My ancestors came from Ireland and Scotland.

My reading and writing influences range from many people here at the den to Piers Anthony (LOVE him!!!), the poetry of Shelley, Tennyson, Frost, Robert and Elizabeth Browning, Robert Burns and a whole slew of others.

I love to read. Growing up (and still today) I read everything and anything I can get my hands on (you should see our book collection!). My tastes run from National Geographic magazines, science fiction, the "classics", romance and beyond. I've been held captive by stories about Robin Hood, Ivanhoe, King Arthur, Mother Goose, Sherlock Holmes, Winnie the Pooh, Caesar, The Hardy Boys (Nancy Drew was too much a girl for this tomboy!)... and so many other colorful, intriguing characters.

Favorite Authors: Did I mention Piers Anthony (esp the Xanth books!)?, Nora Roberts, Agatha Christie (in particular Hercule Poirot), Susanna Kearsley and Barbara Michaels (also known as Elizabeth Peters).

As far as Major influences. Those are my Father - the "real" Major Dad (who remembers that tv series?) - who patiently explained answers to all of my "why" questions as a little girl and who always supported me regardless, My mother who listened to my ups and downs as a teenager and young woman without telling me she was too busy and has loved me through them all, my wonderful husband, Michael, who has been at my side during the shining moments and the saddest of those. He has faithfully been there when I needed to cry on his shoulder and when I needed someone to share the laughs. I love you.

Of course, life wouldn't be complete without Casper, Tigger and Lexifur my three weird, wacky, strange and wonderful feline roommates.

I am saddened by the loss of my wonderful father. I was "Daddy's little girl" and followed him everywhere. He was the one I talked to about the mysteries of what stars were and asked what bird was singing...and he always knew what it was. If he didn't know, he said so. If it was for school...he told me to go look it up. Thanks Daddy.