I was born and raised in New York City (East Harlem and the South Bronx).  I now reside in Ojai, California, with my niece, two nephews, and four kitties.  After meandering through life until 55 years of age, I've finally come around to putting an ignored writing talent to use.  I've never stopped loving children's stories--from Hans Christian Andersen to Where the Wild Things Are.  Therefore, children's stories it is.  My theme is magical realism, and I draw on the experiences of the gritty neighborhoods wherein I was raised.  As those from similar neighborhoods can attest, Heaven and Hell exist side-by-side.  There are girls from Pentacostal backgrounds who don't wear pants because pants are men's garments, to children who are pretty much on their own.  Although I was raised as one of the former, I have been exposed to the latter, and knowledge of both sides permeates my stories.  There, I've done it.  I've thrown my hat into the ring!  Hello.

I've made it this far in one piece.