Hello, I am Barbara J. Henry, Founder and President of RaineBoe Productions Publishing Company. I am also  the author of "Journaling:Twenty Plus Reasons Why You Should Start Now. " I live in River Forest, Illinois, a  western suburb located near Oak Park, Illinois, the birth place of Ernest Hemingway.

I  am a former high school junior and senior English teacher who now tutors home schooled students.I am also a motivational speaker who talks about the many life affirming  experiences I have had over the past fifteen plus years, experiences that should help others as much as they  help me on a daily basis  to make some sense of life.

I am, therefore, available to speak, especially  to high school and college students who desire to make the right choices early in life and who need some objective directions from someone who understands,supports and seeks to empower them.

The changing quotes, with my picture, reflect  my ongoing efforts to become very knowledgeable, and quite comfortable, with the many aspects of myself.

I have been writing all of my life. I became focused however, in 2007, when I retired early from teaching to begin my writing career.

My first book, "Journaling: Twenty Plus Reasons Why You Should Start Now," published in 2008, is dedicated to my Mother who died in January of that year. She was, and still is, the major influence in and on my life; most of my zeal is a direct result of her profound influence on  and support of me.

Mrs. A.R. Brooks, my first grade teacher,  Mrs. Vivian J. Tellis, and  Mrs. Eula Danzy, two of my college English professors, also left indelible impressions on both my mind and heart. They share some of the spotlight with my Mother.

Writing is clearly  my passion, and I have been writing (journaling) daily since June of 1995. I have been writing poetry even longer, and I had forgotten about this aspect of my writing until I began  the book in 2007.

My trip down "memory lane" was quite revealing. It was also  very therapeutic in many ways because it led me to renew my passion for writing.

One result of my vicarious  visit  to my childhood was  rediscovering my love for writing poetry; I then went looking for and found some of my earlier poems; several of them are posted on my site here.

I have also written many new poems since finding the earlier ones,and I have posted some of them here too. I will post more of the old and the new poems in the upcoming weeks and months.

The ground work for my next book project has already been laid, and I am sure, before it is completed, many changes will occur. I will keep you posted on its progress, and look forward to your input.

 For additional information about my other interests,such as the scholarship I have created for high school seniors, and the services I provide in my small consulting business, please visit my web site:  Http://www.barbarajhenry.com  .