: About Me

I've opened my own business! Finally! The link shows on this page under MY Links. It's so exciting to be doing something I've always wanted to do instead of working at a job I have to do. Wish me luck one and all.

I've been writing forever it seems. Through many stories, I've had the good fortune to win a few contests, get published in magazines and have self-published one children's book.

Currently I'm working on a book I hope will cross the boundaries from children to adult in the style of 'Lady and the Tramp', Black Beauty, and '101 Dalmations'. A second book about my life working for the FBI is coming along between chuckles.

My work ranges from children's stories to love to horror. I find the most difficult to be mysteries and am working up the nerve to tackle that venue. My favorite topics fall back on my country upbringing, the pets I've owned, and my silly younger years. Most of what comes from these fingers has a huge helping of truth with a spoonful or two of fiction tossed in at the last minute for spice.

My family, friends and pets provide much of my material, as they do with most writers. My siblings and I learned thrift at an early age, but more important, we learned our good names and reputations formed the basis of the lives. Daddy and Mama never believed in credit, but insisted on knowing their banker personally. Once when they bought a bedroom set and were considering buying it on time for the first time, the salesman asked for credit references. With no credit cards or other time payments, Daddy told him the only person he could think of was the vice president of his bank.

Since he and Mama were country folk and Daddy always dressed in khakis, the salesman smirked at the suggestion he could know a bank vice president. Still, that was his only link to get the sale done, so he made the call. The VP came on the phone instantly, listened to the salesman and then told him, "If Mr. Butler wants the whole darned store, you give it to him. He's one person I never worry about!" A stunned salesman returned to Daddy, more respect in his voice and demeanor.

"Mr. Butler, whatever you want, you take," he said. Daddy had other ideas. He walked over to another sales person, pulled out his checkbook and bought it from him only after insuring the sale would not go to the first man.

"I didn't mind his attitude to me, but he insulted my wife, too. I don't let anybody do that."

All of us kids grew up paying high homage to decent folk, but not caring much for titles. Anybody can buy a title, but it takes a special person to take the time to be kind to others. Those folk are worth more than gold. Daddy and Mama's legacies run deep in our lives.

My passion is ...

Writing and learning about anything

I know too much about ...

Cleaning up after pets!

My parents always told me ...

Be strong, truthful, honest and hard-working

My childhood ambition ...

To be a newspaper writer

My favorite memory ...

The births of my children

Why I write ...

To soothe my soul, to allow folks a view into my soul, to provide an unusual history of my world.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Politics, DIY shows, the writings of friends and online people I admire

My first job ...

Ironing for my family of six for $3 a week.

My best moment ...

Winning a writing contest and being interviewed on the radio

My inspiration ...

My family and friends, but most of all, my husband. He's with me no matter what I want to do and he listens to every story, item, chapter I write with interest and constructive criticism. He's never harsh and unyielding.

Pets & Animals > Dog Breeds Dog breed facts: Scottish Terrier

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One of the smartest of breeds, the Scottish terrier is literally a large dog in a small package.  This is apparent not only in his demeanor and fierce protectiveness of his owners, but in the massive jaws and teeth any larger breed would be proud to own.  Although often protective of dogs his size or smaller, the Scotty will go up against a rottweiller or any large dog without a second thought. The manners of this breed are almost impeccable even as a pup.  It seems to understand when the owner sternly tells it an item is not for the dog's playing pleasure and will not attem...

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