Look and Listen

Biography

My interest in animals was evident early in my childhood when in addition to weekly horseback riding lessons I rescued and cared for deformed creatures and other imperiled animals. It was not surprising to anyone that I majored in agriculture at Ohio University, where I also taught a college physical education course in horseback riding. I left Ohio University after three years, having taken every agriculture course offered. With a new interest in laboratory medicine, I trained in cytology (the study of cells) under a grant from the American Cancer Society. I then trained in histology (the preparation of tissue samples for microscopic examination) and accepted the position of supervisor of the histology and cytology laboratory at Highland View Hospital, a large county facility for people with chronic illnesses. Following my marriage in 1966, and with the hospital scheduled for closing, I resigned my position and found a position as a veterinary assistant at a small-animal clinic. On weekends, I managed the riding program at a private vacation club. From 1970 to 1982, my husband and I ran a very successful Appaloosa breeding and showing business. Divorce brought an end to the horse-breeding operation, but not to my continued interest in the many facets of the horse industry. I became a contributing editor to Appaloosa World, and also wrote articles for other horse publications. I'm still involved with horses, helping friends in establishing a breeding program to produce Appaloosa Sport Horses. In 1980, when friends lost their daughter in a house fire, questions were raised about the fire department's response time and fire fighting tactics. That led me to do research for a possible book about fire departments. With the approval of area fire chiefs, I interviewed firefighters, observed and participated in station duties and training, and went along on fire safety inspections and arson investigations. Although that book was never written, my research led me to earn my degree from the University of Cincinnati in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology. In 1990 I became a charter member of the Highland Hills, Ohio Fire Department. Today, I am an Ohio-certified Fire Safety Inspector and a consultant on equine facility fire and building safety. I have a web site, www.firesafetyinbarns.com, that provides information for horse owners and facility managers on how to maintain a fire-safe barn and what to do should a fire or other natural disasters occur. I'm currently a principal member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee on Fire Safety in Animal Housing Facilities. I also enjoy being with my son, Tom, and daughter, Cindy, and son-in-law, Dale, and grandchildren, Robin, Ryan, and Rachel. Dale, who was at one time my superior officer in the fire department, had great fun joking, "How many people get to send their mother-in-law into a burning building?" In addition to my family, I'm an aficionado of old pickup trucks and Triumph sports cars, have researched the history of several century homes, and recently helped friends restore a 150-year-old farmstead. Along with my kids, I'm an ardent Star Trek fan. I find great enjoyment in writing fiction, especially in combining my knowledge of firefighting, horses, and agriculture into creating my FIREHOUSE FAMILY series of novels, set in a small but progressive town in the 1930s.

Inspiration

I've been inspired to write by the memories of all the wonderful animals I've cared for in my lifetime and by the many firefighters I've come to know in the past twenty years. The many examples of firefighters' courage when faced with danger, is a constant reminder to me of my responsibility to let others know how truly special are the men and women who willingly confront danger to save lives and property. And, I am always inspired by the nobility and courage displayed by horses and other animals when their safety is threatened, even when they've been betrayed by the people they have entrusted with their lives.