Currently writing a teaching memoir, also doing book reviews for the Library Journal, writing Guest Columns for the News Sentinel, plus the publication of a short story for Fort Wayne Magazine.

from 1962 to 1990; dates for the kids

Difficult to say. My whereabouts is often a surprise to me.

I have many relationships. What concerns me in a relationship is integrity as it relates to the substance of the connection. That, of course, means truth (an occasional white lie may be necessary) coupled with a sense of the ridiculous. I am not speaking of things romantic necessarily, but rather of the meaning of the human condition; finding the meaning in any engagement with anyone is the crucial thing.

I try to celebrate every day.

Hobbies? --- I can offer a word or more on what I like. I like people; all kinds of people. I vacated my last residence due to the fact that we, the residents of that upper-middle class community, all looked alike, we all sounded alike, we all talked alike: too much white bread; I moved to a more diverse neighborhood. --- I also like converation that aspires to something more than the weather, the job, the kids; not to diminish their importance, but I like conversation that aspire to something more. --- I also like animals to the point of more is always better. --- I like the out of doors, books, art, and all things silly, not foolish; a good laugh adds years to one's life. --- I dislike bullies, not just the physical one, but also the ones who dominate emotionally, socially, psychologically; they are a sorry sort. I also dislike those people who leave no room for those unlike themselves; a sorry, sorry sort. Most of all I dislike injustice and those who participate in it. --- Give me good people, a good book, a bowl of soup, a roaring fire, a snowy winter day, and I am happy.

If only I could.

Contradictory. Secure (most of the time). Independent.

Some labor in the fields, others slave in corporate chambers, a few ride bikes and live on pennies, those who pull in top dollars are nonetheless dreamy, many of them find meaning in their children, and a few just are and find ease almost anywhere.

Too many to know.

There are many, but perhaps the one that is most near in my mind involved early mornings in my classroom before the first bell with students wandering in to say hello; it happened after school as well, but the afternoon meetings had a different feel, but were also meaningful.

Being embarrassed is not such a bad thing; a great learning tool when properly evaluated.

I have always liked the great good will of students; a real encouragement. --- My favorite teacher at South Side was Evlyn Spray; bright, tough, and unwilling to compromise on anything that gave way to bias, meaness.

Some are up above, one or two are below. The ones that remain have equal opportuntiy for their final destination.

Stratford, Canada. I have a BandB there. Also have a cabin on the stony shore of the UP.

Write. Read. Walk. Swim. I take good care of my dogs, Mr. Stout and Mr. Guppy; add to that Wadhams, MC (Mama Cat) and BCB (Baby Cat Buchanan)---all of the above were abandoned. We are a cozy lot.

France, Germany, Austria, Scotland, England, Paris, Rome, London---all associated with foreign study. I also spend a lot of time in Canada, searching out seculded spots, always looking for a stone cottage.

Emma Thompson

My maternal grandparents. They instilled in my mother her sense of fair play, her spirit, her sense of fun, her will, her acceptance of whatever came her way. They allowed her to ride horses bareback (beating all her brothers, experts in riding). I would have liked to have known my grandparents more fully; add to that, my grandmother was an accomplished cook.

My father died when I was very young. My mother rarely advised, but rather she conveyed values by attitude, point of view, by her own behavior; not at all forbiding, or grave, an excellent example of just being. I tried something similar in my approach to teaching.

Give life all you have.

With charity and kindness, absorb all that you can. It is such a great ride.