Look and Listen

Biography

All my writing comes from the many people who have crossed my life's path, and from the lessons learned during my life. In a thimble sized portrait, I was a nurse for 45 years, a widow (at age 27), an adoptive mother, & now, a senior citizen and grandmother, who has been blessed in the good and in the hard times. To relax I read mysteries, knit & do needlework. I love taking hot, coconut or lavender "flavored" bubble baths; smelling cinnamon, lavender or vanilla candles; listening to classical music and watching my grandchildren at play. My greatest joy is my Christian walk- it just gets better and better as I pray and study scripture- including learning Hebrew. If I live long enough, I'll tackle Greek, too. Keeps my "little gray cells" alive! Writing wise, I write a bi-monthly column on surviving emotional abuse, write for & edit a Christian e-zine of encouragement and a monthly newsletter for those coping with chronic illnesses & chronic pain. Several of my short stories have been published in various analogies and on-line. I have won a Central Oregon literary award, and am writing my first inspirational, non-fiction book: A Forgetful People.

Inspiration

The lives of people and the wonders of nature are my inspiration for writing. A few years ago I attended a conference on writing personal mission statements. Writing It has helped to focus my life, led to making good decisions and has prevented wasting my precious time. My mission statement defines me: to encourage joy in the spiritually oppressed through the written and spoken word. Whether it is a neighbor, my family or a stranger, that is my purpose- to be an encourager.