I learned to read at about age three.  My father would not let me have a soft drink until I could spell the name of the drink.  My first word spelled was NEHI.  Learning that one word made me realize that all those weird marks made sense.  My mother taught me the sounds of the letters and from that point on I read everything I could get my hands on.

 In the 8th grade, I wrote an essay for English Lit.  The teacher showed it to the editor of the local paper and he offered me $20.00 for the story.  I was hooked.

 I was fortunate to be offered a Journalism scholarship.  During the next few years I worked on BA, BS, MA, MS and a dissertation short of an advanced degree.  I was offered a part time job with a newspaper before I graduated from High School.  I worked there for a few years off and on while I was in school.  I have been a free lance writer.  I have done a little ghost writing.  I have worked for an advertising agency writing copy and eventually started doing ad layouts and ad shoots  (Little bit of media buying in there also).

 Knowing that I can interest people in the word pictures I create gives me great joy.

 God blessed me thought I didn't know it at the time.  He pushed me into a job (it was supposed to be a writing job) that sent me into new directions.  I was promised a writing job, but by the time job opened up, I was making more money than that particular writing job paid, so I went into a different type of writing and I began to enjoy it.  25 years later I retired with a wonderful retirement package.  I give thanks for that.

 Now I want to write fiction - novels - either romance or western. 

Someone asked me where I got some of the info I use in some of the shorts.  During my lifetime, I have been a diamond courier (mil or more stuffed in my bra), worked on a turkey ranch (the birds and I did not get along), worked on a horse ranch (the equines and I did not get along), worked for a tax attorney (he waved his gun around too much), part time police, worked for stock broker and securities investor, worked for bail bondsman, worked at advertising agency, worked as reader for literary agent and publishing house, worked as legal secretary, and many more.  I even taught for a while.  Admittedly some of thse were part time job while I was in school (have to pay for tuition and books you know).

 I am of Cherokee heritage.  Several of my "greats" were on the eastern reservation.  My great grandmother was on The Trail of Tears but she and more of her family escaped back into the Sahaganza - the Great Blue Hills of God (The Smokey Mountains).

 A picture of my grandfather and his story (sorry the name is not the right one because some of the relatives might not like it being used) are in my blog.  Grandfather led a very colorful life and I want to be able to write some of his lifestory.  There is one article on the blog.  It is fiction, but it is based on true fact.  It is called the Cold Handed Gun.  I developed an interest in genealogy and discovered that it is very hard to find native American ancestors.  It takes a lot of work, sweat and genuine frustration.

 We have moved several (more than several actually) times, all across the State of Texas and other places.  There was a joke in our family, if there was something you no longer wanted, put it at the back of the moving truck.  Chance were you would never see it again - at least not in a condition to be used.

 If you look to the left of this column, you will see a graphic of an "older" woman on a "hawg".  This has been my philosophy for year.  It's never too late to try anything.  Live for today!  Enjoy today!  Don't be cautious and miss out on what could be the experience of your lifetime!