I've worked as a professor for several fine universities in the West; as a poet-in-residence for a hospice, authoring a book of poems and stories about that experience; as an E.D. and founder of a community organization, the Western Colorado Writers' Forum; as a journalist in NYC and Europe,and as a technical writer/editor. Currently, I edit book projects and tutor some very bright as well as struggling students, teens and adults, both online and in my Redlands, CO studio, work which I love.

Despite the almost 100 inches of rain per month, my little house in the woods, the astonishing Sitka spruce forest, sand spit, the endless Pacific, and company of staff and residents all made for two months where I floated in a bowl of quiet, wrote, walked every day, and met some hugely kind tribal people and marine scientists. Just being on the coast for two months fed me and the book. On days when the sun shone, many of us kayaked out to the sand spit to commune with the seals and watch the giant waves -- a little like seeing a tsunami coming in but not being hit by it. Still writing the novel, still at it, but someday, as in this year, it shall be finished. The profile photo is of me and my favorite Sitka spruce (please note that this is just a glimpse, a minor portion, of the tree roots, behind me). And this one is of three fabulous residents and moi meme on the beach of ghost trees in Neskowin. Voila.

Founded the Writers' Forum to advance a regional literary community. Established a board and sustainable donors, wrote all grants, and collaborated with 26 organizations. Major programs created include “Writers in the Schools,” in partnership with Colorado Humanities; two regional biennial literary conferences; ongoing monthly educational and performing events, and “Poetry in the Streets,” producing work from writers daily at KAFM, weekly in Out and About, and annually on pedestals around the city. Trained facilitators to teach writing to veterans, the homeless, residential youth, former Latimer House female residents, seniors, and brain-injured citizens.