On Saturday, March 18, the 10th Annual W.A.V.E. Event will take place at Lourdes University in the Franciscan Center Commons from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m.

I’ll be there to sell and sign my book, An Extraordinary Year, but I won’t be alone…Women, Artists, Visionaries, and Entrepreneurs of all walks will be there, too. Refreshments will be available, music will be played by several different groups, and it’s free and open to the public — fun for the whole gang on a winter-mix Saturday. Hope to see some of you there for the festivities and to see the amazing work done by women in our region.

“My birthday is in March…March the 13^th to be exact. I was born on a Friday, so my dad used to kid me about being “…the biggest jinx ever born.” He was only teasing me, though. I overheard him tell Mom one time that instead of the biggest jinx, I was the best thing that ever happened on a Friday the 13^th. I always knew he meant it.”

This is the beginning of the chapter “Birthday” from my book, An Extraordinary Year. This happens to be one of the truths in the book. My birthday is March 13. Happy birthday to me. It’s hard to believe that the famous and beloved song by the Beatles  is real life now. And what a wonderful 64 years it has been…not devoid of pain or heartache…not always simple and straightforward…not always sure and secure. But if you ask me whether the good has outweighed the bad, I answer a hearty “HECK YES!”

It’s been a long time since I was afraid of looking like a fool. That’s probably one of the best things about aging. Other peoples’ opinions mean something to you, but they don’t break you. So…when I’m off into some new and crazy venture, I follow my heart and use my own brain. Other peoples’ opinions do not reflect your reality and therefore, should not hinder you from pursuing your dreams, even at age 64. Or 74. Or 84.

Today is my birthday. I’m keepin’ on keepin’ on. You do the same, ok?

The writer’s world is like any other “creative arts” world…not easy to break into, highly competitive, and full of critics. That’s the way it has to be. If we’re asking you to invest your time, we need to be on our best game. We need to make ourselves worthy of that investment, writing in a way that is engaging and entertaining. We need to tell compelling stories or scary stories or funny stories that lift you out of the stress and craziness of life. So…it is my honor to have so many of you reading An Extraordinary Year. Today, I’m saying thank you for your engagement and investment of time.

Welcome to my website…I’m happy to share my first novel, An Extraordinary Year, with all of you and hope you find the characters and situations a chance to remember your own childhood.  Set in 1963, the book follows events of significance to John Reed, a ten-year-old boy. A small northwest Ohio town provides the backdrop for John, his family, and his friends to explore the miraculous and the mundane, both of which provide lessons for living.