The following is the dedication of my new book, Ragged Road, which is a work of fiction about a topic that has interested me. The topic of this new book is much more serious than the first, An Extraordinary Year.

In my life, I have known many girls who became pregnant out of wedlock; they all got married and made a go of it. Not everyone was so lucky.

DEDICATION – Ragged Road

“Before the 1970s, many young, unwed, pregnant women were whisked away to remote locations, waiting out their pregnancy under the scrutiny of distant family or frequently, alone in a “maternity home.” Sometimes the fathers of these babies were glad for the chance to be divested of responsibility. However, there was also a population of fathers who were never given an opportunity to know the child they had helped produce, and in terms of the law, there was little that could be done about it. Finding your child in those days was no easy task, desperate and frantic as some were to find their offspring. There was no DNA testing as we know it now. There were no computer records.

This book is dedicated to all the young mothers who gave up their children and the fathers who were not given a chance to know them.

This story offers no political commentary or answer. It’s just a story.”

I’m happy to report that at least one literary agent in NYC has commented on the quality and execution of the writing. In the end, I hope that when Ragged Road is finally available, you’ll want to read it, and thanks for your support as I walk this new ragged road of my own. Peace.

My second novel, Ragged Road, is nearly complete. Editing and final re-writes are in process, and it’s satisfying to have this story on paper.

This novel is the polar opposite of my first…while An Extraordinary Year is generally a lighthearted reminiscence,  Ragged Road is anything but…it is again set in the ’60s, but this tale is one of love complicated by family dysfunction, mental health issues, and social norms that were more rigid than what we see around us now.

I am currently sending queries to literary agents and hoping to generate interest in Ragged Road…more to come….

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.