Note that I do not send out personal Thank You messages, as I spend my limited time reading and commenting as much as possible...my priority. This does not, in any way, lessen my appreciation for your kind words on my poetry/article/short story entries. I'm blessed by your friendships.

'Life' has been a great influence on my writing; 'nature' is my inspiration; God and friends my life-blood. 
As for my background? I just took a look, and I'm alarmed how it's widened. Well, maybe not THAT much.

60  years living  in the Lone Star State qualifies me being a True Texan!

MY ALLTIME Favorite and Inspiration:

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord make me an instrument of Your Peace
Where there is hatred...let me sow Love
Where there is injury...Pardon
Where there is doubt...Faith
Where there is despair...Hope
Where there is darkness...Light
Where there is sadness...Joy

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to Console
To be understood, as to Understand
To be loved, as to Love,
For It is Giving that we receive,
It is in Pardoning that we are pardoned,
It is dying that we are born to Eternal Life.