It's the silence that gets you.  Forty-five years of silence to be exact.  When you're It makes you think wild, unconventional thoughts.  It turned me into a cat lover just to get the company. Dogs won't do.  They need babysitting if you're gone.  I'm never gone. Not any more. I hope that quenches your thirst for a wild eyed, frizzy haired, excentric writer.  I only have the frizzy hair.  I was born in Upstate New York.  Upstate gets a capital because it means the difference between locking your doors with three locks  -- or -- letting the screen door bang closed. between the sound of traffic and sirens all night long -- or -- the sound of crickets if you listen real hard and are sitting outside. between not lettiing the neon sign across the street bother you when you're sleeping -- or -- having a full moon keep you up because it's too bright. Upstate is "Welcome to Upstate, turn your watches back fifty years."  That is where I grew up. Of course life comes along and changes everything.  For my adult years I turned into a fast paced computer guru, offered at one point $100/hr for my services.  I hated it.  Corporate ladder sounded like a knotted rope to hell.  Following the call of charity, I became a computer consultant charging a pittance to any non-profit who used their 501-C3 to improve the plight of the low/no income people.  To be able to survive, the three bedroom home became a one bedroom low rent apartment; the sports car became shoe leather; and the office became all the non-profits in a one mile radius of home.  I became one of the low income people so I could help them. It has given me a new perspective to write about.  Look for it in upcoming books. to be continued...  

4 time winner of the Food Connection certificate of appreciation.
Winner of two Food Connection Achievement Awards
Editor of the cookbook "St. Leo Cooks"
Honorable Mention at Writer's Café