About Me

I grew up in the tiny town of Cottonwood, California, and joke I moved to the ‘big city’ of Redding at age 18 (just 15 miles north) and I’m still here.

 At age 60-something, in 2019, I graduated from Simpson University, Redding, California, summa cum laude, having earned a BA of English, Specialization in Writing, while simultaneously obtaining a minor in Journalism.

Although I am not yet published with prominent publications, I have my first byline in a Real Estate magazine, an article which I co-authored with my daughter. 

Two of my short stories have placed second in local writing contests…one at my alma mater, SimpsonU, and one from Redding Writers Forum.  

I’m a burn survivor of 24 years; I was burned 58% including my face. I am composing my memoir– journaling the challenges of facing the mirror and the public among a culture of youth and beauty.

Writing is most favorite activity (hush… please don’t tell my grandchildren), my second most favorite is spending time in pleasant conversation with my family of four daughters, 17 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. I also enjoy sewing, reading, canning jam and jellies (I prefer someone else pick the fruit), and going to see movies on the big screen in theaters with comfy recliners.   

 My life is a mini-book series: The First 41 years–Before Burns, After the Burns; and at present, Learning to Live with Myself. I fully expect book four to be titled, I am a Published, Paid, Prolific Writer: Destiny Fulfilled!

In the meantime, you can find me hunched over a quad-shot,  latte breve in a real mug.