About Me

Born and raised by hard-working blue collar parents in a small, suburban town in Southwestern PA.

Spent years as a Girl Scout,, volunteered in the local library as a story time leader, served in my church,  led the high school band as drum major, performed in both school and community theatre, played in various community bands all during my school age years.

Continued to live in and support the local community while also working as a clerk in a candy store.  What better place to work than a space filled with chocolate!

My third grade teacher called me a "writer".  I have been one ever since!  I love to journal, develop stories and poems, and currently write professionally in blogs and submit articles to educational journals.

I lead a writing group for young writers monthly at the local library.  There, writers can develop whatever pieces they wish, and I provide support and feedback to their writing. In addition, I provide opportunities for these writers to share their writings through contests and various writing platforms.

I was a reader as a child, and I am an even bigger reader as an adult!  I tended to read middle grade and YA novels while I taught those grade levels, but now in addition to those  selections, I indulge my eclectic tastes to read a variety of genre.

I created a book club for friends, and I participate in several others including two professional book clubs through WPCTE and PAECT.  I also attend books clubs offered through PSEA.

I coached reading competition teams while I taught.  Now, I offer that same coaching through my local library with student groups who meet monthly.  When not preparing for competition,  the students and I operate as a book club.

I love to visit new sites and learn more about people and places.  One goal of mine is to visit all fifty states in our country.  Thus far, I have spent time exploring thirty-four of them!

Our country is full of beautiful places.  I wish to spend time in the majesty of the US, so I plan to visit all of the US National Parks!  Currently, I have reveled in seeing 15 in this country and three internationally!  

Although I have not spent much time in international travel, I look forward to more in the future.  Scotland and Ireland were my first foray and truly amazing!

I am an animal lover.  My husband always included visits to zoos and animal parks wherever we traveled.   I have compassion for all living things such as this adorable penguin!

Although I was never blessed with human children, I have always been a pet mom. Currently, four felines allow me to care for them, and of course all are named after great writers - Milton, Leo (Tolstoy), Keats, and Harper (Lee).  

For many years, I directed plays and musicals at my school. totally forty-five amazing experiences!  In addition, I produced the shows which involved coordinating all aspects of production  as well as publicity.  I have been a music director teaching the vocals and been a choreographer.  I have created sets and even played in the pit band for shows I directed.  With a good friend, I also wrote the dialogue for "Social Dis-Dan-Sing: a Pandemical" - an outdoor show for my students so that they could still experience a musical during the pandemic.

I have been fortunate to be part of a grant program through City Theater of Pittsburgh to attend training about theater and to attend many shows at City.  This grant also provided experiences to my students in playwriting.

I am always learning. When my friend retired after teaching for many years, she found herself needing a creative activity.  I gladly agreed to join in,  so we took an eight week introductory quilting class, made lovely quilts, and now sew together regularly!

With a good friend,  I sell homemade crafts at local craft shows.  We quilt a few times a week together, creating beautiful home decor.  In addition, I also create cross-sticth and diamond art pictures and holiday decorations.  Floral arrangements and scrapbooking creations are also part of the items sold at craft shows.

Photography is something I greatly enjoy, so when I travel, I am always the photographer for our groups.  Lighting and angles add so much dimension as well as documenting the journey!

I scrapbook the memories of my many travels and experiences. Creation and design are a passion and allow me to use those right brain functions.  

I was fortunate enough to marry my best friend and high school sweetheart.  Although we waited until later in life to marry since we lived on opposite sides of Pennsylvania due to our careers, we enjoyed twelve wonderful years of long distance wedded bliss.  Sadly, he passed away after a lengthy illness in 2015. 

While Scot was ill, I too, battled with health issues; however, I am proud to say that I beat colon cancer.  It'll take more than that disease to keep me down!  My mantra is "What doesn't kill me makes me stronger."