For the first 14 years of my life, I had very own Auntie Mame type of influence in the guise of my maternal grandmother Virginia Lane Moore.   She would entertain me with stories of her world travels.  Many that defied the imagination.  Many more I'm sure shouldn't have been told to an underage child.   But they were all very well told and acted out.  The Children of the Luminaries were stories she told me on the weekends I came over to stay (which was every weekend).  They were tales of an ancient world, much like our own,  in a Universe, much like our own, but in a different dimension and very far away.  She told of wizards, talking dragons, flying unicorns,  knights, dark lords and their collective adventures. (Keep in mind, of course, this was long before Star Wars, Harry Potter and Lord Of the Rings.  Well maybe not Lord of the Rings the books.  But certainly before the movies.)  Granny had a way of bringing each character to life and making it real for me.  Each character was a living, breathing being for me. Before she passed away in July 1975,  she made me promise that I would share these stories with the world.  Well it's taken me almost 40 years, but I finally honored that promise made all those years ago.  Through the printed word, I hope I have done her justice. Being one of my greatest influences, Granny impressed on me the importance of having a sense of humor.  She did this by constantly reminding me that laughing at yourself keeps you honest and throws the Sons of *BLEEP* off track! Granny also taught me that Happiness is a choice and to ALWAYS choose to be happy. All the other stuff is there for our amusement! Never settling for less, always enjoy where you're at and don't stay in one place too long!  That was granny's battle cry!  And like granny, I managed to move around a bit.  Not as much as she did.  I've held done a wide variety of jobs (mostly in the legal field) and have made friends with some rather unique people.   All this combined has lead me right back where I began...enjoying spinning a good yarn, telling a tall tale or two and writing words wonderfully well!   And yes Granny!  I'm almost done with the other two installments!  Sheesh!

Certificate of Completion in Spanish for Law Enforcement; Certificate of Completion in the Cooper-Clayton Tobacco Cessatation Program. Certified Spiritual Consultant

Contributing author in Brad Steiger's "Real Zombies, the Living Dead, and Creatures of the Apocalypse"; Marie D. Jones' "Destiny vs. Choice"; Shelly Wu's "Karma Sutra: Sex, Love & Relationship Zen"