I was born in the southeast corner of Michigan. I spent most of my childhood in the southwest corner. As an adult, I have lived in Milford, Hartland, Brighton, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Bay City, Portage, and finally, Cheboygan. Each area had its own distinctness in the landscape, climate, diversity, and culture. I have traveled to nearly all of the lower 48 contiguous states in the United States. I have loved every corner of the U.S. I have visited, however, my travels have continuously elevated my appreciation for my home state. The abundance of lakes and rivers and freshwater, the rich soil in which my gardens have thrived, the cornucopia of fruits grown along the west edge of the lower peninsula, the intercontinental climate influenced by the Great Lakes, and the upper peninsula with its refreshingly cool temperatures and opportunities to immerse oneself in remoteness are the defining characteristics that I love about Michigan.

I have been gardening since the age of six years which means I have been doing so for 44 years at the time of this writing. Gardening is one of the most important aspects of my family culture. My two children— an almost two-year-old and five- year-old— have embraced our garden as their own and are excited to eat what we have grown straight out of the garden. Every year we preserve pickles, pickled beans, and copious quantities of tomatoes in addition to freezing other vegetables.