I have a B.Music degree from Chicago Musical College with a major in Music History and Literature and minors in Piano and Harpsichord performance. I was originally a French major and as a French major, I was initiated into the National French Honor Society Pi Delta Phi. During my undergraduate years, I was a three time winner of the Betty Taylor Clark Memorial Scholarship. I was also an Illinois State Scholar, receiving the scholarship. I also studied German for about 2 years.

I did graduate work at the University of Iowa Center for the Book. My area of specialty is mainly the history of the book. I am knowledgeable about everything from bindings to print, to manuscripts, dating them, tracing their provenance, etc. I studied classical Latin for 5 years, receiving near perfect scores the entire time, but I also studied Medieval Paleography. My thesis was on the Library at Alexandria in Egypt - the world's first public library. I also spent several years studying calligraphy and bookbinding. I did some printing of my own - both etchings and block prints and a bit of letter press printing. I served as the secretary of the University of Iowa Book Arts Club for about 4 years.

I grew up in a musical household. I am the daughter of a now deceased very well known classical violist who played in orchestras, chamber music groups and summer festivals all over the country. He also traveled overseas.

I am also an avid gardener and have been for 20+ years. I am currently the Assistant Administrator for the Internet Gardening Community and Forum GardenHere (http://www.gardenhere.com) I write articles on the site about various things - most of which are in some way related to gardening. I am currently most interested in growing tropical plants and flowers, but I do grow many other things as well. I also do hydroponic gardening. I'm an avid hummingbird lover and watcher and plant many things to lure hummingbirds to my garden. I observe and study their behavior and rituals.

I have done considerable editing in the academic area as well. I did proof reading for undergraduates writing papers or for students who were writing honors theses. I consider myself more of an expert at editing than I do at writing, although I am very comfortable writing in a variety of styles - particularly in styles suited to formal academic atmospheres. I like to think that by studying Latin, I have come to be meticulous in my use of English and that I pay careful attention to grammar and usage.

I would consider myself competent in Latin, and although I have forgotten a lot of French, I think I could regain it fairly easy with adequate use. As for my German, I wouldn't want to make any claims about my competence. I am capable of deciphering things and discerning meaning, but I neither speak, read or write it well.

I am married to a retired military man and we make our home in Texas.

My passion is ...

Gardening - especially tropical plants and flowers

I know too much about ...

Probably Classical Music and plants

My parents always told me ...

Always be honest and respectful of all people.

My childhood ambition ...

I had many..........but probably a professional musician or a international linguist.

My favorite memory ...

Marrying my best friend

Why I write ...

I love to write, I love to put my thoughts into writing and I love to challenge myself creatively through writing. If I can share some knowledge with someone, that's an added bonus.

My inspiration ...

Everything around me..........Mostly plants, birds, things in nature!

Home & Garden > Vegetables & Herbs Vegetable gardening for beginners

1 of 19

I have been a gardener for well over 20 years. Through my own mistakes and seeing those of others, I have become very familiar with the pitfalls that derail beginners and prevent them from being successful from the start.

First of all, if you are a beginning gardener who is operating on a strict budget, I recommend that you consider several things. If you are going to grow vegetables, don't waste your time growing things that are readily available in farmer's markets at reasonable prices. These days, more and more major grocery stores regularly carry locally grown vegetables when they a...

More..