I've always loved to read. I've been writing poetry since I was a child. I found an old book copywritten in 1912 by a commercial artist in an old hotel basement when I was eight years old. It was poetry and illustrations by Coles Phillips. It's traveled with me many miles since then; I still keep it close by me. My cousin, Randy Cole, a commercial artist, deceased, is also an inspiration to me. I inherited several of his books and pieces of artwork, which I cherish, after he passed away of a malignant brain tumor. Several of the books from his collection are about Norman Rockwell and th more...