and shared image in his debut book, Campfire in the Basement. Bursting with amusing retellings of the trials and tribulations of his hardy and reliant family, Pedersen weaves in lessons learned from both the highs and lows of everyday life lived on an isolated lake in the North Woods of Minnesota during the 1950-60s. Then he connects these stories with our contemporary society and world.
Pedersen grew up in a hardworking family filled with love and laughter. Thanks to his unbridled curiosity and habit of finding things to get into, he was dubbed “the little dickens” by many adults that knew him in his youth. Campfire in the Basement shares many humorous childhood escapades, including setting a not-so-accidental campfire in the basement and the tragic misadventures of being asked to care for the class goldfish over Christmas. Pedersen’s stories will also remind readers of their own growing-up years when old country stores were “candy heaven” and how every little boy wanted to be like the cowboys from Gunsmoke.
This book shares the journey of a former “wild child” as he grows into a fine young man who marries the love of his life and together with his wife, Jennifer, raises their own children. His stories of growth, love, accomplishment, defeat, loss, and long goodbyes are eloquently and expertly written. Readers will enjoy the tales inspired by the author’s life as a child, husband, father, and citizen of the world. Pedersen’s wisdom, paired with thought-provoking observations of life, also allow readers to reflect on their own world and how each of us can love deeply every day.
“Love creates support,” he shared. “The time we spend with family is pure gift, and the stories we share lay the groundwork for generations to come. If the stories, thoughts, questions, and wisdom I’ve shared in Campfire in the Basement encourage families to come together to remember, celebrate and then pass along their own stories, laughter, tears, joy, hopes and dreams, that is the best gift I could ever hope for.”
