I taught myself how to be a journalist 22 years ago, before the Internet in a coat closet in my home in Vista, CA.

Since then I've gone on to publish thousands of articles in newspapers all over the country including the New York Times. I've published three books. I never knew back when I was 40 and wondering what my lot in life was going to be. Then, my husband Ralph told me to quit my job, try to become a writer, and if I was published nationally in a year, then I was a writer. If not, maybe I should try something else.

Within six months I was published nationally, I went on to be Brenda Starr, we moved a lot, and had a lot of adventures, most of which I wrote about. He died suddenly in the summer of 2018. I'm still a writer.

That's the short version.

Here is my latest and maybe my last 3000-word article ( that's a different story) for this wonderful publication, the San Diego Reader.

https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2020/may/13/feature-vista-has-always-had-my-heart/

Thank you for reading, and thank you to my darling husband.

Driving the Grief Highway

I don't have my motorhome anymore nor do I have my husband, but I took a road trip anyway.

I drove up the California coast, stopped at a winery that we loved and stayed the night down by the ocean near Hearst Castle at a cozy inn.

 It made me happy. I put on his favorite songs and continued my drive the next morning, up and over winding highway 1 through Big Sur. It made me happy.

 I arrived in Monterey to stay with family. It made me happy.

Day three the grief wave hit and the darkness arrived. It made me sad. This is my life now.

So I was born in Egypt and cast out into the Nile... thankfully not! 

BTW- My future wife was 5 months old when this photo was taken.

I had the incredibly good fortune to be born in San Diego. And a more cushy life really could have not been had. A milk- toast neighborhood in the middle of white- bread America. 

Every advantage offered. I must have done some wonderful things in a past life to deserve all these blessings. Whatever the case may be... I will try to give back to those around me for making this life so fantastic. Love and Blessings to my immediate family and friends for making me feel special. 

Love to you all!

Oh... and another spectacular day in sunny Del Mar.

Lucky 13- Off to the Races

The wife was customarily up early grabbing party favors for the day. We were headed to Del Mar for Tacotopia, the races, and a concert. Long day in store - this is a marathon, not a sprint. 

Not for the weak of heart or liver.

Arriving fashionably late for tacos did not stop a reasonable smack down. No #s will be divulged, but my daughter almost doubled my intake at her last Tacotopia. My favorite; the Adobada from AH-JIJO!

Birthday monthers- RR and Val

The races were a success as no horses suffered life threatening injuries. A great concern -  I do love to see them run - but still....

As for the concert, we were obviously a tad older than most. I honestly have no idea who the first band was. I believe they were a reggae rap band. ( this was told to me ) And I followed the cool moves of the guy smoking herb just off to the right. The headliner was 311. ( That's 3 eleven for you non- rockers ) I amazed myself by recognizing a few of their songs. 

Had a chat with someone probably in his 50's, as he quizzed what rockers I had seen in the day. He then stated that I was probably the only guy ever to see both Jimi Hendrix and 311 live. 

I don't know, but I might be a 1% er- in one respect.