While working in the courts in Tucson, I was an editor for two major archaeology journals: beginning with Old Pueblo Archaeology Center, for which I wrote my first article in 1996; and then while serving on the Board of the Arizona Archaeology and Historical Society for 12 years. During that time, I was its editor. I didn’t just edit these journals, I was responsible for its entire publication, for which I was given an award. During the summer months, I wrote a couple short pieces but always composed and had game pages ready for convention participants.

As a court reporter, and even after retirement, (as a court reporter’s editor), I had to prepare testimony and papers written by judges, lawyers, doctors, engineers, chemists, scientists, etc., in transcripts day-in and day-out. In 1989, commencing from a demonstration to federal judges in L.A., I began this country’s realtime court reporting leading to what is today steno-closed captioning. Outside of court, I read extensively and kept apprised of all the new advances and findings of the day to understand what I was hearing in the courtroom to make an accurate transcript. I was interested in science overall, especially that having to do with archaeology.

With a temporary change of address to Wisconsin, due to my husband’s career, I self-taught the art of quilting. Early in life my dear mother taught me how to sew, and I won State awards in high school and presently with the Women’s Club of Arizona. My grandmother taught me the beautiful art of crocheting, and I can see her even now crocheting at the kitchen window watching us play outside during the day and in her chair at night while watching TV. A few years ago, I made quilts for my entire family and then turned that ability into a business of quilted bags, hats, and other items, where I set up a shop. You would find me out for long weekends at high-end art sales. Customers even picked up my card and knocked on my door for custom orders. I learned the skill of advertising in advance of my
presentations. I also sold my creations on an online website. Sometimes my pieces combined quilting with crocheting. I beaded, embroidered, and painted onto quilted creations. Now I design quilted art murals and create wonders with cut pieces of fabric. In the past, as I sold at gatherings and art fairs, in the future, I hope to be doing the same with my books.

Currently, while writing home near Phoenix, I take care of my beautiful parrots, a role which takes first place in my heart. Well, my husband comes first, of course, although at times he disputes that. My parrots are in my office and watch me write during the day, sometimes adding their own prose.

Originally, neither a historian nor an authority on World War II, I made sure the facts in this book were verified thoroughly by me and then by a WWII expert. I now have endorsements for my book by WWII book authors and historians and I hope to receive others via personal contacts or through my manuscript. My new author’s website is having a huge influence in obtaining a following and will help me greatly to market my book. I already have questions regarding pricing and availability.

But what I do know very well is the love my dad showed for his family and friends in real life and also through the letters shown in my book, The WWII Chain Letter Gang. Finding these letters gave me the impetus to devote twelve years to putting together the story of the 11 men – family and friends — and how they were devoted to each other and stayed that way throughout their military service to the USA.

There is absolutely no one closer to these letters than I am who could have written this book! I found them; I researched these letters. I read them repeatedly. I know each and every one of these men. I studied these letters. They made me cry. They made me laugh. I believe my readers will do the same.

Since I am the only one to have the letters that my father kept safely stored in a couple of boxes, as the men requested that he do, I believe I am the person most able to write this book. But perhaps the best reason for me to write it is that in one of the last letters it was written by one of his friends that I was about to be born. Yes, I was born to write this book.