I have been writing all my life in one form or another. Recently, I retired to a small village near the sea where I can relax and get on with it. At least that is the theory. It is such wonderful countryside here that I am out quite a lot, walking with my dog, Heidi, or travelling by car to a scenic picnic spot on the coast or in the forests. When I am out, I indulge my other passion and take lots of photographs that I use to produce items for the tourist market.

My writing is mainly working to complete a series of ten books I have written. The fifth was published November 2008. I do all the design work myself, print the copy and send it off to get bound. It is very satisfying to complete the cycle by marketing them and see them on the bookshelves of a store.

I also write and design children's books for my family and friends.

My working life has been diverse and never dull, from nursing in military hospitals to banking. As we all do, I use many of my life experiences in my stories, and my friends are thrilled to find themselves as one of the characters in a chapter( with their permission of course.)

My passion is ...

my grandchildren and my writing

I know too much about ...

life

My parents always told me ...

to be polite

My childhood ambition ...

to be a writer

My favorite memory ...

violets

Why I write ...

It is a gift I have always had

My first job ...

nurse

My best moment ...

Each moment is the best there can be

My inspiration ...

Human resourcefullness

Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Protecting our environment

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STAND UP AND BE COUNTED

Five billion say thank you across the world

One million people in fields where they toil

Five billion say thanks to their chosen God

Five billion people, but can we applaud?

Five billion eyes see the world's plight

As one million icebergs disappear from sight

Five major continents trying to save

One million trees from the feller's blade

One summers night we remember and share

One more heart who will preserve it and care

Don't wonder what you can do

Take ownership. It's up to you.

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• 1Citizen Journalism Awards