Thirty years ago, as a much younger wife and mother, I read a book by Jean Stubbs entitled By Our Beginnings. Long before I had finished, I identified so strongly with Dorcas Howarth (the heroine) that a little part of me actually became her. I thought of how wonderful it would be to be able to write in a manner that would draw the reader into a story so intimately. And I began to scribble bits of this and that when I had the time. That was the problem, though - in those days I didn't really have much time! I was busy with husband, four sons, church and volunteer work. The tapestry of my life developed a knot in 1988 when my husband went to be with the Lord via heart disease. But with the love and support of our small Missouri community, we got by. The boys answered to lots of neighboring 'moms' and had the benefit of several surrogate 'dads' as they all grew up and became fine young men. In all that I write, I strive to honor the Lord and the family and friends who have loved and nurtured us. And to offer my readers a glimpse of life in one of our country's most naturally beautiful regions.